Datsun Reviews

Great book with illustrations. Good source for items about my 1968 1600 roadster not covered elsewhere.

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For the owner of a modified Datsun 510 ( Datsun 1600 to us folk down under ) this is by far the most complete text I have found. There have been numerous books and articles published throughout the last 30 years which cover certain aspects of Datsun modification, some very good, but the sheer quantity of hard data contained in this manual is mind-boggling when one considers the fact it was first released in the early 1970's. Engine modifications are the subject material for most of the book, with each component assessed for its suitability in a modified engine, whether it be mild street or all-out race. Chassis and body modifications are also covered, and are similarly complete in their content. The suspension sections cover modifications ranging from improving handling for the street, right on up to building a genuine racer based on BRE's 1971/72 SCCA 2.5 litre championship winning cars. Each section is well written with copious use of illustrations, and if a particular detail is relavent to more than one section, it is mentioned in each. The only criticism I can level at this publication is that it is 25 years old, and the availability of high performance parts for these vehicles has widened considerably. Even so, the principles and ideas contained within apply to todays enthusiast, and as such I would recommend this manual as a must have to anyone interested in modifying Datsun 510/1600's. Anyone interested in writing a 90's version with an up to date parts list ?

This is the definitive text on engine and chassis modification for the 510/610 and Z series. It is usually referred to by the real enthusiasts as 'The Bible'. Beg, Borrow, Steal or Kill (well - maybe not kill :) a copy of this book. Was later rewritten as 'How to Hotrod and Race your Datsun...' which is only useful for wiping up oil spills.

Though Colin Messer intended his book for certain models only, don't let that turn you off. In the John Muir tradition (How to keep your Volkswagen Alive: a manual of step by step procedures for the Compleat Idiot) Colin manages to entertain and inform at the same time. The illustrations are first rate and the expert knowledge has helped me many times over to understand and fix problems on my early Z car. Although the author clarified that the Z and other models were not covered, you can apply an enormous amount of info to other models. I consider this book an educational experience and though out of print, it is worth finding.

It's too bad this book is out of print. It was written after the style of John Muir's classic "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive", and follows the same plain-language explanation of mechanicals and proceedures as Muir's book, with helpful advice along the way like "If you're getting angry at your car, stop for a while." Sound words! Instead of photographs to accompany the text, there are extremely clear artist's illustrations which, in my opinion, surpass most photos that appear in manuals of this type. A very worthwhile book to have for any owner of an old Datsun/Nissan, and one which did in fact keep my '72 1600 Pickup alive for many years. These are still in stock at some Nissan dealership parts counters.

This book is great, it takes you through almost all of the steps that you need to completely restore your car, but on a lot of things it merely mentions them and doesn't really tell you a lot about what your supposed to do. What I did was I bought this book and a haynes automotive repair manual(or Chilton's) and I used that for the more technical stuff. This book has 20-30 pages of exploded views of various areas on the cars and also has a list of retailers that sell parts and/or services for the z series. If your trying to restore your car get this book.

I saw this book long before I bought it, and after buying it, I was very sorry I took so long to get it! It covers most every aspect of the full restoration of this beloved car. From the frame-up or a little at a time. This book has the info you need, and more. The info inside can not be purchased, borrowed, or stolen for a better price! Alone, this book is not enough, but it's a great way to get the spark ignited. (No single book could possibly have everything, I know, I have bought almost all of 'em.)

"~I would largely reiterate what the other reviewers have said: this book is the single most comprehensive reference for a partial or ground-up rebuild of your Z. I would have only a couple of negative things to say about it:"~ you are told to adjust the flange angle on the Johnson Rod strut, it can leave you scratching your head...

Some one please help!! I need a parts/costomizing catolog for a 1983 Datsun 280zx. bradthiboult@hotmail.com

This book is a "must have" for enthusiasts of the legendary Datsun / Nissan Z-car. Brian Long does a good job describing the continuing story of the original Datsun Z-car, as it evolved from a sportscar into a GT and finally into a supercar. The book starts with a recap of the history of Datsun / Nissan and the original 240Z, 260Z, 280Z series, which Long covered in his earlier work - Datsun Z.

As the title suggests, this book picks up on the Z-car story with in-depth coverage of the 280ZX (the second generation Z-car) and both generations of the 300ZX, including the 1990s Twin Turbo supercar which the Z-car finally evolved into. Long also describes the various versions of the 280ZX and 300ZX which Datsun / Nissan sold in different part of the world. This gives the reader a more comprehensive picture and a real global understanding of the Z-car. Long's book is wonderful reading, and the text is supplemented with excellent photographs and illustrations, including pictures of Nissan's original marketing materials for the 280 and 300ZX.

If you are a fan of the Z-car, if you are a member of a Z-club, if you own a Z-car, then this book definitely belongs in your bookcase.

Although I have an extensive library of Datsun Z Car related books in hard cover and paper back, I found this book extremely enjoyable. Even though, Brian Long is a British writer, often if not permanently living in Japan, he provides a worldwide perspective that is often missing in most books about the Datsun Z Car. He seems a master at uncovering facts in the history of the Datsun and the Z Car previously known to only a very few Datsun insiders. Within its cover, there are great pictorial representations of Datsun cars, many not seen often. It is an excellent write up about the Datsun car history, the early Datsun Z car as it progressed to the touring GT becoming the 280ZX and first generation 300ZX ('84-'89), to the Super Car it became in the 1990's with the 300ZX Twin Turbo. The author outlines the racing efforts of some well known drivers with some great photos. Some advertising photos of the period are also captured within the pages of this marvelous book. I have had and continue to have a love affair with the Datsun Z Car, as I have owned over 200 of the early 240Z's, but Brian Long's Book on the 280ZX to the 300ZX, gave me a greater appreciation for the car and the history behind it. It was thoroughly enjoyable reading, and a welcome addition to my collection of Datsun Z Car books. I couldn't stop reading it to the end. Whenever possible I spend some time reviewing the chapters on racing and design work history, over and over again. I never get tired of it. This book and his companion book entitled, 'Datsun Z, From Fairlady to 280Z', are probably the only two Datsun Z Car books a person really needs, although there are several other good ones. But it is of course, nice to own them all.

I liked this book simply because it's gonna answer many questions and give much help to anyone with a 70's or '80's z-car or truck. I have a 720 pickup with the Z24 motor. It is in the list, however it is not touched upon as much as the L-series inline 6 and 4 cylinders.

This book is great for the serious do-it-yourselfer. If you know how rebuild your engine, you'll have no problems. It gives recommendations from the experts and simplifies it for you, and eliminates the hassle and expense of experimenting. Get it, it's an excellent reference if you're already in the business.

My friend has this book, and I've looked it over a few times. It is an excellent guide, a must for the performance engine builder! It shows everything from heads, how to weld them, straighten them, even port and polish them, to bottom end work such as balancing, which rods to use, what pistons you should use for a particular application, even shows how to use a welder and a milling machine to match the top of the piston to the combustion chamber for high compression! If you want to performance-build your Datsun/Nissan engine, this is the book for you!

This excellent book does NOT cover all Nissan overhead cam engines, only the now-ancient L types. Since the title addresses overhead cam engines and the current edition is 1998, I had hoped my 1989 GA16i overhead cam engine would be covered. It isn't. So, if you have a newer Nissan engine, buy this book anyway for the great advice and techniques but also get a separate shop manual for your engine. And I hope the author will update this book soon to cover the newer engines.

This book was of great assistance to me during the rebuild of my Datsun 240Z. The information was instrumental and helpful all along the way. Compared to the Haynes and Chilton manuals, this book presented pictures and words which matched and cohered to what I was doing on the motor at the time. Also the amount of illustrations and clarity were excellent, as a picture is worth a thousand words. Aside from the Nissan shop manual which you can't get your hands on I feel this is the best publication to have at your side during any Nissan rebuild.

Bring back the Z-car!

I have just used this text in addition to a factory manual and another third party publication. Whenever there was ambiguous or missing information in the other two texts Monroe's always came through. The clear photo's were a real bonus when the words were hard to understand. I found the torque specs. to be spot on and this was confirmed by the factory manual. I guess you have to know your ft/lbs from your Nm's. I did not have any trouble fitting the front cover as per Monroe's instructions and the head gasket suffered no damage. The rebuild was made much easier with this manual and I would have no hesitation recommending it.

This little book was devoured in a couple of hours - couldn't put it down! It was chock full of interesting facts about the Z - some we'd all seen before but a bunch of new stuff as well. Great stories about the Z's competitive history (with very good photos). Tracing the car's design evolution from concept to 240Z thru the 280ZX was well documented and illustrated. Well written and easy to read without much technical jargon to bog you down. Z owners need to get this book - it'll make you proud of your car!

A must have for any Datsun 240z, 260Z, 280Z enthusiast. Great photos (many in color), and the in depth history is excellent. It includes a wide range of historic info including early history from predecessor cars, racing history, special modifications such as the Samari, differences of the various model years, and much more. If you are interested in the 1st generation Z cars, you will love this book. It is very well written, very readable, well organized, and very professionally done. I highly recommend it.

This book is virtually the only source of tune-up and repair information written in US-English by people who speak US-English. It covers many pre L-series Datsuns, including the 1200cc pickups (sorry, doesn't cover the 1959-1960 48hp series), 1300cc pickups (pre-1968), 410/411, Nissan Patrol, and 1500/1600/2000 Roadsters. If you're looking for repair info on the 510, 240Z, or 1968-1972 Pickup, I'd look elsewhere. Each car is covered in brief, with step-by-step instructions for such things as removing the engine, replacing the clutch, etc., but since it covers so much, a book dedicated to the more popular later cars would be a better source.

I hope this book is still available, as it got me through many repairs to the 1967 RL411 (Bluebird) that I bought in 1986.