Nigel Mulvey

Thanks for the sympathy and advice guys. I'm going to pull the engine and put in the L26 anyway because it was completely rebuilt at a cost of AU$5k before I wrote off the car it was in (makes me sound like a real rev head does't it). So the L26 is as new. I will keep the L24 as it is the original engine (matching numbers) and will keep it in case I want to sell (unlikely) or restore the car to original.

I was on my way to the Sydney Z Car Club meeting tonight, enojying the wonderful ride now I have replaced the bushings and shocks. When all of a sudden I hear a clattering sound from the engine - a bit like the sound of a ball bearing in a biscuit tin. Fortunately, I know a tow truck driver who brought the car home for me at reasonable cost. There is no doubt the engine is stuffed, thank heavens I have the spare 260 engine I can drop in - more $'s. Anyway, hopefully see you next month Geoff et al.

I substituted my sex life with food ... now I can't even get into my own pants.

There is no crease in the bonnet (hood), the mark is from the rubber strip that runs along the seam in front of the radiator. Check it out, I'll bet you all have one!

More, More, More - Billy Idol should read Rebel Yell - Billy Idol. The Way It Is was Bruce Hornsby and I can't remember who did Urgent.

I bought a compilation tape years ago called "Life in the Fast Lane". It got played that much it wore out. I have since replicated it with MP3's. I bought the CD's often for just one track but I think it's worth it. The track listing is as follows: You're the Voice - John Farnham Kayleigh - Marillion Stuck With You - Huey Lewis Why Can't This Be Love - Van Halen You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi More, More, More - Billy Idol These Dreams - Heart The Final Countdown - Europe Here I Go Again - Whitesnake St Elmo's Fire - John Parr The Way It Is - I Can't Fight This Feeling - Reo Speedwagon Footloose - Kenny Loggins Centrefold - J Geils Band Urgent - Life in the Fast Lane - Eagles And for good measure ... More Than A Feeling - Boston Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult Gimme All Your Lovin - ZZ Top Rock On!

I'm not sure about the ratio of the diff. I understand the 2+2's had R200's and that's about all I can tell you. My 240 is a manual so possibly is a 3.9 anyway. Does the diff play any part in keeping the rear end upright, ie if I take it off can I still roll the shell around? I didn't get that far on the project car.

I have decided to grab what I can off my 260 2+2 and scrap the shell (which is pretty damaged anyway). Apart from the obvious - body panels, windscreen, seats, engine, box - can anyone suggest anything else I might want to salvage to sell off. This has to be done quickly ie within one day so I can free up the storage space to put the 260 project car into long term storage (unless you still want it James).

I asked the same question not so long ago. The answer was KYB=Keep your Bilsteins. I went for Tokico's (not the Illumina adjustables) and I am very pleased with the result. Hope this helps.

Yes I did get the rear control arm bushings with the set. Check this link out to see what came in the set: http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=7-18101G you can also buy the bushings separately.

I don't know what happened there. I opened a new thread rather than a reply. I costed the noltec's and they worked out at about $50 dearer for their 'set' which did not inlude some of the items that Energy Suspension provided. As far as the shocks went I could find inferior shocks slightly cheaper or around the same price (KYB's and Bilsteins) or Konis which were much dearer. Given the good raps that our US colleagues have given to the Tokico's and the favourable exchange rate I thought I'd give them a go and I am very pleased with them. Prior to the install I was very nervous about going over 80kph, it felt like a space shuttle on re-entry. Now there is a real firm ride although I still haven't cranked it up because we have had solid rain since I picked the car up. Go for it, you won't regret it.

Doh! Yes you're right next week it is. Yes, I still have the 280 engine although I'm currently negotiating the sale of the project car with one of our club collegues from Melbourne. I didn't bother with the adjustables - it was a budget based choice but I'm pleased with the results regardless. See you next week.

I got replacement bushings for everything. They come in a kit by Energy Suspension. I bought them from Courtesy Nissan in Texas. Their service was excellent.

The Tokico shocks were AUS$586 including shipping that was in March so it would be cheaper now with todays rate. I can't find the receipts for the bushings yet but I'll let you know how much they were when my next VISA statement arrives. My mechanic charged AUS$350 to fit the shocks and bushings.

Just got my 240 back from the shop with the Tokico's and Hyperthane Bushings I imported from the US. Awesome ride!! For the information of my fellow Aussies - it was actually cheaper to get the stuff sent over from the US than to buy stuff of inferior quality here and the way the exchange rate is heading it's going to get better!!! For those that are going see you at the Sydney Z Club meeting tomorrow.

Owing to a sudden case of unemployment, I am being forced to sell my project car. It is a 1977 260Z, currently a rolling shell and about one third bare metal. It is not without rust here and there. The interior and much of the engine bay is stripped of parts which have been carefully bagged and catalogued. I also have heaps of digital photo's that I took during teardown. You can see the car on my web page (see link below) I am asking AUS$1,500 neg. I will also be selling my 1974 260 2+2 once I have removed the engine. I will be asking AUS$1,000 neg. for that and will supply a different L26 engine. This car has some side damage and could be used either as a resto project or parts car. This car is also on my web page. Please note I am NOT selling my 240. If anyone is interested please PM me. I am in the Camden/Campbelltown area of Sydney.

Why do we need a war to start a boycott of French products? Isn't Charles Aznavour and Sascha Distell enough? War is wrong - end of story. The potential death of so many people is very difficult to condone, but from what I have read/heard/seen about Sadam I have come to the conclusion that it is a dirty job but someone's got to do it. Also, I have no time for these people that say "if we don't provoke them, they'll leave us alone" WRONG!!! I wonder what they'll say when billions of Indonesian Muslims land in Darwin. Freedom of speech can be a great thing, although I have seen some things on FOX, CNN, Aljezeera etc that should have been treated as treason. I have spent many happy times in France, have many freinds there and enjoyed a lot of what France has to offer. Unfortunately, French politicians never seem to get it right - but then how many others ever do?

I've stopped using their letters .

I use http://www.apcstart.com/current.htm it shows a broad range of links to the various sites I visit most of the time.

Mike, I posted a similar question about a year ago when I was looking at buying my 240. It too had a crack like yours and I was concerned about spending money on a car that's frame strength was seriously compromised. The response was that the join between the roof and rear quarter occured in this area and that the lead filler used to smooth the join often cracked under the minor flexes of the body. I didn't bother fixing it and a year later it is no worse. I am currently in the process of stripping back the paint of my 260 and I have found the primer/filler you are talking about in several locations. It is a right PITA to remove. I'm amazed at how much they used, I would have thought a car off the line would have been a lot straighter.

What's wrong with the mags you have George? They looked good on that car of yours.

I have an L26 and an L28 engine for sale at AU$250 each. The L28 has a N42 block and head. Neither engine is running because they have come out of project cars but they both ran well before being removed. There are no carbs with these engines. I am SW of Sydney. PM me if interested.

OK, the choice is KYB's because I can get them locally or Tokico's from Shox which are marginally more expensive because of the shipping costs. Anyone got any thoughts on the comparison?

I guess you need to make a decision based on the condition of your car and the gap between where it is now and where you want it to be. My 240 is very stock but needs a bit of work such as on the suspension, a couple of minor rust holes, cracked dash etc. I want to keep it stock and it is my daily driver so I am working on it while keeping it on the road. On the other hand my 260 is a project that I started for much the same motivation as yours (always wanted to have a go). It is in a hundred pieces in my garage at the moment while my wife's car stands outside. Do you have the room for a complete tear down? Do you have the patience to rebuild? (I'm allowing myself up to four years for my 260 project - unless my wife demands some shelter for her car ). Whichever choose, you are looking at many $'s (hence my four year target) and a lot of frustration, but you will always find the help, expertise and support from within the club.

I was looking for a 1970 (Series 1) and I had planned to keep it stock looking but make some modest improvements to rectify the adverse comments and improvement recommendations of the auto journo's who wrote about the 240 when it first came out (eg. five speed, 3.9 diff, adjustable koni's, subtle spoilers to stop the car riding up at speed - these were just a few of the things I picked up from the old reviews). As fate would have it circumstances changed and I didn't follow this course but I think it might be a considerable option in your case. You might also want to bear in mind that in Australia interest in the early Z-Cars appears to have increased since the release of the 350Z. I have already been offered twice what I paid for my original 1971 so it might pay to keep it looking as stock as possible. Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to the club.