Go240Zags

Mike, I know it has been said before, but I miss this site when it's gone -- maybe too much. I think it interferes with my work and I know it cuts into my Z time (as well as exercise, keeping the dog entertained, etc.). Just wanted to say I'm glad to see it back up and running. I was going thru w/drawls.

I'm impressed, especially as the cracks in your dash were huge, much larger than in the two Series I dashes I have. I might have to give this a try. I have a full dash cap standing by, but might try your method first. Thanks for posting. Gary D.

If I remember right the 4 speed disk was badly cracked so I just dug it out with out worrying too much about what that disk looked like when I was done. I asked the members here (especially in UK, Japan, Australia and New Zealand) if anyone had an original 5 speed knob they would sell me or preferably just the disk (to keep shipping low). Alan T answered back that he had one he'd just stick in an envelope and send me from London. I had to exercise some patients as he had to get to where he had some parts stored and find it first, but he came through for me.

Just thought I'd show some photos (1 kind of fuzzy) of my refurbed knob. I sanded the old nearly black finish off then sprayed with some polyurethane. Went with a gloss at first, but didn't like it so sanded that off and sprayed with a semi-gloss/mat that looked much better to me - sort of a satin. Then I sanded a little bit and sprayed on several more coats. I like the way it looks. The only problem is that the knob does not seat up, the bushing spins around when it is screwed on to the lever. I don't know if I can repair that. I haven't glued the disk on yet though, so if I decided to try and refurb a different candidate that doesn't spin around I'll use that one. The 5 speed "disk" has a tiny flaw, but that just adds to the charm. Beats spending $99 and I have the satisfaction of using OEM parts from a left hand U.S. & a right hand UK 240Z. Sorry, no before photos.

Will, The gear shift pattern in the upper right is from a 280Z knob I believe which had the leather-like covering (not sure if it was leather or vinyl, probably vinyl). I have seen lots of these with red and green shift disks. I have a green one I got at JY (can't remember, but the color might have depended on whether it was 4 or 5 speed). I have several original wood knobs in various shape. I refurbished my best OEM wood one and thanks to Alan I have an original 240Z 5 speed shift disk he sent me from Jolly Ol' England. Thanks again, Alan. There is an eBay seller from Spokane I believe, who lists both OEM wood 4 and 5 speed knobs. The 4 speeds are like $49 and the 5 speed are $99. Funny that little fifth gear on the disk adds $50 to the price. Arne, so the knobs available from Nissan are fatter and less gracefully shaped. Do they otherwise look the same as the originals, especially the shift pattern disk and the finish? I'd be curious to know. I have large hands and have often thought a larger knob might be a good thing -- but I do like the looks of the original over some of the more modern replacements. Gary D.

I know they have done work in automobile design with sunroofs and other glass panels that are made so that when an electric charge is passed through them they appear darkened or tinted. Not sure if there are any production models that made it to market with this feature. I believe they've also experimented with glass for homes and offices that have a similar feature. Again, don't know if these ever made it to market. A cool idea if it works, but not sure it would be practical for headlight covers. Gary

Wow, bad news. Sorry to hear about what happened to your beautiful Z. Hope everything is repairable. Take care, Gary D.

I might be inclined to take your advice, especially if I lived in Western Washington State where they are having severe flooding with several counties already being declared disaster areas. Here in Eastern Washington (the dry side) it's not so bad, although they did warn about flash flooding in the county in which I live.

Just thought I'd share this. Last Sunday night, instead of taking it easy or working on my Z, I got cabin fever and started going from chore to chore. As it was getting cold at the end of October I'd already pulled the 9.5 HP Merc off my aluminum fishing boat and stored it in the garage. My boat is in the old (and leaning) boathouse built on my property long before I was born, I decided I needed to lower the rickety old door even though no one ever tries to get into it from the river side. The door system is pretty shaky, with two counterweights on cables on each side. It must have had a center pull at one time, because there is a third pulley located in the middle, but that cable is long gone. So I have to raise one weight on one side, then run around the boat to the other side and raise the weight a little on the opposite side. I run back and forth until the door lowers (reverse to raise) to the water. We are talking an old wooden door here. Well, the cable on the right side of the door came out of the pulley and jammed tight, held firmly down by the hanging counterweight. I had to get out the old aluminum orchard ladder and climb up to the roof. Fortunately the last couple of sheets of tin are missing so I can climb right through to where the pulley is. I had visions of getting my hand jammed between the cable and the pulley as I tried to lift the counterweight from the top of the ladder and having to call someone for help on the cell. Thank God I didn't have to suffer that embarrassment. It took about a half dozen trips up and down the ladder until I had it back in place. An old L24 fan pulley now helps keep the cable from jumping the track. My neighbors across the river and people driving over the nearby bridge must have been wondering what that mysterious light was coming from the old boathouse as it bobbed around from atop my head. I had one of those handy headlights strapped to my forehead. These are great for working on the car and a million other tasks. Unfortunately, however, my Classic Z hat fell off and started floating down the river. It was pretty dark and despite rowing around looking for the hat where I thought it must have sunk I couldn't find it. It was a busy deadline day yesterday so I couldn't look then. Well, I just came back from walking down the river with a rake and there it was sunk to the bottom just around the bend. I had to lay down in the wet grass to reach out with the rake but I hooked it (the dog looked at me like I was nuts). Some fresh water to clean and hopefully it will dry in the right shape. My Z hat (the tan one) has become my favorite and I know I could order another (and I still might) but I just wanted to share my adventure. That's what I get for working on something other than the Z.

I think light covers look cool and give a the Z a more streamlined look. How much, if any, actual effect they have on the Z's slipperiness might be debatable. I much prefer the OEM style over what's out there today, but will go with what I can afford until I can get my hands on some of the originals or truly good repros (Will). The non-OEM type can stop rocks, but God forbid if I ever have some of the originals and a rock hits one - I'd rather lose the headlight.

The folks that brought us Creepy Crawlers also brought us Incredible Edibles, same concept, but you could eat the bugs, spiders, worms, etc. after you created them. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

The folks that brought us Creepy Crawlers also brought us Incredible Edibles, same concept, but you could eat the bugs, spiders, worms, etc. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

The folks that brought us Creepy Crawlers also brought us Incredible Edibles, same concept, but you could eat the bugs, spiders, worms, etc. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

I had a full 280ZXT 2+2, with a rough body, but not beyond repair. Sold the entire car for $500 on eBay to someone who drove 6 hours from Montana to pick it up and haul it back. He had plans to swap the motor and T5 tranny to his 240Z. The parts were worth more individually probably - Complete L28T (had a bad turbo unit though) and T5. I thought about doing the swap myself, but decided to go for a nice L28 from a late NA 280ZX instead with some slight mods and a P90 head. I advertised it here first but got little response. EBay dinged me for $100 in fees - but with the remaining $400 and $200 more I picked up a nice early shell in the Seattle area. I just had to drive 5 hours over a mountain pass and back to pick it up. What we'll do for these cars huh?

Or maybe close up: Love playing with Google Earth, Always wanted my own Interceptor for cruising around the back 40.

I don't think retro is lame at all, as long as it is an update of what came before -- better mechanicals, fit and finish and a tip of that hat to the original. If you don't use styling cues from the original, why bother calling it a Z at all? I'm sure the 350Z is a great car to drive, looked good sitting in one at the dealer, but not my cup of tea as far as looks from the outside. The one thing from the earliest Zs I require in any car is enough room to comfortbaly fit my 6' 6" frame. The 350Z seemed a little tight to me. Also, I think the new Ford Mustang is a wonderful homage to the original.

Larry, I think I'd consider running for cover!

I agree with most of what has been said about using the search function and I usually try to find something in the archives first, however, when someone does bring up an old thread they too are often jumped on. I can understand this when they are trying to answer someone's question from a couple years (or more) back, but when they have a similar problem and could not find the solution in the search or the results they did find didn't solve their problem, then a little understanding about bringing up an antique post might be in order. I guess it isn't the message we send out about using the search function or resurecting an old thread, as much as the way it is sometimes said. We are normally friendly place and sometimes I'm afraid the way some questions are responded to might scare off new members. My 2 cents.

Clicking on User CP doesn't seem to show me anything, nor does clicking on the Reputation Icon (other than the "distinquished road"comment). Am I missing something? Edit: Okay, now I see you can click on the other icon to see your points.