My first ride in z baby

[rtaylor]

Hey all. I picked up my car this morning from the shop. I found the mechanic from a rx from Stephen Blakney, Z-car Specialty in Upland, CA. Thanks Stephen. I was getting worried as it was taking a long time from my point of view, 2 1/2 months, but in the end it turned out fantastic! The shop bored the block and rebuilt the head. New timing chain and oil pump. They also installed a new clutch, pressure plate and t/o bearing, new brake M/C and slave cylinder. After the motor was installed, he could not get any oil pressure and found the new oil pump was bad, so he had to replace that.

Prior to taking it to the mechanic I installed z-therapy carbs, It has new brakes all the way around, wheel cylinders , ss brake lines, new m/c, fuel pump, coil, resistor, all hoses, tank was sealed, new vent lines .

I was quite exicted to turn the key and have her fire right up, with just a taste of choke. It idled perfect, however the rear carb is sucking air out of the throttle shaft. Weird. Steve at Z-Therapy said he would fix what ever the problem is, so I am going to wait until I break the motor in before I pull the carb and send it back to him.

So, I motored out of the shop and onto the freeway. The car seems strong, and It felt great to be behind the wheel. I was going to just drive it home and get my work car to drive to work, but couldn't bring myself to stop driving the Z. Needless to say the commuter car is home today. So I have 50 miles on it now. I'm keeping it below 3500 rpm. Now I know what all of you guys talk about re the Z experience. For lack of a better word, I am stoked. Can't wait to take it up to the Crest for a little spin and see how she handles.

Next thing to do is the struts. It has the original shocks all the way around. The front end just bob's up and down. I am following the recent thread on springs/shocks with interest. Original muffler seems ok. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get my camera back from repair.

[superfunk]

This is kinda weird, I just got back from my first drive in my Z as well. its an early 71. Definately a unique experience. I cant wait to go drive her again.

[geezer]

That's great Randy! Your going to have fun now and probably have another 100 miles on her before you read this. It's been more than 30 years since I've been in a moving Z. Randy...Randy...where are you! :laugh:

Good to hear your mobile too SuperFunk. Where in Ontario are you?

[ggarrard]

Ron - Was going to ask Superfunk the same question - all the roads around here are either ice/snow covered, or salted so heavily white dust is raised as you drive on them....no place for a Z....

Randy - pictures are always appreciated by those of us who are deprived of the real thing....

GGarrard (in the suburbs of Ottawa, ON, Canada)

[superfunk]

Im in Kingston right now finishing up my schooling (not in the prions). I know there is way too much salt on the roads here to be driving, but I really couldnt resist it, and I'm going to be tackling my rust issues soon anyways

[justaZcarguy]

That is excellent news, and I am glad to see that you are on the road...

[sblake01]

I'm glad it worked out for you. I do most of the work on my cars myself but Elvan and Mario have always been fair with me and I have been satisfied with the work they've done for me in the past. He replaced the heater core in my Z about 6 years ago, did the timing belt in my wife's Sentra and and the 100k mi service on her Infiniti J30 (I'd be very leary of opening up a VG30DE!). I have called them for lots of advice over the years, however. They always give advice that leads me in the right direction rather than saying "bring the car in and we'll inspect it" like most shops do. Randy is located in Southern California, about 30 or so miles west of me where it was about 80 degrees earlier this week. I too was out in my Z.

[rtaylor]

Thanks for all the replies. Now that its running I plan on taking it down to MSA in April as well.

I am getting a little air coming in the cabin from the upper corner of the drivers door. Would new wealther stripping solve this problem? If I stick my fingers in the upper channel with the window closed and pull a little, the sound goes away. Also, i filled it up with premium; Gas gauge then read full. The gas gauge reads less than half now after driving 82 miles.. There is no way I could have gone through half a tank of gas. Are the gauges less than accurate? Is there a way to calibrate it? I did install a new sending unit.

Superfunk, I almost thought you were in Ontario, CA, right next door to the shop. Now that would have been truly strange.