SteveJ

Would it be possible for you to post some photos of your current distributor with the cap off? That could help us help you resolve the identity crisis.

Ironically I was showing the heat shield to an acquaintance today while we were enjoying the vintage car races at Road Atlanta, and he asked if I could make one for him. Since I don't have/want a milling machine or band saw, I know this won't be happening in my garage.

Unfortunately, it looks as though tomorrow will be a washout. However, we need the rain badly, so I refuse to complain. After all, I was able to spend two glorious days at the track. I got to catch up with my track friends. I got to see some BEAUTIFUL cars running around the track making a wonderful noise and filling the air with the sweet aroma of racing exhaust. I was able to experience the LS6 swapped 240Z of a dear friend, and I also got to help diagnose an electrical issue on another friend's track car (It was a two year old battery that was not kept on a trickle charger.) Lest I forget, I got to see Greg Ira charging around the track in a 240Z, mixing it up and holding his own against some impressive V8 beasts. That man knows how to get a car prepared and wheel it around the track. If he's on this forum, SOMEONE please tag him for me. Pictures will be later. I have a few thousand to sort through from today. I did shoot a tiny bit of video, too. I'll ask my friends if they can provide any Youtube links from their cars. Finally, it's a relief to say that Bob Leitzinger (http://www.rrdc.org/member/bob-leitzinger/) is okay after experiencing a terrible shunt at Turn 1. I had just walked up to the fence near Turn 1 when I saw the blur of a car zip by, go through the gravel trap, and head straight into the tire wall. From what I heard later, his 510 had a hung throttle on one of the fastest parts of the track. All he could do was keep the car straight to avoid rolling it. His family said he is being held at the hospital for the weekend for observation. I'm posting the photo only because I know he is doing okay. I hope he buys the fabricator of the roll cage a great dinner as the passenger compartment was completely intact. These guys take quite a risk to entertain us.

You missed a great time, Charles. I was hanging out in the paddock a fair amount with the people I've gotten to know through attending the races. By the way @Diseazd, a couple of my friends are starting to make plans to drive in the Chump Car race at VIR in August. They will be driving a RHD ZMW.

Photos from today.

Here are a couple of photos of the heat shield. Maybe I'll take some later without the air cleaner in place.

I don't know.

He just finished a run. I snapped a few photos around turn 12. I saw his car in the paddock earlier.

Does this count as a classic Z?

I left the fuel lines as is. When I was testing today, I could see they were being subjected to a fair amount of heat, and I could feel it on acceleration. It makes me wonder if it would be better to make a new fuel line that would go closer to the carburetors.

Here's the insulation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029KC2K The nice thing is that by applying it to the heat shield, it improved the look of the shield. I'll take some photos later.

By the time I finished my test drive, it was too late. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe later. Besides, I'll be doing some stop-n-go driving this weekend when I take the car to The Mitty. I want to give it the acid test.

Okay, so I think I am at a good point with this issue. I fabricated a new heat shield and tested it today. Temperatures between the carburetors was around 260 with the old heat shield. Today, after I tried to induce some heat soak, temperatures were about 120. I started with a 24x12 1/16 thick sheet of aluminum from McMaster Carr. I used a brake to give the sheet a slight bend where I wanted it and marked off where I thought the PCV would pass by and the holes for the mounting points to the carbs. I used various cutting tools, grinding tools, and a drill to get my preliminary design. On the first dry fit, I saw I needed to remove about 1.5 inches from the bottom. After that, I had to clear more space for the PCV tube, widen the mounting holes and grind down a couple of corners where the mounting tabs were hitting the carburetor insulators. When I was happy with shape, I applied a sheet of insulation (adhesive backed), trimmed it to fit, and secured it with bolts and fender washers. I mounted a couple of bolts for the throttle return springs to mount, and then I bolted the heat shield to the carbs, bending the shield a little to keep it off the header.

@Jason240z - Jump on it.

In my case, further experimenting showed heat soak issues with some pretty good temperatures between the carburetors that I believe is due to the cutout on the heat shield for the exhaust manifold. I'm going to construct my own heat shield this week to try to combat the issue.

It's a whole process. You need to detail all of your results.

Examine your wiring harness in the dash. Look for "modifications" made by yourself or previous owners.

No worries. I was hoping that's what you meant. I think it would be accurate to say that Spirit Garage has a long pedigree.

And where have you heard that Datsun Spirit does not have a great reputation? I've never heard anything but good things about Eiji's work, and I've never had any issues with what I bought from him.

Why throw parts at the problem before diagnosing it?

Wire colors of the wires on the harness side? Have you looked through the BE section of the FSM?

To answer your question to Siteunseen, go back to my post and read it a little more slowly. I say where to get a manual and a wiring diagram.

I could have sworn I posted how to bypass the relay TEMPORARILY. Maybe that was over at ZCar.com. Download the FSM (see my signature), and download a copy of the wiring diagram from Blue's tech tips. Since you're on a phone, you may have to go to a computer to see my signature. I don't know if the mobile apps show signatures. In going back to look at that thread, it has enough to cover you for now.

Windows Movie Maker - With the caveat that I used the Windows 8 version in Windows 10, and it works fine. My old Win7 machine choked and puked on editing videos.

Would you want to come pick that up with your tire? If Jason doesn't want it. It is yours. I have to start getting stuff out of the garage. It's getting dangerous out there.