herbsteiner

Since we've all cooled down about the Z car listed at 38K, I would like to say that while I'm a Z owner only for 9 months, I've been a pro musician/guitar buyer/seller/collector for almost 5 decades, so I do have some experience with mid-level collectibles. Which the Z car in general and the Z car in question may or may not be. There are guitars selling for 6 figure amounts that sold for $300 in 1959. There are electric guitars in the mid-5 figures that sold for $250 in 1962. What it takes is someone who has so much money that those figures are capricious to raise the bar to levels unheard of by normal folk. There are many, many, young and mid-aged people making great money who may harbor romantic feelings about Z-cars and spending that kind of bucks on a one-of-a-kinder is no big deal. It's a Baby Boomer thing, I reckon. Hey, an attorney who just made a 7-figure settlement on a big corporate liability case and wanted a Z like that ever since he was in high school would have no problem spending 38K on that ultra-sweet puppy on eBay. If the collectible Z market is similar to the guitar market, word would get out about the big purchase and a new bar level set, though modified drastically by reality. The buyers who couldn't ever afford the atmospheric prices would realize that demand apparently has gone up and maybe they should hop on the *possible* bandwagon, just as sellers would feel they need to up their asking prices. Just my 2 cents. Since I'm new in the Z car world, I'm interested. FWIW, I bought a very driveable 73 that needed some work and a paint job. Paid $3600, bought lots of parts and spares, paid for some mechanical work beyond my skills, and a body/paint job, and I've got about 9K in the car. For a DD that gets a lot of "thumbs up" driving down the highway, I think I'm about right for it.

Not to continue the MSA leg-humping, but one thing I like about those folks is that a real human looks at the order and checks to make sure it's correct. I ordered some bumper rubber for a 72 bumper because that's what I have on my '73, which is the model year on record for my car with them. An MSA rep called me to ask if I knew that 72 rubber wouldn't fit on a 73 bumper, and if I was sure I needed that part? Most online businesses would simply process the order, ship it out, and take the money without going to the trouble of making certain the customer knew what he was doing. I appreciate MSA taking the time and the expense of looking after their customers.

My '73 came from Stigall Motors Inc., 3017 El Camino Real, Palo Alto CA 94304

I have the AC with the York compressor, the round knob under the driver's dash and the evaporator by the passenger's feet. The PO told me it was a dealer add-on at the time. It does okay for what it is, but in no way are we in danger of hypothermia in my car, especially in summertime Texas. And there's usually moisture condensation on the evaporator hose.

My '73 is a 50% DD, about 8K miles a year, and I use my GMC Envoy for carrying job equipment and hauling the boat. The Z is 98% original except for a Rotosound radio and a speaker box I got from Oliver up in Snohomish WA. My cars are meant to be driven; I don't want a vehicle I'd be afraid to drive or park in a parking lot. I understand, of course, but somehow the choice of words is, uh... unappetizing?

Can't tell at the moment if both carbs are stuck or only one, since the hoses are joined by a "Y" connector. But I can localize each hose and that would provide an answer. More info later, dudes, and thanks so much for all the help so far.

Yes, it's overflow from the float bowls. I have the FSM from 1973, but of course it deals with flat-top carbs and my car was reverted to 72 round-tops. I downloaded the FSM for 1972, but the file can't open without winRAR and my 'puter says it's a malware file.

Newbie needs help! Weird things started happening to my Z and before I go to the mechanic, maybe I can get some info from the forum. I'm a newbie, so please be patient with me. I've already done the search thing but it's still not clear to my dense, uneducated brain. First, the car: A 1973 but with '72 round-tops and the emissions stuff removed and holes plugged. 3-speed automatic. Last visit to the Z mechanic was about 2 months ago. The car is a daily driver. Now the problem: I recently noticed some intermittent hesitation and stuttering when accelerating, so I thought some kind of fuel delivery problem. Extremely strong smell of gas. Then the idle would vary wildly in neutral from 800 up to 1400, but intermittently. When put in gear it would sometimes run great and other times want to stall in stop-go traffic, cycling down to 500 rpm before stalling. Seems like these symptoms would occur after driving for awhile. Previously... last week... the idle in neutral was around 900rpm and in gear around 700 without stalling. Today when I opened the hood and pushed on the throttle, gas would spew from the overflow hoses onto the tranny housing. I opened the gas filler spout and back pressure released either gas pressure or actual gas from the spout. Fuel filter looks okay. So what does the wisdom and knowledge bank of the forum think is the problem these symptoms resemble? I really don't want to drive much with raw fuel draining onto the ground. Please excuse my ignorance, I didn't get much info I could digest from the search.

Those are the most beautiful carburetors I've ever seen! WOW factor out the wazoo! Good job!!!!

I just installed a right (passenger) door weatherstrip, the one that goes around the body doorframe, from MSA. Made by Precision, it went on in a jiffy and fit perfectly, only had to trim about 7 inches. T'was a snap to install, and the door closes just fine.

"My loss is your gain..." Yeah... right.

Amen, brother... amen!

I got the answer I was seeking elsewhere with a little research.

I'd want to keep the radiator cap and run a different car under it. Possibly the cigarette lighter as well if it isn't rust-frozen in the receptacle. Oh, and the Datsun logo off the glove box door.

I'm with Geezer. My tow vehicles are named "GMC."

Just had a new muffler and chrome extension tip installed. I used a 9" Pep Boys extension, angle cut and turned down. It sits even with the end of the bumper guard, about 3" longer than my previous pipe.

FW, I think you might be on to something... good thinking! :bulb: The hex heads are metric, of course... M6-1.0's to be specific, seeking a 10mm socket..., but a couple adjustable wrenches could take care of that, though taking more time than it took with a basic screwdriver on my last set of old plates. Metric allen wrenches? He'd have to be a kleptomaniac mechanic.

About as good as could happen turned out, I guess. I got the two clean '73 plates off CL (25 bucks) and went down to the tax office to re-register the Z. The same clerk that did the last plates handled this one and pro-rated my past registration, so the total admin. cost was $19. The plates are now mounted with hex head stainless bolts backed with nuts and lock washers. A thief would need two wrenches to undo these.

Gary I have a '73 in metallic blue with beige interior. The paint code decal is unreadable, but the zhome paint code page calls that color 115 Blue Metallic. Is that the color you were referring to? Herb sorry to go off-topic... carry on!

I found a clean pair of 73s today on CL for 25 bucks and got them. I'll go with those for the cool factor.

Zcurves I don't think anyone is gonna try to register it, because you've got to have TWO plates to put on a passenger vehicle when registering it. Most likely, it's already hanging on a wall in South Austin somewhere. Or it'll show up on Craigslist or eBay. The pop rivets thing is a good idea. I was thinking some kind of short bolt that you'd need more than just a screwdriver to loosen, such as a hex-head bolt or a carriage bolt, with Loc-tite behind it. That is, if I get another set of '73 plates. They do look good on an old Z.

Thanks for the clarification of my first post, Steve. I forgot that many folks here didn't know that Texas is one of the states that allows what you've described. I received a set of clean '73 license plates when I got the car last year, and went to the County Tax office to register the car with those plates.

Kal I was referring to my license plates, sorry. Manny 'Preciate the offer, but seeing as how I live in Texas, a think a set of Texas license plates would be the most appropriate for me at the moment. There's a pretty good condition set on CL here in town, I have a call in to the seller. Or I could just go with the boring set of new TX plates.

So I park my car at the music store yesterday to do some business and chat with friends, and when I walk outside, I see the 1973 license plate, which was there when I pulled into the shopping center parking lot, has been taken off the front bumper of my Zed! Texas requires two plates, rear AND front, regardless of "classic" status or not. So to be legal, I have to get new plates, or find another set of '73s (available), and RE-register the car (~$50). ARRRRGHH!!! :mad: Some people would steal used toilet paper if they thought they could get a nickel for it. Excuse the rant, I'm just a newbie temporarily pissed off about a relatively minor non-issue, and will get over it shortly.

TQ and Zed speak with straight tongue! I found such a Zcar just a short while ago, a very clean basically one-owner '73 with virtually no rust, many upgrades and years of maintenance receipts included. I didn't/don't want a show car, but a cool daily driver. So I got it for 3000, drove it awhile, added a spare this and that for more than a few benjamins, had some carb work done, then new Rotosound radio, and Infinity speakers for the back panel box that Zspecialties sells. Hand to replace the heater control valve and a cable to the blower box lid. Found an oil pan gasket leak so I had that fixed. I decided the front shocks are kinda soft so in the installation of the new KYB gas shocks all the way around, it's time to replace the ball joints and tie rod bushings. Cool, now I have a new suspension, new sound, new heater, and an ultra-hip DD. I'm not a mechanic and at age 63, spry and youthful though I may seem, I don't crawl around under cars anymore, so I have the work done at the garage of my trusted Z guru. There's a big expense right there. A vintage car can be a real bargain if you're a mechanic with time on your hands, or a body work guy with time on your hands. Total everything up and I have over 6 grand in my $3000 Z-car. And I haven't had it painted yet!!!