Stan’s 1970 Datsun 240Z

Filed under: 240z,Featured Cars and Projects,Maintenance
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on March 20, 2023

We love working with owners that have a long history with their Z car. Stan K is the original owner of this early Datsun 240z (VIN# 511, 11/69 build), purchased brand new in 1970. The car had been sitting in storage for decades and Stan contacted us to revive it with mechanical sorting.

Stan shipped his car to our shop from Rocklin, Ca and we began work in 2020 to get it back on the road. Our Z Car Garage CV Axles along with refurbished brakes, suspension, interior and engine all transform this Z back into the sports car Stan remembered enjoying. Let’s get into the mechanical restoration of HLS30-00511 in one of our favorite colors, Safari Gold.

Drivetrain

The Z had been sitting in garage since the early 90s. Stan was getting older and his son was getting to be of age where he could enjoy it. The idea was for Stan and his family to do a mechanical restoration, allowing us to get it back on the road for the next generation to drive. We performed a full inspection when it arrived, and it was in rough condition from being parked for so long:

Unfortunately the engine had failed, so we built a Rebello 2.4 “stock” rebuild, retaining the factory block and cylinder head since it was such an early S30:

Before the rebuilt engine was installed the engine bay was cleaned up, before/after and many more photos in the gallery below:

Rebuilt engine going back in and ZCG went to work, performing all the things we do when getting these Z cars back on the road: refreshed entire cooling system, heater core, updated the starter and charging system to 280ZX spec and a fresh set of Z-Therapy carbs with Pertronix ignition and all of tune-up items:

We replaced the intake/exhaust manifold gaskets and installed an MSA coated header with our ZCG Exhaust system. The original 4-speed transmission was resealed. Before/After drivetrain and engine bay work:

Dyno Tuning

Rob dyno tuned the Z, making 133hp/137tq at the wheels:

Enjoy this video of the dyno runs and L-Series music!

Z Car Garage CV Axles

Our Z Car Garage CV Axles help transmit power to the ground and ensure smoother operation compared to your standard half shafts. These are 100% bolt-in replacing your half-shafts and does not use aluminum adapters commonly found in aftermarket units. We have over 200+ CV axle kits on customer cars and we are stoked with all of the positive feedback.

Stan has CV Axle set #377. Stock half shafts (L) and ZCG units. Also shown are the T3 control arms:

The differential was resealed with new front/side seals:

Braking System

Rob shares his thoughts on going through Stan’s entire braking/hydraulic system:

“I couldn’t believe how Stan K’s car went from resting in its slumber in his garage to running on the road once again. After the phenomenon of Z Car Garage Big-Brakes it was really odd to go back to an entirely stock braking system…re-doing factory calipers, rotors, re-packing wheel-bearings, shoes, wheel cylinders, drums, it was really cool.”

S30 World Fuel Tank

We decided to start fresh with a new S30 World fuel tank. They make a wonderful Series 1 replacement. Great product coming from owners Gustav Oplasnik and Chris Visscher, Z enthusiasts/restorers.

We also replaced all vapor hoses and hatch weatherstripping to eliminate fuel smell in the cabin:

Topping off the mechanical restoration was a suspension refurbishment with adjustable T/C rods, new ball joints, springs and shocks:

Details

Since our 1971 shop demo Z Mrs. Butters used to run on the Series 1 OEM wheels we knew exactly what tire to run on Stan’s…185/70/14 Vredstein Sprint Classics. Rob also found Stan a set of Series 1 “D” hubcaps from our stash of parts:

A fresh set of NOS Hatch vents was installed:

Interior

In addition to the mechanical restoration we also freshened up the interior. The highlight is a full dashboard replacement using a Series 1 reproduction piece from Vintage Dashes. We have now performed several Vintage Dashes installations and we thank Ivan Jaramillo for making a cost-effective product for Z cars. Here are a few in-progress photos showing the old-cracked original dash being removed to prep for the new unit, more pictures of the process in the photo gallery!

The heater box was refurbished with new heat/defrost vents, gaskets and all HVAC cable controls were lubed:

All gauges were dissembled and cleaned up so the view from the steering wheel is minty fresh:

New dash fully assembled and ready to re-install:

Stan’s Z received our ZCG door treatment with our door seals and weatherstripping: all the things we do to make those doors sound less “tinny” and shut like a German car:

The seats were weathered, so once again Rob’s stash of parts yielded a fresh set of seats:

This Z is back to its former glory, with everything we know to update/improve without taking away the value of a Series 1. Stan’s Z has a full mechanical restoration so it can be enjoyed by his family and next generation of Z enthusiasts. On the cosmetics side, with a full detail you can see how the factory paint comes back like nobody’s business:

Our time with Stan’s Z was during COVID so his family was not able to come down to the shop and see all the progress. A bit of sad news, by the time we finished his beloved 240Z, Stan passed away. His widow, son and daughter came down to Z Car Garage. His son did not know how to drive manual so Rob gave him a quick lesson:

“I taught his son how to drive stick and use specific items like the choke lever. We all cried, tears of sadness and joy celebrating Stan’s Z. He might have crossed over but his Z car will remain here for his family to enjoy. Long Live The Z. Long live the passion. Thanks Stan K.”