HLS 30 hub caps

[Richard McDonel]

My car is a 1971 - HLS30 28726 to be precise.  Are the correct hub caps those with D or Z in the centre.

 

Thanks folks

[Diseazd]

Good question. I asked Jim Frederick the same question because I have an early 71 also. He said if it’s got an early (monkey motion) transmission, it had D hubcaps. Mine has early transmission, angular half shafts, early ash tray etc.  No vents in the tailgate and no 240Z on the back roof vents, but if he’s correct, it came with D hubcaps. Anyone agree or disagree?

[Richard McDonel]

Thanks for replying!
Question though, I've not heard of the "monkey Motions" transmission.  How do I know if that's what I have?

 

[zKars]

Monkey early bottom, non monkey top. 

Poor mounting system often results in very loose shifter shaft after the fork spreads and the pin wears out. Reminds us of walking Gibbon monkey with floppy arms in the air. Makes changing gears feel like a suggestion rather than a definite answer

Edited November 22 by zKars

[jfa.series1]

52 minutes ago, zKars said:

Poor mounting system often results in very loose shifter shaft after the fork spreads and the pin wears out. Reminds us of walking Gibbon monkey with floppy arms in the air. Makes changing gears feel like a suggestion rather than a definite answer

Dang, you sure know how to make a guy feel bad about his gearbox! 😪

[Richard McDonel]

Thanks for all the confusion guys!

Odd that they would change the hub caps in concert with the gearbox rather than at a specific production date, model year or VIN.   I guess I'll just take a chance and go with Z hub caps (sexier than the Ds).  Don't imagine it would make or break my chances if they ever featured 240s at Pebble Beach!

[psdenno]

1 hour ago, Richard McDonel said:

Thanks for all the confusion guys!

Odd that they would change the hub caps in concert with the gearbox rather than at a specific production date, model year or VIN.   I guess I'll just take a chance and go with Z hub caps (sexier than the Ds).  Don't imagine it would make or break my chances if they ever featured 240s at Pebble Beach!

My 04/71 build date 240 came with D hubcaps.  I always thought all '71 Datsun 240Zs came with the D caps and the Z caps were on later model years.  Unless I am misunderstanding the question....which seems to be happening more the older I get.

[Richard McDonel]

psd, No, you understand the question precisely. Sounds like your history with 240s goes back much farther than mine, so I should probably be looking at "D" centre pieces for my 'caps. Cheers,

[psdenno]

12 minutes ago, Richard McDonel said:

psd, No, you understand the question precisely. Sounds like your history with 240s goes back much farther than mine, so I should probably be looking at "D" centre pieces for my 'caps. Cheers,

Thank you for validating my level of understanding.  I'll mention it to my wife 😀.  Although my Z came from the showroom floor with D hubcaps, I eventually traded them for a set of the Z caps because I thought they looked significantly better than the D caps.  Looking back, probably not the smartest move.  Especially when i see what the D caps are selling for now.

[Richard McDonel]

G'day All,

I'm still with hubcaps.  Can't find the 2 3/8 inch original hubcap centre logo, but I'll probably just make old ones look as shiny as I can.  So now I'm at the restoration of the hubcaps themselves.  I've had them chrome plated and have now masked off the areas not to be painted.  Expert advice from two sources in I'm to sand the to-be painted areas with 60 or 80 grit, then apply two-part epoxy.  Fine, but, but what colour,  it being a bit difficult to know what the original shade was.  After 53 years it looks like flat black, but could that just be faded original gloss?  Someone suggested charcoal.  Any experts here?  

 

Many thanks

[siteunseen]

EDIT: 60 grit sandpaper is too rough for anything on your Z. That's what painters call "floor paper". It's for sanding hardwood floors.

Here's the best I've seen with paint you can buy at a chain store. Many thanks @CanTechZ

 

Edited December 19 by siteunseen

[Namerow]

On 12/18/2024 at 7:24 PM, Richard McDonel said:

Expert advice from two sources in I'm to sand the to-be painted areas with 60 or 80 grit

I wonder if "60 or 80 grit" was really meant as "360 or 280 grit"?  Those would be credible recommendations for paint prep.