barby27

Thanks for the recommendation. Lee

That is good to hear that Oliver will still be around. I will look him up and see where he is at now. I also was looking at Vintage-motorworks but have never done any business with them so as usual I was hesitant to use them. if people are happy with their work then its something I can look into.

So I recently discovered that Z Specialties in Snohomish has closed permanently. I needed to know if there is any other shops that are still doing work on older 280Z's in the Washington State area? Thanks

I wanted to go but again other home projects are keeping me busy. http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all Lee

My Favorites are the Franziskaner Dark Weiss, Hoegaarden, Guinness and when I want the lite stuff a Licher. Lee http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

How funny is this. Last week I took mine apart because my advance plate was also broken. Many years ago I replaced one on my first 280Z and back then you could get the assembly very cheap. I started to look for another one last week and have been coming up empty. I finally talked to Oliver of ZSpecialties and found that he could get them from Nissan Japan but the price was $129. Currently he is searching to see if any US company that rebuilds these can sell the plate separately. Another thought is to make a CAD drawing of that part and go around and see what it will cost to have them made again. Lee http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

I may be there - but it depends on whether I can get other things done in time.

I know there have to be more people in Tacoma area that drive Z's. At least I have seen others but possibly they are not members on this site.

To take out the haze affect on pictures use a polarized filter. They really do work well and will deepen the colors. Look around for pictures on the internet explaining this and you see what I mean. I have some pictures that I took when first experimenting with the polarized filter that I can upload as well. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

I put the steering joint back on and used that as a way to put a 18" crescent wrench against and then used a 18" large standard screwdriver and it came out but really fast and then all of the bearings went flying all over. Thanks for the tip. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all&mediafilter=images

So I need to know if anyone has developed a trick to removing the steering pinion without causing any damage to it. According to the FSM it says to "Draw steering pinion assembly out" but this pinion is really in there. So if anyone has a method to ease the pain in removing one of these please let me know, I really do not want to damage this. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all&mediafilter=images

Turn that picture into a four foot long poster. That would be great hanging up in the garage. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

Now I would love to go but I have to be over in Richland that weekend for my Aunt's retirement party. I wonder what kinda of way I could use to get out of it. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

Not to add to the pain but it might be wise to replace the water valve while you have everything apart as well. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

EScanlon is correct on how the air flow is. It is still the same for the 280Z's 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

Here are few that I took. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

My brother and I might show up. I won't be bringing my 77 as of course it is still in a million pieces but I will drive his 77 and he might bring his Twin Turbo. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

Tacoma Screw is great. Another place for those in the Tacoma area can also go to Northwest Fasteners. They have a lot to offer and have great service. http://www.nwfasteners.com/ 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

For Z Speed: The cost of everything there on the floor cost me $600.00. It was done by Powder Coating Systems. I have not done any body work as of yet but it is coming soon later this year. http://www.go2pcsi.com/

Powdercoating everything on mine. Came out really nice and I believe it is worth it. Still have another trip to make which will include the transmission and differential cases along with many other parts. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

Found some screwdrivers a pair of pliers and a tire pressure meter. A few cents worth of change but the best thing was one of those 1 inch thick Alcoholics Anonymous books. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/

Welcome to the wonderful world of Z cars. Rust is one the biggest problems that plaque these machines. In my opinion if all other things are in great condition with the car and it only needs some areas of rust repaired I would say keep the car fix it back up and put another one one these great machines back onto the road. I really do not like to part out Z's unless the rust is extreme and most of the body is really beyond repair but thats me I like the challenge and a good reason to bring out the MIG and work with metal. However you will hear from others saying that it might be best to pass it on but if you are capable of handling the work then do it. A lot of us on this site have completely restored these Z's from top to bottom so it can be done and I believe that it is always more special to have a car that you personally restored, that little bit of pride thing. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all

One piece to not miss for this problem is the air regulator. This has been known to cause the same problem. Here is a picture of mine after replacing it and this took care of my problem that is exactly how you described yours. 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all&paginator=top

If you are experienced in welding then you could easily reproduce this yourself for much less than $1400.00. And even if you are not an experienced welder you probably can find someone that could build it for still less money 77 280Z http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/babry27/77%20Datsun%20Restoration/?start=all