dmorales-bello

I'm amazed at the quality of your build. Fantastic job! David

Wow! Great car. Thanks, I needed that.

Pretty funky !

Now there's an idea

Actually, my antenna switch is on the far right at the bottom of the center console (on the flat part).

I'm always bugged by block off plates in car dashes replacing switches or lights that are available in other models. It's usually because you bought a cheaper model without many of the features of the fully accesorized ones or (in the case of the Z) because cost dictated that Datsun wouldn't re-design a dash or console properly when re-distributing their switches or warning lights from one year to the next. I fully realize that it will be a redundant warning light (I will wire it up to the other one on the right of the AC vents) but to me it looks and feels better than a blank plate covering a slot where something was intended to be. Other explanation: simply my OCD !

Finally found a pic of the warning light! It comes form a 1975 260Z depicted in an Australian forum. Don't know if it's one of those " overseas" market special versions or if it came stock in all '75 260s but it's certainly stock in this car.

Captain Obvious, I think you got it! Thanks very much. Are there any actual photographs of this anywhere? I couldn't find any.

I contacted the Ebay vendor (very nice guy named Dan) and here's his take on the light: "It came from a 76 coupe, and it goes on the console between the rear defogger and fasten seat belt lights, right in the center....It's true, they're not that common at all, but they're out there. Sometimes people will use the blank for some other retrofitted component...It's also possible that this was a CA only thing, or maybe one of those variants between 74.5 and 76 when lots of minor changes were happening with the S30s." The fact is that the light does in fact fit perfectly into that slot.

I got his on Ebay from a vendor that has a few 77 and 78 Z parts. Other than that I have no additional history. So was this square slot used for anything from factory in any of the original series Zs or was it always blank? If anyone has what looks like a factory option in this slot could you please post a pic?

Thought your answer might be right but unfortunately NOT! Looked at pics of the ZXs dash and the low fuel warning light is embedded in the main instrument cluster.

I just picked up square, red "FUEL" warning light that fits in the square slot below the radio in the middle of the center console between the blue "REAR DEFOGGER" and the red "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" warning lights. I'm happy to be able to remove the blank plate I have in that spot and place that "FUEL" light. I realize that it will be redundant but I rather have the non-functional warning light than the blank plate. The question is: What model Z had that red "FUEL" light in that spot? I've looked at every picture I could of all the different Z center consoles and can't find one with that warning light.

If you have them re-plated the shop will usually prep and seal the inside surface as well.

This point is extremely important to take into account for proper fitment: " The shape of the 'U' channel in cross-section is also subtly asymmetric because it overlaps the clear plastic on the outside but not the inside".

Thanks so much, jerz! That information definitely clears up any doubts: 77 and 78 280Z coupe door seals are the interchangeable. I will buy that seal at Courtesy Nissan right away.

Thank you so much, jerz! That definitely clears up that doubt. I will immediately purchase the OEM seal from Courtesy Nissan.

I've been trying to locate an OEM passenger door weatherstripping for my 1978 280Z. Called courtesy Nissan and to my surprise I was informed that they had it for the '77 280Z but not for the "78. They specifically said that they are different parts with different parts numbers. I then called Vintage Rubber and Randy sells the same weatherstripping for all years 280Zs and was surprised to hear what I had been told by Courtesy Nissan. He said he would look into it further. Has anyone had experience with this issue?

Wow! Great info Namerow. Thank you so very much. I feel confident now that the windshields I've located come from a very reputable manufacturer. This information will serve everyone on this forum.

They both say PGW (Pittsburgh Glass Works). I think PPG is either out of business or corporately morphed into this company. Here's the URL Jarvo2. Let me know what you think. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131458578895?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I need to replace the OEM windshield on my 1978 280Z. I have found two sources for a replacement made by PGW Autoglass with a bluish tint and a darker band at the top. Has anyone used this brand replacement glass? Is there another maker that is preferable? Another source? Thanks to all.

The arrangement of the LED bulb will greatly influence the light dispersion. The wider arrays (as in the tower type bulbs) will disperse light more evenly and better mimic an incandescent bulb. So for turn signals and brake lights a more disperse light source will work well. When considering back up lights though, a more focused beam will give you greater visibility toward the back of the car.

Helpful video Eurodat! Thank you.

The general rule of thumb when replacing bulbs is to go with a bulb of the same color as the lens that will go over it in order to achieve the best illumination. This applies to LEDs as well. In this case you would replace the clear incandescent backup bulb (which sits behind a clear lens) with a clear (white) LED. In the case of amber turn signal lenses you would use amber LEDs, etc.

I'm preparing to install a rear disc brake conversion kit on my '78 280Z (from MSA, single caliper) that requires changing the e brake cable to a 240Z cable. MSA charges around $250 for the cable but you find them on Ebay (from Thailand) for $50. So my questions are: 1.-What's the difference between the 240 and 280 cables? 2.-Can the 280 cable be easily modified to work? 3.-Has anyone used a Thai cable and with what kind of results?