26th-Z

Greetings and welcome to the group, HLS30-365101. Some pages ago, we were discussing the quality control checklist. At the urging of SpeedRoo, I dug through my files to find my copy of the "240Z Restoration Program Quality Control Checklist". The checklist I have is some 40 pages with an introduction overview page and 20 or so pages of procedure descriptions organized by component with columns for notes, sign-off and date. For instance; under the brake / clutch / hydraulic component, one of the procedures is "All rubber brake hoses: replace" and in the notes column it says; "Use DOT 3 brake fluid". During the restoration program there were two final inspections and four inspection sign-off points during various stages of the restoration process. Of note to our Plating conversation; checklist item "All steel brake lines: check for kinks, condition of flared ends", notes "Cad plate all brake lines possible. Replace any corroded lines." Attachment D of the checklist is a two page copy of Wick Humble's book; "How to Restore your Datsun Z-Car" discussing fasteners, everything about fasteners from engineering standards to thread pitch and sizes. From Attachment D; "How about the fastener's finish? The manufacturer plated every metal fastener...on the Z car, it is predominantly what platers call yellow zinc, that multi-tinted golden finish used on most bolts and nuts exposed to the elements. Plain natural-colored zinc is also used on some parts."

Quite the discussion. You all seem to be describing an element metal by its color. Cadmium is silver. It's the chromate additive that makes the color and you can't tell the difference between the cadmium chromate and the zinc chromate. There are ASTM and SAE specifications for plating in these materials. Yes, you can have cadmium chromate plating but how does this all matter? So, I wrote a brief forward and printed five copies of the original 2005 script. They are about 35-40 single sided pages, color pictures, spiral bound with a cover page. It cost me about $15 each to make this nice. I really need to keep one, two are spoken for right now so I have two and I can always print more. Let me know.

A little late jumping into this conversation. I have been "out of contact" on holiday which I do every so often going internet dark for a few days in my effort to get away from it all. Often, I travel to Europe but I just returned from several days in coastal Maine and that northern wilderness. We were hiking and boating. Reading up on this discussion, I thought I would chime in on some of the issues mentioned. Nissan contracted with four private restoration shops during the Vintage Z program. Pierre Z in Hawthorn, California completed by far the most restorations, however Classic Datsun Motorsports of Vista, California, Datsun Ally of Signal Hill, and Old Car Service of Huntington Beach were also involved. Datsun Ally and Classic Datsun Motorsports prepared two cars each. I don't know how many Old Car Service prepared. Engines were rebuilt and provided by AER Manufacturing in Arington, Texas as transmissions came from Williams Technology of Summerville, South Carolina. Pierre Z rebuilt the units for the first restoration only as Nissan contracted thereon. They were assembled units, crate shipped, including everything except carburetors, generators, cooling fan and hoses, and exhaust manifold to the best of my knowledge. Part management was coordinated through Pete Evanow of Nissan N.A. and there were documents related to car assessment, part orders, and quality control however these were internal project documents related to the management of the project cars and not released with any of the cars. I actually have part order documents for cars that were never restored. Concerning CAD plating: The yellow / gold coloring that we associate with "CAD" is a chromate conversion coating applied over the plated metal, yielding the familiar gold color. A similar appearance can be achieved with a similar chromate conversion over silver zinc which is far less toxic and not easily discernible from a cadmium base electroplate. Cadmium electroplating on its own is not yellow. I believe that what we see on cars today is yellow chromate zinc. True cadmium electroplating is not easily found or inexpensive. We all seem to call it "CAD" but that's probably a term we use for the color and not AS 9100 certified or ASTM A165, SAE AMS 2400 specification. Finally, Nissan N.A. didn't just decide to restore a bunch of 240Zs; they schemed up an ad campaign to keep the Z legend in North America alive while Nissan discontinued their current model Z with only the promise to deliver a new design some time in the future. The goal was not to create 'restorations' but deliver complete, running examples of the original car with 12,000 mile warranties. They had to rely on private repair businesses to accomplish their goal with a parts inventory that could not sustain the project. But they pulled it off! Cudos to the businesses and people who contributed to the effort. The cars are quite valuable now, and it is always exciting to see one because the story behind it is one of the best automotive sales campaign stories. Especially after the blunder of dropping the Datsun brand, I opine. So, I did the research project / compendium in 2005. I have a huge digital file of stuff as well as a fairly good library of literature. I have a vhs video that Pierre gave me in 200? that has Mr. K's visit during the restoration program. I don't have any printed , bound copies at the moment. I hear some interest for copies of stuff I have. I'm going to get some copies of the compendium made. Stay tuned.

Deanhuff, I am in Maine for the week, returning Saturday the 16th. I will contact you when I get back.

The recommended prices on the website range from $1235 to $2665 to $3380 in US dollars. I have always owned Seikos and really like them but I don't wear a watch like I used to. As much as I would like to get one, they're too pricey for me. I can't see spending more than $500 for a watch / chronograph (old school) like that. Hell, I could get a Heuer for $3400.

I'm loosening up in my old age

Yea, well take the cover off. They don't have the Yazaki labels either.

Steve at '240zRubberparts' shows a reproduction cable set as out of stock but they are available on the bay for the same price Steve was asking. I bought a set a long time ago and they are perfect. eBayDatsun 240Z Reproduction Battery Cable Set | eBayAt long last! A hand-crafted reproduction of the original style Datsun 240Z battery cable set. We've all waited a long time for this. For those of you who pay attention to detail and want to add th...

What do you measure to determine if they are 11mm or 14mm?

According to Zhome, 20th is silver and black. So is 19th and 17th. 22nd is blue and black. One of the first things I noticed in the video is that the hood (bonnet) is a later example with the reinforced corners. Makes me wonder.

The one shown on the left without the base flange is early.

No, Carl doesn't have it listed. Nice video. I see a number of non original parts that would have to be replaced if it was restored back to "original". In the video, the guy says he would have the car shipped off to a knowledgeable Z expert and I agree. The car needs many things.

I don't know that I would call the inaccuracies mistakes but there are a number of them. The exhaust system is missing the center muffler. Many nut and bolt plating inaccuracies. Many. The shift boot is the later style. So is the choke knob. Master brake is later. Just to call a few. Very nicely done restoration, though. I'm excited to see the bidding on this one.

It is safer to go back and forth; setting one end low before jacking the other end high and going back to raise the lower. Does anyone know of / recommend stands that support the car on the lug studs with the wheels off?

Yes, a great read and many thanks to @JDMjunkies.ch for putting that together. Great job, as always, to Kats and Alan.