motorman7

Thanks for the feedback. It's really a pleasure to fix these cars up. It's therapy for me, plus gives me a lot of satisfaction. It keeps coming back to me how I told my wife I would fix this up and sell it when I first started the project, and she knew that I would not be able to sell. I have grown quite attached to it and love seeing it in my garage. Guess my wife knows me better than I know myself sometimes. Bonzi, yes, really happy and actually surprised at how nice they run after all I had heard. I think as long as all the tubing is solid and those side accelerator pumps are in good shape, they work well. The SU's are definitely less complex, but I like the looks of these in the motor. Also, still stripping my SPL311. That one will take a year I am sure. It should be quite nice when finished though. I love the lines. Thanks again for all the support, Rich

Got the Recarro's in my Yellow Z re-upholstered by a friend for fairly cheap, $200 each. The original cloth was pretty bad and lots of foam showing so had to do something. Matches the paint nicely. My son says I need to upgrade the sound system next. Will have to look into that eventually. Anyway, here are the seats (not screwed in yet, just shown in place). Rich

Thread update - Bruce at Z therapy might enjoy this: Since I've been driving the Silver Z a little bit more (getting seats re-done on Yellow Z), I decided to do a little toying around with the flat-tops. I balanced the choke cables, replaced the 38 year old balance(?) hose that was starting to go bad (that is a critical item for all flat tops owners), and put in some SM needles. Also removed the belt from the smog pump and corked the air galley so exhaust doesn't go back into the pump. What a difference. The car drives SWEET and perfect even when (California) cold. No coughs, no backfires. Good as new SU's any day. How's that saying go....once you go flat, you never go back....Just harassing the Flat-top haters. I'm a believer. Rich

Looks incredible! Thanks for posting the pics :classic:. The paint really shows of the nice curves of the body. Nicely Done! Rich

The suspense is killing me.....get on with the camera pics

You should be able to do that without removing the valve cover. If I am not mistaken, you should be able to stick your finger in the oil fill hole and feel the #1 cylinder exhaust lobe if it is timed correctly.

I've done that. Easy to fix though. No need to drain oil, just remove the oil pump and re-install shaft 180 degrees around. Pull distributor to get the correct angle.

Hi Micheal, Attached are the dimensions. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks Again, Rich

I need the same under hood decals as well for my 73Z. Mine got painted over -Doh!

I’ve been driving the Silver Z to work the last couple days since the Yellow Z is getting the seats re-covered. After a couple days of adjusting, I have the flat-tops running pretty sweet. Initially I was too lean (I’m always shooting for the best gas mileage) and the car was hesitant off the line and under hard acceleration . Opened up the big ‘Playskool’ screw on the left of the front carb about a ¼ turn CCW and that did the trick. Car is running very sweet and every bit as good as the SU’s on my other Z’s. I still don’t think all the bad rap these carbs take is warranted. And, yes I’ve driven the last couple days in terrible I-5 traffic and hot weather. No vapor lock issues. No problems starting after stop. Still need to get the electric fuel pump near the tank operational. The pump works great, but for some reason no 12V power getting to it. Will look for the open in the next couple weeks. For now the electric pump is by-passed.

Here's a thread with some tips: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?35670-Timing-Chain-Install-with-Pics

Had a similar problem with my Yellow Z about a week ago and the battery is less than 6 months old. Turned out to be the small wire attaching to the solenoid was not making good contact with the solenoid tab. I crimped the contact a bit (female connector on wire) to make sure I got a good connection. Problem fixed. Had similar issue with fuel level connectors on silver Z. Just crimped the connector a bit so I got good contact and all works well. Corrosion sets up over time in these things. Rich

From the pics, The original hubcaps and rear trim color do look fairly close. Les' paint is lighter but also 41 years younger. A shameless excuse to show off my babies.

Odd, will have to take pics. My hubcaps are definitely gray but the grill and back seem more like a flat black color with rough texture. Would have to rule out sun exposure as rest of paint is great , but could be exhaust influence.

This does not seem to be correct. My original D hubcaps and tail lamp finisher and grill are un-restored and virtually untouched and they are no where near close in color or texture.

I don't think that is correct for California. Registered my Z's at the DMV and didn't even have to pop the hood for the inspector. Seems they just check to make sure the cost you specify on title transfer of your car is legit for the car, i.e no $500 Ferari's. They also check the S/N which is visible through windshield

I believe you are correct with that. I know my 1970 thru 1973 are exempt. I remember a guy offering me his 1975 Z telling me that is was the best Z to have because it was FI and was smog exempt.

Hi Jerry, I see your car at Les's shop all the time. It's looking very nice! Love going to that shop, it's like a candy store. The cars there are just beautiful.

I know Arne had some difficulty with the ZX dizzy, but it worked like gold for me. I was running the Petronix and couldn't get the motor to run well over 4K. Put in a ZX dizzy that I got from the Pick-a-part for $40 and it'll now rev till she blows- I've hit 7-8K revs with no problems. I am running 6 into 1 MSA headers, SM needles in my SU's, and stock mechanical fuel pump. Rich

Looks like you hit the nail on the head. She really likes it and is now calling it her car. She double checked to make sure that I would make the car operate normally and reliably (my last roadster started with switch and push button and she doesn't want that). Also telling her friends that she will be driving the car when it's done.....I'm good with that, I just like fixing them up and making them look pretty.

I think your right on the effect and the shoes. The red purse color match seemed to be an important item. STORY CONTINUED: Brought red roadster home to alien wife and she seemed to be very pleased with the car. Even gave me a hug when she saw it. I am guessing that it reminds her of the color of her home planet or the transport units on said planet. Either way, the alien seems to like red. Alien wife was was also enthralled with vehicle license plate numbers of '2DQR088'. She decided that the DQR stood for Damn Quick Roadster. I was surprised at the aliens understanding of the vehicles speed capability. Knowing that a 1600 roadster is not that quick in the stock configuration, I am guessing vehicles on her planet move at a slow rate of speed. Will have to get more information on this. Below are pictures with which the alien seems to be pleased. Take special note of the color. Also shown is the alien's purse.

Those are sweet! Any guess on what kind of horsepower increase they will add? Rich

Aaahh, the home improvement catalog may be the item. I'm guessing my $1000 project car may cost me $2000 (or more) in home improvements. She has three younger sisters, all married though. One with an MB, one with a BMW and the third with a Harley. Funny, The two youngest are twins. After the first two girls (wife and second sister), her parents figured they'd try one more time for a boy. That's when the twin girls came. Time to stop.

Not sure where to begin on this so I’ll just start with the details. I currently have three 240Z’s occupying my three car garage. When I purchased Z number three, I booted my wife’s Mazda Tribute out of the garage so I could keep all three Z’s well protected in said garage. She was Ok with that. Now, a 1970, 1600 roadster that I have had my eye on for a while is available. I spoke to my wife and told her I would like to pick the car up this weekend and restore it, and she was totally fine with it. She said as long as I paint it red (the color of her purse) and let her drive it, that would be great. The original color is red, so that’s good with me. No fight, no hassles from my wife over picking up another car. I even tentatively offered to sell the Silver Z and she said I should keep it because I like it so much. What’s the catch? I’m guessing aliens have abducted my real wife and replaced her with one that will accommodate my obsession. Not sure what to think here. Will keep everyone posted of the strange goings on. Rich

Coming home from work, noticed the engine was hot and steam coming from right side of hood. Pulled over at nearest gas station to find the problem...not hard to find. Looks like a little un-authorized Arc welding took place. Attachment of battery cable to solenoid was loose (even with lock washer), and cable rotated up touching hose clamp that was touching engine block. Circuit complete for arc weld. Totally melted clamp and put hole in hose. Never had that happen before. Easy fix though. McGyver'd it to get it home, then replace clamp, trimmed hose, taped cable and re-tightened. Easy fix.