psdenno

How badly damaged is the original plastic tank? Can it be repaired with a fiberglass cloth patch job? Dennis

Actually, what you need to buy is a Recharge Kit. It contains a cleaning fluid that removes the old oil from the cotton filter material and also contains a spray can of new oil to apply to the filter after cleaning and before reinstalling on the car. Kits are inexpensive and last a long time. Available from K&N or any vendor that sells the filters. Dennis

Perfect advice. Whether it's a car's air filter or oil filter, or the filter in your home HVAC, as soon as they start to do their job their efficiency begins to decline until, ultimately, they are no longer effective. Timely filter changes is the way to go no matter what kind you use. Dennis

Yes, it would. If it didn't cost mega-thousand dollars to pull a six cylinder Porsche engine apart and put it back together, I'd give it a look. Air filters comprise an interesting topic that generates lots of opinions full of accurate and inaccurate information. I run the K&Ns because that's what came on the car when I bought it. My other cars all have paper filters, usually whatever's on sale at the parts store. I recently replaced the filters on my Infiniti G37. The dealership service manager said to only use "real" Infiniti (Nissan) filters which are lightly oiled paper elements. Consensus on the Infiniti forum was to buy whatever replacement brand you want at the local parts store. A few owners suggested K&N. Some said stick with Nissan branded filters. Some say the oil on K&Ns fouls sensors. K&N says it doesn't void a new car warranty. K&N does make filters for off-road applications. Ford Motorcraft filters are made by Wix and Purolator to Ford specs, but are those specs significantly different than Wix and Purolator filter specs? Questions, questions, questions and no definitive absolute answers. Kind of a pay your money and take your chances. The topic does make for good discussion over a couple beers. But, like politics and religion, minds probably won't be changed as a result. I will now step off my soap box and slide it back under my desk until next time Dennis

I've had K&N air filters on my Porsche for 25 years and live in a desert. Hopefully, the cylinders aren't half full of fine sand Dennis

Kids....so fickle. Maybe he'll come back when he learns a little more about his Z and gets that V6 sorted out. Hopefully, with less attitude, a better idea of what he wants to do to upgrade the car, and more willing to listen to advice. Dennis

Nope, no need to hide it. On you, it looks good and seems to work quite nicely. Best wishes for a Merry Alabama Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year from the SoCal desert. Keep your comments coming - looking forward to some more good ones in 2017. Dennis

Yup. Some of us are better than others at hiding our immaturity. Dennis

Slaterboner is in high school, so his time, funds, Z knowledge, and mechanical skills may have limits. Perhaps the best advice, at this point, would be to just enjoy the car as it is for a while and get to know the joy of owning a Z before planning a makeover. He may find that the car is perfect as it is. Dennis

My pleasure. Silver Sharpie - works good, lasts a long time. Dennis

Tire Fix In A Can, the aerosol type, also doesn't last long here in the desert. I learned that the hard way when a can blew up in my hot car on a typical 120º summer day - goo everywhere! Our Infiniti G37 didn't come with a spare tire, just a jug of shoe goo type leak stop, and I ordered a spare tire & wheel. Still, nothing beats a AAA card - light weight and packs easy on a trip. Dennis

My bad. Change that to read "auxiliary power receptacle". Dennis

Thank you for your generous and hospitable offer. Are you near Colon or on the Pacific side? Dennis

I've had one for a year, but haven't had the need to use it. Available from Amazon and places like Costco and Sam's Club. Reasonably priced around $50 give or take $10. Hooks up to a dead battery just like jumper cables or plug it into your cigarette lighter socket to slowly charge the car's battery. My only concern is the warning on storing in a hot place. Temperatures inside cars left outside in the summer where I live exceed the warning level for battery damage or fire. Shelf life is six months to a year. Recharge from a 110 outlet. As you mentioned, you can also recharge USB devices. Nice to have, just like a AAA card. Dennis

You can test your thermostat by putting it in a pan of water along with a cooking thermometer and heating it to see if it opens at the proper temperature. As for Datsuns in Panama, I'm surprised there weren't a few Zs brought in by US military members stationed there or Americans working for the Canal company during the 1970s. It's been a few years since I was there but plan to visit again in April. Interesting that the local Nissan dealer won't supply parts for a Datsun. My local deal never sold Datsuns, but is happy to provide parts for my Z if they are still available in the supply system. Good luck with the ongoing project. Dennis

Here's the 411 on the source for Nissan parts in Panama. Too easy. Nissan Panama Calle 65 Oeste, Panamá, Panama +507 800-6477 Opens at 8:00 AM Monday 8AM–6PM Tuesday 8AM–6PM Wednesday 8AM–6PM Thursday 8AM–6PM Friday 8AM–6PM Saturday 8AM–5PM Sunday. 11AM - 3PM

Wow!! Nice job on the stitching. How many hours invested? Dennis

Please don't misunderstand me, but I don't think your thermostat is impacted by tropical weather. It doesn't know if it's at sea level, on a snowy mountain top, in a desert, or in the middle of a tropical rain forest. It only knows what temperature it's supposed to open at as the radiator coolant heats up. Thermostats come in various temperature range ratings. As was suggested, go to your local Nissan dealer and get a new thermostat. Don't ask for a tropical one or an arctic one. They will have the one that will work just dandy in your car. You could also go to your local Ford dealer as they also have one that fits the Z. Is there another mechanic in your area who can work on your Z? Your current mechanic made some real career limiting statements and should be avoided in the future. Assuming there are no other mechanics who will work on your Z, you have two choices. You can work on it yourself with guidance from members of this forum, or you can sell the car and get something a little more mainstream for Panama, like a Miata or a BMW. Are you the only Z owner in Panama? Find another owner or a local Nissan/Datsun Club to join. You'll get good advice on local repair specialists. With all the problems you've had with this car, I'm surprised you still own it. There comes a time to either get it fixed properly or move on to a better car. The car should provide pleasure, not constant headaches. So, unless you get pleasure from headaches, you may want to consider a more reliable, less maintenance intensive, car. Let me know what you think. Dennis

How about this? http://tinyurl.com/zfe25xh Dennis

Sounds "mutually exclusive" to me. Dennis

Yes it is. It leaks and it's not supposed to. Cheap and easy to replace and a good excuse to crack open a beer when the job is done Dennis

Worried about having your Z stolen? We have a solution! RONCO presents CHIA Z...just in time for Christmas giving. Imagine the look of joy on your favorite Z Car owner's face when he opens his very own CHIA Z on Christmas morning! Just add water and watch it grow! The gift that keeps on giving.....GHIA Z! Available in fine stores everywhere. AS SEEN ON TV! No more worries about your Z being stolen when you park it in your yard for a few years! NOTE: Not To Be Confused With Chia Pet. DENNIS

That's how it looks. I put one with a smaller lip on my '71 and it required removing the valance and mounting the turn signals on the new air dam. Dennis

Wheels are a good addition. Will you be working on the car yourself or do you have a shop/mechanic to do modifications? Still, it looks very nice as it sits and should get you to ticket worthy speeds without any modifications. Dennis

I think why you were asked about if it's a turbo earlier is because it looks like it has a turbo hood. Have you looked under the hood at the "stock V6" engine to check for any modifications? If you tell us how you plan to use the car - daily driver, autocross, weekends - we can suggest some modifications to help you make it more fun. You have some great driving roads around Temecula and out toward the coast by Carlsbad. Is this your first sports car? Dennis