Two questions please

[Mckrack]

Hi Everyone,

I have two questions if you would be kind enough to help me out.

The first is this; My car is almost done and I noticed today that after having what is considered the exact replacements for OEM springs and the non adjustable KYB struts, and BTW this is for a series one car, that the car seems to be sitting somewhat high. I called the supplier of the springs and this is what he told me and I paraphrase;

If I were to turn the clock back and visit a Datsun Showroom and look at the the ride height of a new 1970 240z they actually did sit somewhat high. It's not until the car was driven a while that the springs settled in and the car lowered a little on it's own. He also said that most 240z cars you see now that have not had their springs and struts changed have sunk somewhat after so many years and mine will too. Well I don't think I will be alive when that happens LOLOLOL. Now suffice it to say the bumpers, seats and spare tire are not yet in and the fuel tank is low on fuel however do you folks have an opinion on this. The tires are new 185 70 14 Toyos but I was told even if I went to 190's it wouldn't fill in the wheel arches. Right now you can see alot of the springs in the rear and the wiring a little from the back of the headlight housings. I know you can't buy new springs from the dealer anymore but these are considered NOS replacement springs. I bought another set that weren't and the car after I installed them looked like it wanted to jetison off to mars.

Next question I have is this; Has anyone ever redyed their black carpets utilizing the appropriate carpet dye and not that paint you get from Pep Boys or Autobarn?

Thanks for the help and I anxiously await your opinions.

McKrack.

[Zedrally]

McKrack, There is a thread on "new" springs that were manufactured as a project by Carl Beck & others either last year or the year before,if memory serves me correctly.

[Arne]

The problem isn't the springs, it is the gas-pressurized strut inserts. The gas pressure effectively increases the spring rate and so the car sits higher than it should. From what I've seen the KYBs add somewhere between 0.5 and 0.75 inches in height. There are only two options on this - cut the springs down or use non-gas strut inserts, which are difficult to find these days. Koni still makes non-gas units, and there are a few NOS struts still on shelves out there if you can hunt them down. I found a set of NOS Mulhollands, they should be delivered by the time I get home later today.

[Mckrack]

Hey Guys thanks. Do you know where Carl Becks thread can be found. As for the KYBs are they all gas struts. I thought the non adjustable ones aren't.

I asked at least three people involved in helping me restore this car and they all told me don't do it. That's not the correct fix.

I have to find some pics of original cars and compare.

Thanks again and if you have anyhting to add I'm all ears.

[Arne]

All KYBs that I know of in the USA are gas-charged. I believe the only ones for the 240Zs are GR-2 - the "GR" stands for Gas Rider.

If you are using the stock US spec springs, I agree - cutting those springs down is not the correct answer, using non-gas struts is the right way to go.

Carl's threads on this are mostly concerning the other reproduction springs, the European Stage 1 spring set. They suffer from both the gas strut issue, as well as the possibility that the European 240Zs had different spring seat heights on the strut housings. For these slightly stiffer springs, cutting them down is required, even if you are using non-gas shocks.

The long thread linked below rambles a bit, but covers most of the recent ride height issues:

http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21115

[Sailor Bob]

Ya I started that thread, I installed HPs with stock springs - she looks a little like a mudder. I'm gonna fix it this winter. Thread covers issue.

Carpet - I used spray dye - worked perfect, looks brand new, but guys tell me it won't take much sunlight befor it fades. Looks good for now and I keep it in my shed anyway.

Good luck!

[Mckrack]

Thanks guys It's alwyas something isn't it.

[hls30.com]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone ever redyed their black carpets utilizing the appropriate carpet dye and not that paint you get from Pep Boys or Autobarn?

Thanks for the help and I anxiously await your opinions.

McKrack.

I have both painted and dyed the carpets. The paint is not so hot as you evidently already know-powdery and easily worn off.

In the dye job, it looks much better than the paint, but it still doesn't look "right". When I dyed mine, the pile side was faded, but the bound side was perfect. I took out the carpet and scrubbed the crap out of it(using Dawn), and a carpet cleaning brush and rinsed until there were no more bubbles coming out of the nap. I hung it to dry, and went to a Lowes for some thick plastic sheet. I lined a sand box, mixed the dye and used the large are of the covered sand box to lay the carpet flat into the dye as per the instructions. The dyed carpet looked better, but not quite new, the fibers did not pick up the dye quite uniformly, it also wore off fairly quickly-though the car was daily transportation at the time.

Will

[Mckrack]

Thanks Will. I ordered some stuff from the internet. It comes in 32 ounce containers premixed. I also ordered the soft bristle brush and the spray bottle.

I will set the carpets on the dinette table. After I have thoroughly cleaned the carpets,I will then spray the carpets with the crap and then work it in with the brush. I will then do it over again. Take a shower because it will probably be all over my face , hands, hair whatever is left of that. Once I have completed it and let it dry I will probably head over to the Auto Upholstery shop and let them make new carpets for me with the original patterns I just completely screwed up LOLOL. That's my MO.

McKrack

[geezer]

I have tried this a few times and although the carpet looks uniform in color, I think the surface wears and fades quickly because it is old carpet. I never came up with good results. Then again, you might be using better dye. Let us know how it works out.

[Mckrack]

I will Ron but I don't have much confidence in it. I was being realistic when I said that I may have to have the carpets re-made to specs with the correct loop useing the patterns from the original. The carpets alone cost me a lot of money and I got the original Jute Horsehair with them. I lucked out a compltete set of underpadding.