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MOTRS

240Z / 260Z / 280Z

1969-1978 / Coupe / Japan

All 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems All workshop issues
Minor Rust

Structural Rust, Floors, Sills, Strut Towers

Symptoms

Perforations in the floor pans, sill (rocker panel) box sections, and front strut tower mounting points. In advanced cases, the floorboard flexes underfoot, the sills crumble when prodded, and the strut towers crack under suspension load.

Cause

The Z-car was not well-protected from the factory. Minimal rustproofing, combined with seam-sealed joints that trap moisture, means water gets in and cannot get out. Australian coastal cars are worst affected, but any Z-car that has not been proactively rustproofed will have some degree of structural corrosion.

Fix

Depends on severity.

Surface rust can be treated with rust converter and encapsulated.

Perforated floors require panel replacement, either reproduction floor pans (available from US suppliers like Tabco and Motor Sport Auto) or custom fabrication.

Sill replacement requires cutting out the old box sections and welding in new steel, a job for an experienced panel beater.

Strut tower repair is critical and must be done properly, poor repairs compromise handling and safety.

Budget $5,000-20,000+ for comprehensive structural rust repair, depending on severity.

Cost mentioned in fix
Budget $5,000-20,000+ for comprehensive

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// More 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems

Other known issues

Common Rust

Battery Tray Corrosion

The battery tray (right-hand side of engine bay on RHD cars) corrodes and eventually perforates. Rust spreads into the inner guard and firewall.
Common Rust

Spare Wheel Well Rust

The floor of the boot around and beneath the spare wheel well rusts through. Water pooling is visible in the boot.
Common Rust

Rear Quarter Panel Rust

Rust appears behind the rear wheels, often starting as bubbles under the paint and progressing to perforations.
Common Engine

SU Carburettor Wear and Tuning Issues (240Z, 260Z)

Poor idle, hesitation on acceleration, rich or lean running, black smoke, poor fuel economy, difficult starting. The engine may run well at some RPMs but poorly at others.
Common Engine

Fuel Injection Faults (280Z)

Hard starting (especially cold), rough idle, hesitation, rich or lean running, stalling. The engine management warning light may illuminate.
Critical Engine

Timing Chain Stretch

Rattling or slapping noise from the front of the engine, particularly on cold start. The noise may diminish as the engine warms but does not fully disappear.
View all 17 240Z / 260Z / 280Z problems