Description

Datsun 240Z Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs for the S30 Chassis

If you’re working on a Datsun 240Z Service Manual is the difference between a job that holds and a comeback. I’ve seen too many kids show up with a $15 aftermarket reprint that gives torque values in newton-meters rounded to the nearest ten, and then they wonder why the pedal height is off or the master cylinder leaks. This isn’t that. This is the original factory binder – 148 pages of what the line techs at Nissan used. No guesswork. No “approx.”.

Brake Pedal Adjustment – Factory Torque on Page 1

Page 1 gives you the exact pedal pad height: 206 mm (8.11 in). That’s measured from the upper surface of the pad to the pedal pad. You adjust by loosening the lock nut and turning the push rod clevis. Then you tighten that lock nut to 25.3 to 28.9 ft-lb – that’s 3.5 to 4.0 kgm in the original. If you’re using a digital torque wrench, set it at the high end. I’ve seen pedals that were 2 mm off cause a soft brake feel on the 240Z because the push rod wasn’t engaging the master cylinder properly. The manual covers that.

Master Cylinder – Removal and Reassembly Sequence

You pull the brake tubes first, then the mounting nuts. The manual shows the tandem master cylinder layout – piston assembly A, spring, check valves, stopper bolts. It calls out part numbers on the exploded diagram (Fig. BR-3). If you don’t have this, you’re guessing which snap ring goes where. The manual also tells you to bleed the system with the bleeder screw sequence – something the aftermarket books leave out. Automotive Industry Overview will tell you that OEM documentation is the benchmark for safety. This manual is that benchmark for the 240Z.

148 Pages of Factory Procedures – What’s Inside

It covers the brake system (pedal, master cylinder, disc brakes, hand brake), chassis (adjustment specs), and the wiring for stop lamp switch installation. The S.J.O series vehicles had a proportioning valve to prevent rear-wheel lockup – the manual explains the adjustment. This isn’t a generic brake chapter. It’s specific to the Girling-Sumitomo S-16 front disc calipers. You get the pad serration detail, the 3-slits, and the aluminum-finned drums. That kind of detail saves you from ordering the wrong pads.

OEM vs Aftermarket – Why You Trust the Datsun Original

I’ve compared this to third-party CD-ROMs. The aftermarket says “adjust brake pedal” and gives you a sentence. This manual gives you a figure (BR-2) with a clevis pin, return spring, and the master vac. It tells you to fill the pedal shaft sleeve with MIL-G-108 or G-10924 grease – specific military spec. If you use the wrong grease, the bushing wears in 10,000 miles. Aftermarket manuals never mention that. For related factory documentation, see the Datsun 240Z Sports Model S30 Series Service Manual”> and the Datsun 280ZX 1983 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs”> if you’re working on later Z-cars. The Datsun 280ZX 1981 Service Manual – Factory OEM Specs”> also follows the same OEM standards.

Who Needs This Manual and How to Use It

If you own a 240Z and you’re planning to restore the brakes, swap in a new master cylinder, or adjust the pedal height, this is the only document you should have open. It’s for the home garage guy who wants the job done once, and for the pro who bills by the hour and can’t afford a comebacker. Before you start, read the inspection section on page 2: check the pedal bushing and sleeve for wear, the arm for cracking. That’s the kind of step that keeps you from reinstalling a bent part. The manual covers the Manual Transmission too – but that’s another chapter.

FAQ

Does this manual include torque specs for the brake pedal lock nut?

Yes – page 1 lists 25.3 to 28.9 ft-lb.

I have a 1970 240Z with a disc/drum setup. Will this cover the proportioning valve?

The manual covers the S.J.O series proportioning valve that prevents rear-wheel skid. It also shows the front disc brake (Girling-Sumitomo S-16) and the mechanical hand brake linkage for both front and rear. If your car has the factory tandem master cylinder, you’ll find the stopper bolt torque and bleed procedure on the master cylinder section. That said, if your 240Z has had a brake conversion, cross-check with the chassis section. This manual is strictly for factory original equipment, not modified systems. The proportioning valve adjustment is described in the brake pedal adjustment procedure – it’s tied to the control lever and wire. You’ll want to verify your VIN range against the S30 series specs.

If you want to do the job right the first time, get the factory data. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and print the brake pages. Keep it in the shop – you’ll use it.