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Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

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Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Late 70's/early 80's 911's had to drop the engine to change the spark plugs. Dad's work neighbor Porsche shop was printing money left, right, and center.

I thought a 3rd gen fbody was bad on the #7/8 plugs. Had to get those from underneath.

Or drill through the firewall, which is why many of those cars are no longer with us. Beautiful cars, at least the Pontiac version, but now almost impossible to source.

And you'll never find one with good interior parts.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#32

240Z has to be one of my favorite cars. Love this build.

I had the 280ZX Turbo. Of my dozen past cars, that's the one I still miss to this day. Not as powerful as my old Mustangs, but light as a feather and one of the best overall balanced cars I've ever owned. Even today's cars are all about a single aspect or two. The old Datsun just balanced everything perfectly - even the turbo lag was consistent and in character for the rest of the car.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#33
Painting cast iron

Pro tip if you are going to paint a cast iron block, after degreasing/cleaning, hit the surface with a blowtorch to drive out moisture from the porous surface. THEN apply a primer, THEN paint with a brush. You're only going to do this once, do it right. Do not do what this guy did which was SPRAY paint a block holding on to a lot of moisture. This is exactly how you end up with cracking/flaking paint 2-3 years after a completed build.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#35

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Buy an old car. When problems start appearing, learn how fix them. I feel most "car guys" got started this way in their youth, out of necessity.

Get something cheap to learn on at first, before spending the time and money on a "classic". Something fairly common, so you can find info on repair online (forums/youtube). Get a Haynes workshop manual for it.

Make sure you have access to a garage space with a lift.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#37

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Just get an old car and buy some tools and teach yourself. There's a ton of information online. For a lot of cars, you can find step-by-step instructions or walkthrough videos of common procedures.

I would start with some easier procedures to get your confidence up, like maybe a valve cover gasket replacement or a serpentine belt replacement. Then move on to harder things.

Also, if you live in a rust-prone area (and you are using simple hand tools), your most important items will be penetrating oil, a big breaker bar, and a large sledgehammer. :) Getting rusty things unstuck is kind of an art in and of itself.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#38
post #3

See also the 240Z restoration in progress by @mymechanics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B13vXFj37RI&list=PLN0SuqPcbL... I'm in awe of the level of detail and the casual ability to just fabricate anything. And the large capacity for work.

That car was in excellent condition. Not much of a restoration.

Start around 38 seconds and watch to 2m13s. Your definition of "in excellent condition" and mine seem to differ greatly.

IMO, that car was between "driver" and "restorable" condition and I tend to think it was much closer to the latter.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That car was in excellent condition. Not much of a restoration.

Start around 38 seconds and watch to 2m13s. Your definition of "in excellent condition" and mine seem to differ greatly. IMO, that car was between "driver" and "restorable" condition and I tend to think it was much closer to the latter.

Perhaps I'm use to people taking parts cars and bringing them back to life....

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#40
post #28

If you're into this, you'll love M539 restorations. Here's a ground up rebuild of the S65 V8 out of an E92 M3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuXp8QnWoU&t=2s

I own this car and the engine. I did extensive engine repairs and maintenance (rod bearings, valve cover seals, throttle actuators, SAP, plugs, coils, sensors). This is insanely expensive amount of parts in this video, not even counting the work itself. Basically it would never make economic sense to do a rebuild like this.

He buys cars in sketchy condition for very cheap. For example, this car was:

- Crashed in the US - Auctioned to a European dealership who replaced the odometer - Sold to two more owners, the latter who seized the engine

He's traveling around central Europe to tow cars from people who would otherwise scrap them.

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