
1972 DATSUN 240Z
(Updated 08-31-09)
Prior to disassembly:
Disassembly:
Parts from parts car (1973 model):
Body repair (the guy in some of the
pictures is Mike Arne who helped with the body work):
Restoring parts:
Transmission (F4W71B):
Engine (L24):
Assembly:
(Engine installation)
8-12-07
Finished!
10-30-07 Decided to
install adjustable coil-over suspension (Ground Control Systems)
4-13-08 Added Mallory
electric fuel pump and filter
6-29-08
Added
Stainless louvers to the hood, aluminum rear hatch louvers, and BRE type front
spoiler
1-09 The 240SX
transmission swap
8-09 3.90:1 R200 differential
and 300ZXT CV half shafts installed
I got an open 3.90 R200,
the R200 mustache bar, and a set of rebuilt 300ZXT CV half-shafts. I designed
my own stub axle conversion flanges to minimize the length. I ended up with a
design that is about 1/8"-1/4" shorter per side (a guess looking at
the pictures) than the ones from Modern Motorsports (and cost me less than
$100/pair to have made at the local machine shop). I’ve had it up to over 100 mph
with no noises or vibration.
My adapter flanges: I started with an oversize circular 3/8”
thick mild steel plate and milled a rectangle out of the center to be a precise
interference fit with the outside of the original flange and to a depth of the
original flange (about .230” deep). Next, the plate was heated so the old
flange could be inserted. After the plate cooled, shrink fitting tight onto the
old flange, they were welded on the back side. Next the assembly was chucked up
in a lathe and turned down to the diameter of the CV flange ears and a
thickness of about .330”. Finally, the center was machined out to accept the
raised alignment ring on the CV housing to a depth of about .100” and the
matching bolt holes were drilled. This puts the alignment ring and CV end cap
almost in contact with the mating surface of the original flange.
After tightening the stub axle nuts, I cut/ground
down the ends of the stub axles so they only protruded about 1/16” through the
nuts. This was necessary to keep the CV end plate from hitting the ends of the
stub axles when installed.
3
The R200 and 300ZXT half-shafts:
4
The R180 with the front mount still on it in the
stock orientation:
5
The R200 installed with the front mount in the
stock orientation:
6
The installed CV half-shafts:
7 8
The stock R180 limiter strap installed in the stock position
over the R200:
9