zspert

NLA from Nissan as of about about 5/18.

I buy coils of brake line stock in the required diameters from NAPA then bend and flare. I then bend them around a 55 gal drum to fit into the plating tanks of my zinc plater. Yes, a lot of work but that's what's required for a factory looking job.

They should be painted body color

Banzai Motorworks has reproduced the correct one piece outer deck lid seal for the 240. www.zzxdatsun.com

Yes, one of the Z car questions for the ages!! First, There isn't just ONE color. What the hell? After almost 50 years of Z cars I've discovered that there is often some variation in the 240 rear panel, hub cap and grille color, yes, and tag light assy, between cars. Light charcoal right up to a fairly dark charcoal. Datsun wasn't at all strict about keeping the color exactly the same throughout the entire 69-73 range of 240s. Why should they? There was a long line of customers with cash burning a hole in their pockets and, more importantly, cars just weren't manufactured to the kind of standards that apply today. I'll give you another example of what I'm talking about. I've seen a lot of 240 air filter housings through the years and I've seen more than a few - from the factory - that didn't have the full compliment of decals. On Tue they ran out of the air filter element replacement schedule decals, what to do!!! Ship em what we got, more decals coming in Thur. No big deal. Back to that hub cap, tail panel and grille color (and TEXTURE) and an example. I have 5 virgin, unused, original wrapping, etc, etc D hubcaps and they are 3 different colors! My point, just don't sweat it too much. As long as the color of your grille, hub caps and tail panels matches and isn't too far from the color of your tag light assy you're good. Now on to the TEXTURE issue. Yes, it should be a bit scratchy/sand papery. How to get that feel. A skilled painter using the right air pressure and distance between gun and object will achieve the right feel. Slightly different story for 74-78. Some other time. Now if I can just find that thread about tie down hooks/brackets. I've done some research in the ancient Datsun files and found some interesting info on the subject.

I always put a fender cover between the inner fender and air filter housing when I remove or reinstall it, no more scratching

Yes, the notch goes up and inboard

Every 240 that has won a Gold Medallion for the past x many years has used the engine block paint from Banzai Motorworks.

I've been using Fel-Pro with success for many years

Folks, please let me use this thread to possibly put this subject to rest. Datsun called it a Cushion Battery and the part # was 24480-E4600. It has been No Longer Available for more than 25 years. It is my opinion that Nissan decided to use such a thing as they simply didn't like the idea of 2 metal surfaces making contact. A little like the 240 rear bumper end brackets. When Nissan started the Z Store program they commissioned Banzai Motorworks to reproduce it and a whole slew of NLA parts for use in the program. They stole/hired a quality control engineer from Boeing to make sure that what they bought from Banzai was correct in every way. Wonder what became of her? Although the picture is a bit unclear - I hate to take such a rare part out of the original bag - a New Old Stock cushion is on the left and the reproduction on the right. Be careful - there are those who have probably never seen the real deal selling what they claim is an accurate reproduction - beware. The cushion and battery frame were held to the firewall by the fasteners shown in the second picture. They are a 6mm x 23mm long Phillips hex bolt with a captive lock washer in clear zinc. The flat washer is 6mm with an OD of 18mm in yellow zinc. Cheers

Banzai Motorworks has all of those connectors in stock

Nissan used sound deadener of 2 thicknesses. The thickest was used in the cargo area. The 2 part #s are G5930-89902 and G5930-89904. I'm sorry but I don't remember which is which but they aren't very expensive.

Folks, the original US market 240Z exterior mirrors are still available from your local Nissan dealer. I bought one last week.

I have been using the carpets from Auto Custom Carpets for many years now. Available in cut and loop. Yes, they have the correct whipped edge binding. Only drawback, the have modern gray underlayment glued to the carpet.

Folks, I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble but original sound deadener is still available from Nissan by the sheet. Just need a cooperative Nissan parts guy/gal.

The Abarth systems are quality like quality used to be. They are very close to stock diameter and fit a stock Z well. Yes, they are a bit louder than stock but not like the late model Hondas running around today annoying the population. More like a mellow 60s sports car sound. Just my observations.

I've included 2 views of the 75-78 gas tank pick up tube filter. You're cruising home on I-5 in your restored 78 280. You've got about a 1/4 tank of fuel. For the first time in weeks traffic isn't too bad. You enter the exit ramp, heel and toe from 5th to 4th and then from 4th to 3rd all while turning hard to the right. What does this have to do with the construction of your gas tank? At the bottom of your gas tank is a large basin and at the center of the bottom of the basin is the pick up tube. The bottom of the basin, in the middle of the radius where the shape changes from horizontal to vertical, are wide slots. With less than a full tank there has to be a way to contain fuel near the pick up tube during hard turns. Without a system like this the fuel would slosh away from the pick up tube and your 78 would stall. 70-74s don't need and therefore don't have the basin system as the carbs each have their own little gas tank called float bowls. You go into a turn, the fuel sloshes away from the pick up tube but you don't stall because the quantity of fuel in the float bowls is adequate to sustain life.

But zspert, if the pick up tube filter is removed won't I be allowing dirt and other nasty bits to get to my injectors? When our Zs were new they were used almost exclusively as daily drivers but now some 40 years later they lead rather pampered lives as well kept fun cars. I don't know about my readers but my Z is driven about 500 miles per year and kept under a cover in a garage the rest of the time. Also, because my fuel tank went through the Gas Tank Renu process I know with confidence that it began its new life under absolutely the best of conditions. Furthermore, I make it a point to replace my fuel filter every other driving season. No, dirt and other nasty bits in my fuel are just about the last thing I'm concerned about. However, there is an important issue about removing the pick up tube filter that must be considered. The pick up tube absolutely must extend to the bottom of the tank. If it doesn't, and this applies to cars of every color, you may find yourself experiencing an out of gas situation when there are still a couple gallons of gas in the tank. In my next installment I'll go on and on about the main difference between the 240/260 and 280 tanks. Please stay tuned.

Don't know if this will serve as a silver bullet for your problem but should serve as a silver bit of knowledge for all 75-78 Z owners. The following is my experience/ observation after more than 48 years as a Datsun/Nissan mechanic. At the end of the pick up tube inside the fuel tank of the cars in question is a filter. It is a can shaped metal appendage about 2 inches wide and about 2.5 inches high and is perforated. I have a couple of these filters at my shop but am off today otherwise I would have a picture available. Over time these perforations become calcified restricting the flow of fuel to the pump. I have trained my local Gas-Tank -Renu franchise to cut a large hole in the top of the tank to gain access to the filter and remove it. I'll add more info to this post at a later time but my girlfriend is telling me it's time to get ready for the New Year's plunge.

Banzai Motorworks supplied the wiper motor sub harness grommets, as well as lots of other reproduction goodies, to Nissan for use on their program cars way back when. They, Banzai, were one of only 2 aftermarket sources Nissan called upon to provide reproduction parts for that program.

I agree with Mark, sounds like one carb is lean. Also, sounds like you may also have a leaking exhaust manifold or manifold to cylinder head leak.

Thank you Mike.

sorry, no

Banzai Motorworks now offers an excellent reproduction Ever Wing interior mirror