RIP260Z

Emil, Look on the underside of the balance tube.....there should be some casting marks. I have "Japan N30" on my balance tube...what have you got on yours? Ian

Emil, It does look like the balance tube on my 1978 260z flat top carbs that I am restoring. I will have another look. Its more likely to be compatable than the US market balance tube, as I am in the UK. If it is, I'll see if I can help you out. I am impressed at the yellow plating in your photos. Ian

Me!!!! That will do nicely for my long restro. We can sort it out when I return your exhaust.... Cheers Ian

Two knob rally clock and ocillator please. More than happy paying shipping to the UK. Cheers Ian

You can put a LD28 crank into a L24 motor, as the journals are the same size. I think the displacement goes to around 2.7 liter. The main gain is more torque, as the diesel crank, but with both you would have to have different pistons/con rods to bring the piston top down to the block deck height. Ian

RP975, I got mine made myself. Found a small manufacturer shop that punched them in for about £30. Maybe you could try and find a local place nearby? Cheers Ian

And the last time I drove my zed was March 1993. On the final straight to getting it drivable again. When it is, it will only come out during dry days in the spring/summer/autumn . Ian

So did all the S30 models (JDM, export to UK/Australia/NZ etc) get an "OK" sticker also? I ask, as I not seem one in the UK with one...more likely removed somewhere down the line. Cheers Ian

I have to add I have ordered from Mike and I always get a good service. And I am over in the UK, just adds a bit of sorting out to the purchase ,but always good. Ian

I thought that car looked familiar, it was brought to our attention on this thread http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22542&highlight=ebay+car (I hope the link works...) Wkxsports, looks a nice car. Ian

Good thread. Its good to see different places where the vinyl roof finished. Mine finished above the c pillar badge/vent. Keep an eye on the sunroof for leaks. Since the roof is curved and the sunroof is flat....Mine has a leaky sunroof as well as having a vinyl roof. Going to replace the roof skin to get rid of the sunroof. Keep us posted with your new 260z

My 1980 registered 260 come with a vinyl roof originally, I can tell, apart from a fresh paint exposed, as where the vinyl ends the rust holes start!! Wkxsports, is your 260 a 2 seater or a 2+2? Cheers Ian

wkxsportsireland, Welcome to this useful site. You may also want to try zclub.net for the UK Zed webite/forum..... Cheers Ian

Zguitar71, Thanks for confirming that the US zx did not get the finned cover. I think the European zx had the finned cover as the speed limits allowed a higher cruising speed than the US. Cremmenga, even though we here in England got the 260z for longer, it no way reflects the availability of parts. With only about 700 sold over its 4-5 yrs when originally sold (I can't remember if that includes the 260 2 by 2) and probably only about 40-50 (if that) left. Cheers Ian

Jeremy, I have just put in a zx diff in my 1978 260z. They will be the same, but I don't know about your 280zx Stateside, if they came with a finned rear cover. If so, you would have to change over rear covers to get them to fit into a 280z. Cheers Ian

hls30.com, I would like to just say your efforts are appreciated. Good luck on finishing your car.

Yes, very impressive job.

Zedrally, I don't intend to rebuild these yet, just trying to get hold of parts now, rather than later. Its a good job, as the parts above were the last old stock my source had, and I very much doubt there is any chance in getting any more. Maybe the gasket set, but thats about it. My source mentioned that Alan (HS30-H) was surprised to find parts for the flat tops, that he brought some to send back to friends in Japan. (I think thats right) I let you know when I start to rebuild these, but it could be a year or two. I intend to get the parts that were cadmium yellow plated redone also. Cheers Ian

Zedrally, If you are interested, I have managed to get hold of: 16455-N3311 Gasket kit x2 16354-N3310 (which I think is the correct part no. ) needle N66 on order from Japan, and I have a set of N57 and maybe able to get a pair of M76 and M87 needles. 16466-N3311, Piston choke 16101-N3605 Valve 1.7 16496-N3300, Nozzle Also a pair of top dampers (where you put the oil in) air filter to carb. gasket a few air box bolts and an metal assembly tube (did not write part no. down). The only things listed with a price were the gasket kits and the N66 needles. The rest had prices that were current 10 yrs ago. Cheers Ian

Hi Alan, Absolutely fabulous. Very pleased for you. I look forward to some day seeing it in the flesh. Best regards Ian

Sblake01, Yes got my left and right mixed up. Though the statement " All cars - a plate screwed to the RF strut upright in the engine bay." is wrong, as mine is on the left.. Cheers Ian

Thanks Will. I have a couple of the grommets, but they are in very poor condition and have been covered in some horrible sealer that I can't remove without destroying what is left of a fragile part. Thanks again Ian

Quote 26th-Z "All cars - a plate screwed to the RF strut upright in the engine bay." UK spec. 260z (late models definately) had a "separate plate attaching area" behind the RF strut upright. see pic. Cheers Ian

Will, Thats appreciated. I had a look at my printed out microfiche when I got home (same as yours). The first attachment shows the air con. the part you are pointing to is no.80 (yes?). If so, this is located on the left hand side of the engine bay firewall (see first pic). I know this is correct as I have a brand new no. 81 and the part no. matches the microfiche. The part I am after is on the right hand side of the engine bay firewall (see second pic). The second attachmentyou posted, you are looking at no. 14 (yes?). I think this is located on the cabin side of the firewall. I think this is a plate/bracket with the two heater pipes on. The grommet I am after fits over the pipes of no. 14. If you look at the microfiche for the pre'73 heater assembly, you can see (and they have a part no. listed) for the donut type heater grommet and the equivalent of no.14. The grommet I am after would look like no.80 but smaller. Size of no. 80 grommet is 10.5cm x 4.6cm and no. 81 (plate) is 11.6cm x 5.6cm. Size of the grommet I am looking for is (approx.) 7.9cm x 4.1cm and the plate which cover this grommet is 8.4cm x 4.4cm. 2nd pic (just to the right of the throttle linkage) is where the heater pipes stick through the firewall and the plate. (behind that plate is the grommet I am after). (I had these photos store on my pc and are not taken specificly for this query). I think there is no part no. for heater grommet I am after, nor the plate that covers it. But I want to be proved wrong. I think I may have to make one using the plate as a template. Cheers Ian

Thanks hls30.com. I would have posted a picture, but my works pc is about as old as an abacus! A part no. would be good. Don't think that since I am on the other side of the pond it would be different, as there are alot of parts with the same numbers. Cheers Ian