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Worked on rebuilding the 78 280z seats for local club member Scott M. on and off this winter. Finalized them today. Phew.... glad they are done. The leather covers are from Interior Innovations, new foams were from Classic Datsun. Ran into an issue with the closure of the seat backs... The material was about 1 1/2" too short to make it close properly over the tangs in the bottom of the seat backs. Either the manufacturer screwed up the length, or the 78 seat back frames grew and got longer. Tried every trick in the book to overcome the issue, finally had an upholstery shop sew in a extension to the leather at the seam where the reinforcement is. Worked out perfect, the fit is now tight without it trying to tear the seat material apart. This is the 2nd set of leather covers I have done from interior innovations. The first set that I did for my car 2 years ago was tight, but nothing like this. If I were to order any more covers, I would have them extent the problem area with the 1 1/2" of extra length. Overall, the leather covers are of great quality. The ones I did for my 77 z car are just coming up to 2 years and I will do a 2 year update on them very soon....

Hey Marty! I've been good. Working a lot. Got tired of my stint in the oil fields...I'm too old to work that hard! Went back into construction. Helping to build high-rises... Also, spending a lot of time relaxing with a cold one... And still spending quality time with my daughter at the deer lease.... Or we're out on the boat. Medina Lake I also have a side gig from time to time with the HS Band that my daughter was in. I'm the official "Roadie Driver!" Yeah...that's me making all the noise! CDL driver

Hey, Mike... Do you remember theses? From way back in the day? I still have mine! Might not have the old Z, but still supporting the colors! http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb356/kmack72/240Z/IMG_22011_zpswwsymbcw.jpg http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb356/kmack72/240Z/IMG_22001_zps8ju1rtkr.jpg These were the early ones that still had the old website on them (240Z.org). If I remember right, this was...what, 17-18 years ago? kmack

SWMBO limits me to 2 cars. Of course, that means the 3rd bay on the garage is filled with tools and car parts.

Why can't wives just be cool and be OK with you having an old car? I actually had to give my wife a choice, "WOULD YOU RATHER I SPEND IT ON BOOZE, DRUGS, AND WOMEN, OR AN OLD CAR?" She wasn't really happy with either but al least she knows where I am.

Indeed. He used to be a steady contributor back in the day. I think he sold his car and comes by only now and then since. I wonder if he is kicking himself for selling yet?

Time for another update. I lately stumbled on the Nissan / Datsun USA Technical service bulletin about the change of the hatch window rear defroster lines from Vertical to horizontal: Since i had been wondering why my cars (which were built close together) came with two different types of windows, which i figoured out lately, it cought my interest and i started to look closer. Car 1. SNR: HLS30-56801 came with horizontal lines. Registered in March 1972 Car 2. SNR: HLS30-59660 came with Vertical lines.Registered in May 1972 Strange enough, the SNR of my (European spec) cars are one Digit shorter than the ones mentioned in (American) Service bulletin. Both my cars were built in late 1971, but i assume the date in the Service bulletin is not the production date of change, but the release date of the document. Given the lead time of the cars from production to first registration in switzerland, and the lead time from Production change to the release of the Service bulletin. i guess my two cars, built close together just happend to be around the change. Also it is a prove that there is nothing like a "Series 1" car mentioned often. My "older" car doesn't have the vented hatch / side emblems, but it still came with "old" type window. Service bulletin 231 (1975 introduction of the Datsun 280Z, America) also mentions a 6-digit VIN (HLS30-6digits). So i guess we just got a different vin-Block for european cars? I checked both my stamped serials as well as the VIN-plate. Both my cars only have HLS30-5digits Oh and then got some interesting read from the UK. Race & Rally Magazine, Jan. 1993 It features 16 Pages intresting background information about the Works 240Z rallye cars. Including a variety of side-stories around them. Still have to read through it, but it seems very promising

The add for mine was $5,000. Unable to drive it or at least hear it run I stood firm at $2,000 and said call me when you get it running. A few hours later, in my driveway. They're out there, hiding from us but sooner or later word gets out. Some old man or woman gets tired of walking around one or like my 280, mowing around one.

You've been trying to adjust a modified engine to stock factory settings. That can be like trying to fit a size 12 foot into a size 10 shoe. The process of tuning the engine/carbs results in adjustments to settings to a point where it runs best. Sounds like you're finally just about there. Button that baby up and head out on the highway! Dennis

I'll pop this thread up a bit... "beandip" (Gary) is still playing with Z's. He sent me a couple pics last year of the race car he is helping with in the pits. It belongs to a friend of his, and judging by the side of their trailer, it looks like it competes really well! That's beandip in the blue hat...

You Washington state guys have so many Z cars up there. It’s just not fair!

The foam was an issue with the seat bottoms. The final closure of the rear flap which gets hog ringed to the frame was very tight. After much analysis, I ended up cutting a small 1" pie shaped piece from the bottom of the back of the seat foam. The seat bottom foams did seem a bit too large at the back for the seat frames. Maybe one day I'll get to try a vinyl set. I'll bet they are easier to work with than the real leather. For the seat backs, I used a dry cleaners plastic bag to make the covers slide down easier.

Motorsport wants $50 each plus shipping. http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic01a/23-5031R Can anyone beat that? Edit: they only have the B version, so I need to find out which one I need from the shop. Actually, I need to get all my parts back and go somewhere else.

I have a fire extinguisher since 3 years ago.

I did 23mm from the underside of the lids. Balanced the two at about 400 rpms each I beleive. The rear is 2.5 and the front is 2.750. Runs great with no overflow and I've beat it pretty hard then popped the hood. No gas smell. I think I got 23 from zkars? He's who pointed out that matches the top of that rectangular boss on the side. I did put two rear short ear lids on mine. Rear lid on the front carb too.

Or just buy my CAI and be done with it

I don't know. It took me a year ish to convince the previous owner to sell me these I think that they're rare, one other set in the UK that I know of, seem to be on a few 432's in Japan. I'm not sure of overall production numbers though. Maybe Alan could pen his thoughts. A set of Kobe Seiko would finish my shoe collection for the car. however I need to get the car done to make use of any.

Hi Gav, I have had excellent results using SEM dye. I needed a blue drivers door card and could only get black. I had an auto paint shop custom match the SEM to my new passenger side door card. After the SEM, you can't really tell which one was dyed. I can send you some instructions if you need them. Marty

So I went to Just Dashes last Friday and dropped my Dash and Center Console off. Talked to Abe and John for about an hour. I was really impressed with the staff there and their quality of work is top notch. Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the dash but really, who among us wants to see another Z Dash that has been thrashed over the years. I did take this one though. Saturday I went to Miguel's to make another payment and pick up my Front and Rear Suspension. I brought my friend from Dallas along to see the car and meet the master himself. It has been in the shop for a month and I think they are making great progress. I will start tearing into the rear suspension soon because I want to get the R180 checked out and rebuild the half-shafts. I am also looking into completely building the three wiring harnesses from scratch using new wire and vintage connectors. I can grab a fuse block off of summit racing and completely re-fabricate a plug and play wiring harness for 1121. I have been doing electrical work in the Navy for 19 years and looking at the existing harness and schematics, I know I can get it done. Im just wondering if this is something anyone else would be willing for me to do for them? Clay