psdenno

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

Stock V6? How long have you had the Z? Dennis

There have been many tries over the years. Lots of "announcement" threads, followed by eager and enthusiastic potential customers pledging to buy a set or two, followed by silence. But, the chrome trim always turns out to be more difficult to reproduce than the well-intentioned fabricators realized. It would be interesting to see what the original factory fabrication process involved. Dennis

Interesting that none look like they have crash damage. They just died and were scavenged for parts. Kind of like finding the legendary elephant graveyard. Dennis

Thanks for the kind words. The engine is a 2.7 liter. The original 2.0 is in storage in case the next owner wants to put it back in. It's crazy how prices have jumped the the six cylinder 914s in the last few years. I've had this one since 1992. It's been judged Best in Class at the annual Porsche Club of America Parade and by the Porsche 914-6 Club USA, and the Porsche 914 Owners Association. It's retired from car shows. Leather interior, heated rear window, original tool kit, all the extras. History documented back to the original owner. I'll sell it before I sell the Z, however. Dennis

Fun topic! We've gone from buying a Z, to buying a Porsche, to buying a Ferrari. Is this an eclectic group of car enthusiasts, or what? What we haven't discussed (getting back to the original topic, sort of) is that there are a lot more good jokes about Porsche owners than there are about Datsun owners - another reason to buy a Datsun Z instead of a Porsche. I can't remember ever hearing a Ferrari owner joke. BTW, here's a picture of of my Porsche - a 1970 914-6. Dennis

A huge benefit of belonging to a group like this is that if you buy a Z over the phone or on line and can't check it in person, there's probably a member of the group who lives close to the seller and is willing to to check the car for you. I've checked cars in the past. Dennis

As a Porsche and Z owner, I can agree with your statement about the high cost of Porsche repairs. It's interesting that the 911 link you posted states the car has a bit over 60,000 miles. Could be the owner checked the cost of the 60K service and decided to get rid of the car. Not uncommon. Operating cost per mile on the Z is significantly lower than the Porsche. For the budget you mentioned, you should be able to find a good west coast Z and ship it East, if a Z is what you really want. dennis

Stimulating! Dennis

Would a proper sized firewall grommet cover the old paint circle and allow the antenna base to fit tightly to it? Dennis

Forty years go isn't recently, but iI remember correctly on mine, it goes between the control panel and the face plate. Is there a second set of nuts that can be turned down to allow the shafts to extend further through the face plate? Mine is in a box in the garage and I'm away for the weekend. I can check when I get home in a few days if you're still having problems. Dennis