R180 to R200 couple of questions

[MikeZcar]

Have all parts ready, read that I could not use half shafts from my 70 model, the 70 has half shafts with new U joints so I would like to use them, 4 bolts at each end, same compressed length as the 280ZX shafts I got for conversion, what would make them different? Could someone have already updated the R180? Shafts look the same to me, what is(if any) the difference? Also read needed to alter(?) the hold down "strap" on front of diff. for the R200, what do I need to do? Thanks, Mike

[jmortensen]

The rumor which I fell victim to is that R180's and R200's have different length halfshafts. As you've already pointed out, it isn't true.

If you hate the strap as much as I do you might want to consider another alternative. I know they've been discussed before, I really like the U shaped piece that slides over the bottom of the diff crossmember and attaches to the diff mount, because it is very easy to do and controls the diff in both directions.

[MikeZcar]

The shafts are supposed to be different lengths for R200, true? What do I need to do to the diff. strap?

[Mr Camouflage]

The shafts are supposed to be different lengths for R200, true?

If you read the previous post the he says the halfshafts are the same length on the r180 as the r200.

That would mke the answer to your question: false.

Or Yes its true, the common rumor is (and i have read it myself somewhere) that they are different lengths, aparently due to the extra width of the r200 compared to the r180.

So you can either believe what jmortensen says, from personal experiance, or keep believing the rumor. Its up to you.

Seiouly what the point in asking questions if you arent going to read the answers? :stupid:

*rant mode off*

Welcome to the club. Seek any you shall find (ie use the search feature. its all been asked before).

[jmortensen]

Yep, as Camo says seek and you shall find. There was a thread about eliminating the strap just a couple months ago, had links with pics and everything.

[MikeZcar]

Seiouly what the point in asking questions if you arent going to read the answers? :stupid:

*rant mode off*

Welcome to the club. Seek any you shall find (ie use the search feature. its all been asked before).

Seems that if I read several different places, several different things about "shaft length" I might want to get several opinions and see if there is a consenus. If I had read 1(ONE) time shafts were different and would have stopped there and not asked around anymore, that would be "stupid".

I have done a search for the strap alteration in several different wordings and no luck yet, thought if I ask again somone might be able to point me to the thread.

No disrepsect to the first to reply to my question, in fact my Thanks, however if he had quit, after only 1 person telling him "shafts are different", where would he be?

Thanks for the welcome, Rant On, Mike

[jmortensen]

Seems that if I read seeral different places several different things about "shaft length" I might want to get several opinions and see if there is a consenus. If I had read 1(ONE) time shafts were different I would have stopped there and not around anymore, that would be "stupid".

But you did measure shafts from R180 and R200 equipped Z's yourself. And I've measured them from R160 equipped Datsuns as well. And they're all the same.

Here's the other info you were looking for: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17417

[MikeZcar]

Jon, Thanks for the tips and the link. I read at least a couple of hours worth and bounced all over the net following links. Looks like there are several ways to improve upon/change/alter and/or do away with the old strap setup. I have settled on one I will use, I did not however see anything to prevent using the '70 model strap setup with an R200. I will do away with it as it has already let the R180 bugger up the e-brake stuff, must be that launch. But temp I would like to leave it alone. Thoughts? Mike

[jmortensen]

Sounds like a good plan.

I used the strap with an R200 on my '70 so it is possible, but the other options are far superior to jerry rigging the strap. As you already know when the strap breaks the diff tips up and the driveshaft beats the crap out of the transmission tunnel which is why you should get away from it if possible.

To jerry rig the strap I took the two bolts off that hold the plate that the straps anchor to on each side, moved the plates back so that only one bolt was engaged, and screwed them back down. I think this required some very minor grinding as well. I ran my car that way for a LONG time while autoxing and doing track days, etc, and the plates never budged. The strap was looking done when I started my latest round of modifications, so I did one of those alternative ideas on my car to avoid trouble later on.