orange260z

I would be running 225/50R15s. I don't really know what brand yet... I may start off with the cheapest tires (Kumho 711) and later go to a Toyo RA1...

I'll likely be lowering it 1-1.5" in the next few weeks, will 15x8 Centerlines fit the car without whacking the fenders? Thanks, Ayan

Thanks for all your responses. Thanks also for the link to Vulcan Tire, they still carry the Falken ZE502 in 225/60HR14. I may pick up a set of these instead of the BFGs. On that note, does anyone have problems with 225/60R14s on "stock" 14x7 wheels on their cars? (I don't know what the offset is on these wheels). I may be lowering the car by 1-1.5" in the next couple of weeks.

Hey 2ManyZs, Thanks for the reply. WRT Toyo Proxes RA1s, have had several sets on other cars and they would be my first choice, but I believe the largest 14" tire is a 205/55R14, which is a fair bit smaller than stock - they will really look small in the fender, thow off the speedo significantly, etc. Although the shorter gearing would be a plus for autox. I'll likely get RA1s again when I buy 16" wheels. I know that the GY Eagle GT II, Yokie Avid H4, and a few other all-season tires are available, but they are going to cost me double the price of the T/As, and are likely not to be significantly better. I'm wondering if there are any cheap, off-brand tires that are surprisingly good. For example, last winter I bought a set of "Motomaster M+S" tires for the Pathfinder. These are Canadian Tire's home brand, and are usually pretty crappy. However, these tires turned out to be the bargain of the century! They have been awesome both off-roading and in snow & ice. Couldn't ask for more, especially at 2/3 the price of BFG All-Terrain KOs, and less than half the price of Goodyear MTRs. All to say, maybe there's a Sears or Wla-Mart tire that is really cheap, but surprisingly good and worth a try... cheers

Hi All, I recently bought my '74 260, and the tires on it are about 20 years old and cracking (although they are almost new in terms of tread). I'd like to upgrade to 16" Panasports at some point, but I actually really like the 14x7 wheels that are on the car (I believe they're called "Hotwires"??), and would like to take a bit of a breather before blowing money on wheels and tires (maybe next year). So far the selection of 215/60R14 tires seems pretty weak - no more Yokie AVS-i or even A509s available, only all-season crap. I've come across a good deal on a set of BFGoodrich Radial T/As at Canadian Tire - clearout at CAD70 each. Anyone use these tires? How are they? How are they for autocross/track use? I plan to use the car for some Sunday driving in the twisties, some autocross, and some lapping at large racetracks like Shannonville, Mosport, and Tremblant. Can these tires take that kind of abuse? Even if they are shot after a season or two, it's ok... cheers, Ayan

Hi all, I wanted to put my car up on stands tonight to check the brakes, but a look in the "trusty" Haynes manual was not to clear up my question - where do I put the jackstands??? I figure that I can lift the car on the differential, but the Haynes manual is not very clear on where the axle stands can be placed. In the picture, it looks like the rail to which the swaybar mount is attached is a safe place - would that be sufficiently solid? It also looks like the front edge of the floor support is where to put the front jackstands... is that correct? They don't look all that structural in this car... any advice (preferably with pics!!!) would be great!! Thanks, Ayan

Xargon, Enrique, Thanks for your replies. I have tried throwing the old battery on the charger, but it seems I can only get enough juice in it to turn the starter a few times before dying. I have bought a new battery, but it's been pretty cold here so I haven't had the chance to install it yet. I'm suspecting that the problem with the electricals may be a bad ground somewhere, but as you said, the first step is to get a good battery in there to see what is functioning and what is not. I do have a multimeter, but don't really know how to use it (electricals are probably my weakest area, and I'm not that strong on the rest!! :stupid: ). Is there a "electrical systems for dummies" lesson you guys could give me? ie what setting to put my multimeter to, where to touch the contacts, and what readings mean what?? For example, once I get the motor running again (I hope to on the weekend), how do I check the alternator and voltage regulator for their outputs? Thanks in advance, Ayan

Hey all, I just got my first Z car over the last few days, a '74 260. Surfing the 'net for the past few weeks, I always saw the horsepower figure for the 260 as "139hp". However, on my engine compartment plaque it says "162hp". In the Haynes manual, it says something like 165hp, I think. What's with the discrepancies? Thanks, Ayan

Hi all, I bought a '74 260Z in the last few days, and it was delivered last night. Unfortunately, I had bought it sight unseen and the seller misrepresented it somewhat. The battery was very weak but I managed to boost the car and get it running. However, none of the gauges - the tach, the oil pressure, etc - were registering anything. Are they electric like in a modern car? Could a weak battery cause them not to work? All the fuses in the box in the passenger footwell seem to be ok, are there any other fuses that would cover the instruments? PS I don't believe that any of the lights were working either, but I didn't get a chance to try. Thanks in advance, Ayan