David's 1972 Datsun 240Z Restoration
Restoration Corner: David's 1972 Datsun 240Z (Z Car Blog)January 25, 2017
Read the full write-up at Restoration Corner: David's 1972 Datsun 240Z (Z Car Blog) ↗
Photo: Restoration Corner: David's 1972 Datsun 240Z (Z Car Blog)A 1972 Datsun 240Z refreshed by Z Car Garage into a driver
David B bought this 1972 240Z in 2001 and finally had Z Car Garage sort it out. The shop focused on making the car a reliable, enjoyable driver rather than a concours restoration, working through the drivetrain, engine bay, suspension, fuel system and exterior while keeping the original orange paint and interior largely intact.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- Rebello 2.8L conversion with Z-therapy SU carburettors
- Ignition
- Pertronix electronic ignition
- Exhaust
- MSA 6-to-1 header with a custom 2.5-inch exhaust system
- Cooling
- Koyo race radiator
- Electrical
- 280ZX alternator, internally regulated
- Gearbox
- Factory 4-speed transmission, disassembled, resealed and repainted
- Rear axle
- Factory rear end, disassembled, resealed and repainted
- Suspension
- Techno Toy Tuning (T3) traction/control rods and lower control arms, Tokico 5-way shocks with Eibach springs, new bushings throughout
- Brakes
- ZCG Big Brake Kit with 13-inch rotors and 4-piston calipers finished in red
- Wheels
- 16x7 Panasport wheels
- Tyres
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R, 225/50/16 all around
- Paint
- Original 918 Orange, spot-repaired with a custom-matched mix rather than a full repaint
- Interior
- Original interior, cleaned rather than replaced
- Body/Trim
- Vinyl stripe fitted in place of the discontinued original side molding
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Engine 3
- Rebello 2.8L engine buildRebello
Replaced the tired original engine as the core of the drivetrain refresh
- MSA 6-to-1 headerMSA
Fitted with the rebuilt engine as part of the exhaust upgrade
In the shopsMSA Premium Exhaust System for 6-1 Headers (70-74 240Z-260Z) ↗Motorsport Auto (The Z Store)· $349.87
MSA Premium Exhaust System for 6-1 Headers (9/74-78 260Z-280Z) ↗ - Custom 2.5-inch exhaust systemZ Car Garage
Built and fitted by the shop to complete the exhaust
Fuel & Ignition 2
- Z-therapy SU carburettorsZ Therapy
Fitted new to the Rebello 2.8L engine
- Pertronix ignitionPertronix
Electronic ignition upgrade fitted during the engine work
In the shops
Electronic Ignition Kit, Pertronix Ignitor, positive earth ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £389.00 GBP
Electronic Ignition Kit, Pertronix Ignitor, negative earth ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £343.00 GBP
Electronic Ignition Kit, Pertronix Ignitor, DM2, negative earth ↗Moss Europe (UK)· £304.25 GBP
Cooling 1
- Koyo race radiatorKoyo
Fitted to improve cooling alongside the engine swap
In the shops
Koyo Aluminum Radiator (71-74 Corolla 1.6L Manual) ↗
JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $373.00 USD
Koyo Radiator (85-87 Corolla GT-S AE86 1.6L 4AGE Manual) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $397.00 USD
Koyo Aluminum Radiator for 3SGE BEAMS Swap (85-87 Corolla) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $417.00 USD
Gearbox & Drivetrain 2
- Factory 4-speed transmission
Disassembled, resealed and repainted to stop leaks and noise
In the shops
5-Speed Transmission Case Dowel Pin OEM (240Z/260Z/280Z/280ZX) ↗
Z Car Depot· $4.29 USD
Transmission Shaft Snap Ring (240Z/260Z/280Z/280ZX, 4/5-Speed) ↗Z Car Depot· $4.99 USD
Transmission Shaft Woodruff Key (240Z/260Z/280Z/280ZX, 4/5-Speed) ↗Z Car Depot· $3.99 USD - Factory rear end
Disassembled, resealed and repainted alongside the transmission
Suspension & Steering 4
- Techno Toy Tuning (T3) traction/control rodsTechno Toy Tuning
Installed during the suspension rebuild
In the shops
Techno Toy Tuning Hub Stands ↗
Techno Toy Tuning· $195.00 USD
AWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $1,095.00 USD
AWE Tuning S-FLO Carbon Fiber Intake (2023-2024 GR Corolla) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $1,145.00 USD - Techno Toy Tuning (T3) lower control armsTechno Toy Tuning
Installed during the suspension rebuild
In the shopsTechno Toy Tuning Hub Stands ↗Techno Toy Tuning· $195.00 USD
Fulcrum Shaft, Lower Control Arm ↗
Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $42.99 USDAWE Tuning Track Edition Exhaust ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $1,095.00 USD - Tokico 5-way adjustable shocksTokico
Paired with Eibach springs as the preferred non-coilover setup
In the shops
Front Shocks (Gaz Adjustable) ↗James Paddock Ltd· £185.00 GBP
Rear Shock Absorber - Adjustable ↗
British Auto USA· $180.23 USD
Front Shock Absorber (GAZ Adjustable) ↗ - Eibach springsEibach
Fitted with the Tokico shocks
In the shops
Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs (22-23 Civic) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $395.00 USD
Eibach PRO-KIT Lowering Springs (06-07 Civic) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $395.00 USD
Eibach PRO-KIT Lowering Springs (96-00 Civic) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $395.00 USD
Brakes 1
- ZCG Big Brake KitZ Car Garage
13-inch rotors with 4-piston calipers finished in red, fitted for improved fade resistance and pedal feel
In the shops
Rear Brackets for ND Little Big Brake Kit ↗
Flyin' Miata· $109.00 USD
Rear Brackets for NC Little Big Brake Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $129.00 USD
Front Brackets for ND Little Big Brake Kit ↗Flyin' Miata· $129.00 USD
Wheels & Tyres 2
- Panasport wheels, 16x7Panasport
Fitted over the big brake kit
In the shops
Panasport Wheel Nut Set ↗
Racetorations· £11.00 GBP
Panasport Aluminium Wheel Centre ↗Racetorations· £60.00 GBP16x7 +11 Japanese Panasport Wheel ↗Z Car Garage· $1,500.00 USD
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tyres, 225/50/16Bridgestone
Fitted all around on the Panasport wheels
Body & Trim 1
- Vinyl side stripe
Installed in place of the discontinued original side molding ahead of future paintwork
In the shops
240Z Body Side Stripe Decal Kit ↗Z Car Depot· $34.99 USD
Cooper Side Stripes - Black ↗
Mini Sport· £9.92 GBP
Cooper Side Stripes - White ↗Mini Sport· £9.74 GBP
Electrical 1
- 280ZX alternator (internally regulated)
Fitted as part of the drivetrain upgrades
Other 1
- Fuel tank and fuel lines
Tank removed and cleaned, frayed and cracked fuel lines and related hoses replaced
Photos
35 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Restoration Corner: David's 1972 Datsun 240Z (Z Car Blog). A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.
How it was done
Starting condition
David had owned the car since 2001 and wanted it restored. The 240Z had sat idle for years but was a solid survivor, with an interior needing only a thorough clean. The shop got it running again and steam-cleaned it to see what they were dealing with before setting a plan covering the drivetrain, engine bay, suspension and exterior.
Drivetrain
The old engine was pulled and replaced with a Rebello 2.8L build fitted with new SU carburettors, an MSA header, Pertronix ignition, a 280ZX internally regulated alternator, a Koyo radiator and a custom exhaust. Fasteners were zinc plated and parts such as the intake manifold were powdercoated. The factory 4-speed gearbox and rear end were stripped, resealed and repainted.
Engine bay
With the engine out, the bay was cleaned up and refreshed. Minor corrosion spots, including the battery tray, were addressed, and a custom paint mix was used to spot-match the existing orange rather than repainting the whole car. Brake and clutch lines and other metal parts in the bay were zinc plated.
Chassis and suspension
All suspension bushings were renewed and parts were zinc plated or powdercoated during the rebuild. Techno Toy Tuning T/C rods and lower control arms went in, along with Tokico 5-way shocks and Eibach springs. A ZCG Big Brake kit with 13-inch rotors and 4-piston calipers was fitted, paired with 16x7 Panasport wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R tyres. The underside was fully undercoated.
Fuel system
The fuel lines running to the tank had become frayed and cracked, so the tank was removed and cleaned, and the related lines, hoses and rubber parts were replaced.
Exterior
The original side molding was found to be discontinued, so a vinyl stripe was fitted in its place as a stand-in ahead of eventual paintwork. The exterior was then fully detailed, bringing out the condition of the original paint.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Restoration Corner: David's 1972 Datsun 240Z (Z Car Blog) ↗