Muzez

In case anyone needs it, link to example of MSA 6-1 header + zstory JDM exhaust.

Just ordered. Will be here in 2 days! What is so different about this stuff? Good deal re: exterior texture. Unfortunately, it is officially winter here in Chicago and there won’t be a warm day for 3-4 months haha. I tried washing my weathertech liners after I brought the trans back and my pant leg froze. Re Aluminum: I like this idea way better. Will give it a try! If all of this doesn’t work, it might be time to get professional help haha. I have a can of MAP, but have been holding off on using it on the fill plug thus far because there is a sensor 2” away and was nervous about the extra heat melting it.

Quick Update: Still working to get the fill and drain plugs unstuck. Been dosing them with PB Blaster and heat for about a week, but no luck yet. Was thinking of maybe backfilling the warped parts of the drain plug with JB cold weld to form it back into more/less a square. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, I have been stripping away some of the red paint from the trans. Luckily, they didn’t do a great job of degreasing before they applied the paint, so it’s coming off pretty easily. Should have that gone today or tomorrow. One question for you guys: Some parts of the Trans case are smooth, but some areas have a texture to them that resembles slightly wrinkly produce. I am assuming the texture is part of the casting and is just more apparent from due to the dirt. Is this something you guys have seen before? And anything to worry about? Most of the areas that have it look like this: This was probably the worst of the sections

I will have lived a good life if I get to see this thing cross 100k. 🙂 Will probably be around the same time I am teaching my daughter to drive stick (she will be born next April). Thanks Dave! Will take a photo of the plastic wear part tomorrow as well as check for play in the water pump. And thanks for the “clean” bill of health. 🙂 New to all of this, so still learning every day.

@siteunseen & @Zed Head one more thing. You mentioned that I am in the #1 hole. Just saw the #1 below the window you guys highlighted. So what does the #2 indent at the top of the pulley mean just below the chain? Is that where to set the bright chain for the #2 window then?

re “OK” range, that is great! No need to replace parts if not warranted haha. re: “something will pop up” please knock on wood for nothing to pop up haha. I am okay delaying any major issues indefinitely. 😛 I have more than enough work this winter between replacing the fuel injector connectors, troubleshooting the BCDD, finding my vacuum leak, and sealing my exhaust leak haha Contributions are always welcome @siteunseen I have a lot to learn and many hands make light work. 🙂

Thanks John! And good luck on the resealing project!

Thanks for the heads up. If you have the contact information for the guy/lady with the MSA 6-1, would love to hear what they sound like. That's the headers I currently have. :)

Hey @Zed Head two quick follow ups Checked the timing today. The oblong groove is just before the location notch. The hole above and to the left is the #2 timing mark so we are in between 2 and 3. Q1: Does the fact that the groove is almost aligned with the notch mean this is something I need to keep an eye on? Or it’s time to change? Q2: There is oil sitting above the 5 and 6 pistons. Is there be a drain back there? Or the only drain is At the front where the timing chain is?

Thanks @siteunseen was super curious as I was working on the cams today. At first, I thought they were drains that were blocked and was panicking but then found a clean photo and was just curious haha.

Cool! Thanks. They are for draining coolant from the head when rebuilding?

Is the video above the Z with the 6-1? If not, would your client be willing to send a sound clip or video? I am in the market for a new muffler. 🙂

Hey Guys, Mechanic has my FSM and Haynes manual for a transmission inspection. Hoping you can answer a curiosity question: What is this part called and what is it for?

I don't suppose you have a recording of what it sounds like, I have the 6-1 and was considering MagnaFlow.

Hugely helpful Zed, this is a perfect visual.

@SteveJ I cleaned up the plugs today and am letting the penetrant do its magic. The tooling is on order, but I was measuring the plug today. For the 3/4 drive to 1/2 reducer, it feels like there will be a little air gap between the plug and the socket. Is the goal to heat the plug itself? Or the fitting that the plug sits in?

Switching to a 280zx 5 speed and am looking to get the 3.9 R200 since that appears to be the recommendation for best acceleration. Currently set up with a R200 3.54 and a 4 speed

Hi Guys, Going to look at a used differential this week to pair with a ZX transmission I just pulled. Was trying to think of things to check before buying. Check Diff stamp on ring gears Internal welds Metal on the drain plug Damage to spider or ring gears Play in the pinions that hold the spider gears. Damage to the pinion seal or bearings. What else am I missing? Thanks to @Zed Head for some initial inspiration here.

Hi guys, sorry I have been AWOL today. Was at the junkyard and then getting a much needed shower haha. @Zed Head and@grannyknot I have the N47 head so I should be fine. Thanks for the catch on the square mounting being okay. They never show what the ports look like in the photos, so I was looking at the rounded shape of the mounting on the new MSAs thinking that was the differentiator. Was thinking "man I am screwed" @siteunseen and you can use that gasket on aftermarket headers as well? Will update the thread with photos once they are installed. ;) Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

@Zed HeadThat is the shifter that was in it. Was surprised by that too. Looks like newer seals on the tail shaft which is promising. Though some jerk broke the front windshield of the car since last visit and there is a bunch of glass in the shifter area that I am hoping didn’t get inside. And good advice on the prep steps for removing the fill plug. What’s the nuclear option if that doesn’t work? Left handed bit? Also, agreed re: Red paint. They didn’t do anything special anywhere else on the car except that. Wish they had applied the same care to the differential though, it was rusted something aweful.

True life. Was looking at the drain plug and filler plug are stripped. 😞 good news is that I am able to get it into reverse. It’s a little more difficult than other gears, but it will go. Will take it apart this week and post more photos

Victory!

Is there anyone who has used a set of square port headers on a round port head for any duration? If yes, did they leak? And if no leaks, what gasket did you use? Confession time. Almost 2 years ago, I bought my Z and I knew almost nothing about it (thanks to you guys and school of hard knocks, we can advance this knowledge level at least slightly :p). I saw an offer for a set of headers listed as “round port” MSA 6 to 1 headers for 1978 Datsun 280z and said ideal! and bought them for a steal. They didn’t look entirely right, but I didn’t know any better ( shame on me). Fast forward to today and I am getting ready to install and realize why they don’t look right: they are square port. I cruised through the forums and found some people who say they worked fine without leaks and some who say don’t mess around with mismatched ports. Wouldn’t mind saving the $300 if they will bolt up fine, but don’t want to risk damaging the engine.

Haven't yet. Going tomorrow. My wife usually tries to limit garage time to one day a weekend. Otherwise "She would never see me". Gonna sneak over tomorrow morning while I am running some errands. I was kinda thinking I going to pull it either way though even if I can't get it into reverse. I have wanted to learn to rebuild a trans for a while. Best case scenario, I have a working trans I can use or sell. Worst case scenario, I take it apart, find it was junk and I am out $100. I have spent money on stupider things haha :)

That explains it! Thanks as usual Dave! @siteunseen thanks for the share. Reading through now. It's great having you guys around because a lot of the older posts link to images on Geosites which are no longer active. Great to have all of the knowledge. Always appreciated guys! Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk