Carl Beck

Hi Will: What Studebakers used a turbo? I remember in the mid 50's and early 60's they used a belt driven supercharger, that pressurized the carb.. (Golden Hawk and Avanti)... I still think the 63 Avanti was one of the best designs of the decade, and wouldn't mind having one today. I think the 62 Olds Jet-Fire was the first tubo from GM, followed by the 63 Corvair Spyders. FWIW, Carl B. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Bill: The Atlantic Z Club has a good list of OEM Cam's and Marking. <a href=http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/cam/index.htm TARGET=NEW>CAM SPEC.'s</a> Looks like the self oiling "A" cam came with the N42, N47 and P79 Heads before 8/81. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Daryl: Good to see you here. As everyone has mentioned - it's a great group. Daryl is #139 on the IZCC's Z Car Original Owners Register. I think we have about 156 Original Owners on the ZCOOR now. However we are starting to see some of the Z's being sold, or turned over to the second generation within the family. Good to hear your still driving yours... There must be some kind of Guinness Record for total number of years owned by the original owners for any specific Sports/GT there somewhere. On average that's 1,842.5 original ownership years. kind regards, Carl B. Clearwater, FL USA http://ZHome.com

The "easy" way to do it - is to just remove the side window glass. If you have a Snap-On type "wobble" extension, and if you grind down a longer socket, such that it fits over the threaded stud to reach the nut, but is still short enough to fit in the covered area.. it is possible to remove/install the mirror with the side glass in place. Best advice - just pull the glass and be done with it. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mark: What type/brand of racing fuel are you running and what octane? thanks, Carl B.

Jim is correct - that would be a "Spacer-Rear Spring. 55045-E4100 Most of the time when you remove the rear struts and take them apart - you don't notice the spacer because it is usually stuck up in the insulator. They do however go bad, and they can fall apart or out. If you look up inside the insulator and see metal - it is most likey the spacer has crumbled and fallen out... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Guys: I just received my copy of NISSAN SPORT... David Muramoto reports on his interview with Mr. Brock... at last falls SCCA Run-Off's... "Brock remains a keen observer of both Nissan's commercial and motorsports activities. As one who convinced corporate marketing of the value in offering a Red/White/Blue "BRE" edition back in the day, to coordinate with his racing success, Brock was equally convinced Nissan Motorsports was getting excellent promotional value out of supporting grassroots events like the Runoff's" I am amazed that Mr. Brock specifically mentioned the car that is the subject of this thread last fall at the Runoff's - then when ask about it this month - he commented to Ron only on the person selling what was reported to be "the car" ... and no real comment on the car nor its concept to begin with. I find this very interesting to say the least.... At any rate the new owner will now have Mr. Brocks words to support the fact that BRE did at least propose marketing a BRE Edition 510.... along with what would appear to be some of the original sketches supporting that from the seller..... Amazing turn of events... and now a bit more history is added to the knowledge pool.... FWIW, Carl B.

Oh.. now I note the "Dryer" on the inner-fender....da... I ask the seller a question about the data tags - he assures me that it's just bad pictures and in fact the numbers are all 357. I suggested he take the engine data tag out - clean it - lay it flat and take new pictures. Also to take clear pictures of the drivers door jam data tag. We'll see what happens... FWIW, Carl B.

I agree. I don't see anything on the car that would indicate Dealer Installed A/C. I had #357 recorded for several years...as the seller said, first in N.C. in the Winston-Salem area, then later reported in N.Y. Is it possible that the Door and Engine Tags were simply stamped wrong at the Factory? Or perhaps the Vin's were stamped first into the Data Tags, then the wrong set was selected, stamped with the correct engine number and put in the car? So far we have no reports of #359 being Found... I wonder if the data tags on that car would show #357.... Interesting car none the less... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi David (everyone) I really don't believe that you will see fuel prices rise to "world norms" here in the U.S. for decades, if then. That is because "world norms" are far more driven by excessive taxes, and very inefficient refinery, transportation and retail systems than we enjoy here in the U.S. There is no question in my mind however, that fuel costs will continue to catch up with inflation here, and will rise past that; as China, India and the rest of S.E. Asia bring another 3 BILLION drivers on line over the next two decades. But even then, Fuel will still be a minor cost to us in the U.S. relative to the casts of Depreciation, Insurance and State Taxes. With cars costing less than $10K - all the significant operating expenses come down with the sales price of a new car. From a marketing forecast perspective, as we decimate what used be considered the American Middle Class (Upper Middle, Middle and Lower Middle in Sociological terms).... by importing major percentages of our goods from China, India and other third world countries, while we shut down all American Manufacturing enterprises; and out-source the higher paid "knowledge workers" jobs {info. technology, software engineering, and indeed ever increasing percentages of all engineering and technology related jobs) ... At some point fairly soon - there won't be a very large middle class here in the U.S. able to afford a $25,000.00+ automobile. FWIW, Carl B.

Oh.. by the way. In the top photo the Z with #38 is most likely HLS30 00006, and was driven by Fitzy.. the Z with #33 is the car that Bob Sharp won the 1972 and forward C-Production Championships in.. {note the much reinforced roll cage in #33}. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi David: The top photo is Bob Sharp Racing aka BSR the bottom one is the BRE Team FWIW, Carl B.

What a shame.... "repainted a few years ago".... That will hunt it alot more than likely. 1. Why would a well cared for, 39K mile 280Z need to be repainted in the first place? 2. What is hidden under that new paint? 3. No mention of the quality of the repaint - makes you wonder why also.... With its original factory paint in near perfect condition - and that mileage - it should be selling in the $14K to $16K range.... Unless some buyer can go inspect the repaint very carefully, I doubt it will bring much over $12K at the most on E-Bay... Additionally, the Dealer having an on-line Ad. at $11,995.00 doesn't help the seller.... The car is most likely on "consignment" there and actual owner is most likely looking to get $10K out of it... All that said - if one were to go physically inspect the car - and it checks out well - even at $12K it would be far less expensive than paying $7,500.00 for a solid 78 Z, then having to "refresh" it yourself. FWIW, Carl B.

HI Victor: nice video.... I got motion sick just watching it... The 510 sounds great - tell us what mod's you've done to it... Carl B. 72 510 Wagon

Hi Blue: Driving "safely" is one thing, driving "defensively" is another and driving competitively still another. They can all be viewed conceptually as being progressive in nature. Your Dad can teach how to drive safely, getting you to really comprehend why that is so important is another matter all together. You may not believe it - but I was 17 once - it lasted for a whole year. For the most part I can remember very clearly most of the weekends -vbg- Let's face it, it seems to be human nature that we have to actually learn lessons by our own experiences. If that wasn't the case, history would not so often repeat itself. I can tell you many different times, in many different ways, exactly what happens when cars in front of you on the Freeway CRASH at 70+ mph. How my car felt when it spun out of control in a panic stop and/or what specific counter measures applied to the steering and/or braking were needed and used. However, until you personally have that physical experience and practice those counter measures until they become automatic - all my teaching, talking, lecturing amounts to only that... talk. I've been to several different drivers training courses and schools over the years. Most of them start with a course they name "Defensive Driving". In truth, Defensive Driving is about 50% mental preparation and 50% physical control of the vehicle. If you drive on the streets for the next five years - you will not have the opportunity to actually learn nor in turn, train yourself, nor develop the instinctive reflexes required for a safe high speed off-road trip, a safe high speed lane change, nor the high speed obstacle avoidance techniques that you would by attending any of these courses. They are held at race tracks for the most part, because there on a closed course, in a safe progressive manor you can be first taught the procedures, then practice the processes involved in all the earlier mentioned maneuvers. Physical control of the vehicle in turn, is really the the first part of competition driving. When you talk to your Dad, tell him that there are really two places a young man can direct his instinctive urges to compete; on the streets or on the special tracks/courses set up for that purpose. Personally, I took my son's to the tracks/courses provided by several local sports car clubs. There they associated with like minded individuals, that encouraged safe driving on the streets - and rigorous competition on the tracks/courses. Like everything in life, energy has to be focused and directed for it to either destructive or constructive. The drivers training courses developed over decades by the professionals involved, provide the best focus and direction - - - - after that it's up to the individual. kind regards, Carl B. BTW - many insurance companies offer greatly reduced rates for young divers that have successfully completed many of these courses.

Hello Blue: I want to encourage you in your quest for more knowledge related to automobile mechanics. However I'd recommend first things first. Go learn to drive that 280ZX safely, and then learn to dive it nearer its limits. You'll want to do both under the experienced and watchful eyes of a professional. Talk your Dad into attending one of the many fine Defensive Driving and Competition Drivers Training Courses offered by any one of the Drivers Training Schools in your area. For example: <a href=http://www.1800bepetty.com/SafeDriving.aspx TARGET=NEW> Richard Petty Driving Experience</a> Mostly the classes are in Atlanta, GA but also listed at the Kentucky Motor Speedway. Track location: Kentucky Motor Speedway 4760 Sparta Pike Sparta, KY 41086 (888) 652-7223 Second - go find a well used 280ZX that you can buy for a grand or so - then learn on that one, before attempting anything on your Dad's ZX.... matter of fact, he might be talked into helping you pay for one... -vbg- good luck, Carl B. Yes - I've raised two sons... now in their mid 30's...

Hi Kats: Speaking of 240-Z's and Z-432's. Do you know if any of the Fairlady 240-Z's that were raced by the Factory supported teams are being restored by private owners today in Japan? Or for that matter any of the Fairlady 240-Z's that were raced by any of the famous private owners. After the Fairlady 240-Z's were released in Japan. regards, Carl B. BTW - you may recall that the very earliest L24's, that were planned for the DATSUN 240-Z's did have a plastic fan. That was the L24 with triple side drafts, and 175 HP - recall the early 1969 Sales Brochures - that engine was however killed by the US Emissions Standards that took effect in early 70.

Hi ddezso: Yes - as mentioned by others, you remove the 4 bolts/nuts that hold the driveshaft on the hub {see #7}, disconnect the E-Brake Cable and loosen the bolts on the inner side of the Transverse Link {one on the front at the Differential case mounting front member - see #9 and the one on the other end} Disconnect the Brake Line! Put a floor jack under the rear hub to hold it in place {the rear of the car should be on jack stands at this point} - - Then take the 3 nuts off the top strut mount - let the jack down, move it out of the way and push down on the rear transverse link - and you should be able to pull the strut down, lay it toward the outside of the car... out past the outside of the rear fender arch. Then you can put a spring compressor on the spring - and change the shocks/springs etc. Actually you can do the rears without a spring compressor - but since you need a spring compressor for the fronts anyway - might as well use it. FWIW, Carl B.

According to the owner, these were brought to America, Road Atlanta by a team from Japan - and left here. Something different.... If you are a Buyer - let me know FWIW, Carl B.

Hi ddezso: If you don't have a can or three of Kroil Penetrating Oil, get on-line and order it. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING works as well {not even close}. Spray the lock pin from the top and let it set a few minutes - Once you remove the lock pin, spray Kroil on both ends of the spindle pin, and into the hole the lock pin came out of. Spray it a couple of times per day for a couple of days if possible. Jack the car up from the rear one day, spray the Kroil into the shoulder of the spindle pin, and into the hole the lock pin came out of - and let it creep down into the transverse link over night.... reverse the next day.... jack the car up from the front... Believe me when I tell you that this will make a huge difference in how easily the spindle pins come out {or not}. For that matter - it's just as easy to drop the struts off the car, with the transverse link attached... lay the strut on it's side - and let the Kroil work it's way down the spindle pin and into the transverse link. The more and longer you can apply Kroil and let it soak in - the better off you'll be. Also, in extreme cases, if that spindle pin still won't budge - with the assembly off the car you can apply serious heat to the transverse link's outer housing around the spindle pin. {yes, I've had a few like that}. See: <a href=http://kanolabs.com/ TARGET=NEW> Kano Laboratories </a> I had two very very rusted nuts/bolts - in a lower front finisher panel {where the turn signals go}, from a parts car.... No one would ever expect to take them apart without twisting the bolts off, or rounding the nuts off... I took Kroil and spray it on one {the worse of the two because only part of the head of the bolt was still there}... and P.B. Blaster was sprayed on the other. I let them set over night - sprayed them both a second time and let them set over night again. I put a socket and wrench on the one sprayed with PB Blaster - and promptly twisted the bolt in two. I put the socket and wrench on the one sprayed with Kroil - broke it lose and unscrewed it. My son was there at the time, and he couldn't believe that anything would work like that... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Enigma: I initially wrote a far more direct, blunt and course response {that's just the kind of guy I am} .... but after thinking about it... I believe I'll just Second your more thoughtful and polite comments.... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mark: Sorry, I was thinking you were talking about work plans.... Family First... I completely understand - I have one daughter {still a long way from marriage I hope} - ..... I've been married for 35 years and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Of course I've had two wonderful wives in that period.... vbg..... Great to hear about Derek... tell him I send my best wishes... regards, Carl

Hi Mark: I need to talk to you about a philosophical change in life perspective, you have to set a good life example for your son..... "if plans change"..... needs to become; "I'll change plans"....... vbg.... Hope to see you there... Carl B.

What are the dates this year? I missed it last year - and I don't want to miss it this year... Great Event in a truely beautiful setting. I just wish they would scheule it at the same time the College Cheerleaders hold their national convention there... vbg... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Chris: This is simply Unbelievable news. I'm dumbfounded that no one in the Z Community around here knew about this - nor had any opportunity to attend Scott's funeral etc. Four months ago?..... This is just too sad to really think about.... Vicki had to be completely shattered.... Thanks for letting us know. Carl B.