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Another dramatic change has been the installation of the rear ST anti roll bar. This single item really has transformed the cars handling dramatically, it’s quite silly how well the car now handles considering the platform is nearly 48 years old. B roads really have been made so much more fun and the overall package has transformed just with this item. The front bar is still waiting to be fitted as we have decided it will be prudent to reinforce the chassis legs before installation given how chunky the new bar is. The overall suspension package now is however fantastic, its amazed a few people how well it negotiates corners. Thankfully the replacement of the lower steering column UJ has removed a huge amount of slack out of the steering and made it far more responsive much to my delight, the car really engages you and provides lots of positive feedback when you want to press on! Long term the only addition I can see will be strut bars to help out further when funds allow. We are very much shaking down the car given the huge amount of custom work that has been completed and various unknown parts installed. So far on the to do list is a vibration that comes in at around 60 & 80 while cruising, I’m not sure if this could be a propshaft balance issue having been told how precise this needs to be but will be investigated. Fourth gear syncro is also fairly high up the list as you cannot rush it and some attention to the gearbox however otherwise she’s running better than ever. The car is a far cry from the one that we purchased 2 years ago, with the exception of the half shafts I think everything drivetrain related has now been replaced. I think it’s only the brake master cylinder left in the engine bay before all major items have been replaced as well. Depending on my schedule the car is going to have a thorough check over in the next month or two and be looked at more seriously to get it running spot on and check that we’ve caught everything. At this point I cannot say a big enough thank you to Iain at Passion Engineering (and his dad who pitched in as well), while it’s taken me 5-6 months for me to plan everything out and source all of the parts his engineering skills have made this part of the project a reality. Due to time and space I didn’t get to attempt a few of the jobs which I would have very much liked to have tackled myself, however when it comes to some of the bigger jobs such as the fabrication and repair of items his skills are second to none. He also bent over backwards in his efforts to try and get the car Le Mans ready, working full weekends and putting in lots of extra hours to get it just right. Sadly some unforeseen issues stopped us but that’s meant to finished product was not compromised in any way. I’ve mentioned all of the key items above however its all of the little details where he excels such as my hidden fan override switch under the dash (without altering the car in any way) and rerouting on the rocker cover breather to be more discrete that makes all the difference. As you can well imagine I’m completely broke on the Datsun fund this year. That doesn’t stop future plans though and in the pipeline I’m still hoping to get a 4 pot vented brake setup up front to compliment the rear drums with new performance shoes. I’ve also been aware for some time that the exhaust system midpipe and tailpipe is very much homemade and horrible. Having properly investigated we’ve identified that near the tailpipe the diameter shrinks from about 2.5 to 1.5 which is really choking the engine I would imagine and needs to go. Currently toying with speaking to Z story about a new JDM muffler and midpipe to go with the current headers or even go the whole hog and replace the whole system which I’d love to if it can be justified. All being well we also have plans to sneak an AFR gauge into the factory gauge setup in place of the clock to keep things looking factory but being more functional. Aesthetics wise the project has taken somewhat of a turn with reality dawning that this is too nice a car to make it look like a race car despite my aspirations, I quite enjoy the fact that everyone thinks it’s just a standard 240Z with the exception of my crazy bosozuku style gear shifter. It’s only when you start talking to people that they realize all of the work that’s gone on under the skin. I may therefore continue to show restraint against spoilers and the like…. There’s been several stories and experiences as ever in the meantime and lots of little extra details however I’ve already written lots so I’ll leave it for now, enjoy the photos instead if you’ve made it this far. IMG-7113 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7112 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7115 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7116 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr A quick view of all of the area's you don't get to see. It would be good to clean up the fuel tank straps! (Follow link to video on Flickr) IMG-7111 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7467 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7316 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7470 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7325 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr IMG-7475 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

My friend Aaron sent me a link to a Z for sale up in Harrisburg on Sunday. I took a quick look at some pictures and told the guy that I'll get it on Monday. It's a 1-owner car. Everything is original except for the wheels, header (stock manifold included) and radio. It came with Clymer and Chilton manuals, owners manual and the manual for the Craig cassette player. The car has been parked and stored inside since 1983. A couple of the hose clamps aren't original and the dash has a couple cracks. The worst rust is the rear wheel arches. I have some NOS quarters that were put on my parts car so they'll go on this one. The hatch area is rock solid. The hood, doors and hatch are solid as well. It came with some extra parts and receipts from the late 70s. I plan to restore the car this winter. Chuck

Wow! Perfect fit on the steering rack. So glad I got rid of the Prothane bushings. The Energy Suspension ones are perfect.

I hate to move this car, but I really need to. My wife can't ride in it due to her back for one thing. The other is that I have the urge to spend some money on it with a Datsun Spirit engine and a rear suspension rebuild. Sounds great, but I'd rather spend the money elsewhere right now. I believe 6K to be a bargain price in an effort to move it quickly. Car is in central PA. Fuller details and photos in the Craigslist ad: https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/d/1977-datsun-280z-price-drop/6620690663.html

I would be more concerned with the low compression readings you posted. You say the car is running good, why not drive it and do as you said "please calm down"? https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/47304-1972-float-adjustment/?do=findComment&comment=553023

I was chasing a few vacuum problems, but everything now seems to work well. The vacuum valves operates and the heater valve seems to do a good job at stopping flow when closed, air became warm only when i opened it. Space is no problem, probably not necessary to trim the core pipe too.

Behind the passenger side rear plastic panel there is a steel panel of almost the exact same shape covering the gas tank vapour recovery tank, does it really serve a purpose?

Fortunately, the motor mounts I have are from the car and are almost brand new. They were replaced the last year the car was driven in 1996 and are in great shape and fit perfect. They are stock replacements when the PO did the last engine refresh.

You have to read through that whole thread to realize that there was confusion about a retrofit, and a factory installed part. The factory part is just steel. Yes, they all look that bad. I've seen many in the wrecking yards, and I have three. Even Nissan tried to hide them, and only showed an edge.

I'll let you know the total shortly. Let's take this to email please. z240@shaw.ca

Maybe it's to differentiate male Z's from female Z's, they found out that the female Z's tend to whine, lol

I have one in my car too. I will put it back in and hope it aids in sound deadening.

Its not cosmetic or fumes. (It's not sealed, and you can't see it normally). I'm guessing some sort of safety agency requirement. Something like "there must be a metal layer between anything containing fuel or vapor and the occupant interior." maybe? Only other guess would be noise reduction?

Very cool! Texas does the same thing and I sourced and restored some 37' plates for his 37 ford. The hard part was sourcing 2 like Grannyknot. Texas requires a front & rear matching set. Finding the 1937 plates was a treasure hunt. Lots of fun I need to check and see if South Carolina does this...