New to Z32 1990 300zx N/A

[300ZebraXray]

Hey everyone,
This is my first time posting on a forum and my first Nissan 300zx N/A. I feel like I've found a gem, I had to drive 7.5 hours one way to pick it up and trailer it home. It is super clean, has 122k on the clock, doesn't seem to burn or smoke anything, no apparent leaks and runs nice and smooth. The A/C even works! The guy I bought the car from was an older gentleman and has all the dealer paperwork and the original receipt from the car being purchased in Chico Ca (he was in upstate New York and I'm just north of Boston). I think based on the carfax report that I'm the 5th owner. My question is about the timing belt/ water pump/ pulleys and cam seals service. He has lots of paperwork from a Nissan dealership showing the 120k mi service being completed @ 118,000 mi but that was in 2011. Since then, the car only has about 5,000 mi (in 7 years) which I'm assuming can be good and bad. I see it's recommended between 60k mi or around 5-6 years for replacement. Would it be wise to replace everything "while i'm in there" or should i just replace the belt? I want to be proactive with this car, but I hate to spend money that I don't need too (or necessarily have laying around). What else should I do with such a lightly drive car (in the last few years). I am very handy and have done several timing belts, but not on anything this fun! Looking forward to the project and any helpful info. Thanks

[NolimitZ32]

Hard to say without looking at the condition of the car and knowing how it was stored, if the car was allowed to sit for long periods of time in a non climate controlled environment then chances are the rubber in the belts has started to degrade.

[DCaff300ZX]

Hey everyone,
This is my first time posting on a forum and my first Nissan 300zx N/A. I feel like I've found a gem, I had to drive 7.5 hours one way to pick it up and trailer it home. It is super clean, has 122k on the clock, doesn't seem to burn or smoke anything, no apparent leaks and runs nice and smooth. The A/C even works! The guy I bought the car from was an older gentleman and has all the dealer paperwork and the original receipt from the car being purchased in Chico Ca (he was in upstate New York and I'm just north of Boston). I think based on the carfax report that I'm the 5th owner. My question is about the timing belt/ water pump/ pulleys and cam seals service. He has lots of paperwork from a Nissan dealership showing the 120k mi service being completed @ 118,000 mi but that was in 2011. Since then, the car only has about 5,000 mi (in 7 years) which I'm assuming can be good and bad. I see it's recommended between 60k mi or around 5-6 years for replacement. Would it be wise to replace everything "while i'm in there" or should i just replace the belt? I want to be proactive with this car, but I hate to spend money that I don't need too (or necessarily have laying around). What else should I do with such a lightly drive car (in the last few years). I am very handy and have done several timing belts, but not on anything this fun! Looking forward to the project and any helpful info. Thanks

Welcome!
You mention being a mechanically inclined person which is good, but for the Z32 patience and the ability to work in TIGHT spaces and be ready to fork over large sums of cash for needed parts/service are the top priorities. The TB (timing belt) on the Z32 is a tough job and also incredibly important to be done right the first time, as a bad install can and will ruin the engine immediately so don't go about that one unless you have studied up and have enough experience on similar-typer setups to move forward...otherwise it's a good job for those with experience and who will back up their work (insured...). As NoLimit mentions most likely there is a good reason to be proactive with the TB due to it's age and non-use, and "while you're in there" the rest of the 120K seals and tensioners and most importantly the idler studs- use RameyZ studs for best results. Also, I used a Kevlar racing TB (a little more expensive, but last one you'll buy/have installed) on mine for peace of mind. Z1, Concept Z Performance, and Specialty Z are a few of our better vendors for quality parts and info.
One tip is as you have a Cali car, there are some small differences with a few things emissions-related and more- keep that in mind for servicing as the mechanic/saleman will need to know that info to locate things/correct parts accurately, and more important is to have a Z32 specialist on hand if possible (for best results) for the heavy lifting which most likely will be needed soon, if not now as you dig in. Most shops do not know the Z32 well and will give poor service, high prices, and return trips at best...and worse in some cases so be aware of this, and do find a worthy Z32 mechanic if possible.
Be also aware that the injector harness and connectors as well as many others in the engine bay are a known issue from corrosion, which will be at the heart of nearly all issues you will have with the car. To own a Z32 long term means replacing a LOT of the fading OEM connectors and ancillary parts such as starter solenoid, various engine sensors, and many/most heavy-wear items. The cooling system can be a problem as well if the previous owner did not service it well, or replaced the OEM system with fans...OEM ONLY in this area for best results. Recently my starter solenoid went out, and my Z guy said he's having a LOT of Z's (all years and models) coming in currently with the same issues so it seems we are at a point where Mother Nature has won the battle with Nissan engineers and their poor choices where it comes to sealing their connectors and "sealed" electrical units...so be ready for that.
Good Luck, and post up any other problems or questions you may have!