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bpilati

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Everything posted by bpilati

  1. Les Cannaday told me that the 432 rear spoiler is the Nissan factory spoiler. So when you go to a car show, you can say it is the same as a Nissan factory accessory. Also, I understand that the 432 has the flat area for mounting the rear deck emblems. The BRE rear spoiler was based on the 432 but not exactly the same and did not have the flat area. This is what I've been told. The BRE "spook" that Les sells is an authentic BRE spook since he owns the original molds. The "BRE" spook from Motorsport Auto is not authentic and is cheaper made (I've heard) and does not have the extra mounting holes as 71ZZZZZ stated. If you want authentic BRE, buy from Les only. I've been told that MSA has been copying Les' fiberglass and carbon parts (using the same fabricator), making changes and selling cheaper versions. Notice they sell carbon fiber hoods and spoilers? According to Les, he came out with that hood first. Personally, when I can buy from Les, I will. He's a small company and seems to have his heart in the right place. I will be buying his 432 rear spoiler when the time comes, just as I purchased his BRE spook. The spook had a very fine finish and looks of good quality.
  2. bpilati

    Pre-restoration photos

    Prior to 2009
  3. bpilati

    seat covers

    I purchased one of those seat cover and foam kits from Distinctive Industries through Classic Datsun Motorsports. I believe that most everyone, who sells the Z seat covers, sell this one. Some people only replace their covers, but I also purchased the replacement foam cushions. I just finished putting the driver's seat cover on and it went very well, except I got a small rip in the vinyl in the rear part from working with the cover. It is covered by the rear flap though. Hopefully this won't get worse with use. I had to run the wire around the bottom from the old seat cover so that he prongs on the seat frame would not tear through the vinyl. To bad they didn't include new wire. It was very difficult to connect the two wire rods that make the crease in the top of the vinyl seat cover. What I ended up using were Blair pig rings from the hardware store to hook the two rods together. As far as the bottom support straps that were used on the 70-71 model Z's I found strapping material that was almost identical to the original. The only difference is that the original was one ply thicker and was covered with nylon on the outside. There are four straps front to back and one left to right (I used seat belt strap for this) just under where your arse sits. I pulled these through the original hooks and put two aluminum rivets with washers on each end. Of course this was done before they came out with the strap kit that's now for sale. REMEMBER IT WAS MY REINVENTION! I just removed the cover from the seat back and discovered something very noteworthy about the original headrest cushion. It is not the same foam as the seat back or bottom cushions, but is actually a crushable foam. It is also covered with a thin layer of plastic wrap; maybe to keep the foam dry from sweat? Not sure about this, since it is covered with vinyl. The wonderful quality of this crushable foam is that if you are hit from the rear and your head impacts this foam, it will crush and eliminate rebound of the head in the forward direction. The new headrest foam is not like this and is the same as the rest of the new foam. I may changed to the new foam headrest for comfort reasons anyway though. I thought I would mention that for anyone interested in crash safety. I also noticed that the new covers do not include the original style jute matting that is located just behind the seat back cover. You know those vent holes that are in the original covers; theoretically they allow air to circulate inside the seat to help keep your back cool. The original seat designers weren't so dumb were they? I wonder if I should go buy some jute matting and put some in. I'm also thinking about adding a small amount of additional foam in the lumbar area to improve support there. Has anyone else tried this; if so, how well did it work? Well I finally finished the driver's seat. It looks great and I sit higher. I'll have to lower my seat now. Anyway, it took a lot of pulliing and tugging to stretch the cover enough to attach it to the seatback, but I finally got there. Wheewww. I added some jute padding in the lumbar section and it seems to be working great so far.
  4. Check my post on OEM springs for the 240Z, They will be available shortly.
  5. Since Nissan no longer sells new OE springs for the 240Z, I decided to see if someone would make them for a reasonable price. I researched some spring manufacturers on the Web and found someone that would seriously talking to me. I sent them some preliminary information about the springs, and they said they could make them. Then contacted Carl Beck about what I was doing. He was very interested so we teamed up to try and make this happen. Carl dug up some more info about the springs and I sent the manufacturer one front and one rear spring for measurement and analysis. I believe Carl also sent some samples. After we finally received an initial estimate for a set of four springs, based on a minimum order of ten sets, Carl worked with Courtesy Nissan to order a larger volume for sale on their website. Bottom line, you will soon be able to purchase a quality set of four springs for your 240Z, made to original Datsun specifications and painted black with OEM markings on each spring, from Courtesy Nissan. Stay tuned for further info or join the IZCC mailing list. :classic: Browse Courtesy's website occassionally to see when they will be available. I won't quote prices here, because I'm not sure what the final Courtesy price will be. The price will be competitive with other available springs and very likely cheaper. :bandit: I want to thank Carl for helping me with this project, and hope the availability of these springs will help other 240Z owners with their restorations. Please help make this successful by purchasing a set. Carl and I will be making zero on this deal, we just want to help our fellow Z owners.
  6. Correction: I had a 510.... Yes I used Pledge on the seat for years and so did my dad. I'm not sure if it was good or bad, but the vinyl was supple like new.
  7. Yeah. Sort of rhetorical.
  8. bpilati

    240 Colors

    No, this is something altogether new.
  9. The Stock 240Z is a great handling car. Even in a worn out state, it can still take a curve pretty respectably. That just goes to show that it's more than struts and springs that make the 240Z handle, it's the entire suspension system geometry that was engineering well. The Datsun engineers could have very easily and lazily just transferred the 510 suspension over to the Z, but they didn't. They came up with a unique design for this car. You think there was a reason for that? They weren't fools, that's for sure. You think there was a reason that they angled the struts inward; I've seen many cars that don't? Were they making room for other tires?
  10. The bumpstops do more to protect the strut cartridge than the spring seat.
  11. Good photos, hey that copper pipe trick you did for the vapor tank, that's exactly how I fixed mine.
  12. I'm starting to question the need to remove the spindle pins.
  13. I've seen situations where "set screws" had a little brass/copper disk (equal to the diameter of the screw) that acted as a pad between the screw and the shaft it was holding.
  14. SPECIAL TOOL # 100000347-00592 I can sell you one for $60.00.
  15. Again, I ask my question.
  16. I purchased an authentic BRE spook with air ducts from Les Cannaday. I like the classic look of the BRE race car. I haven't installed it yet though. I will be purchasing the 432 rear spoiler as well.
  17. I have an polished aluminum T-handle shift knob that would fit on my Z, but I hesitate to use it because it's not original.
  18. I didn't know he was shut down. What happened? I don't know why there are so many Z business in California. Why would anyone want to put up with California laws?
  19. Excuse me, are we ill??? Uh, who are you?
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