They are fuses. leave them in there. no need to convert them

I had the same issue and I just soaked them in some vinegar, cleaned them up good, sanded up the contacts, and they never gave me problems since.

I don't think its necessary to convert them.

Well, I fall on the side of "rip the crusty old junk out," but it's a matter of preference. If you keep your fusible links, I'd replace with new. You can still get the little things. You can also buy fusible link material to roll your own. In my case it made sense to replace with MaxiFuses because my fusible link assemblies were broken (fractured bases) and just hanging on the end of the wiring harness. I have to say I love my MaxiFuses, but if my fusible link assemblies had started off in good condition, I'd have probably kept them.

Darom, do fuel dampers actually get clogged up? I thought that was a pretty trouble-free part.

FAIW, I've read on this list where one person had a plugged up metal fuel line and had to replace it. When I was diagnosing my own system, I simply opened it up past the fuel filter and ran the pump. I got plenty of volume, so I was satisfied I didn't have any restriction of flow anywhere.

Fuel dampers are mechanical devices with a diaphragm inside. Once they fail, they might restrict fuel flow causing lean conditions. I found an interesting post discussing the fuel dampers on Toyotas:

http://www.offroad-toyotas.com/forums/toyota-truck-4runner-archives/9491-know-what-fuel-damper-print.html

Personally, I took mine off when I replaced my fuel pump.

Very interesting... although I looked at the diagram of the damper in the FSM, and it would appear to operate differently from how the little writeup indicated. In the Datsun damper, it's not necessary for the diaphram to be moved by fuel pressure in order for fuel to flow. Maybe a different' design?

If fuel flow was restricted, the pressure at the rail would drop. You can't have low fuel flow, and maintain spec pressure.

Me again. So I came out here to work on the z again, now the ****er won't start... I replaced some more hoses on the fuel rail the other day and now it won't start. I was reading more and someone said something about ecu flash codes. Do z's even have ecu flash codes? If so how do I check em?

Ecu flash codes? I think not. Look over the work you have done so far. Check fuel pressure again.

It's a completely analog ECU!

You might have air in the lines. The Z can be a bugger to start when there's air in the lines!

Did you ever get this fixed? I would love to know what happened