Skyhook

The original factory timing chain wedge was made of oak and worked famously. In a pinch I've used an inverted wooden handled screwdriver. Later there was a blue OTC plastic wedge that liked to slip because of the plastic. A good hardwood, oak, hickory, or ash, will make a good wedge, not pine.

I purchased my libres in '82 before I had a Z car. They were stacked in the corner of a garage where I worked. At another garage during a spring cleaning I bought a set of slotted mags for a Mazda and a Campagnolo Pantera wheel priced as aluminum scrap.

Back in the day "Z" enthusiasts were taking the 5-speed trannys from the 2000 roadsters and using an adapter bellhousing to put in the early Z cars.

It's been a while since I've been in an L engine but the third key may be the one that holds the distributor and oil pump drive gear in place.

Mike, The Coca Cola windbreaker from the 71 ARRC covered up with patches is mine. Road Atlanta was my second home for many years. I enjoyed rubbing elbows with the BRE racers at the banquet. Brought back a lot of memories.

If you will have to replace anything more than bearings, synchronizers, seals and gaskets it's best to find a used unit. Gaskets and seals are probably available from the dealer or MSA. I take the bearings to Motion Industries and have them find new bearings that are the same dimensions as the old ones and pay half the price of a dealer. I used to build them all the time but it's been a while. Good Luck.

Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf

Paul, you looked pretty good out there from the timing tower. Other than the storm with sleet that came and went the weather was great. The trees turning made for a dramatic backdrop to the races.

As MK1888 said, some makes and models require pressure bleeding. Some thirty five years ago I was working on a Slob, oops, I mean Saab and the hydraulics of the clutch didn't respond to gravity bleeding or the traditional pump and bleed. A Renault factory pressure bleeding tool which consisted of a bicycle pump, hose, and reservior lid was compatible with the Saab and solved the problem. Gravity bleed first then pump.

I always have gasket material in my tool box. I use a tiny ball peen hammer to peck around the outside of the tensioner with the gasket material and a hole punch to make the bolt holes.

The seats look good. I had put new covers on customer cars so I had the hog rings and pliers to install them on my Z. To keep the new bolsters from being chafed like the old ones push the seat all the way back when exiting the car. I don't have to remember since I'm 6'7".

The first 240Z I bought was hard to put in gear. A clutch replacement cured the problem. More recently a high mileage 5-speed tranny from an early Maxima that I put in my Z has started making a noise that goes away in fourth gear. I'll put bearings in it in the next couple of weeks. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Carl, it seemed as though there were gremlins in a lot of the cars. I think they spent too much time idling and loaded up. I also am sorry there wasn't a lot of time to talk. I introduced myself as you exited the rally car in the pits with the GIRLS. I took time out from timing and scoring in the tower. ALL of the cars were beautiful. It sure took me down memory lane, watching the Datsun contingency spank the TR-6's and Jags.

I never did like the way the clutch worked. It took a lot of effort to disengage the clutch and in one instance it wore the thrust bearings on the crank to the point that they fell to bottom of the oil pan. Why do the British drink warm beer? They use Lucas refridgerators.

I don't post very much but I'm like E. F. Hutton.