Datsun 240Z / 260Z / 280Z, Full Specifications

Key Specifications

Spec	240Z	260Z	280Z
Production Years	1969-1973	1974-1976	1977-1978
Chassis Code	S30	S30 / RS30 (2+2)	S30 / RS30 (2+2)
Manufacturer	Nissan Motor Co. (sold as Datsun)
Assembly	Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Body Styles	2-door coupe (fastback)	2-door coupe, 2+2 coupe	2-door coupe, 2+2 coupe
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase	2,305 mm	2,305 mm (coupe) / 2,565 mm (2+2)	2,305 mm (coupe) / 2,565 mm (2+2)
Overall Length	4,115 mm	4,265 mm	4,325 mm
Overall Width	1,630 mm	1,630 mm	1,630 mm
Overall Height	1,285 mm	1,285 mm	1,300 mm
Kerb Weight	1,060 kg	1,130 kg (coupe) / 1,190 kg (2+2)	1,185 kg (coupe) / 1,235 kg (2+2)
Fuel Tank Capacity	60 L	60 L	60 L
Boot Capacity	~190 L (under hatch)	~190 L (coupe)	~190 L (coupe)

Engine Specifications

L24, Datsun 240Z (1969-1973)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,393 cc
Bore x Stroke	73.0 mm x 71.7 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	151 hp (113 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	198 Nm (146 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Hitachi SU carburettors (round-top Series 1, flat-top Series 2)
Ignition	Points/condenser, distributor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy
Camshaft Drive	Single-row roller chain (early) / double-row (late)
Valvetrain	Single overhead cam, rocker arms
Oil Capacity	4.3 L (with filter)
Coolant Capacity	8.5 L
Redline	7,000 rpm

L26, Datsun 260Z (1974-1976)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,565 cc
Bore x Stroke	75.0 mm x 77.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.8:1
Power	162 hp (121 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	217 Nm (160 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm
Fuel System	Twin Hitachi SU carburettors (flat-top)
Ignition	Points/condenser, distributor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy
Camshaft Drive	Double-row roller chain
Oil Capacity	4.5 L (with filter)
Coolant Capacity	8.5 L
Redline	6,500 rpm

L28, Datsun 280Z (1977-1978)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,753 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.0 mm x 79.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Power	170 hp (127 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	227 Nm (167 lb-ft) @ 4,400 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection
Ignition	Electronic ignition, distributor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy
Camshaft Drive	Double-row roller chain
Oil Capacity	4.5 L (with filter)
Coolant Capacity	9.0 L
Redline	6,500 rpm

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Nissan FS5C71A	Manual	4-speed	Early 240Z
Nissan FS5C71B	Manual	5-speed	Later 240Z, 260Z, 280Z
Borg Warner	Automatic	3-speed	Optional on all models

Manual Gearbox Ratios (5-speed, FS5C71B)

Gear	Ratio
1st	3.321
2nd	1.902
3rd	1.308
4th	1.000
5th	0.864
Reverse	3.382

Differential

Spec	240Z	260Z / 280Z
Type	Limited slip (optional) / Open	Limited slip (optional) / Open
Model	R180	R180 (early 260Z) / R200 (late 260Z, 280Z)
Final Drive Ratio	3.364:1 (manual) / 3.545:1 (auto)	3.545:1 (manual) / 3.700:1 (auto)

Suspension

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, Chapman strut
Springs	Coil	Coil
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic	Telescopic hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes (optional on early 240Z)
Steering	Rack and pinion, manual	,
Turns Lock-to-Lock	2.7	,
Turning Circle	9.4 m	,

Brakes

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Ventilated disc	Drum (240Z, early 260Z) / Solid disc (late 260Z, 280Z)
Diameter	254 mm (240Z) / 267 mm (260Z/280Z)	228 mm drum / 267 mm disc
Booster	Vacuum-assisted	,
ABS	Not available	,

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
240Z (manual)	8.0 s	~15.8 s @ 140 km/h	200 km/h
260Z (manual)	8.5 s	~16.2 s @ 135 km/h	190 km/h
280Z (manual)	8.2 s	~16.0 s @ 137 km/h	195 km/h
240Z (auto)	10.5 s	~17.5 s	180 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate)

Model	L/100 km (combined)
240Z (manual)	10-12
240Z (auto)	12-14
260Z (manual)	11-13
260Z (auto)	13-15
280Z (manual)	11-13
280Z (auto)	13-15

Wheels and Tyres

Variant	Standard Wheel	Standard Tyre
240Z	14 x 4.5J steel	175SR14
260Z	14 x 5.5J alloy (optional)	185/70SR14
280Z	14 x 5.5J alloy	195/70R14

Common upgrades: 15 x 7J or 16 x 7J alloys with 205/55R16 or 205/50R15 tyres. The Panasport-style wheel is the classic Z-car choice. Watanabe-style wheels are also popular and era-correct.

Electrical

Spec	Value
Battery	12V, negative earth
Alternator	40A (240Z) / 50A (260Z) / 60A (280Z)
Spark Plugs	NGK BP6ES (240Z/260Z) / NGK BP6ES or BPR6ES (280Z)
Spark Plug Gap	0.8 mm (carburettor models) / 1.0 mm (fuel injected)
Points Gap	0.45 mm (where applicable)
Dwell Angle	49-55 degrees
Ignition Timing	7 degrees BTDC @ idle (240Z) / 10 degrees BTDC @ idle (280Z)
Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4

Valve Clearances (cold)

Valve	Clearance
Intake	0.25 mm (0.010 in)
Exhaust	0.30 mm (0.012 in)

Fluid Capacities

Fluid	Capacity
Engine Oil (with filter)	4.3 L (L24) / 4.5 L (L26, L28)
Coolant	8.5 L (240Z) / 9.0 L (280Z)
Manual Gearbox	1.0 L (4-speed) / 1.3 L (5-speed)
Automatic Transmission	7.0 L (total)
Differential	1.1 L (R180) / 1.3 L (R200)
Fuel Tank	60 L

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	5,000 km or 3 months
Valve clearance adjustment	10,000 km
Spark plugs	20,000 km
Points and condenser (where applicable)	10,000 km
Timing chain (inspect)	80,000 km
Coolant	2 years or 40,000 km
Brake fluid	2 years
Carburettor synchronisation (240Z/260Z)	10,000 km
SU damper oil (240Z/260Z)	5,000 km
Differential oil	40,000 km
Gearbox oil	40,000 km

Engine Oil Specifications

Specification	Value
Recommended Grade	10W-40 mineral or 15W-40
Alternative (cold climates)	5W-40 semi-synthetic
API Rating	SG or higher (ZDDP-containing oil recommended for flat-tappet cam)
Note	Diesel-spec oil (e.g., Penrite HPR Diesel 15) provides zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) protection for the flat-tappet camshaft

Production Numbers (approximate, all markets)

Model	Total Production
240Z (all variants)	~170,000
260Z (all variants)	~160,000
280Z (all variants)	~85,000
Of which Australian-delivered RHD	Estimated 5,000-8,000 (all models combined)

Colour Codes (common Australian-delivered colours)

Code	Colour	Models
901	Grand Prix White	240Z, 260Z
905	Safari Gold	240Z
910	Orange	240Z (Series 1)
113	Sunshine Yellow	240Z
104	Monte Carlo Red	240Z, 260Z
206	Metallic Blue	260Z, 280Z
114	Emerald Green Metallic	260Z
002	Stardust Silver	280Z
335	Burnt Orange Metallic	280Z

Identification

Chassis number location: Stamped on a plate on the firewall (engine bay side) and on the right-hand inner guard. Also on the compliance plate (door jamb, driver’s side).

Engine number location: Stamped on the right-hand side of the block, near the front, on a machined pad.

Chassis number format:

• 240Z: HLS30-xxxxxx (LHD) / HS30-xxxxxx (RHD)
• 260Z: RLS30-xxxxxx (LHD 2+2) / GS30-xxxxxx (RHD coupe)
• 280Z: HLS30-xxxxxx (LHD) / HS30-xxxxxx (RHD)

Engine number format:

• L24: E88 prefix
• L26: E88 prefix (different series)
• L28: E88 prefix (different series)