Richard McDonel

AZ240Z My learning curve continues! Never thought of looking for various widths of tape. Used what I already had in the rat's nest. All four are done, so I have left to do is go over everything one more time with a sharp knife and trim the excess bits. When I finally get it all done - provided it looks like a fairly workmanlike job - I'll share photos on this site. Cheers, and Happy New Year All, Richard

Cap't. Attached are two pics - one that I have had chromed then masked, and the other as it came off a parts donor. I got one set off a '71 and the other a '73. No idea what mixing and mingling in the 40+ years prior, but yes they are both quite different from the ones we've seen on other posts. Doing my best to add to confusion!

ps My caps are apparently a bit newer that CanTech's and include a chrome rim around each of the five vent openings. RM

Just to expand on the hub cap topic, as everyone can see from CanTech's photo, the hubcaps of the era are quite complex, with bits and strips of chrome spread over larger areas of paint. I'm trying to replicate that. My 'caps have been chromed and I'm masking all the areas that should remain as chrome as we move to the paint stage. Each hubcap takes me close to 45 minutes with tape and a sharp knife. With that in mind I have to wonder how those hubcaps were originally created at the factory. Hard to imagine Datsun taking that much time masking everything, and do such a precise job of it. I've never worked in a factory, so I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of others on how such a persnicity, apparently time-consuming job would fit into an assembly line. Cheers All on the festive season and best wishes for the new year!

CanTechZ, 2016 - Guess I'm a bit behind, but many thanks for the paint description. Love the job you did on your hubcaps - hope mine come out as pretty. Happy New Year!

Good question Namerow. I had two sources, the first an online hot-rodding site, the name of which I have forgotten. Being an on-line source, where everyone is an expert, I also went to a neighbour who is the owner of three autobody shops and has a personal collection of 14 (his wife thinks it's more) hot rods, antiques, customs, you name it. His explanation to me was that the two-part epoxy would adhere better to a scratched surface, and that the scratches would not show once primered and painted. The on-line source said use 60 grit while neighbour Dave suggested 80. As an aside I will also mention that Dave decorates three or four of his cars with Xmas lights every year and parks them in the front yard. Photos attached. Some evenings traffic gets pretty busy on our street.

G'day All, I'm still with hubcaps. Can't find the 2 3/8 inch original hubcap centre logo, but I'll probably just make old ones look as shiny as I can. So now I'm at the restoration of the hubcaps themselves. I've had them chrome plated and have now masked off the areas not to be painted. Expert advice from two sources in I'm to sand the to-be painted areas with 60 or 80 grit, then apply two-part epoxy. Fine, but, but what colour, it being a bit difficult to know what the original shade was. After 53 years it looks like flat black, but could that just be faded original gloss? Someone suggested charcoal. Any experts here? Many thanks

psd, No, you understand the question precisely. Sounds like your history with 240s goes back much farther than mine, so I should probably be looking at "D" centre pieces for my 'caps. Cheers,

Thanks for all the confusion guys! Odd that they would change the hub caps in concert with the gearbox rather than at a specific production date, model year or VIN. I guess I'll just take a chance and go with Z hub caps (sexier than the Ds). Don't imagine it would make or break my chances if they ever featured 240s at Pebble Beach!

Thanks for replying! Question though, I've not heard of the "monkey Motions" transmission. How do I know if that's what I have?

My car is a 1971 - HLS30 28726 to be precise. Are the correct hub caps those with D or Z in the centre. Thanks folks

Thanks for replying. I'll keep looking, but in the meantime if you decide to go back toi reproducing plug wires, let me know.

Thanks for replying, Just so I'm clear, you have NOS 240Z plug wire sets with original white lettering? For sale? How much? Richard McDonell albertaracers@yahoo.com

Trying to make my '71 240 as original as possible and just learned that original plug wires of the era are distinctly marked. My off-the-shelf wires would be persona non grata at a concours. Any ideas on where I could find original, original plug wires? Thanks

Question; I'm trying to take my 1971 back to original. Right now it has later-model mags that have seen better days. I also have a set factory steel wheels that are 5 inch. The 71s had 4.5 inch. Any idea if there would be a problem installing 175 tires on the slightly wider rims? Thanks

I have a used set of early 240 hub caps. Pretty sound, but with the inevitable faded and scratched paint, and bubbling chrome. I'd like to have them refinished, but with the metal being as thin as it is I'm wondering if a re-chroming will any way affect the spring quality of the tabs that connect to the wheels? Anyone been there and done that? Thanks

Roll bar, toggle switches, Webers. Someone is trying to make it a race car. Replace all the sheet metal with new, then build a full roll cage to act as the frame. Sure, why not? Might take a weekend or two...

It's just one wheel you have for sale?

View Advert Need early 240 steel wheels Trying to bring my '71 240 back to original, so I'm looking for the 4.5" wheels. Have the hubcaps, but not the wheels. Have 5" wheels, but not 4.5" Ignore the photo - images "are required" - so I posted another 240 pic. Advertiser Richard McDonel Date 04/28/2024 Price Category Parts Wanted Year 1971 Model 240  

View Advert New Stainless steel brake lines Russell stainless steel brake lines still in original packaging. Fit 240, 260 and 280 through 1978 Advertiser Richard McDonel Date 04/26/2024 Price $60 Category Parts for Sale  

View Advert Weber carb set for 240 I acquired these as part of a parts-car purchase. Have never used them, but they seem to be intact. Advertiser Richard McDonel Date 12/03/2023 Price $50 Category Parts for Sale  

View Advert Garage Sale Finding myself with way too much car stuff, and at an age when I should be simplifying things, I'm offering for sale Datsun 240Z parts. Far better they end up in the hands of fellow enthusiasts rather than in a dump or scrap-metal yard. So here goes - if there isn't room on this page, I'll post more: But first three items, all new in original packaging, for later models, 1976-78. These are by Precision Replacement Parts Corp: Part # 80334 N4520, Glass run rubber ,Two of these, left and right, $20 the pair Part # 76801. N4600 R. side door rubber 280Z $70 Now to the 240 stuff: Two half-shaft pairs Fair cond. $20 pair Clutch release bearing New $15 Clutch fork boot New $10 Timing gear set New $100 Connecting rod set Used $10 Flywheel bolt set (6) New $20 Inner shift level boot (rubber) new $10 Two radio mounting brackets used good, power coated $5 Horn button used free Two Rear shock tower caps used $10 L.side "sugar scoop" headlight surround solid $35 Hood some damage at front $60 L.F lower valance with signal lens fair-good $25 L taillight bulb receptacle/reflector serviceable $15 Front bumper needs work $20 L.F. fender fair-good $50 Headlight bucket ugly, but sound $ 5 R.Side window riser good $20 Series 1 rear hatch vent minor damage $20 Performance lowered spring set 11" and 11.25" V. good $50 Two McQuay-Norris steering boots New $20 the pair Tie-rod end left New $15 Tie-rod end right New $15 Rear lower control arm Good, powder coated $50 Brake master cylinder used Free Finally I have two lovely brake rotors, still in their original boxes, made by "Bremstrommeln". These are drilled and ventilated with a diameter of 11" Offset is 1/2 inch. thickness is 7/8" and 4-bolt pattern is 4". I tracked down the manufacturer, and their site transferred me to a site with many different part numbers, all apparently intended for Nissan products. part # in this case is 40206 - 63P02. There was a contact e-mail address to which I wrote and the reply came from Nissan wholesale who told me they had no record of the number. I was asked to check of the make and model, but the list showed nothing older than mid-70s, and no 240Z. These discs have to fit something, and I'm thinking that someone out there would love to have them on a track-day, or even race car. Advertiser Richard McDonel Date 08/23/2023 Price Category Parts for Sale