An Idea

[240Z240Z240Z]

I would find it very helpful if someone (who had lots of time on their hands) would put together a list of Z parts that we are at one time or another are in need of, and what the part status is and where to find them.

For example if I was looking for a horn button for a 1972 Z, the list might indicate that Nissan no longer makes the part and there is no known stock on hand. Check used part sources. Or if I was looking for a new front emblem the list might indicate the price and part number of the part through Nissan, or to check the following after market sources....

Ideally, this list would be held and updated on this web site and everyone would be able to add to it as items are idenified and sourced.

I think it would save us and anyone new to the Z world a lot of time in searching the web trying to track down common replacement parts.

[Gav240z]

Plastic map reader cowel around map reader light.

Rear number plate globe surround.

[Bambikiller240]

Availability and Prices will change over time. That is going to be a big chore to maintain accurate current information.

Too much to bother with OMHO.

[TKR514]

I agree with BambiKiller. Way too much work to do EVERY part that could be replaced. Also a lot seems to depend on location as to what it's worth or availability.

Sure it would save a newbie a lot of time, but would a newbie PAY for this "service" to support that kind of man-years of work to find a maplight for a 260?

[MikeW]

I'd prefer to see some sort of internal lists without prices. Occasionally people post that they're parting out a car or have something or other for sale. A bunch of people will chime in with requests. Sometimes 4 people will all want the same part or months later will ask if something is still available. People also say they're looking for certain things (seat mechanism screws or map lamp enclosure, etc.). I've asked for things and have privately purchased stuff from members here. I've also provided stuff. It would be great if there was a mechansim where everyone could simply create a list of "stuff they have" and "stuff they want". The going price is not an issue since there'd be simply too much variation in condition, etc. As things are sold you could then cross it off the list but list the price to give others an idea of market values. The important thing is that the list be kept up to date. If you say you have something and then sell it or if you take those doors to the landfill make sure that your list is updated accordingly. We all might have something that someone else is really looking for but it's just sitting there collecting dust.

I don't think the current forum mechanism would work for this but perhaps there's something else that would. Instead of a "My Gallery" we need a "My Parts".

[240Z240Z240Z]

Well, I didn't say it was going to be easy.

Perhaps if we dropped the prices and broke it into groups like interior, engine, suspension, and etc. it would be more manageable. It doesn't need to be 100% accurate, or 100% current to be worth utilizing, however, it would need to be maintained as a work in progress.

Here's some examples off the top of my head :

I found that Courtesy Nissan has the exact replacement shift knob (blond wood, black top) I needed for my 72, ($49.95) but I spent a large number of hours looking for the exact one, and no one else had it to the best of my knowledge.

I found that Trico makes a replacement washer pump for the early Z's that they don't even know they stock (p/n 11-601).

I've looked all over for red interior vinyl for my shock towers, but that it's only available as a complete kit through one source so far.

There's one place that carries lots of rubber replacement parts, another carries tons of emblems.

I want to be able to pass this information along to the group in a way that is easy to sort through and will help others short cut their Z refreshing endeavor's.

The less time we spend researching this stuff the more time we can spend driving our beauties....

[26th-Z]

I would like to ramble on this subject and share some of the experiences I have had in the last few months.

I have this lovely old 240Z. She is very dear to my heart, but she is old and tired and worn out. I quit driving her three or four years ago and put her away with plans to restore her some day. That day came to me last January and I began looking for parts and making plans and working on the car.

Years ago, I used to go down to the Datsun dealer on Saturday mornings and shoot the bull with Jim, look through the parts fische, and order parts. In those days, you could buy a series one dash for around $400. They were still available. D hubcaps finally became unavailable after reaching the outrageous price of $25 each and you had to buy one every now and then because they kept falling off.

Then Datsun became Nissan, Jim retired, and Nissan did one of the most incredible things; they bought old Zeds, restored them with their parts inventory, and sold them again. A story of automotive history in itself!

I have spent countless hours over the last six months tracking down parts and searching for sources. I joined this club for that very reason. I know it is still possible to go down to Nissan and order parts, but not only does the guy behind the parts counter shrug his shoulders, he laughs as well! Of course, the computer and the internet has made the parts hunting process a dream. Do any of you remember magazine want adds? My old-guy buddies with 1920's Franklins or Rolls Royces chuckle at my workings and tell me how fortunate I am to be able to buy substitute parts at all. When Brad was cutting a new frame out of ash timber for his Franklin, he decided to carve a spare just in case anyone ever needed one.

I don't believe the Datsun 240 Z is the inexpensive driving sensation any more. Even though I will swear by their reliability, I think they are becoming as expensive to maintain as my BMW.

Several things are happening with respect to parts.

I know people paying big bucks for choice Zeds. I saw a 72 go for $20K at auction several months ago. I know people with collections of Zeds and collections of parts. I know people who go to Nissan and buy all the parts they have left, or, buy all of one certain part they think is in high demand. Look at what is happening on Ebay. In short, I am firmly convinced that people are buying up and hoarding parts for their inflation value. I admit I am guilty of this habit myself. I bought an E31 head not long ago just because I found it at a reasonable price. I have a brand new hatch glass with vertical de-mister lines I probably won't ever use. I also collect silver coins and gem stones! Please don't blast me for joining in the game - I passed on a set of ZG headlight covers for $125 last week. They were gone within 2 hours of the posting.

Zed parts are going to get more expensive and more difficult to find. It is just happening. The one common source for Zed parts is unloading them to us collectors. BTW, what happened to "nissanautoparts.com"? It's been down for a couple of weeks, now. The internet is the greatest source of parts I can possibly imagine. Not only can I buy the American parts, but I can find and buy domestic market parts as well. Do I dare post the fifty-odd websites I have found and purchased from? I'm sending my dash from Florida to Australia to be recovered after interviewing three different companies I found on the net. Hell, I almost feel like putting on my lace bonnet and Sunday dress to go "shopping" on Ebay!

Actually, it's been a lot of fun. I have made a lot of friends here and a lot of friends in the parts world. I met Carl Beck at Sebring last March, and he has been a real inspiration. Carl believes the price of Zeds is going up, up, up. Zeds really are great cars and there is a great history behind them. It all makes them desireable, collectable, and inflationary.

Once, there WAS one "list". Datsun had it. Then, there was Aftermarket and the "list" became a little diffuse. Now, the "list" is called Internet and I believe Ebay is the Goddess Of Parts Exchange. Other parts exchanges exist - this one is my favorite. The original "list" still remains. It is now called Cd Parts Fische and this site has it. I love reading the want adds and make it a part of my daily routine. It took me a while to find the routine, but I am having fun. It's all part of the game called "surfing". I can't imagine one "list" any more. Most of the parts are in private hands now, and places like this will become the future where one can reach out for hope of finding the part they seek.

I am very fortunate to have a way cool Z with a way low serial number. Some of the members on this site have cars I drool over. Many thanks to eveyone who has helped. I'll be around surfing this game for quite a few years while I restore my precious Zed and then go to shows with her.

[Bambikiller240]

I think the current forum for seeking parts works just fine, to a point. Anyone with the desire to search for needed parts knows (or should be able to figure out) which forum has PARTS FOR SALE and can scroll through the posts at leisure for whatever they need. Similarly, they can also find the PARTS NEEDED forum and post a "wish list" for others to view.

What needs to happen to improve the forum(s), is the same thing that would need to happen to make any of the ideas for a list being tossed out here to function successfully. PEOPLE NEED TO UPDATE WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING, AND WHAT THEY STILL NEED! Until that happens there will be duplication of effort, and people annoyed at items that are no longer available for sale still being offered by other people.

Hopefully I don't sound like a grump, but y'all need to do your own research to find the parts that you need. This is part of the process and part of the fun ("the thrill of victory" for me anyway)of restoring/maintaining my Z. The parts are not going to drop into your lap like manna from heaven. As 26th Z (or was it MikeW?) has mentioned, we have the whole internet at our disposal and the stuff is out there for YOU AND ME to find if we make the effort. Postings like 240Z240Z240Z did with his discovery of the Trico Windsheild washer pump are truely golden nuggets of information that we should be grateful to him for sharing. BUT, he has done his part, he posted the information in a public forum. If you are interested in it, copy it to your own files or do a search for "windsheild washer pumps" on our site and you'll find the information sitting there waiting for you to use.

I recently asked for help (on this site) with an oddball washer for my crank pulley dampner, and within a day I had several offers from kind members to provide me with what I needed, and I'm very grateful for the response. I doubt these folks would have bothered to list the item as available, but they leapt at the chance to help someone. Most of us will do the same for you if we have what you need.

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND, MY BROTHERS & SISTERS!

Pastor Carl hurriedly leaves the pulpit and ducks for cover.

[240Z240Z240Z]

Correction, I just was told by Courtesy Nissan that the old style gear shift knob I ordered from them is no longer available.

So if anyone has a newer looking blond wood gear shift knob with the black top and the white shift pattern they're willing to sell, let me know......

[26th-Z]

Yes, here we go. I know some people who bought several of those gear shift knobs waiting for this very day. You will probably see them on Ebay soon.

[lordbiotree]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423046780&category=6187

$19,900!?!

My lord we are going to need our pack rats in the feature.

If you have the funds you can find what you want. If you looking for a bargain ask the board. I have to admit I have several parts in worse than better condition I'll never use. Someday I'll sell them to one who can work with them.

-Brandon

71 240Z

[Arizona240z]

AHHH another person on eBay trying to rip people off. Yes eBay is a greeat thing but it is chock full of people who are out to strictly rip people off. I won't go into the things that are wrong with this ad other than the use has zero feedback. It makes me think he is up to something. I'd never list something at that price unless I had some feedback to give the bidder confidence.