Brand new to this :-)

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:18 pm

hi there...my name is marta, and i'm brand new to this forum. i've had my 93 300ZX coupe since 1997 (2nd owner). i recently experienced a blown head gasket due to overheating, and am not in a financial position to repair her :-( i was wondering where is the best place to post her for sale, and what price can i reasonably ask for her. i have every single receipt for all work that has been done, plus an itemized list showing date, service, mileage, shop, price. but...i had to have the odometer/speedometer unit replaced at about 135K miles, and it was replaced with a used unit with 129K miles on it. based on my record keeping, it's easy to tell the actual miles...probably around 150K. anyway, any help is greatly appreciated. i am completely devastated about all of this...she is my baby! i want to find someone who will give her the TLC she deserves...thank you...

Post by **AZhitman** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:57 pm

Welcome aboard, MM!

I guess the first question to ask would be this: If someone local to you was willing to do the work for a good price, would you keep the car?

I assume it's a non-turbo model? We can talk about pricing, value, and posting - but I think it'd be cool if we can find you someone to help fix it for cheap!

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:10 pm

thank you, hitman!

i have her at a local shop, reasonable auto repair, in palm bay, fl. he has given me a quote which excludes whatever the head needs done to it, plus whatever originally caused her to overheat. it is a non-turbo. i would love to keep her, but we are soooooo financially strapped right now. over the past 18 years, i've put over $34,000 into her just in basic repairs/maintenance. that doesn't include what i bought her for. i just have a feeling this it the tip of the iceberg as far as engine stuff goes, plus the mechanic has no idea what's going on except that she blew a head gasket. i've read that once they hit around 180k miles, they're about due for engine rebuild??? anyway, any assistance is greatly appreciated :-) i wish i knew how to post a pic of her on here, and i would!

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:13 pm

p.s. the mechanic at reasonable auto repair said he has worked on these cars before.

Post by **frapjap** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:17 am

Hi Marta, I may have a friend who can help you out.
As it turns out, he is works as a mechanic for Nissan in Jacksonville, but his home town in Palm Bay. He may take it on as side work or know someone who would be interested.
What is your budget?

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:05 am

thank you frapjap...that's great news. right now we are in a real financial bind, so i don't have any $$ to put into her. we are down to one car. i am trying to decide whether to keep her until we are in better financial shape. personally, i'd like to just keep her and have her repaired. i don't have any idea at this point what my budget is at this point. i would love to be in contact with your friend though...thanks again.

Post by **AZhitman** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:56 am

Makes sense. I'd say don't do anything hasty - In fact, a takeout motor can be had for cheap, since the VG30 is so plentiful.

Ray, nice work - MM, keep us posted?

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:37 pm

hitman...where can i get a takeout motor? what exactly is a takeout motor!! rebuilt?? also, what all is involved when replacing the motor? thanks so much...

Post by **AZhitman** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:36 pm

A takeout motor simply means some poor sap has wrecked their otherwise good-running Z, and it becomes an organ donor - in this case, the engine. Junkyards are the most common places to buy such engines, and you can search locally for "replacement engine" - You have a VG30DE.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-95-NISSAN-30 ... 3f2c601fd1
http://www.jdmenginescorp.com/engine_de ... mport-used

Alternatively, you can buy a rebuilt engine - Considering the mileage, it's not a bad idea.

http://www.karking.com/index.php/rebuil ... ngine.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/No-Core-Fits-Ni ... 04&vxp=mtr

Post by **Ace2cool** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:38 pm

Be careful with JDM engines on these cars. They tend to be shipped over on a pallet, sitting on the oil pan. The oil pickup tube goes very deep into the pan (I'm talking less than a quarter inch clearance from the bottom) and if they get dented, and the pan blocks the pickup tube, it'll starve for oil and lock up, and you'll be in the same situation all over again. The only way I condone a JDM engine is with a decent pan-and-heads off rebuild, if for nothing else than to inspect and measure tolerances.

These cars can get expensive quick if you don't stay on top of the maintenance BEFORE it needs it though.

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:44 am

ace2cool, i'd get a rebuilt if i do this. i've had the car over 18 years, and have kept on top of maintenance! sometimes crap happens though!!

Post by **Ace2cool** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:26 pm

I know that's the truth. Well, at any rate, welcome to NICO!

Come visit us in the Z series forums sometime, too.

Post by **frapjap** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:45 am

Friend finally got back to me. He reached out to a few of his mechanic buddies back in Palm Bay, but the ones who were interested weren't anyone he would trust to do the job correctly. His best recommendation is Mike Barlett at Nissan of Melbourne. He is an ASE and Nissan Master Tech.

martamichelle · Post by **martamichelle** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:29 am

thank you frapjap and ace2cool...

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