Thank you to Turtle Wax for sponsoring this video! Go to www.turtlewax.com to see all of their high-quality car care products! Do you think this 260z is worth restoring and if so, how much do you think it would cost?!
The 260s aren't worth as much as the 240s and 280s but they're still pretty damn cool. Definitely worth restoring or if it's too far gone I've seen several turned into resto-mod beasts. I saw one of these that had been lowered and the engine mods had it north of 500HP. The turbo poking through the hood was 30% the size of the original engine.
wabi sabi the beauty in imperfection. Sadly the car is very rotted, you could either restore it or just get it running and enjoy it as is after treating and sealing the rust... i drive a 78 w116 mercedes as a daily driver, has rust behind the master cylinder that causes it to flow to the driver floor pan, when i got it i grinded the rust from all floor pans and under seats and used so much rust converter, rust sealant and epoxy top coat. The thing is still more solid than most modern cars and is a tank. i poured penetrol behind the master cylinder to coat all the rust in that area and one day ill restore it and weld it but for now im just daily driving it. If it lasts 10 more years without gaining more deep rust ill park it and do a full body repair, engine rebuild etc... for now though i just enjoy it as is, bit rough but i like it. One of my friends did a datsun ute, he spent 5 long years fixing everything, he pulled apart layers of the car just to get to surface rust like deskinning the bonnet etc. A week after it was restored a tree fell on it and absolutely crushed the thing... the lesson is to not get too caught up with perfection, thats the wabi sabi way. You can always restore over time too to keep costs down. Definitely treat the rust at a minimum though to stop it spreading, i recommend a can of flood penetrol rust treatment, its used to penetrated between hard to reach layers of rusted steel and even along bolt threads (main use is for trailers etc) but definitely look into it :) goodluck
Thank you. My best friend of 38 years had one these in the early 80's. She taught me how drive a stick shift in it. Yours is even the exact same color of blue as hers was. I lost her to cancer about 5 years ago and your video made me smile, made me cry and helped me remember her and all the grest times we had together in her Z. Thank you. Don't give up on fixing her. These old cars are pretty smiple. Just fuel, air and spark. Good luck.
Well, friends, this channel never disappoints, you have a high degree of quality!! But this car suffered a lot, sad to know that it was stopped and ended up in this state... Just a complete repair, for tens of thousands of dollars, I hope someone comes along who loves this classic... Hugs from Brazil!!!
Got to get old gas out of the system as its varnished by now. Take the carbs apart and clean them as they are varnished and plugged as well . That should get you ready to start. And change the fuel filter
My brother's first car was a 240Z. He later owned a 300Z Twin Turbo and now owns a 370Z. We had a blast in that old 240. You guys did a great job on this 260. I hope you guys get it running soon!
So glad to see you tackle the restoration on this classic. It is definately worth restoring, barring a major engine/transmission problem. Hope it works out for you. Nice to watch some fellow car lovers bring these classics back.
I usually don't comment but love to watch you guys detail. This Datsun brings back so many great memories my brother owned one back in the day and I learned how to drive in it. I sent him the video and he is now a subscriber as well. Turtle wax is always been my go-to for cleaning my cars and this new stuff will be in my garage. I love detailing cars and should have been doing it for a living, watching you dudes on UA-cam has brought back a spark to me cleaning cars and I'm looking forward to starting my very own detailing business. Great videos fellas and definitely keep that car it's worth alot of money restored. The wood grain shift knob is the better look. ✌️
I bought a 1974 260Z as a young man of 25 or so. Your video brought back a ton of memories, mostly of all the problems I had starting and keeping it running. The carbs were water cooled which we removed, but still had problems. More than one date with my new wife ended with us riding in the tow truck cab back home. I loved the car but eventually sold it to buy a van (ugh!) to accommodate our growing family. I had constant issues starting the Z, and kept a can of starter fluid with me at all times. I still think of my old car, but laugh when think of all the times it died on me. Good luck with this one.
Great car. My mother-in-law had a 280z in the early 1980’s. Fun to drive. I like the little roadster from your earlier video. Those pre emission cars are so easy to work on.
You guys gotta stop trying to start 20 and 30 yr cars on the gas in the tank!! Hook up a gas can with a line to the motor to bypass the nasty varnish in the tank. Those new plugs you put in are a waste if you run a vehicle on the garbage water in the tank. Love your shows. Just had to comment.
This might be the all time dumbest comment. Typical internet guy that “knows things.” Obviously they put new gas in. Gasoline doesn’t even work after a couple of years, sometimes it degrades to the point of unusability in as little as 3 months.
@@swisskristin12 I haven't seen a lot of their videos. Do they replace old gas first and discuss this in other videos? Because they didn't in this one.
My 8 yr old daughter and I love your videos! In reference to the polish compound near the end of the video she said “oh my, the difference blows my mind!”
Hopefully the upcoming videos are with that car. To get it running, I'd definitely go through the fuel system from tank to carburetors. (If you're mechanically inclined between all 3, you could run it off a rigged up fuel cell/ can - after you clean the carbs) Definitely check the points and compression. Hopefully it's not too late to tell you to squirt a little oil into each cylinder and let it soak. Crank it over with the plugs out after a day. Then repeat. Mostly to avoid scoring the cylinders and also to free up the piston rings.
I recently decided to pull out my great grandfathers 69 bronco from the barn where it sat for 30 ish years, and cleaned it up because of your videos. Thanks for the inspiration
You guys are really excellent bring in a vehicle back to life after pulling out of the storage or garage looking like hell and making it look almost new pretty amazing work you do guys and I watch your videos as often as I can cuz I'm learning a lot from you.
I believe all these old cars are worth saving. Each one has a story to tell and somebody out there is prepared to listen. Just needs some TLC. Good luck to whoever gets this lovely old car.
Guys, big fan of your channel - don't miss a weekly episode drop! Definitely one of my favorite go to channels on UA-cam! Question - would it be possible to get an episode without the music? It's great hearing the real sound of the shop and the cleaning etc. Great job fellas!
Thanks David! We may start posting music less videos on our second channel, WD Plus! We’ve pondered that for a while now. Appreciate the feedback and support man!
It's been said now by many viewing commenters, but yeah, air/spark/ _fuel._ You've got a great acquisition there. Doesn't seem any major structural or mechanical issues. That said, regarding getting the engine running, only the most basic corrective is needed -- the fuel line, from gas tank to carburetors. Get that issue squared away and _bam!_ -- she'll reward you with joyously coming back to life. Best wishes, gents, and congratulations 🎊.
LOVE the old Z-cars ... Getting a classic running takes a systematic approach. New oil, gas tank flush, new fuel filter. Spark and compression testing. Timing adjustment. Carb clean and potentially a rebuild. That car will absolutely run like a champ with the right approach.
All a guy can say is...part 2 PLEASE!! Way too cool an old car to pass along! I agree with those who mentioned bad gas. Don't forget cap and rotor...maybe clean up the points while you're in there! Looking forward to more on this one!!
I had the exact car years ago in California. I took it to Earl Shibe and had it repainted for $200, then cleaned it up and It looked great. The dual carbs were not great. Datsun changed to fuel injection with the 280z and it was fast! Great video!
FYI that’s an early 260z. Midway through the year the front turn signals were moved above the bumper like the 280. The early is the most similar to the 240 of the entire S30 run, but with a nicer interior. I think it’s destined to be one of the most sought after Z’s of the family.
I would check the ignition points under the distributor cap make sure they open when turning over and the contacts are clean with some sandpaper. I would also make sure it is getting fuel may need a pump.
I love these Z cars! Any model of them would be fine with me. I think it will probably start as these engines are practically bulletproof! IMO it looks much better with the bumpers, I just don't like the "no bumper" look. Great job!
Turtle Wax products were marketed in Europe some 30-40 years ago. I remember the brand and I have used Turtle Wax to polish my car myself. I have not seen the brand since then and do not know whether or not we still can find it here. Anyhow, I do not polish my car myself any longer, so ... Congratulations for the miracles that you and your team do to revive barn finds.
This car is like a dream come true! Most of us Z fanatics find cars that need everything, including all the floors. Super clean car! I bet you've had tons of offers...
My father was a Porsche Volkswagen Specialist from Germany and his approach to a car not starting is to check to ensure that the motor has: Spark, Oxygen, and Fuel. If the starter is turning the motor over and you have Spark, Oxygen, and Fuel, the motor should start. The next step is to empty the gas tank and put fresh fuel in the tank. Hello from Halifax Nova Scotia.
Stunning transformation to say the least. Wow. You guys are magicians! Excellent background music too! Are there any local high schools that still offer auto shop classes that may wish to involve their students in helping you get the car started and back on the road? Also, you could keep the car and use it as a company training device for any new employees you hire as well as a "laboratory" to test various products any sponsor sends you.
Hi, guys! Wish a good chance and BIG fortune to you with this car. She's a beauty and you are guys that can make things ;)) Actually there's three components, of which engine working depends. The spark, the fuel and the compression. Here is methodic to do as much as possible. First, the spark. You checked the ignition coil, it is okay. Next you should check the distributor and wires. Take off all spark plugs. Connect ALL ignition wires from distributior to coil and spark plugs. Ensure all spark plugs have "ground" contact. You may lay them on the top of the engine. Then crank the engine and see if all the plugs have sparks. If some plugs fail, replace them with the working ones and try again. If them fail again, 99% it's a wire failure. If no one plug gives sparks, then it is 99% distributor failure. If we have the spark, we should check the fuel. In general, spraying starter fluid, as you have done, will be enough to get flashes (at least) and if you get them, you should work with carbs. If there's no flashes, we should check the compression. The compression in its turn depends on two things: valves and piston rings. For this job we need a compression meter, a syringe and motor oil. Medical 10cc syringe will be enough. Unplug ALL ignition wires from spark plugs! Unscrew the spark plug, screw in the compression meter, crank the engine and check the compression. Normally, the compression is about 10-12. Deadly low is less than 6. If it is low (surely it will be low if the engine was not running more than a month), pour about 5-10cc (NO MORE!) of oil into cylinder through spark plug opening. Try to distribute the oil near the walls of the cylinder. Then check compression again. If it raises, 80% there is the piston rings failure. Try to check for flashes again after you test all cylinders. At this point your engine may start working! (If it happens, then your piston rings are nearly ok, just the oil that normally helps to hold the compression has drained with time) If the compression does not raise, 99% there is a failure either in valves caps (most likely) or there is some residues on surface where valve meets its seat. Take care and have a chance! Thanks for a good video!
Great episode! You guys have to keep that 70’s goodness (beautiful color blue) You will regret it if you sell it. I would check the fuel pump as well. Keep up with the great content 👍🏻👍🏻
It would take quite a bit to restore that car. There is also "Survivor" class and "Drivable Dreams" that require much less work and celebrate the patina and character of the car. Not every car has to be concours quality. You guys did a nice job from where it started. Good editing and another good video. BTW, that car would not be JDM. American bumpers and the steering wheel would be on the right.
I bought a 1978 280Z on a whim. Tuned out to be one of the best cars I’ve ever owned! Had it painted BMW burnt orange, turned out Awesome! Wish I still had it. Great cruising car for a tall guy👍
I had a 76 version of the 260z. Got it for commuting to college in the mid 80's. Let me say first I feel for ya, I had very similar problems with mine. On the first day it conked out next to busy highway. Long story short it's multiple things that are the problem. I'd check those carbs, I had to get a rebuild kit for mine. Thankfully the landlord's daughter was dating an ex marine. Great guy with a screw loose. He helped me fix most of what went wrong. Along with the carbs the fuel pump was known to go bad so i'd check that too. It's a straight six so mechanically it should be good. It's the little things that can and do go wrong with this car. If you do get it working you won't be dissatisfied. It's a great little pocket rocket that can handle. Of by all means that wood knob is the way to go.
Awesome car - drove one for the first time a couple of months ago and absolutely loved it - and one hell of a transformation. This channel just keeps getting better and better - older cars are way cooler and more interesting than the dreary, endless stream of modern Civics and minivans that other detailing channels typically tackle. Please keep it up! 🙂
My college roommate drove one of these! Same color and year too! I drove that thing so many times back to the dorm from bars! I kinda miss that little thing.
I had one of these. Only made in 1974. Bought it in 1982. You had to have a special screwdriver to tune the two carbs. The dealership mechanic would use it to teach the new guys how to tune them. It was a fun ride.
After my '72 240, I owned actually 2 new 260's. The first one was one of the very first that had an ugly wad of wires under the dash on the passenger side that indicated it was the first of the new electronic ignition systems that had an irritating habit of just dying on the road with everything electronic like the tac dying to zero. The paint was bad too, so I was given a replacement later 260 with a fixed electronic system that wasn't intruding into the passenger foot area and the green paint, while not as cool as the silver, at least didn't peel, lol. I did get rid of it for a new CJ-5 jJeep when I got to Arizona for USAF pilot training! When you tuned up to '72 specs it ran better than the 240. The stock stearing wheel was black vinyl, like the whole interior, unlike the 240. The original wheels were steel with covers and those were the smaller bumpers of the 260 line, the later biggies were really ugly. When tuned to '72 specs, it ran way better than the '73 which was a dog. ***Guys, there is an electronic module that feeds the coil in the early 260's that would go dead. That may be your problem. See if there is a huge wire bundle under the dash on the passenger side. That may fix it for you. Good luck!
Hey, Dom, greetings from Arkansas USA! I'm so glad i found your channel. I love what you do and I appreciate your talents. And I really appreciate you as a warm and wonderful human being. I wait impatiently every week for your next video. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration. I sincerely hope that I will have an opportunity to meet you one day and shake your hand. Thank you for making a difference. Your biggest fan, H.D.
As the former owner of two 240Z's the weak link in these engines are those dual carbs. Chances are the needles are shot from people cranking them in and out to get them to run smoothly. They can only take so much tweaking. Rebuild kits are fairly cheap, however.
Those cars are great. Growing up my mom had a blue 280Z. I loved that car. I wish I had one. My friend's dad had a brown 240Z and a blue 260Z. Definitely restore it.
Hola guys 😊 my cousin had a Datsun 280zx back in the days, oh omg I love it so much fun riding around town. After the Datsun she got a Mustang Match beauty of a car. The good old days were the Best. Blessings to you and your families 🚗🥰🤗
My ‘73 240z was one of my fave cars! Had it from ‘77 - ‘83. It had a wood steering wheel as well as a wood shifter knob. My Z had the smaller front & back bumper , and it accelerated from 75 to 100mph like a rocket. So much fun with that car! Those twin sealed carbs were a total PIA… always got fouled.
… also, you should thoroughly check the frame, because they were famous for really bad rust issues - especially in the northern states. If the frame’s rusted, there’s not much you can do… and this problem was really evident in the 260z/280z. Had a friend with a 280, of course much newer than mine, that rusted super prematurely.
Ignition timing: Check the timing with a timing light and adjust it if necessary. Consult the owner's manual for specific instructions. Ignition system: Check the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition module for wear or damage. Ensure that the spark plug wires are connected in the correct firing order and that the distributor shaft is not loose. Check that the points are clean and properly adjusted. Compression: Perform a compression test on each cylinder to check for low compression. If the compression is low, it may indicate a problem with the piston rings, valves, or cylinder walls. Consult a mechanic if you're not comfortable performing a compression test. LATER.... Carburetors: Check the carburetors for blockages or damage. Ensure that the idle mixture is properly adjusted and that the choke is functioning correctly. Check the fuel level in the float bowls and ensure that the float needles are sealing properly. Consider cleaning or rebuilding the carburetors if they appear to be in poor condition. Fuel system: Check the fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel lines for damage or blockages. Ensure that fuel is reaching the carburetors and that the fuel pressure is within the correct range. Check the condition of the fuel in the tank and consider draining and refilling it if it appears to be old or contaminated. (Shouldn't be your issue considering starter fluid but can't hurt) Oh and change the oil and coolant. Nice Cleanup job! Love the videos.
I grew up on Chevy and Harley, but in the last 10 years have completely been converted to Japanese cars and motorcycles. Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Toyota. Also I love old datsuns and will pounce if I ever find one like that. Also this my favorite video to date.
You guys never cease to amaze me! "Did you buy this thing or did we buy it?" OMG :) I now think your breakaway song should be RJ's jingle you tried to cut from the video. Too cute. You did an amazing job on the car.
I absolutely love watching your videos on these cars you find that have been sitting for years. There is just something that is satisfying and therapeutic about watching videos like yours. Keep up the great work and also providing us with these videos. Do you mind visitors? I actually live in Vermilion, Ohio and would like to stop in sometime to see one of your transformations in person.
Ensure there a spark 1st, then put a fuel feed directly into the carbs (from a can) and try it then.If that fails rebuild the carbs as they maybe seized (old fuel gets sticky and clogs things up) Invite Kevin from Junkyard Digs down, he is a brilliant mechanic 👍
Hey guys…I know y’all wanna get it started. The other detailing channel I watch is ammo nyc. They have a bunch of contacts that could possibly find you the right people to get it started. Hope this helps!
Im actually getting ready to restore a 260z hull. It will have the guts from my 76 280z 2+2 I rescued out of a junkyard back in 2019. Sadly, rust got the best of the 280z but glad to be able to make use of the guts.
Always will stand by Turtlewax , nothing never can beat Turtlewax , I use all their products all the time have tried these hybrid editions yet though, but speaking of the car the fuel system is the culprit for it not starting , sending unit , fuel filter , the lines themselves etc. , That taken care of should get this baby started.🙂😎👍❤️❤️🔥🔥💯.
I had one of these back in the early 80's when I was fresh out of high school and just going to college. What a quick beast. You might want to spray the dash with a anti UVA protector. They were prone to crack under sunlight and the foam mold would pop out creating bigger cracks
Nice video. This is an early 260Z with the small bumpers. Back in the day, I bought a new one in emerald green. Loved that car but it was cold blooded during the northern winters and rusted quickly. I had Minilite wheels on mine, and it looks like these might also be Minilites. If so, they are very sought after wheels. They probably should be refinished. And I like the oem Datsun shifter knob.
I would LOVE to see a full restoration of this car. Not sure if you guys are mechanically inclined enough to get it done. A little change up from the normal washing/restorations would be cool though.
FYI. I had a 260Z in 1978 and they are notorious for having bad carburetors. It was a 1 year car. 280z’s came out and fixed the carburetor problem. Mine got vapor locks when engine got warm. Every time.
I also own a 74 260z. You guys have an early 260z, you can tell cus you have the thin bumpers that more resemble the 240z. The later 260z look more like a 280z with bigger bumpers and lights on the grill. Most don't know this, but early 260z have two fuel pumps. A mechanical one and an electric one by the gas tank. Make sure at least one of them is working.
I've read some comments by obvious Turtle haters below. But I have to say, that for a budget product. I was rather impressed. Sure there are better. But when it comes down to getting what you pay for. Turtles next gen of products seem to have really stepped things up.
I think the turtle wax progucts are a winner ! The "one and done" worked really well as did the plastic restorer. Great job and video as usual guys, would have really been cool if it started.
Awwwwwwwwwww guys, you HAVE to keep this car. I'm in love with it. I too want to see it running again. Do a collab with another UA-camr so we can all see it get fully restored. It's a beauty. I had a 240 as a teenage girl and I swear a lot of guys dated me just so they could ride in my car, LOL! I loved that thing. Unfortunately I was at work one night (I worked nights to afford it!) and somebody rammed it while it was parked on the street. Totaled it. :-( So yeah, I want revenge. Rebuild this thing!
I'd like to come and try, but I'm in New Zealand. I have always wanted one of these, but out of my price range, it would be awesome to have a LHD version of this in a RHD country. Also prefer the rear bumper left on I have just subscribed and love your videos
Thank you to Turtle Wax for sponsoring this video! Go to www.turtlewax.com to see all of their high-quality car care products!
Do you think this 260z is worth restoring and if so, how much do you think it would cost?!
All Datsuns are worth a resto. The turtlewax didn't do justice but if you would've wet sand first, probably would've killed. I like it.
The 260s aren't worth as much as the 240s and 280s but they're still pretty damn cool. Definitely worth restoring or if it's too far gone I've seen several turned into resto-mod beasts. I saw one of these that had been lowered and the engine mods had it north of 500HP. The turbo poking through the hood was 30% the size of the original engine.
Maybe chrisfix?
You can ship here in Philippines hehe i love that car is awesome
wabi sabi the beauty in imperfection. Sadly the car is very rotted, you could either restore it or just get it running and enjoy it as is after treating and sealing the rust... i drive a 78 w116 mercedes as a daily driver, has rust behind the master cylinder that causes it to flow to the driver floor pan, when i got it i grinded the rust from all floor pans and under seats and used so much rust converter, rust sealant and epoxy top coat. The thing is still more solid than most modern cars and is a tank. i poured penetrol behind the master cylinder to coat all the rust in that area and one day ill restore it and weld it but for now im just daily driving it. If it lasts 10 more years without gaining more deep rust ill park it and do a full body repair, engine rebuild etc... for now though i just enjoy it as is, bit rough but i like it. One of my friends did a datsun ute, he spent 5 long years fixing everything, he pulled apart layers of the car just to get to surface rust like deskinning the bonnet etc. A week after it was restored a tree fell on it and absolutely crushed the thing... the lesson is to not get too caught up with perfection, thats the wabi sabi way. You can always restore over time too to keep costs down. Definitely treat the rust at a minimum though to stop it spreading, i recommend a can of flood penetrol rust treatment, its used to penetrated between hard to reach layers of rusted steel and even along bolt threads (main use is for trailers etc) but definitely look into it :) goodluck
Thank you. My best friend of 38 years had one these in the early 80's. She taught me how drive a stick shift in it. Yours is even the exact same color of blue as hers was. I lost her to cancer about 5 years ago and your video made me smile, made me cry and helped me remember her and all the grest times we had together in her Z. Thank you. Don't give up on fixing her. These old cars are pretty smiple. Just fuel, air and spark. Good luck.
Well, friends, this channel never disappoints, you have a high degree of quality!! But this car suffered a lot, sad to know that it was stopped and ended up in this state... Just a complete repair, for tens of thousands of dollars, I hope someone comes along who loves this classic... Hugs from Brazil!!!
Just wash it
Got to get old gas out of the system as its varnished by now. Take the carbs apart and clean them as they are varnished and plugged as well . That should get you ready to start. And change the fuel filter
All of this and also, make sure the distributor cap is properly installed...and check the timing belt...
I agree with this
agreed 👍🏼
Check the pump and gas tank that is not rust out
Also check the points in that distributor. But the carbs need a good rebuild. And empty and clean the tank
This is quickly becoming my favorite car cleaning channel on UA-cam.
My brother's first car was a 240Z. He later owned a 300Z Twin Turbo and now owns a 370Z. We had a blast in that old 240. You guys did a great job on this 260. I hope you guys get it running soon!
Friend had 240 z cool car unlike any other car in the seventies
So glad to see you tackle the restoration on this classic. It is definately worth restoring, barring a major engine/transmission problem. Hope it works out for you. Nice to watch some fellow car lovers bring these classics back.
Wat about the torn places in the seats.
I really like seeing you guys clean up the older cars and make them look new again
"Vice Grip Garage" are located to Tennessee. For a future project it would be fun to see you guys work together.
Loved the 240 and 210 when I was beginning to drive in mid 70s. Love the show. It’s amazing what a clean up can do to the appearance
I like the car with the bumper on it. It's original and that's what I like.
I usually don't comment but love to watch you guys detail. This Datsun brings back so many great memories my brother owned one back in the day and I learned how to drive in it. I sent him the video and he is now a subscriber as well. Turtle wax is always been my go-to for cleaning my cars and this new stuff will be in my garage. I love detailing cars and should have been doing it for a living, watching you dudes on UA-cam has brought back a spark to me cleaning cars and I'm looking forward to starting my very own detailing business. Great videos fellas and definitely keep that car it's worth alot of money restored. The wood grain shift knob is the better look. ✌️
I bought a 1974 260Z as a young man of 25 or so. Your video brought back a ton of memories, mostly of all the problems I had starting and keeping it running. The carbs were water cooled which we removed, but still had problems. More than one date with my new wife ended with us riding in the tow truck cab back home. I loved the car but eventually sold it to buy a van (ugh!) to accommodate our growing family. I had constant issues starting the Z, and kept a can of starter fluid with me at all times. I still think of my old car, but laugh when think of all the times it died on me. Good luck with this one.
The bumper is what makes that models so unique please keep it on
Great car. My mother-in-law had a 280z in the early 1980’s. Fun to drive. I like the little roadster from your earlier video. Those pre emission cars are so easy to work on.
You guys gotta stop trying to start 20 and 30 yr cars on the gas in the tank!! Hook up a gas can with a line to the motor to bypass the nasty varnish in the tank. Those new plugs you put in are a waste if you run a vehicle on the garbage water in the tank. Love your shows. Just had to comment.
You can tell these detailers aren't really "car guys"
YEA U RITE JUST PLAN STUPID U JUST PUT A NEW CARB IN YA GUNA F*UK UP YA NEW SH*T!!!
This might be the all time dumbest comment. Typical internet guy that “knows things.” Obviously they put new gas in. Gasoline doesn’t even work after a couple of years, sometimes it degrades to the point of unusability in as little as 3 months.
@@swisskristin12 I haven't seen a lot of their videos. Do they replace old gas first and discuss this in other videos? Because they didn't in this one.
@@swisskristin12 Kristen get back to the kitchen where you belong
My 8 yr old daughter and I love your videos! In reference to the polish compound near the end of the video she said “oh my, the difference blows my mind!”
Hopefully the upcoming videos are with that car.
To get it running, I'd definitely go through the fuel system from tank to carburetors. (If you're mechanically inclined between all 3, you could run it off a rigged up fuel cell/ can - after you clean the carbs) Definitely check the points and compression. Hopefully it's not too late to tell you to squirt a little oil into each cylinder and let it soak. Crank it over with the plugs out after a day. Then repeat. Mostly to avoid scoring the cylinders and also to free up the piston rings.
Too late lol
All very good advice when trying to get an old vehicle running. I would also suggest draining any old fuel and replacing it :D
I recently decided to pull out my great grandfathers 69 bronco from the barn where it sat for 30 ish years, and cleaned it up because of your videos. Thanks for the inspiration
You guys are really excellent bring in a vehicle back to life after pulling out of the storage or garage looking like hell and making it look almost new pretty amazing work you do guys and I watch your videos as often as I can cuz I'm learning a lot from you.
I believe all these old cars are worth saving. Each one has a story to tell and somebody out there is prepared to listen. Just needs some TLC. Good luck to whoever gets this lovely old car.
Guys, big fan of your channel - don't miss a weekly episode drop! Definitely one of my favorite go to channels on UA-cam! Question - would it be possible to get an episode without the music? It's great hearing the real sound of the shop and the cleaning etc. Great job fellas!
Thanks David! We may start posting music less videos on our second channel, WD Plus! We’ve pondered that for a while now. Appreciate the feedback and support man!
Police car Philippines 🇵🇭 🚨🚨🔫🖲👮🏻♂️
Yes, please. This rarity deserves to beautify our streets for many decades to come.
Not rusted out, exceedingly rare find.
It's been said now by many viewing commenters, but yeah, air/spark/ _fuel._
You've got a great acquisition there. Doesn't seem any major structural or mechanical issues. That said, regarding getting the engine running, only the most basic corrective is needed -- the fuel line, from gas tank to carburetors. Get that issue squared away and _bam!_ -- she'll reward you with joyously coming back to life.
Best wishes, gents, and congratulations 🎊.
What a beautiful shade of blue! Love it.
It's called Indigo blue. It really is beautiful.
LOVE the old Z-cars ... Getting a classic running takes a systematic approach. New oil, gas tank flush, new fuel filter. Spark and compression testing. Timing adjustment. Carb clean and potentially a rebuild. That car will absolutely run like a champ with the right approach.
All a guy can say is...part 2 PLEASE!! Way too cool an old car to pass along! I agree with those who mentioned bad gas. Don't forget cap and rotor...maybe clean up the points while you're in there! Looking forward to more on this one!!
No points for the 260z. It has a snazzy looking early ECU underneath the dash on the passenger side.
I had the exact car years ago in California. I took it to Earl Shibe and had it repainted for $200, then cleaned it up and It looked great. The dual carbs were not great. Datsun changed to fuel injection with the 280z and it was fast! Great video!
FYI that’s an early 260z. Midway through the year the front turn signals were moved above the bumper like the 280. The early is the most similar to the 240 of the entire S30 run, but with a nicer interior.
I think it’s destined to be one of the most sought after Z’s of the family.
Glad to see the old girl getting some love & attention she deserves 👌
The editor should be a DJ. Really glues the videos together and makes it super fun to watch
I would check the ignition points under the distributor cap make sure they open when turning over and the contacts are clean with some sandpaper. I would also make sure it is getting fuel may need a pump.
No one mentioned what's in the gas tank.
@@geofffikar3417 I believe checking it for fuel would include the gas tank, fuel filter, pump, or plugged carbs being it sat for so long.
I have tried them all over my 78 years and TW is still as good as it gets. Predictably results and always a fair price. Nice work on the Z.
I love these Z cars! Any model of them would be fine with me. I think it will probably start as these engines are practically bulletproof! IMO it looks much better with the bumpers, I just don't like the "no bumper" look. Great job!
Turtle Wax products were marketed in Europe some 30-40 years ago. I remember the brand and I have used Turtle Wax to polish my car myself. I have not seen the brand since then and do not know whether or not we still can find it here. Anyhow, I do not polish my car myself any longer, so ... Congratulations for the miracles that you and your team do to revive barn finds.
Check your points and condenser in the distributor. That is in between the coil and spark plug.
Absolutely, a car sitting that long the points will rust. Clean with emery cloth or board and could be good to go. Don't give up on that Ole girl yet!
This car is like a dream come true! Most of us Z fanatics find cars that need everything, including all the floors. Super clean car! I bet you've had tons of offers...
The 260s are going up in value very well given the relative rarity. I'd definitely restore to factory and maybe keep the steering wheel.
My father was a Porsche Volkswagen Specialist from Germany and his approach to a car not starting is to check to ensure that the motor has: Spark, Oxygen, and Fuel. If the starter is turning the motor over and you have Spark, Oxygen, and Fuel, the motor should start. The next step is to empty the gas tank and put fresh fuel in the tank. Hello from Halifax Nova Scotia.
Stunning transformation to say the least. Wow. You guys are magicians! Excellent background music too!
Are there any local high schools that still offer auto shop classes that may wish to involve their students in helping you get the car started and back on the road?
Also, you could keep the car and use it as a company training device for any new employees you hire as well as a "laboratory" to test various products any sponsor sends you.
very good suggestion....donate it to a high schools auto shop program as a project then they can sell it as proceeds to the school improvements.
@@aaronrichards2842both of you are geniuses
That is not music that is auto tune bullshit . And one has to be sick to like that crap !
Hi, guys! Wish a good chance and BIG fortune to you with this car. She's a beauty and you are guys that can make things ;))
Actually there's three components, of which engine working depends. The spark, the fuel and the compression. Here is methodic to do as much as possible.
First, the spark. You checked the ignition coil, it is okay. Next you should check the distributor and wires. Take off all spark plugs. Connect ALL ignition wires from distributior to coil and spark plugs. Ensure all spark plugs have "ground" contact. You may lay them on the top of the engine. Then crank the engine and see if all the plugs have sparks. If some plugs fail, replace them with the working ones and try again. If them fail again, 99% it's a wire failure. If no one plug gives sparks, then it is 99% distributor failure.
If we have the spark, we should check the fuel. In general, spraying starter fluid, as you have done, will be enough to get flashes (at least) and if you get them, you should work with carbs.
If there's no flashes, we should check the compression. The compression in its turn depends on two things: valves and piston rings. For this job we need a compression meter, a syringe and motor oil. Medical 10cc syringe will be enough. Unplug ALL ignition wires from spark plugs! Unscrew the spark plug, screw in the compression meter, crank the engine and check the compression. Normally, the compression is about 10-12. Deadly low is less than 6. If it is low (surely it will be low if the engine was not running more than a month), pour about 5-10cc (NO MORE!) of oil into cylinder through spark plug opening. Try to distribute the oil near the walls of the cylinder. Then check compression again. If it raises, 80% there is the piston rings failure. Try to check for flashes again after you test all cylinders. At this point your engine may start working! (If it happens, then your piston rings are nearly ok, just the oil that normally helps to hold the compression has drained with time)
If the compression does not raise, 99% there is a failure either in valves caps (most likely) or there is some residues on surface where valve meets its seat.
Take care and have a chance! Thanks for a good video!
Great episode! You guys have to keep that 70’s goodness (beautiful color blue) You will regret it if you sell it. I would check the fuel pump as well. Keep up with the great content 👍🏻👍🏻
yup definately...fuel pump, filter and tank...tank is prolly old varnished gas.
ABSOLUTELY worth the effort! KEEP IT!!
It would take quite a bit to restore that car. There is also "Survivor" class and "Drivable Dreams" that require much less work and celebrate the patina and character of the car. Not every car has to be concours quality. You guys did a nice job from where it started. Good editing and another good video. BTW, that car would not be JDM. American bumpers and the steering wheel would be on the right.
Yeah everyone wants to call all Japanese cars JDM they don't understand that it's Japanese Domestic Market and US Domestic Market lol
I bought a 1978 280Z on a whim. Tuned out to be one of the best cars I’ve ever owned! Had it painted BMW burnt orange, turned out Awesome! Wish I still had it. Great cruising car for a tall guy👍
My first car ever in 1982. It was awesome. Manual choke. Super quick for the time. Loved it.
I had a 76 version of the 260z. Got it for commuting to college in the mid 80's. Let me say first I feel for ya, I had very similar problems with mine. On the first day it conked out next to busy highway. Long story short it's multiple things that are the problem. I'd check those carbs, I had to get a rebuild kit for mine. Thankfully the landlord's daughter was dating an ex marine. Great guy with a screw loose. He helped me fix most of what went wrong. Along with the carbs the fuel pump was known to go bad so i'd check that too. It's a straight six so mechanically it should be good. It's the little things that can and do go wrong with this car. If you do get it working you won't be dissatisfied. It's a great little pocket rocket that can handle. Of by all means that wood knob is the way to go.
Change the points and the condenser also flush the carbs and check the ignition timeing .Would not hurt to do a compression test as well.
So cool to see you detailing a bunch of cars from my era. Some I’ve even owned. Thanks 😊
Man I love Datsuns, brings back so many childhood memory from my childhood. Really sad to see we never got an update vid with them getting it to run.
Awesome car - drove one for the first time a couple of months ago and absolutely loved it - and one hell of a transformation. This channel just keeps getting better and better - older cars are way cooler and more interesting than the dreary, endless stream of modern Civics and minivans that other detailing channels typically tackle. Please keep it up! 🙂
My college roommate drove one of these! Same color and year too! I drove that thing so many times back to the dorm from bars! I kinda miss that little thing.
Great job
i like the wood one.
I had one of these. Only made in 1974. Bought it in 1982. You had to have a special screwdriver to tune the two carbs. The dealership mechanic would use it to teach the new guys how to tune them. It was a fun ride.
After my '72 240, I owned actually 2 new 260's. The first one was one of the very first that had an ugly wad of wires under the dash on the passenger side that indicated it was the first of the new electronic ignition systems that had an irritating habit of just dying on the road with everything electronic like the tac dying to zero. The paint was bad too, so I was given a replacement later 260 with a fixed electronic system that wasn't intruding into the passenger foot area and the green paint, while not as cool as the silver, at least didn't peel, lol. I did get rid of it for a new CJ-5 jJeep when I got to Arizona for USAF pilot training! When you tuned up to '72 specs it ran better than the 240. The stock stearing wheel was black vinyl, like the whole interior, unlike the 240. The original wheels were steel with covers and those were the smaller bumpers of the 260 line, the later biggies were really ugly. When tuned to '72 specs, it ran way better than the '73 which was a dog.
***Guys, there is an electronic module that feeds the coil in the early 260's that would go dead. That may be your problem. See if there is a huge wire bundle under the dash on the passenger side. That may fix it for you. Good luck!
I love seeing these old cars brought back to life.
Hey, Dom, greetings from Arkansas USA! I'm so glad i found your channel. I love what you do and I appreciate your talents. And I really appreciate you as a warm and wonderful human being. I wait impatiently every week for your next video. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration. I sincerely hope that I will have an opportunity to meet you one day and shake your hand. Thank you for making a difference. Your biggest fan, H.D.
My Hubby and I watch cause it's relaxing and satisfying. Keep up the Great Videos
As the former owner of two 240Z's the weak link in these engines are those dual carbs. Chances are the needles are shot from people cranking them in and out to get them to run smoothly. They can only take so much tweaking. Rebuild kits are fairly cheap, however.
Those cars are great. Growing up my mom had a blue 280Z. I loved that car. I wish I had one. My friend's dad had a brown 240Z and a blue 260Z. Definitely restore it.
That’s a GORGEOUS blue! You guys should restore it!
Hola guys 😊 my cousin had a Datsun 280zx back in the days, oh omg I love it so much fun riding around town. After the Datsun she got a Mustang Match beauty of a car. The good old days were the Best. Blessings to you and your families 🚗🥰🤗
I agree with you guys I think the bumper looks better off. That polish Brought that shine out really good.
My ‘73 240z was one of my fave cars! Had it from ‘77 - ‘83. It had a wood steering wheel as well as a wood shifter knob.
My Z had the smaller front & back bumper , and it accelerated from 75 to 100mph like a rocket. So much fun with that car!
Those twin sealed carbs were a total PIA… always got fouled.
… also, you should thoroughly check the frame, because they were famous for really bad rust issues - especially in the northern states.
If the frame’s rusted, there’s not much you can do… and this problem was really evident in the 260z/280z.
Had a friend with a 280, of course much newer than mine, that rusted super prematurely.
It’s 100% worth saving! You have a gem, a diamond in the ruff!!
Ignition timing: Check the timing with a timing light and adjust it if necessary. Consult the owner's manual for specific instructions.
Ignition system: Check the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition module for wear or damage. Ensure that the spark plug wires are connected in the correct firing order and that the distributor shaft is not loose. Check that the points are clean and properly adjusted.
Compression: Perform a compression test on each cylinder to check for low compression. If the compression is low, it may indicate a problem with the piston rings, valves, or cylinder walls. Consult a mechanic if you're not comfortable performing a compression test.
LATER....
Carburetors: Check the carburetors for blockages or damage. Ensure that the idle mixture is properly adjusted and that the choke is functioning correctly. Check the fuel level in the float bowls and ensure that the float needles are sealing properly. Consider cleaning or rebuilding the carburetors if they appear to be in poor condition.
Fuel system: Check the fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel lines for damage or blockages. Ensure that fuel is reaching the carburetors and that the fuel pressure is within the correct range. Check the condition of the fuel in the tank and consider draining and refilling it if it appears to be old or contaminated. (Shouldn't be your issue considering starter fluid but can't hurt)
Oh and change the oil and coolant. Nice Cleanup job! Love the videos.
I grew up on Chevy and Harley, but in the last 10 years have completely been converted to Japanese cars and motorcycles. Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Toyota. Also I love old datsuns and will pounce if I ever find one like that.
Also this my favorite video to date.
is it worth restoring??? are you kidding me????! This thing is a gem and is worth a million!
Turtle Wax has had a great Product for years now. love that 260Z once again you guys did a fantastic job ❤
You guys never cease to amaze me! "Did you buy this thing or did we buy it?" OMG :) I now think your breakaway song should be RJ's jingle you tried to cut from the video. Too cute. You did an amazing job on the car.
So cool. My first car was a sky blue 1976 Datsun 280z. Very fun and sexy car.
Brent's Subaru at the beginning looks awesome!
Definitely worth restoring. I had both a 72 240 and 75 280Z back in the 70's. Great cars and getting more valuable everyday.
I absolutely love watching your videos on these cars you find that have been sitting for years. There is just something that is satisfying and therapeutic about watching videos like yours. Keep up the great work and also providing us with these videos. Do you mind visitors? I actually live in Vermilion, Ohio and would like to stop in sometime to see one of your transformations in person.
Ensure there a spark 1st, then put a fuel feed directly into the carbs (from a can) and try it then.If that fails rebuild the carbs as they maybe seized (old fuel gets sticky and clogs things up) Invite Kevin from Junkyard Digs down, he is a brilliant mechanic 👍
Go ahead, restore it! I remember these Datsuns when I was a kid in Puerto Rico. I always thought they were cool!
Hey guys…I know y’all wanna get it started. The other detailing channel I watch is ammo nyc. They have a bunch of contacts that could possibly find you the right people to get it started. Hope this helps!
Beautiful car, I had a 74.5 260z and they are just a blast to drive and everyone just appreciates them. This one looks well worth the repair.
You should invite Chris fix to the channel to help you get it running That’ll be a cool collaboration
Im actually getting ready to restore a 260z hull. It will have the guts from my 76 280z 2+2 I rescued out of a junkyard back in 2019. Sadly, rust got the best of the 280z but glad to be able to make use of the guts.
Always will stand by Turtlewax , nothing never can beat Turtlewax , I use all their products all the time have tried these hybrid editions yet though, but speaking of the car the fuel system is the culprit for it not starting , sending unit , fuel filter , the lines themselves etc. , That taken care of should get this baby started.🙂😎👍❤️❤️🔥🔥💯.
i liked it with the bumper best
I had one of these back in the early 80's when I was fresh out of high school and just going to college. What a quick beast. You might want to spray the dash with a anti UVA protector. They were prone to crack under sunlight and the foam mold would pop out creating bigger cracks
I'll be getting some of the one and done for use as a final stage of guitar finishing after wet sanding the clear. I love the efficiency of it.
Only a best friend would buy a car for someone like that , so wholesome 🥰
This is so satisfying 😚
Nice video. This is an early 260Z with the small bumpers. Back in the day, I bought a new one in emerald green. Loved that car but it was cold blooded during the northern winters and rusted quickly. I had Minilite wheels on mine, and it looks like these might also be Minilites. If so, they are very sought after wheels. They probably should be refinished. And I like the oem Datsun shifter knob.
I would LOVE to see a full restoration of this car. Not sure if you guys are mechanically inclined enough to get it done. A little change up from the normal washing/restorations would be cool though.
FYI. I had a 260Z in 1978 and they are notorious for having bad carburetors. It was a 1 year car. 280z’s came out and fixed the carburetor problem. Mine got vapor locks when engine got warm. Every time.
I also own a 74 260z. You guys have an early 260z, you can tell cus you have the thin bumpers that more resemble the 240z. The later 260z look more like a 280z with bigger bumpers and lights on the grill. Most don't know this, but early 260z have two fuel pumps. A mechanical one and an electric one by the gas tank. Make sure at least one of them is working.
I've read some comments by obvious Turtle haters below. But I have to say, that for a budget product. I was rather impressed. Sure there are better. But when it comes down to getting what you pay for. Turtles next gen of products seem to have really stepped things up.
you guys are the cutest couple and i root for your guys 100% ☺️ wishing you luck every step of the way!
Have fun restoring that old car I have a funny feeling that it will be difficult to find replacement parts for it
I think the turtle wax progucts are a winner !
The "one and done" worked really well as did the plastic restorer.
Great job and video as usual guys, would have really been cool if it started.
i would use Liquid Glass to cover the whole vehicle
Congratulations, handsome guys!
LOVE THE BLUE COLOR!!
Keep it. Get it running. Make it right. That car is an investment.
Awwwwwwwwwww guys, you HAVE to keep this car. I'm in love with it. I too want to see it running again. Do a collab with another UA-camr so we can all see it get fully restored. It's a beauty. I had a 240 as a teenage girl and I swear a lot of guys dated me just so they could ride in my car, LOL! I loved that thing. Unfortunately I was at work one night (I worked nights to afford it!) and somebody rammed it while it was parked on the street. Totaled it. :-( So yeah, I want revenge. Rebuild this thing!
I'd like to come and try, but I'm in New Zealand. I have always wanted one of these, but out of my price range, it would be awesome to have a LHD version of this in a RHD country. Also prefer the rear bumper left on I have just subscribed and love your videos