Video: Project $300ZX lowbuck Z31 Nissan Part 2

Part 2 of our Project $300ZX picks up as we remove and transplant a used fuel pump into our $300 1984 300ZX. The donor part came from what would soon be our "new" parts car in the driveway — a 1986 Nissan 300zx 2+0 NA (naturally aspirated). When you have one non-running 300ZX make sure to buy another in worse condition. Makes sense, right? 

WATCH Project $300ZX Part 2:

The body shop owner, where we found the parts car, was nice enough to let us "try out" the fuel pump before we made a decision to buy the car. A sweet deal by any measure. Fuel pump worked. Deal made. Our driveway and neighbors would thank us later.

Joe, my 16-year-old son, and his buddy, Ethan, tore into the project. Removing fuel pumps, gas tanks and destroying their good clothes in the process. With the donor fuel pump in place, the running and "knocking" engine was verified during a two-lap drive around the neighborhood. The decision to yank the "ran-when-parked" engine from our new parts cars was official. Two 3.0 V6 engines would need to be pulled out.

1984 Nissan 300zx has a rusty fuel pump that didn't work. Time to find a donor since we couldn't afford a new pump at $500 on a $300 car.

A $350 parts car 300ZX was located. Ran when parked. Fuel pump worked, so we decided to buy whole car.

We learned the 1984 $300ZX had a bad knock and we needed to replace the engine - cheapest way was toss the parts car engine into it.

$300ZX is in full swing!
Engines swinging on chains. Enjoy! And stay tuned for more! 

Do you have a classic or muscle car barn find? Send us details and we’re on the way!  Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.

Video: Project $300ZX lowbuck Z31 Nissan Part 1

This 1984 Datsun/Nissan 300ZX spent 30 years with one family before being offered up for sale at $300. A minor basement flood dashed the family dreams of one day restoring the 5-speed, V6, 2+2, slicktop. The Z31, as they are known in Nissan circles, had been parked 20 years after developing an engine noise.

WATCH Project $300ZX Part 1:

One man's trash, another man's treasure! Junkyard Life jumped on the deal but soon learned that these cars have little value when in non-running condition. Damage to the ECU (computer) and an engine full of syrupy sludge had me on the verge of flipping or stripping some parts to get my money back. But, this car has an unlikely rescuer! My son, Joe, a 16-year-old with dreams of hammering gears in a 5-speed sports car. With barely a budget, the quest was on to find a good engine and/or parts car.

Part 1 begins as we haul the basement-fresh 1984 $300ZX home. Fuel pump issues and a rusty gas tank were the first issues that needed addressing. Soon after, a 1986 300ZX parts car (ran when parked) is located for $350 but it is filled with Amazonian-sized ants and piles of rat poo. Joe and his buddy, Ethan, tackle the dirty work and turn wrenches to try and make the $300ZX run! Er, knock!!

The 1984 Nissan 300ZX as it sat in a basement after 20 years. Engine woes sidelined the car but other obligations always seemed to push the car's needed repairs on the back burner.

More details to follow on the $300ZX and more videos. Stay tuned!

Do you have a classic or muscle car barn find? Send us details and we’re on the way!  Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.