Reptoid Overlords

Many thanks.. I remember following that thread, don't know why i didn't access it earlier. I'm going to get started after I help the kid with her homework. Sunday is my Saturday.

The half shafts from another car appear to be the same size. However, they don't extend all the way. The ones that were in the car when I got it extend further. I believe this means something is wrong with the half shafts I installed last summer. I've never removed either spline until yesterday when I discovered the right side dislodged/coming out. I don't remember what I could've done wrong that day. Surely something. I probably have no business working on this thing myself haha. My memory is turning to mush. Anyway, it's back to its original state now, and soon I will investigate how to get the circlip out and install new ones. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

This is quite possible. At the time of removing and replacing the half-shafts, I recall marking a "D" and "P" to distinguish between driver and passenger side, which still exist to this day. However, that doesn't mean that they didn't get mixed up before I marked them. I have a beer drinking buffoon of a friend who was present that day. Although I wont rule out the possibility that I just spaced out and installed the wrong side half-shaft. Just to recap the current configuration: I now have the original half shafts installed in their original position. The half shafts that I installed a last summer are on the workbench, and are the same length. The original half-shaft "telescopes" or extends further than the newer half-shaft, the one i pulled out last night. Maybe the half shafts i used to replace the original ones were the same length, and wrong in the first place, in other words, two left side shafts. This all makes quite a bit more sense now, as I look at the spare differential on the floor. I can see how the casing is not asymmetrical requiring one shaft to be longer than the other. Just to be specific, I'm talking about the half-shaft, not the spline/axle that should require a great amount of force to remove.

I wonder if I can find or make a sort of flexible shaft with a magnet at the end to send into the drain hole and sides with the shafts removed. Realistically however, I'm sure ill be removing it completely from the car and pulling the rear cover on the bench. That rubber bushing at the rear of the differential is worn anyway. I drove it, after hammering it lightly back into place and it does remain in place, but I'll bet money if I went and pulled hard it would come right back out. I appreciate the replies. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

I will proceed with caution. Thanks for the fore warning. I have a spare differential, with the same issue,, passenger side is out, drivers side is in there tight. It's from an '82, and the splines are shorter than the '80 differential. I'm not sure I can use it, but I can use it to see how bad the circlips are to install. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Thanks. I'll do it. I drove the car for about 20 miles just now and Re checked the shaft. It appears to be holding in place, but without the spring rings, it sounds prudent to pull them both and find the rings. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

I've tapped the spline assembly back into the differential until it is flush with the casing. I will Re install the original half shaft, test drive, and Re inspect. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Sorry, forgot pictures. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Please forgive me if my terminology is a bit off, I'm posting this as I uncover this problem, and my FSM was foolishly wiped with the rest of my computers memory. I took my Z on a drive today, but didn't get far until I heard some evil coming from the rear end. It turns out that my passenger side half shaft (I can never remember if they are technically CV or half shafts) has dislodged itself quite a bit from where it seats in to the differential. I pulled it out. There appears to be no damage, but the question remains... How did this happen? Is there supposed to be some sort of circlip at the end of the spline assembly, in the notched groove? I've never removed the spline from the differential, however about a year or so ago I replaced the half shafts with some that had less miles on them. I thought the original ones were clicking, but it turns out that noise was from the rear brake pad pins not being installed properly. I still have my original half shafts. Thanks in advance for any input. The car is a stock 1980 ZX. R180. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Meaning that this response is, in a nutshell, almost everything one needs to navigate the world of electronic diagnostics. No need for a manual. Wasn't trying to insinuate that the response was too lengthy. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Jeez, I'm just going to copy and paste this to a word document, print it, and tape it to the wall. If you don't mind of course. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

It's my understanding that if you use the 1980 N47 head with the '82 F 54 block(with flat tops) you get somewhere around 10:1 compression ratio. Perhaps someone will correct me, as I've been meaning to ask about that for some time, and I'll learn something from this thread too. I'm putting some of the finishing touches on an '82 F54/P79 build. It's my first one. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Also, the N/A `82 F54 already comes with flat top pistons. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

My D21is getting old now, and I don't have to worry about beating it up and finding body parts... Yet haha. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Put some Pontiac Blue on the F54. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Is there a suitable alternative to the OEM Nissan head gasket? I'm having a rough time finding one through a dealer. Even our usual local Nissan dealer who can usually get them says they can't. Perhaps the OEM part's days are numbered. I have a master gasket kit from ITM engine components for little gaskets like oil sump, water inlets etc. , but I'm not sure if I can trust the head gasket. OEM Nissan head bolts are on the way. It's stock '82 block/head. No mods. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

I have my P79 head back and ready to go, but I won't be installing it for another 2 months. The valve cover is at a friends house, so I have nothing to put over it while it's on the bench in the garage. If I squirt regular motor oil on everything, will it be okay to sit there? Or should I use something thicker like that Lucas stabilizer or similar? Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

You might look into Redline MT-90 gear lube. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Congratulations on your new Z. Hopefully you will get to enjoy keeping it alive. That said, the best thing you can do to get help here is break the lock on the trailer, pop the hood and find out what you have. If the engine says Chevrolet on it then your best bet is at the aforementioned site hybrids.com. Not to push you out, but this site deals with mostly stock and moderately modified cars. If it still has its L28, it would be good to mention. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

I haven't used shell rotella. I've been using Valvoline's VR1 10W30 conventional oil. As far as I can tell, the high Zinc responds to pressure in the engine, therefore being most effective at the places where pressure is at the greatest. I only occasionally beat the car, normally shift at 3k rpm, and mix freeway /city driving. Maybe add 1/4 of a quart every 3k miles. Original rings(as far as I can tell), valve seals about 2 years old now. I'll never claim to truly understand from a chemistry perspective how it works, but all my research leads me to believe it's good. But thats not to say shell rotella, or even just plain old O'Reilly's dinosaur oil are just fine. People seem to have high opinions of the high detergent rotella oils. I'd like to know how it goes if you try it. I've still got years of service left in the engine in the car now, with a backup built on deck. I'm always wishing I had the means to test the oils on my own. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Well there it is. I even looked through bobistheoilguy but somehow missed that. You're right, it's not as big as I thought it would be. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

The Mrs got me this old quart of Pennzoil 10W40 for Christmas. Anyone have any idea what Z-7 is? Maybe this is from the glory days of catless cars and the Z is for zinc? I use Valvoline's high zinc racing oil in the Z. Perhaps this is where it came from. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

Madonna's video for Borderline. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

The injectors have O-rings. Also, the plastic pieces that fit over each injector might be broken. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

The Zcardepot part says it's for the entire S30 production range, but stops at the '78. Perhaps I'll find out if the same master cylinder was used in the 79/80 ZX and get that one. Otherwise I can take the O'Reilly's challenge. Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk