Bonzi Lon

It was even nicer in person. Bonzi Lon

My engine was rebuilt in 1980 they put 96 miles on it for break in, then it sat for 28 years. I was worried about dry bearings journals etc. I removed the oil filter, it was completely drained & dry, the gasket had shrunk, drained the pan, now that was stinky. Replaced filter & oil then turned over by hand at the crank, within a revolution I had some oil coming out of the holes in the cam. All is good. When spinning over with the starter I could see the oil pressure gauge rise. Still all good. In the end, I was confident that there was oil still in the journals, bearings and galleys. Good luck. Bonzi Lon

I'm sure you can find an original metal one for less, with the glass already in it. Bonzi Lon

There is a possibility that HLS30-00076 has been restored. I will find out more information on this VIN in May or June. Bonzi Lon

Saw this and have no connection to the owner. One family owned. A few mods. Maybe worth investigation. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2880407711.html Bonzi Lon

I had to go back and read the entire thread to see what I had commented on back in 08. It was just completed with tags but without insurance. Speaking of rich college students, when attended my first McPherson College Car Show, these two 'kids' parked by me. Bonzi Lon

Yes, you need the springs for the throttle return. I've seen many different types of springs used on them, just enough strength to close sharply, but not too hard to push open. The heat shield is for that purpose, there are several variations, the one above has the cut out for a header tube. I have one with out the cut out. One of the more interesting spring uses I've seen, was 2 screen door return springs cut down to attach to the front brake line. It worked! Bonzi Lon

Mikes Z car: I was pulling one up on a trailer by the front eye, it looked solid, then half way up the ramps, the frame rail around the back & sides of the mount peeled open from interior rust. Not good. Make sure it is solid before you use it. Bonzi Lon

From what I've read, the metal composition of the cam is where the problem starts if there is a lack of ZDDP in the oil, not the pressure or the amount. Bonzi Lon

Both terms can be used. The only reason they are there is part of the casting process. In order to make the interior cavities for water, a sand casting 'core' (special sand pre-formed to the interior passages), is placed into the mold for iron to surround. The core is supported by the mold itself causing the hole in the side of the casting. I assume, very early in time, without antifreeze, the plugs were popping out due to freezing, thus the name. So, there are two names for one part, although 'casting plug' is the proper term, we all call them freeze plugs. I spent 4 years in a small ductile iron foundry, hottest, hardest, dirtiest, most fun job I've ever had. Bonzi Lon

Wow! Your stronger than you thought. I won't be arm wrestling with you. Look at the broken ends to see if there is any rust from a crack or flaw in the steel, may have to magnify. I don't have any parts to help you out on this. Bonzi Lon

Personally, I would not use a silicone product or freeze. Silicone by nature is slick as snot, I'd use a rubber based sealer, very thin smear. Freezing will shrink them & make them go in easier, but will you get a good seal? By NOT freezing them the softer brass will be allowed to deform to the irregularities of the harder cast iron, thus a tighter fit & insurance from the gasket sealer. The thermostats are about 13-15 lbs, doubt that would be enough to pop one out, if it takes more than that effort to put them in. Please chime in if I'm off base. Bonzi Lon

On page 113 of 'How to Rebuild Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine', by Tom Monroe, "Although it's not essential to use sealer on the core plugs, I do it just to be sure." "Use a mallet and large-diameter punch about 1/16 inch smaller than the ID of the plug". Bonzi Lon

I would suggest SteveJ & Zed Head, with multi-meter and wiring diagram in hand, jump a plane to the Big Island to get this Z on the road. It is very beautiful this time of year, I was there 30 years ago last month. Bonzi Lon

Ted, if you have that kind of cash and expecting to get more saved, think about this. In April, MSA will have their car show in CA with a lot of 'for sale' cars. Cheap plane ticket out and you might find a car to drive home, or drive out with a friend. First part of June will be Branson ZFest, usually several for sale there. September is ZCON12 in Phoenix, that will be eye candy overload. Bonzi Lon

Once you have used an ultrasonic cleaning machine, you will hate to use any other method. We had 3 different sizes at the jewelry store for, clocks, watches & jewelry. True ultrasonics will be rather expensive and have the transducers to produce the sonic waves. Other cheap over the counter cleaners only vibrate. I don't know if they make them as big as an engine or full size car. Bonzi Lon

Gently take the old oil filter apart and take a look. A little messy, but it's like C.S.I. Bonzi Lon

Only copper crush washers on my 73 are gas tank drain plug, oil pan drain plug and one each for the huge bolts on the underside of the master brake cylinder. I can't remember on the differential or transmission plugs. Bonzi Lon

Does that side quarter window look familiar? Bonzi Lon

Sure do. Was a real prankster in my day. I think I have several on my Roadster. Bonzi Lon

That Astra is stunning! Bonzi Lon

Kathy & Rick, It is my understanding that the 73 bumper is a little larger in all ways, north, south, east, west, up & down. Now I wish I had removed, measured & compared the early 70 with the 73 bumper. One day soon Bryce (bluecrazy) and I will meet up, he has an early one, mine will be removed for replating, so maybe we can get exact measurements. The 73 over-riders are wider also. Photo #1 shows the larger bumper bracket & the wider mounting points. Bonzi Lon

Great find! The blue/blue 240Z is the rarest color combo made. My research came up with 5 known blue/blue combo's in the first 4000 VIN's. (I owned HLS30-00110, blue/blue for a while.) The seats should be all blue with the 4 stainless vent holes. Keeping costs down, you might try buffing & polishing, paint is not cheap, if it is, it will look like it. Bonzi Lon

Black Dragon seems to have them, called 'Ram Pipes', #55-160, $29.95 each. Bonzi Lon

There are shippers that run off of an auction type system to ship any & every thing. There was a series on not too long ago called "Shipping Wars" they would reverse bid on shipping charges. The company that handled the auctions were out of Amarillo, I think. I never knew that option existed until I saw the show. Bonzi Lon