300zx with blown Head Gasket

Capitone · 08-26-2009, 07:57 AM

Sup Fellas:

Hope this is the right place for this sort of thread. I just wanted to get folks opinions. I'm looking for a Fun project/2nd ride and came across a 300zx as a possible fixer upper. Only prob is I don't know much about the car so I'm unclear on if the issues stated about it are within my range of DIY skill. Here's the ad from Craigslist.

***
91 300zx

the bad)
little rust,
a littel paint job damage,
and a blown head gasket but it still runs,

(the good)
T tops,
crome pipes,
nice rims,

it has 130,000 miles on it /this car is a sweet car, and i hate to sell it but i dont have the time or money to fix it up like i wanted to TRADES: 4x4 trucks as long as it runs fine i will consider tradeing
***

Guy wants $1500 for it. I asked about the gasket and he said "I took it to a shop and its slightly blown so its not all the way blown but its going to for shor" Ignoring the grammer, I wonder....is there such a thing?

I also notice there is no mention of title or whether its auto/manual, so I'm asking about that too. Could be a scam, but if you guys think a blown head gasket is within a DIY's capability, I'll at least check it out. I've done things like axles, alternators, starters and changing injectors.

Thanks and if this thread is in the wrong place, LMK. I guess I'll post it in Off Topics.

Capitone

*321VQ35MAX* · 08-26-2009, 08:17 AM

What year? Z31 or Z32?

Capitone · 08-26-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321VQ35MAX

What year? Z31 or Z32?

Oh yeah, sorry bout that, its a 91. So thats a Z32 right?

*321VQ35MAX* · 08-26-2009, 08:20 AM

Correct.. I would love to find one as a project car as well..... I was leaning towards a Z31 turbo... But now I want a Z32 TT....

300ZX TT · 08-26-2009, 08:22 PM

is the car a TT?

you do know that a Z32 is one of the most difficult cars to work on, right? if it's a TT, then it's def worth buying it...fixing it up will depend on your mechanical skill level

Capitone · 08-27-2009, 06:30 AM

I've looked under the hood of a few J30's. From what I understand the engine is the same minus the turbo and I could see what you mean. Everything seemed real tight in there. If it's just a matter of patience and time, I'd say Im up for it given the previous jobs I've done. However if the difficulty arises from special tools and equipment needed outside of the norm, then I think I'll pass.

Also, would there be concerns about the heads themeselvs?

PS - seller didn't mention TT, so I'd say no.

*321VQ35MAX* · 08-27-2009, 06:42 AM

You would have to get the heads looked at, especially if car ran hot. May have some damage..... many times you can't just replace the head gasket and be ok, and many people assume that...

BluFlame · 08-27-2009, 12:47 PM

run away from that car, unless you have alot of money and time to sink into.
for fun project: 89-90 supra turbo

***DanNY*** · 08-27-2009, 01:35 PM

at the least you'll need to drop the motor (or even swap motors)...but then your car works but it looks like crap w/ the rust...then what?

Capitone · 08-28-2009, 06:33 AM

Cool. Thats all I need to know, so I'll pass. So far as the rust and what have you, "project car" to me doesn't really entail cosmetics. Just something I can fiddle with mechanically and have up and running. I don't expect my project car to look good unless I make it look good. So I'm cool with neutralizing the rust and moving on.

The search goes on.

Thanks fellas.