TomoHawk

OK, so I think that makes about 5 rolls? I suppose you're on your own to decide what tools you'd put in a tool roll, but IMO, we should get a list of (required) tools: Combination spanners: 10,12,13,14,17,19mm (duplicates?) adjustable crescent wrench, channel-locks Sockets spark plug wrench pliers, snippers Lead hammer (not! haha) My list is probably biased for my 280Z, so I don't need tools for carbs, points, etc. I think there was a thread about emergency tool, but AFAIK, it wasn't decisive..

Shall I propose a lot of 3, or 4? I'm very much tempted to get one. Even if you get a generic one and have it embroidered with a Datsun logo, you'll spend more than $50, so IMO,this roll is a bargain.

A quick response from the eBay seller was received: Aside from a lack of punctuation, the seller seems cooperative.

You're welcome to do so. You might even consider a few ex$tra if the idea work# out$$? **Ahem** I looked around today, at some stores like Sears, Harbor Freight, even a old motorcycle shop. Nobody carries tool rolls anymore. I originally thought of making one from leather or suede, but it seems like a job with all the little pockets. Even my mom doesn't have one of those computerized sewing machines! She sewed the wedding dress for every girl on the fambily, including my cousins. At least I do know of a lady that does the custom stuff like the Z emblem on the back of my jacket.

I will make an attempt to contact the eBay seller wit the fancy custom-embroidered Datsun tool roll, and see if he will make a deal, but so far, there is a total of about 3 people interested. That is not much of a quantity to impress him with.

You could even get rid of the scissor jack, by using an air bag lifter that runs off the exhaust! You won't hear any rattles with that...

And you keep all that in the trailer you pull around? Hahaha I did the same thing basically with the back deck, but the front lid is the original panel and I made a new back deck from 1/4-inch luan, screwed to the stock supports. My tool bins include jumper cables, an air pump, a quart of oil, a small spritzer of glass cleaner, some newspapers & a large shopping bag. the kneeling pad is in with the spare wheel. I'm thinking about how to reinstall the luggage straps, that make me lose points at a Z meet, even thought I'm in the DD class. I prefer a cargo net anyway, to hold down any "luggage." Right side panel, rear mounting Right side, front mounting Front supports reversed Left side panel Tool bin lid

I've read comments about flex fans both good a bad; the good is the lesser rotating weight and drag, and the bad refers to high-speed noise and un-predictable cooling. I tend to prefer using the underdrive pulley system because it uses the stock parts (pulleys) although they pulleys are of an odd size, if you look closely. Considering the age and peculiarities of the electrical system, I'd rather not add to the complexity if I didn't really need to. But on the 280Z, with a modern alternator, powering an electric radiator fan shouldn't be much of problem. So if you wanted to try a flex fan, you need to measure the diameter of the stock fan, and then guess at the length of the extension. Does anyone happen to know the diameter of the stock fan?

OK, I know what the flex fan is, but I don't think they make one for an L28 engine. It might bolt on if you take the fan clutch off, but then you lose the purpose of the fan clutch.

I don't know the vendor, But someone familiar with a quantity purchase could contact him through eBay. He has a large number of those tool rolls embroidered with a lot of different emblems, so either he has been keeping things secret until now, or he does have the capability to make the items in quantity. As an alternative, a local clothing manufacturer could be queried.

I thought that underdrive pulleys would lessen the drag from the cooling fan. But since you also install a new harmonic balancer to start, I will keep that as it is. You would only benefit from underdrive pulleys (usually custom-machined and polished, which is why they're $1100) if you are really into something like drag racing, or for show. Drag racing guys spin the alternator and water pump at an ultra-low speed with underdrive pulleys, just barely enough to keep the engine charging and coolant flowing, or just run totally off the battery while racing until you get back to the pits. Then a small gasoline generator to fully recharge the battery. Even the water pump is powered by an electric motor, with the usual electric radiator fan. For street or highway cruising, the fan clutch will really help in stead of underdrive pulleys, and modern alternators are well built with low drag bearings.

You'd be surprised what kinds of spares some people suggest to bring: Gallon of coolant radiator cap set of wheel nuts set of headlamps full set of bulbs Spare alternator set of wheels spare engine ....

The Harbor Freight web site has a couple tool rolls listed. Maybe you have a Harbor Freight or similar store near you? The Datsun tool roll I referred to has narrow pockets down the sides for tools, and small pouches with Velcro flaps on the ends (for bulbs, sockets, nuts, and loose stuff.) I think it would make a great design for our cars, maybe with just one modification- one wide pocket for the jack crank handle. The Datsun tool roll is neat and spiffy. It even has straps with squeeze buckles and a carry-handle. But at over $50, I don't think I will get one for a while. We ought to work out our own design. If only we could only get somebody to make up one or two for "testing?" The scissor jack itself is stored uncovered, but what about things like folding wheel chocks? You could put those in a separate bag with the jack in a tool bin. At east we don't need to carry those old head hammers any more...

I haven't seen anything on this subject... Is there anything available for the L28 engine in the way of underdrive pulleys? If there is, is it worth the money and effort to use them? thxZ

this is a bag that looks interesting, and would probably handle all the stuff you would want to store: Datsun Logo 280z Tool Roll | eBay

I've had my tools out 12 times since I got the car in 2002. I empty the car every winter. I think that the vinyl bag would dry out or crack even if you never take it out of the car. Heat and air will deteriorate vinyl. The one in my 97 Ford is cracked, and it's in the trunk under the carpet. The zip-lok baggie containing the first Aid stuff is dried out even.

I'm pretty sure the 4-way drag racing has a 1000 foot length, and it's another reason driver's don't like it. Again, I'd like to read some official literature on this concept. You do, however, get twice as many vehicles down the track with the 4-wide system. I don't mind waiting for my call on the local 2-wide track; I go for the social aspect as well. Does that equate to twice as much income? Don't forget the cost of creating two more lanes, barriers, the electronics for timing, and probably some traffic control people. Oddly enough, I saw a few YouTube videos featuring 4-wide funny cars and 4-wide Top Fuel dragsters. That is what made me think of how dangerous things could get. It was also a boring race. The 4 funny cars took a whole 2 minutes to get staged, and the 1000-foot run took what seemed like 1 second. You could compare it to a cannon going off- BOOM.. 1... 2... done.

That's why I like to check the brake lamps (and the switch?) when there is a truck with a chromed bumper or grille stopped behind me, or I'm backed up to a big window. Otherwise, I just get out the long stick to check the brakes (and all the lamps) every Thursday. BTW- I've left the door open once or twice all night, and the engine started just fine, but I don't think my dome light is that bright either.

Has anyone watched the new 4-wide style of drag racing? I'll bet it looks kind of spectacular, with all 4 vehicles going at once, but I am skeptical on this concept. I read that a number of NHRA drivers sent an official letter out to critique this style of racing. They thought it was dangerous to have 4 cars going at once, it detracts from the closeness of 2-wide racing, the traffic in the staging lanes is "like a circus" and the sponsors don't get noticed as well. I tend to agree with all that. Just imagine if one car got sideways and jumped the center wall. It could possibly take out the other three cars in one heat! I was looking for the rules governing the 4-wide concept, even though I don't think there is any in my area, but that is when I read about the letter from NHRA drivers and owners. Since there is a lack of information, can anyone describe how it works or a website? thxZ

It would be nice to get the odometers to light up white.

Do you intend to keep the bulbs at full intensity, or are you considering a way to control the light's intensity?

The tool bag pouch you get with the car is some kind of cheap vinyl and barely holds the tools, if you know how to correctly put them in. Then there's the small, rusty, 40-year-old snaps to hold the flap closed. Mine is already cracking along the fold of the flap. Wouldn't it be nice to have a tool bag that is slightly longer and fuller, with a longer flap and a better closure, like a hasp or squeeze buckle? Maybe even a lining or a material heavy enough so you don't hear the tools rattling? This would be a good group-buy item, but I'd like to get one in any case, so I can get all my jack tools and a few of the fancy aluminum wheel nuts inside. The details need to be worked-out on a prototype... What about a deluxe tool roll? If you could fit the jack tools inside plus some spanners and tools, would that be even better? Here is an example of a tool roll that may meet the needs. Discussion?

Kurby- Don't you mean that the LEDs wouldn't look great in the gauges? You need light bouncing all around the gauge housing, and LEDs are just a little too focused or narrow-beam to get much around the gauge face to light up the face. I think if you had a ring of LEDS around the gauge near the face with some kind of diffuser or mirror, then it might work. Sometimes a bulb just does a better job at lighting things.

Yes, it's been called a race course or more frequently the "Mulholland raceway." It's been that way for decades. By the way- what is the posted Speed Limit on that stretch of the road?

Speaking of heat shields, it seems to me that my right foot gets kind of warm in the summer when driving in the city. I think it's because the exhaust pipe runs near the body next to the gas pedal. I was thinking of wrapping the exhaust tube in that area with a heat-wrap. Should that help cool things?