First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) · 1970–1978
1973Nissan Z
The original Z — sold in the US as the Datsun 240Z (1970–1973, 2.4L L24 six), then 260Z (1974, 2.6L, added a 2+2) and 280Z (1975–1978, 2.8L fuel-injected). A long-hood fastback that made affordable performance a mainstream idea.
Photo: “1973 Datsun 240Z 1” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1973 Nissan Z model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Documented lineup
Find your exact 1973 Z
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified
These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.
Datsun 240Z Manual
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 240Z Automatic
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1973 model year
Overview
Preserved Datsun/Nissan U.S. factory literature documents 2 1973 Z configuration rows across 1 body and powertrain combinations. This S30 roster keeps two-seat, 2+2, naturally aspirated, turbo, and transmission applicability within their exact model-year boundaries.
Specifications
- Engines
- 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- Body styles
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Year over year
What changed
- The 1973 record includes only the body, engine, and transmission pairings supported by that model year's factory evidence; adjacent-year combinations and appearance packages are not inferred.
Worth knowing
Notable
- The documented lineup exposes 2 source-backed configurations without turning standalone options into separate Z models.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Verify chassis code, engine, transmission, emissions equipment, and production date before ordering parts. Inspect rust and prior structural repair, cooling and fuel systems, timing-drive history where applicable, turbocharger condition on forced-induction cars, and modification quality.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1973 Z on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1973 Nissan Z. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 6
- Factory intervals
- 6
- Fitment-scoped
- 6
- Exact references
- 2
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — oil-change row and instruction 5 · checked
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — oil-filter row and instruction 6 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B120
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1973 U.S. 240Z L24 application; confirm the installed L24 engine, component, and dimensions.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1973 240Z 6-2393cc (2.4L) Carb. row — Lube — B120 · checked
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Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — coolant replacement instruction · checked
Fuel filter
Exact reference available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — fuel-filter replacement instruction · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin BF928
Qty. 1 · Inline fuel filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1973 U.S. 240Z L24 application; confirm the installed L24 engine, component, and dimensions.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1973 240Z 6-2393cc (2.4L) Carb. row — Fuel — BF928 · checked
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Carburetor air-cleaner filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — air-filter replacement instruction · checked
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1973 240Z U.S. owner's manual emission-control maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 36–39 — distributor breaker points, condenser, and spark-plug row · checked
Collect
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Sources
Other First generation years
Explore the S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) generation →All First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) years →