ggarrard

And congratulations to Mr. Ira and company on their input to the Grassroots Motorsports article on the Z car in the latest issue. Sorry if this was mentioned elsewhere... GWGarrard

Hogie -Sorry I can't help out with dimensions, but unless you'v noted large body panel gaps, or signs of accident repair, you could start with confirming your car is square by measuring the open "box" of the engine bay. Patching the inner fender and the frame rails is doable - it's only sheet metal on the Z... You're on the right track... Regards GWGarrard

Zak - Not all Canadian provinces have the same restrictions on selling beer as Ontario. Quebec is one that allows the sale of beer and wine at the local depanneur (corner store) and grocery stores. Also, Ontario allows the sale of beer/spirits/wine from local establishments in towns where a regular beer store or LCBO is not available. Come visit Osgoode (35 kms south of Ottawa), you can buy beer, a lottery ticket, a bag of nails, and fill up the gas can at the local Pronto. Very handy... GWGarrard

BigOak - Enjoy the day... looks like the weather will hold for you. Regards GWGarrard

Sully - Try http://datsunzgarage.com/heads/ for a description of the various cyl heads for the L6... GWGarrard

Dan - the photo shows the appropriate bumper indent, so I would suspect that even though it's listed as a 74-78, it will fit a '72. That said - annother option if Charlie can' t help is http://www.smokin-geez.com/ located just north-west of Montreal in Hudson Heights, Quebec. He had several shells lying around when I visited last summer. Regards GWGarrard

Justiin - see http://www.geocities.com/inlinestroker/ratio.html 240Z rear diff (R180) ratios were 3.36 for the 4speed, and 3.55 for the automatic. 3.9 (R200) showed up in the 280ZX manuals, and are a common performance swap to a 240Z.. ggarrard

Tomohawk - If you're serious about wanting a Targa - and on the East coast - try the Targa Newfoundland. It's not for the faint of heart - but all reports indicate it is serious fun. http://www.targanewfoundland.com/ GWGarrard

Good write-up and picutres about the event can be found at Bring-a-trailer.com http://bringatrailer.com/2009/03/29/2009-targa-california-the-afternoon-sessions/ http://bringatrailer.com/2009/03/29/2009-targa-california-post-lunch-garage-tour/ http://bringatrailer.com/2009/03/27/2009-targa-california-northward-to-lunch/ http://bringatrailer.com/2009/03/26/live-from-the-2009-targa-california/ Somewhere in the reader comments there is mention of a similar event planned for South Carolina(?). GWGarrard

Steve - Sounds like you have all the skills and tools needed to do the job... If you decide to go ahead, consider replacing the floors first, then do the rails (that way you have good metal to weld the back of the rails to). Measure the engine bay "box" before removing the old rails, then replace one rail at a time to keep your measurements true. Good luck. GWGarrard

Arne - Thank you...

Arne - would you mind adding a placer for ggarrard in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...just north of Bigoaks, and somewhat west of Sailer Bob...:-) I'm blocked from accessing gmail on this computer... Thank you GGarrard

I've seen a website for car trailers that had a vinyl tent-like cover. The trailers were targetting the Factory Five racing crowd. Unfortunately I can't find the url again to pass forward. It fit all of Carl's criteria except for the price (I remember in the $6k range). Point is - a strong, light, covered car hauler is out there... somewhere... GWGarrard

Classic Motorsports magazinie helps sponsor the event and always has a "party" tent. http://classicmotorsports.net/events/mitty-09/ One of these years I'll get there... GWGarrard

Charlie Osbourne at ZeddFindings can provide replacement 280ZX floor pans and support rails that would fit the requirement http://www.datsunzparts.com/NewParts/summary.htm GWGarrard

A friend used ABS plastic tubing to build a template, and bought a hand-operated tube bender to build his rollbar. There would be acceptance issues is you are planning anything more than informal autocrossing etc... GWGarrard

I believe S30 2+2's were available from '74 on. They're essentially a s30 Coupe stretched 12 inches to accomodate a rear seat, mechanically identical except for the driveshaft length. I think the doors may have also been stretched, but I'm not sure. GWGarrard

"Glutton" is an appropriate term...when we start factoring in the added costs of living in the North/Northeast such as heating/winter apparel (heavy coats, boots, gloves etc), plus needing too replace the daily driver every 8 to 10 years because of rust, we must be gluttons... Either that or...

Dave - I can relate to your second fantasy/reality... Actually I can relate to them all... How about... Fantasy: You will spend some of your lottery winnings building a separate garage for your Zs... Reality: You have never won a thing in your life.... :-) (The Zs remain in off-site storage during the winter) GWGarrard

Kurt - see post #14 of this thread on HybridZ... http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=115760&highlight=timesert I have been hanging onto this link because my P90A has a "clicking" lifter, and someday I might do something about it. Regards GWGarrard

Stock tire size on the '83 ZXT is 205-60 x15 with the "swastika" rim which is also 15x6... I would assume the '81 ZXT would use the same tire sizing... GWGarrard

Andrew - If you are adept with a welder this can be done at home, without a lift. If the car is properly supported on jack stands there should be virtually no flex. I suggest you do one side of the floors at a time to minimize any concerns you might have... GWGarrard

Over the years I've owned the following Datsun/Nissans: 4 or 5 Datsun 510's - all 2 doors (they were disposible - they rusted away)... a 74 Datsun 710 2 door cpe - 1st new car I ever owned (rusted away in '84) 72 240z, 76 280Z, 83 280ZXT 2+2 (family Zed) - I still have all 3 ...In 97 we bought a 95 Maxima GXE that we traded for a 98 Maxima SE 5spd (in 00) that was sold for a 2001 Pathfinder SE (in 03) which was traded in 05 for a 2001 Odessy Van (still have) and finally... 2000 Altima SE 5spd (our current DD) - 236,000kms + If I win the lottery I've promised my wife a G35 sedan 6 spd (white).... and a bigger garage for the Zeds... GWGarrard

I will chime in and vouch for Charlie's Zedd Findings floor pans...and yes - he supplies MSA with their "premium" set. GWGarrard

Mark - I wil rely on your photos (again...always??) I'll be winterizing the pool this weekend... Regards GWGarrard