psdenno

The saga of my "new" ZTherapy carbs continues. Got the ZTherapy carbs within the promised timeframe and swapped them out for my original 44 year old set. ( Pictures here: http://www.classiczcars.com/gallery/album/517-ztherapy-carbs/ ). My mechanic installed the carbs and noted gas spewing from the float bowl hose on the front carb. I called ZTherapy and they have a replacement hose in the mail to me - good folks to deal with. I'm looking forward to getting the Z back on the road next week. Then the fun begins as I get the body ready for paint and new window gaskets. Too much fun! I still need the small piece of rear hatch glass stainless trim ( top corner piece, passenger side ) if anyone has a spare sitting in a box in the garage. Dennis

You'll never make enough money to afford to pay someone to keep it out of the shop. You just have to suck it up and realize you're working for Porsche while you own a 944. Great car, fun to drive, quite expensive to maintain. Had one for about 20 years until I could no longer justify the upkeep and repair costs. On the other hand, I've owned several 914s during the last 30 years and find them to be much more user friendly - even my current 914-6 which I've owned for over 20 years. Dennis

My pleasure. Enjoy the hell out of that Caddy when you get it. Dennis

I don't think that paint will buff out too well. Definitely not for the faint of heart, although it is from a dry environment. Dennis

I've always like the look of the enclosed rear wheel wells and wondered how easy it is to change a flat tire back there. Dennis

For most of us a ride in a Cadillac is the last ride we take. Good for you in wanting to ride in one sitting up. As for my dream car, I think it would be a 1983 Avanti II. The GM mechanicals make it easy to service and the classic Lowey designed fiberglass body make it a pleasure to view. My wife has indulged me on my Porsche, Z, and Studebaker Avanti, so I don't push my luck with a newer Avanti. It's good to have something to dream about. Dennis

The ring hanging from the rear bumper? Dennis

As I mentioned above, decide how much protection you need. You referenced the Weather Shield, which is the highest level of protection with a 5 year warranty. At the other end of the scale is the poly cotton cover for under $170. It's a great cover that protects from sun, bird droppings, light morning dew, and dust. It will soak though in a rain storm, however. Although it says it's for inside use, I've used them on my cars outside for years. When dirty, they can easily fit in a washing machine and home dryer. If you don't need protection from nuclear fallout, acid rain, and meteor strikes, poly-cotton will probably serve you well. Dennis

Not original to your '71, but a fun relic of the era.. Dennis

Covercraft makes custom fit covers for just about any car, new or old, and has been around for 50 years. I used to be a dealer for them a few decades ago and sold tons of them for Studebakers and Porsches. I know that they have Z custom fit covers. If you have a car for which they don't have a custom pattern, they will create a cover from dimensions you provide. They have thousands of custom patterns. Before you go cover shopping, decide where your car will be covered - outside or in the garage. Some covers are merely dust covers while others are made of fabric that "breathes" and will let moisture escape and not not leave water stains on paint. Waterproof covers keep water out, but also trap any moisture like condensation in and cause paint damage. A good quality poly-cotton cover will work well indoors or out and last for years. You can also get a cable lock for security or windy days. http://www.covercraft.com/ Dennis

Continuing off topic, there must be some forum members familiar with I-70 between Topeka and KC, as well as west of Topeka, who might know if the wind socks are still up. I may bring up Google Earth and scan down the highway to see if I can spot one. Dennis

That high speed lift wasn't limited to the race track. I remember catching a strong crosswind while driving the Interstate near Topeka, KS that lifted my Z and moved it from the slow lane to the fast lane. Had I been in the fast lane, I would have ended up in the center divider. There was a stretch of Interstate back then (around 1972) that had orange wind socks in the center divider as a visual warning to drivers of strong crosswinds. I wonder if they're still there. Dennis

My rebuilt carbs from ZTherapy were delivered by UPS at about 7:00 last night. This morning I took a couple pictures (because they will never look this shiny again) and then took them to my mechanic for installation and tuning. I've posted the pictures for those who haven't seen what one gets in the box from ZTherapy. http://tinyurl.com/pgajmmc Dennis

Autobahn? Couldn't tell location by license plates or road signs. Fun video. Dennis

Maybe the memory alloy experiences temporary amnesia until it's formed into a useable shape. :: Dennis

So, if you take a sheet of the alloy and press/deform it into the shape of a car fender, what keeps it from turning back into a flat sheet of the alloy? Dennis

That looks like the connector minus the rubber hood. Cost for 2 is 48 cents plus $24 shipping. I'll keep looking locally or try your solder suggestion. Thanks! Dennis

I replaced the fuel level sender in my '71 Zs gas tank. In the process the two wiring harness connectors that fit on the sender's contact points were found to be unusable due to the rubber caps being as hard as a rock. I checked with the Parts Department at the local Datsun dealer and the parts guy was unable to find a picture or part number for the plugs. Anyone know a part number or a suitable substitute for the connectors? Dennis

Forty-five years ago I traveled around in India in a Hindustan Ambassador (1956 British Morris Oxford clone) and the traffic scared the snot out of me. Can't imagine I was any safer in that Ambassador than I would be today in the new Datsun. But, at least I'd have seatbelts in the Datsun. I think the crash in the video was at 40 mph. No idea about what would be left if one hit a moving Big Rig at 60 mph. I clearly see why cars in the US cost more and keep me safer. Dennis