[Mercedes]

1973 240z has had carb trouble all the time we've had it, since 1978. I went to Ztherapy to check into rebuilt carbs or kits and found that they don't like the Flattop Hitachi carbs. Furthermore, it said that June 1972 through the 260Z used these carbs. I haven't looked to see if our car has them, but likely it does. Has anyone replaced theirs with regular SU units and if so, are they happy with the result?
Thanks,
VR.

 

[ZZZZZ]

I had ZTherapy carbs on my 260

and was very satisfied with them. The video included gives you enough info to maintain, troubleshoot and rebuild these simple carbs. If you want to stick with the originals, there is a masochist on this board who goes by Al260Z. He has been compiling info on these carbs for quite some time-do a search under the heading "flattop owners unite!" and you will find gobs of tech info. But in my opinion, the ZTherapy carbs and video are the way to go.

 

[Shreegs]

I've never used had any flat tops, but I can tell you this...I was in the local Z shop the other day, and he was putting the round tops on a 260. The flat tops went into the dumpster, literally.

 

[stephen 74 260z]

hehe flat tops make a good paperweight.. or if your really technical you can make an interesting clock out of them. hehe thats what i did.. makes a nice matching pair. you can put minutes on one carb and hours on the other

 

[Z-quest RLS30 1/2]

Come on now guys.......Al 260Z isn't a masochist. I'd say he was up for a challenge and is taking that challenge head on. And what better challenge is there than something most everyone else has given up on? Matter-o-fact I'm waiting for the dissertation so I can get intimate with my ole flat tops! It just so happens that I made temporary book ends out of mine, but some day they WILL rise up from the ashes.

RLS30

 

[ZZZZZ]

I didn't mean that literally about AL260Z...

but you know what they say-those who blaze the trail must take the heat. Al is a man ahead of (some might say behind...lol) his time, and I salute him for attempting such a task as he is-although I gotta throw some barbs in here and there....

 

[obieport]

Re: I didn't mean that literally about AL260Z...

I have a 260 z that I bought new. It has never had any polution devices taken off of it and until 1995 it ran perfect with the original factory flat top carbs. Then I had a medical problem and the car sat up without being driven and since then the carbs spray gas out of the vent tubes and loads up with gas. But I know a gentleman in the Atlanta, Ga are that was a tech for Nissan and worked on all z cars 240, 260, 280, 280zx, and 300zx's since they were introduced. He is retired from Nissan now and still works on them at his home. This man was and is regarded by Nissan as the best tech in the Atlanta area and among the best in the U.S. and Japan. When he hears the stories that are told about the flat top carbs he just laughs, because he can rebuild thes babies according to factory specs. and make them run like a scalded dog. He says that the people spreading the bad stories about the flat tops just don't know how to fix them period! I live in Alabama now and it would be a hardship to have to take my car by trailer to Atlanta, but before I let some afro engineer screw my car up, I will take it to him. So when conversing with some authorities that do not want any part of flat tops consider the source or lack of technology.

 

[Al 260Z]

Better late than never!

Hey guys!
Been outta touch for a while. I'm back!
Thanks for the ribs and the votes of confidence!
Flattop refurb project keeps moving back. Never enough time. Looking like maybe in January I'll have a chance to wrench some. My Weber DGVs (also much hated) still going strong, so don't have too much incentive to wrench - why fix what ain't broke?

Later all!
Al :-D