Go240Zags

I'd buy one for the right price. Between gloveboxes, JDM-type headlight covers, and some of the other parts people are, or are planning to make we'll be able to build most of our Zs from scratch . Sounds like you could start your own business manufacturing these things and selling them to we poor souls who can't find them on eBay >>>> <<<<. The pattern doesn't sound too hard, but the devise to retract them would it be hard to make? Seems like shock cords are involved if I remember a past thread. I believe there were instructions in that thread on installation as well, but it might have just a small photo of the instructions. Not sure exactly what was in the post, but might do a search to refresh my memory.

I should have asked for a commission for starting this post. I'm glad lots of people are getting some affordable wheels with good service.

This thing is at least 300 pages I'd guess. I don't have it with me it is at home. It would be time and cost prohibitive to copy. I like my microfiche CD, but it isn't nearly as easy to use. I would have bought the club one, but already had the one from Courtesy which was also an eBay buy. And yes I had a request to make a copy of that too. Don't want to get into the copyright discussion again. The eBay seller's name is larryo0o0o(teachpe@optonline.net) you can ask him yourself if he has other manuals. I checked and he doesn't have anything else listed right now. I know if I sell something on eBay I always appreciate it if I am contacted requesting more of the same or related items. Gary

No snipe, I bid my highest bid 56.98 more than an hour before the auction ended. I figure I've seen the greasy vintage ones go for as much as $75 each so that's about $150 for the two volumes contained in one. This one looks nearly brand new, of course it's only 8 years old. Gary

Got tired of getting outbid on vintage FSMs on eBay and finally won a 1997 reprint of the combined 1970 engine and chasis manuals. It arrived today and I'm really happy with it, much better and easier to use than any of the aftermarket Haynes, etc. I have. Also easier to use than the Courtesy microfiche CD I had, better to see the details with and I finally think I can tell everything I need to get my SUs plumbed in.

Thanks guys, I'll check back and see if there is any other info on the bolts later. If I would have been thinking I would have brought samples with me. Things like lock washers and washers are easy because SAE stainless works fine. Someone sent me some allen head screws for the domes in stainless once. They look nice, altho not very original to the carbs. Might see what I can find at the local wrecking yards as far as 240 parts while I'm here as well.

Anyone? I'd like to pick up some of these items before I have to head back to rural America.

Hi, I've travelled to the big city of Spokane to watch Gonzaga beat St. Mary's and just down the street from my daughter's is an Ace Hardware, that, unlike my hometown store, stocks metric nuts and bolts, and other hardware in Stainless Steel. Since I left my carbs at home on the kitchen table, I am hoping you guys can help me with a few sizes for the odds and ends I'd like to replace with SS hardware. I need the size of the nuts that retain the SU carbs to the studs. Looking at the nut I thought maybe a size 8, but then looking at some auto studs I started thinking size 10. Which is it? I don't want to pay for the wrong thing as they are quite a bit more than for non-stainless. In addition to the nuts, what size are the pan heads that that hold the float bowl lids on. What about the bolts for the assessories on the balance tube and the ones that hold the heat shield on. I know some were 5s with a .80 thread and others were 6s w/ .100, but can't remember which were which and how many and how long. Any help I can get on these and any other thing I can pick up while I am in town would be appreciated. Oh yeah, while I'm here, what size are the holes on the bumper if I want to fill them in with SS bolts, rather than putting on the upright bumperetts, or whatever they're called? Thanks in advance for your response.

What he said. I agree with my fellow Washingtonian. Gary

ZHead, Kats' site has some interesting pictures and information about the earliest 240Z: http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/ Bambi, Here's what Kats has on his website for what I believe they are referring to as slotted rotors: http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz903/frontdisc.html

To answer some of your questions. The 240, 260 and 280Z are basically the same body style and all came in 2 seat configurations. The biggest differences were the engine displacement 2400CC, 2600CC and 2800CC. The 240 and 260 came with twin carbs and the 280Z came with fuel injection. The 260Z and 280Z also came in a longer 2+2 model which seems to be less popular in the states and had a bigger following in Europe (from what I've read). There are other diffences in the models, but there are people much more knowledgeable than I to help you make your decision. For me it is the two seater 240Z, the earlier the better -- others might disagree.

Where'd you find the Oly/Z/Race track poster?

Carl, Yep, I see speakers in the door panels as well. Your right of course about wanting a closer look at the trouble spots, of course my car already has all the warts in spades. It took several tries before I got all the pictures to load on my home computer, but finally got a look at them all.

Sexy, same build date as mine. I'd trade straight across, warts and all. .

Warning Thread Hijack Carl, Bing had passed on (Oct. 77) by the time I got to G.U. in Sept. '79, altho the legend lived on. Spent a lot of time at the Crosby Library he donated. It is now a student lounge I guess. We now have the Foley Library, named after the parents of another fairly famous G.U. grad. Upstairs atCrosby Library they had the Crosbiana Room w/ a copy of his Oscar and the White Christmas gold record. Even a few of his hair pieces (which he hated to wear). We liked to call it the Bingatorium. The biggest legend around campus was that he and his chums threw a baby grand or some sort of piano off the fourth floor of DeSmet Hall. I was there for the dedication of Bing's statue. The statue is bronze and is in front of the old libary. He has his golf hat, clubs and pipe. The Jesuits didn't like the fact that the pipe was stolen quite frequently, so I think they only put it in on special occassions. . His wife Kathy and Phil Harris and some of the younger kids were there for the dedication. I've included a photo of the statue, sans pipe. It is a must have in grad photos and alumni reunion photos. Bing's boyhood home is the Alumni House now. He is still revered by most G.U. grads. They still show the promotional film Bing made to recruit new students to Gonzaga. Yes, I know about Gonzaga H.S. in Spokane (G Prep). Just didn't want people to get the University and G. Prep confused with Gonzaga H.S. in the east. Bubble Inn must be gone, in those days my family went to the big town of Spokane a few times a year or I went for sports events, altho I have more family living in Seattle area. Goofy's must be gone too -- I have some people I know who live in my town that probably remember all those places. I believe I read that your first 240Z came from Spokane, correct. Were you in the USAF and based at Fairchild? Where'd you get your Z -- Jeremco Motors?

Personally, I prefer the smaller early 240Z-type bumpers over the later 280Z-type that stick out so far. . Man Carl, is that a real picture or something someone Photoshopped together? The firetruck is great, but I don't think I'd fit. I'd probably look something like Godzilla next to it. Gary

Carl, those look about the same as the ones I had. Gary

And the ever popular oldie: There once was a man named McBass, Who had two balls made of brass, When he clanked them together they played "Stormy Weather" And lightning shot up his a$$. Sorry, couldn't help it. It's the only one I remember from grade school.

This guy, not me, has some blue interior parts for sale. I hear they're kind of hard to come by. Here's his eBay listing. http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZblax240

"I'll look for that old thread (and the link it contains)." I included the link, below in my first post to this thread. It is from the Smoky Mtn. Z Car Club and includes a variety of tech tips, including using the flywheel out of an 810 for a lighter one; fusebox repair; etc. Someone has put a lot of work into writing/compiling all this stuff. My '64 Chevelle SS had retractable lap belts (only) but having been the seventh owner when I was a youngster I am not sure the retractable part was original. It had these chrome cylindrical mechanisms that rode on the belt itself, when you pulled the male end across your lap they wound a spring to put tension on. When you unbuckled they wound back up. (It's kind of hard to explain). I believe they still sell these somewhere for people who want an easy fix. Out of curiousity I'll look and see if I can't find some for sale somewhere. Go240Zags (formerly GARYZ240) http://www.automedic.org/smzcc/tech_tips.htm

Are these what you're looking for? http://search.ebay.com/240z-fiberglass_W0QQsojsZ1QQfromZR40

Carl, It's getting late. I had a big a$$ reply, but then the browser crashed. So God or someone must be telling me to keep it short. Zags=Gonzaga, a small Catholic Univ. in Spokane, WA. My Alma Matre, as well as John Stockton's who went on to play for the Utah Jazz. They've been going to the NCAA playoffs for the past several years. Unfortunately they lost their basketball game to long time rivals and former powerhouse SF the other day. Pronounced gone-zag-a, not gone-zog-a. P.S. Not to be confused with Gonzaga H.S. in DC area where Bill Bennet and Pat Buchanan went to high school, at least that's what I've been told. If you read the link I supplied it might explain it better, but the retractable lap belts from the 2+2s mounted in the same area as the 70/71 non-retractables did. This, I believe is because the 2+2 had no pockets to put them in because they would be at the feet of any passenger small enough to fit in the back seat. The 74/75 couple shoulder belts bolted in same location high up behind the quarter windows, just like the 240Z ones did, but they had retractors. The seat belt mechanism didn't involve the strut towers until 76 on, at least as far as the link is concerned and my observations. I haven't tried to actually bolt them up yet, but there seems to be no reason they wouldn't work. However, I need to figure a way to rivit the two together, just using a bolt and nut doesn't sound very attractive. I believe when I am done, you won't be able to tell the car didn't come equipped that way to begin with.

Like any used part, especially one that involves your personal safety or that of your passenger's, you have to take precautions to make sure it will work in the way it was designed. I found a nice combination of belts and altho they're not new, they are certainly in good shape. I got my retractable lap belts out of a 280Z 2+2 and they are definately in better shape than my late 70 build car has. I got the shoulder belt from a 75 280Z two-seater and it bolts right where the non-retractable belt was and the difference in strut towers doesn't make any change, because they don't connect there. I only recommend going this route to someone who can find nice parts. Like any used part we put on our Zs, the nicer the better. For a 1970/71 car with non-retracting belts all around and no pockets behind the seat this is a good solution, but everyone needs to make up their own mind as to what works for them. My old '64 Chevelle SS only had lap belts. There was this weird chrome cylindrical thing with springs that would retract the belts (sort of wind the belt around itself). It worked well, but I'm sure it was an aftermarket add on. I think they still sell them, but not as neat as original Nissan retractable belts. Like I said, I was just a bit surprised at the reaction to my post in the other thread. Oh yeah, and I changed my screen name, because I never cared for the other one. Just something I chose because I couldn't think of anything else when I signed up. Go Zags, darned SF Dons anyhow . Gary

Here's a site with an article on use of seatbelts from a variety of Zs to get retractable lap and shoulder belts for the early Z cars. http://www.automedic.org/smzcc/tech_tips.htm. I put together such a combo and mentioned it and was criticized for using parts from a wrecker. They seem as good a shape as the belts from my 1992 Chevy pickup and are all Nissan parts. First time I heard anyone get razzed for recommending using OEM parts to restore/modify their car. The choice is yours as there are manufactures that make brand new aftermarket lap and shoulder belts that can be adapted. I'm sticking with the set I put together. Of course it doesn't matter much until I get my car running. Gary

I kind of like the looks of the H2, but it is still a Poser vehicle. It doesn't climb any better than the Chevy it's based on and uses an obscene amount of gas. If we decided to go cold turkey on foreign oil and drilled the 6 months supply of oil in ANWAR. We will be back on the foreign oil tit in no time. I know a guy who has a cattle ranch and he owns two Hummers (the originals). He drives them on his ranch and to town. They climb like a goat and I admit I liked getting a chance to take one through its paces. However, and I think he'd agree with me, they aren't something you want to drive on long trips. Having the tranny sit between you and your passenger makes for great ground clearance, but also a loud, uncomfortable ride going down the highway. My daily driver is a 12 year-old full size, short bed Chevy 4x4. In my job I need a truck that can take me into the hills to report on everything from wildfires to whatever. It goes pretty good in the snow we are having too. The truck only has a V6 and gets about 20 mpg. If I pulled a large boat or a heavy trailer with it I would have went for the V8. So far my alumimum fishing boat and my friends bass boat and the occassional car trailer is all I've had to pull. If I could afford (or fit in) a car like a gas/electric hybrid for the occassions where a truck isn't needed I'd get one. I guess what I am saying is there are reasons to own certain vehicles, if you need a big truck you need one. But to just drive an H2 up and down the freeway as some sort of "bling" factor is IMHO a waste of money and resources. Besides if you use all the gas up, we'll all have to convert our Z's to Veggie Cars and run on fry oil. Might smell good, but poor on performance.