i recently bought a rebuilt z24 out of an 85 720, ive heard a whole lot about people using a KA head off a hardbody or 240sx on the z24 block. winter is fast approaching and i want to try this. i know the bore and stroke is the same on both engines, and it will bolt on, but the question is will it work? also, on my 86 720 4x4 im running a 36/36 weber, i dont want to go EFI so could i use a carb set up? im thinking with the carb,KA head, header, and maybe a cam i could get close to 200hp,maybe. any input on this would be great

For the cost of the head and everything you need to install it, you would probably be better off doing a complete KA24DE swap. Because LOTS of people are doing any one of the myriad of swaps available on 240's, there are LOTS of these engines available fairly cheaply. Also, I am not sure how things are with the Z24 bottom end in terms of valve reliefs on the pistons. But usually, if you swap a 16 valve head on a bottom end meant for an 8 valve head, there are problems due to a lack of valve reliefs. Unless, of course, the pistons are dished on top.