Bonzi Lon

Black Dragon shows them as "clip-outer shift boot", $3.95 each. My 73 has seven, the catalog says 8 are needed. Bonzi Lon

They were on there a whole lot tighter than that. Do you agree with that, DeMoore? Thats why I asked about the copper washer thinking it had its "soft" squished out of it and needed to be replaced or annealed to put the "soft" back in for a good seal. Put it back together but not 'nearly' as tight as it was, but tight. After sitting over 6 months there appears to be some weepage. The whole brake and clutch systems will be gone through and flushed within a week. Interior, exhaust, minor electrical, engine broke in and a few other things before Branson. Bonzi Lon

The big screw caps ARE torqued on there. I finally got them off by carefully chucking the MC in a large vice and used a crescent wrench (all I had that large) and a 3 foot cheater pipe, slowly pulling until they broke loose, they are on there. I appologize for the hijack to ask...Should the copper washer (under the cap) be replaced or annealed before reassembly? What is the torque on these caps? Bonzi Lon

Zac, you should paint it whatever your heart and the car are telling you what color it wants to be. Heres my 'blue car', first in base coat, second after clear coat and in the sun. Bonzi Lon

Thank you for the photo. Just wanted to see the difference of the stamp to the years in between manufacture. The steel evaporator tank has a like mark, but is unknown if it is on the early plastic ones. This is what mine looks like, first is gas tank, second is evaporator tank. Bonzi Lon

I would be interested in getting a closer look at the white 'date stamp' on the top of the tank to compare to my 7-73. I started a thread on the subject. Bonzi Lon

In my experience with ebay and the listings for Z cars is they (ebay) lump the 240, 260 and 280 in the same catagory if the seller DOES NOT make it item specfic, like the coil bracket. I've seen steering wheels, carpet kits, shift knobs, wheel covers, carbs, round & flat, etc (get the drift?) lumped into fitting the 240, 260 and 280 catagory knowing they are VERY different. It is up to the seller (and buyer) to know what model it fits, but will get more lookers if it is listed in all 3. It is still buyer be ware and ask questions. This is from my nube experience from ebay. Bonzi Lon

I would post the link but have no idea how. There are 2-280Z's on the Wichita Craigslis for $4750 OBO. One white one and a blue parts car. Bonzi Lon

After my panels spent 27 years in storage the chrome strips were on the floor, now the plastic matchs the exterior of the car! I'm happy with it. Bonzi Lon

Mine has the green push-pull switch. VIN HLS30-168500, July 1973. Bonzi Lon

Butch wax was just that, a wax, for what we called a butch cut or flat-top. Brilcream (sp) was a grease for longer hair, hence a greaser, or pomade as in "Oh God Where Art Thou." The 8 track was invented by Bill Lear (of Lear Jet fame) taken from the Muncie 4 track player with double the time of play. I still have over 100 8 tracks and still looking for a Lear for my Z. We finally got dial tone on the phone in 64, before we had to tell the operator what number we wanted. I remember helping grand-dad put a turn signal unit on his pick-up. Cop cars had the gum ball machine on top. Windsheild wipers were vaccum operated. And those P.F. Flyers DID make me run faster. Bonzi Lon

My 7-73 dash is smooth around the hazard switch and crack free, which is a rarity for these early Z's. Bonzi Lon

My Daddy always said "Experience is the best teacher, but golly geez it is expensive!" (golly geez are my words, his are not repeatable here) Bonzi Lon

That is the baggie I saw. May be a bit spendy, but what would a fender or door repair cost? It was just a thought. Bonzi Lon

I have seen somewhere there is a large bag you drive the car into, zip it up and fill it with air like a giagantic balloon. They even pushed a bicycle into it and it just bounced off without hitting the vehicle. Bonzi Lon

The MSA kit DID NOT come with a true "jute" backing but a thread/material type stuff (as in dryer lint) as noted in post 11 and as Bo mentioned. The "ORIGINAL JUTE" that came with the car is of much better quality and heavier and appears more water resistant than the "stuff" that is on the new kit. Like I said I will try to remove the thread/material stuff and use my "Original Jute" as it is in excelent condition including the tranny tunnel. When I first saw this type of backing I had a feeling it would not hold up as it just pulls away in pieces (like dryer lint) except where glued. Funk & Wagnall's--jute, 1. A tall annual Asian herb of the linden family. 2. The soft, lusterous fiber obtained from the inner bark of this plant, (Corchorus capsularis or C. olitorius). Therefore, the backing that is on the new kit CAN NOT be called "jute", but is really floor sweeps from a cloth factory. Bonzi Lon

Here are 2 photos of the clips in question. My camera seems to be myopic today but you can see what they look like. They fit under the tab welded to the floor. They are 2 5/8" long by 1 7/8" wide and the lift is about 1/4" and were clad plate but a little rusty now. If they were bunnies I'd have them make some sets for you guys. Bonzi Lon

The first photo shows the difference in the backing, left is original with rubber backing, right is new, both have edge stiching but a little different. I think the jute would hold up better than the thread/cloth type backing on the new. Second photo is the passenger side that DOES NOT have slits cut for the metal hold downs near the seat edge, original DOES have the slits and are edge wrapped. I will have to cut slits and edge them myself. The snaps that came with the kit will have to be installed where needed. I'll put snaps in first then cut the slits for the hold downs. Metal clips shown for reference. The third photo shows the new hatch area carpet and there are quite a few differences from original. The original just has slits cut (no edging) for the luggage straps near the tool boxes but near the tail lights there are slits that HAVE BEEN edge wrapped for the straps. Also the original has semi-circle cut outs that fit neatly around the fuel evaporator hoses, the new one DOES NOT. When it comes to fitment time we will see if this needs to be trimmed or it might fit without cutting and edge wrapping, I doubt as it would be all bunched up under the interior rear panel. Hope this helps clear things up. Bonzi Lon

Just let me know when and what the cost is as I may have a few of us that may caravan up there. Bonzi Lon

Just got my "Loop Pile" this week from MSA very good looking. It is edge stiched but no slots for the straps, which can be cut where needed. It came with padding but not the original rubber backing but a scrap thread/material type stuff about 1/2 inch thick glued to it. I would like to remove that and use my original jute but may be a mess removing it. It has a heavy rubber heel pad for the driver and came with a set of snaps to install where needed up front. Overall very pleased with it but won't have it installed for another month or so. If I can get the camera to work I will post a few photos. Bonzi Lon

Chad: I'm just down the road and to the left about 60 miles. For those that haven't heard about McPherson College, from what I understand, it is the only 4 year College course offered in the USA dedicated to automobile restoration. Most auto makers give time, money and parts to the project along with support from the likes of Jay Leno, Barrett-Jackson, after market suppliers, an lots of others. Several years ago a class project, 55 Chevy I think, was sold at Barrett-Jackson with all procedes to the school. Let me know if we need to pre-register or just show up. PM sent. Bonzi Lon

Welcome aboard Chad, good to see another Kansan with an early Z. I understand (heard/read) the College is holding an open house in the car restoration department the first part of May and want some "hot rods" to show up, I plan on being there with Bonzi if so. Let me know if this is still on, I would really like to see this program. Bonzi Lon

How about a Simca? Bonzi Lon

I was also rear ended about 20 years ago and still find myself looking in the rear view mirror whenever I slow to turn left or stop waiting to turn left. (use of turn signals is a must) I think you will be looking also, if not already. Bonzi Lon

When the discount store was built they had planted a row of trees to keep cars from "going over". If a car does go over it usually is very damaged. It is the taller trucks that make it. The first time was about 15 years ago, in the SAME SPOT. Over the years some of the trees have been "taken out" and never replaced. The store mananger and I are good friends and sure we can work something out so it doesn't happen again, now that the Z is near completion. It WAS a "beautiful day in Kansas", full sun, upper 50s. NOW, 36 hours later, its 19 and falling, blowing snowing, north wind at about 25mph. A beautiful day in the neighborhood.... Bonzi Lon