TomoHawk

Well, after I took out the a/cand a bunch of other heavy things, and added some 'sportier' (skimpy) seats, I'd say that my 280Z is now an UN-luxury sports car. No heat, either (a little trouble with the vacuum hoses which the radiator shop couldn't figure out which goes where). Add to that the basic 2-speaker FM-cassette radio, lack of carpet, etc., and I'd say it really was a sports car. Albeit, the extra weight makes sharp turns a little fun, but it'll go around the corner at 30+ MPH

The 280Z is supposed to be a luxury sports car. Probably safer from all the extra sheet metal.

I just finished my auto trans shifter boot. Thanks, Mom. (she had to do the 'mom' thing- sewing isn't manly ) the leather is from the Salvation Army store, pattern using careful measurements, and the two halves were STAPLED together? Here's some pics attached, and you will see the two bracket things I made from bent box tube I got from an old chair. I will scan the pattern for the two halves Monday. thx for the 'collaboration.'

Is there a cause of squeel for the rear brakes. I had mine check a while ago, and the guy says they were good (perfect drums, rotors, good pads & shoes. But the right rear squeals. I think he mentioned that a little rust from sitting outside will do it. thx

That is a problem with production header units. The usual cure is to modify the mounting holes on the header so it fits right, but only if there is enough material to do it right. You see this on TV DIY car shows, bit not often.

thanks Will, Keep in mind I have an automatic transmission and no center console, so I'm winging this. I'll need to make a plate with hooks (or something) to mount to the floor or the carpet and attach the shifter boot to the plate and the shifter. I'll make sure you get credit for doing your part (on my ferrari web page- timeline) thx

I keep my receipts in a shoebox, except for the full-sheet ones like tires & service repairs, which go into a clear plastic sleeve in a 3-ring binder...

The hardest part of the shifter boot is figuringout how to attach it to the floor, or carpeting.

Does anybody have a pattern to make a boot for the handbrake lever? I have leather pieces big enough for a shifter boot & brake boot, so I'd like to make some from leather. The brake boot I had is long gone. I suppose I could have taken a pattern from that. thx.

Have fun finding a shop where they'll lt you watch. Legal junk has owners keeping the customers out of the service area. But there ARE some mechs. that'll tell you about what they're doing, if your friendly & stay out of the way. :/

If having good grounding connections is so important, can anyone give a list of which ones, and about where are they located? Such as Headlights Taillights Instrument lights Engine Any others? thx

You need to upload pictures of a certain type, like jpg. Check the requirements for the Gallery upload sysytem.

Since it all happened after you vinegarized the fuse box, I'm thinking that you must have loosened or broken a connction related to the fusebox. Did you unplug the fusebox when you cleaned it? Recheck the fusebox connector(s).

No.... I just want to buy the issues I like. The problem is that every magazine seller I visited doesn't carry that magazine.

Yeah, but you can't get SportZ mag in Cleveland, OH

The general consensus is that you should repair or upgrade your electric system/wiring to get any improvement with lighting. The wiring exposed to the elements gets a LOT of corrosion, and the voltage AT the lamps is less, making them dull.

Mine is ZOOM, as in down the freeway. Otherwise it's a 'beastie.'

I think the most relevant factor to how valuable a V8-240Z would be is how well it was done, or who did the installation. Any hack job is less valuable, even for 900 Hp, compared to a beautiful job on a 250Hp rengine. Because: most people, IMO, buy the 240Z because of it's unique looks & sportiness, like I did (for a 280Z).

Battery: A newer battery should be OK for several months on a full-charge, but disconnect it any way. Remove & Charge/trickle charge a bettery stored in Cool/cold temps (cold hurts the battery). That old "store on wood" myth is wrong- we argued that last winter. I still like to store on some 2-inch pink foam covered with plastic (thermal barrier). Definitely remove & charge trickle an older battery, so there's no surprises in the Spring. Tires: I've never had any flattening of newer tires stored with proper pressure. A heated room should keep them flexible (cold temps facilitate the flat-spots). Use jacks when storing in a cold room or extremely long periods. Oil: For short lengths of storage, no special treatment necessary. A fresh oil change is nice, and gives you piece-of-mind. Fuel: Again, for short-term storage, nothing special. Longer times might need a stabilizer. I would recomment stabilizer if you think your gas tank is rusty inside, or the fuel might attack the liner/tank. Gasoline stored in a sealed tank shouldn't lose potency (nothing vented). Storing part-empty is up to you- consult your psychic?

FWIW, here's another source you might add to your list, he seems to be very knowledgeable & friendly, to the point where he was going to send me several air flow meters so I could get one that worked right: Rod's discount datsun parts (San Jose, Ca) http://www.rodsdatsun.com tool free: 888-267-7773 Phone: (408) 448-3277

Jeff- It's going to take more than a Papypal account can handle, IF it can be done at all.

You want tto put some tiny l.e.d's behind the letters to light them up? :sick:

So you think that if you put in a set of (matched) springs, the car should sit level? thx

Yeah- You gotta know what the difference in diameter of the crankshaft is to know if you need thicker bearings. Maybe the tech guy can check the tolerances on the bearings for you.

My 78 280Z has the same problem. It sits at LEAST an inch higher in the front, and been that way since I got it. Has all origonal everything, except for new shocks in the front. Rear springs pooped out maybe? thx