psdenno

Be sure to ask for the club discount when you buy from MSA. The picture you see of my Z is a little dated - it's taken from a Google Earth Street Level shot from a couple years ago. Sorry, no fender mirrors in my future, but the fender flares are now bolted on. The journey continues. Dennis

Anyone for "Running On Empty" by Jackson Browne? (Sample lyrics below) Dennis Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields In sixty-five I was seventeen and running up one-o-one I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on Running on - running on empty Running on - running blind Running on - running into the sun But I'm running behind Gotta do what you can just to keep your love alive Trying not to confuse it with what you do to survive In sixty-nine I was twenty-one and I called the road my own I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on

OK, since I can't write the name of Surf guitar legend **** Dale without being censored, let's call him what his mother called him - Richard Dale. Dennis

Any loud surf music played by **** Dale. Dennis

Good choice of cars. Can't go wrong with a '71 Z...or at least that's what I've been telling myself for the last 39 years. Welcome to the group! Dennis

Try this link for other opinions: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37676&highlight=door+panels Let us know what you do and how it turns out. Good luck with the project! Dennis

Many parts are still available through your local Nissan dealer. MSA is in Orange, CA (sort of near Disneyland). Ebay and Pick-A-Part yards tend to solve many other needs. Dennis

So, to belabor the point even more...... A few questions: • Why won't they give you the car even though you showed that you have the proper registration paperwork after it was impounded - what do they now say you have to do to get the car? • How much is the daily impound fee plus towing at this point? • Do you now have the plates that you said were "in the mail"? • What's the car worth? While I feel your pain, I think there's more to the story. Good luck! Dennis

You forgot to warn about the need to put on a drool bib before looking at that site. Dennis

Nice job on the fix! Did you use any special coating on the original metal under the panel you welded in place? Looks like that rust went fairly deep into the rear structure.. Dennis

Nice project car. A little time, a little money, .... a little mental health counseling. Fender flares and a rear spoiler would cover a multitude of sins. Dennis

Difficult, or impossible, to find parts for early Zs would be at the top of my list. Dennis

If you ask for help and then ignore the advice, soon, you will find that people will stop offering you advice. If you throw down on the Zs of those who offer advice, soon, you will find that people will stop offering you advice. Take this advice for what it's worth. Use as you see fit. No need to respond, I'm no longer following your posts. Dennis

As I've mentioned to you three or four time previously........... Buy a Haynes Datsun Z manual - $15 well spent (less than 5 gallons of good gas). Questions like this one are answered and even accompanied by pictures for those who don't like to read. Dennis

Use a feeler gauge and be sure about the points setting -- sometimes, close enough is NOT close enough. Timing may also be an issue. Since you're going through everything, may as well take the time to bring it up to spec and then you can rule out possible causes with a bit more certainty. Dennis

Since you've changed the battery, plugs and the wires (don't forget the wire from the coil to the distributor) the coil would about the only thing you didn't mention. Dennis

Just lock the doors and turn off the lights - you shouldn't experience any problems for that short dormant period. Dennis

Firing order is 1,5,3,6,2,4 with distributor rotation being counter clockwise. This is where that $15 Haynes Manual can come in handy. I'd also start replacing all rubber lines & hoses before running the car. If the tank has been sitting for more than a while, you may want to drop it and have it cleaned before filling & running. Did you change the fuel filter? Make sure you're getting "spark" and the fuel pump is pumping when you do get the tank sorted out. Your carbs probably need a little TLC, too. Keep us posted and let us know when you're having copious amounts of fun. Dennis

Fender flares are worth considering if you like the look - they cover/replace the rusted areas nicely. Fiberglass bumpers aren't too expensive as replacements for the damaged originals. Don't forget to spend $15 on a Datsun Z Haynes repair manual - money well spent considering what lies ahead for you. It will help your get through maintenance you can do yourself and indicate when to leave it to the professionals. Dennis

Nice project! Keep us posted on your progress. Do you have a plan? Dennis

Buy it! How else can you have so much fun and meet such interesting people for just $500? It's probably worth more than that in parts. Dennis

The NHTSA also maintains a site that enables searches of Federal Recalls by make, year, and model. http://www.nhtsa.gov/ Nothing listed for my 1971, but 1970 & '73 have safety recalls. Manufacturers are supposed to keep a record of cars fixed following a recall. Not sure if they're off the hook after 35 years or so. Dennis

Out of curiosity, is there a premium price on a ZZZAP car over any other Z of the same year? If so, how much more is a ZZZAP worth? Dennis

I've done three of them - I-70, Florida Keys, and PCH. None in the Z, but PCH was a weeklong drive from LA to the Redwoods in the 914-6, 10 years ago, with about 25 other 914ers. If you have the chance, don't miss PCH north of San Francisco, or La Honda Road off of PCH south of Half Moon Bay - some of the best driving curves I've seen. Dennis

Are you able to hear a "hum" or feel vibration to indicate the pump is working? Is the filter you used a "one way" uni-direction unit installed to allow fuel flow in the proper direction? Dennis