ZSaint

Put the struts in your trunk and take them to a shop. They will have a "large and professional" air gun to use on the nuts. It will cost you a few bucks but they will be off in seconds! (They may not even charge you!)

A friend of mine had his Datsun stolen recently. They did not break into the car, they did not 'hot wire' it and they did not take anything other than the new wheels and tires. ($2000) He figures the key was duplicated when he got his tires. The Datsun was at the tire shop for 6 hours. They found the car up on blocks at a new house that was being built. He thinks he knows who did it. Here are the clues: The driver was very short (seat up), the radio was on a hispanic station. We are not certain who stole the car but we think we have a good idea. We do not want to "profile" the thiefs but I think they gave up too many clues. Duh!

You do not need to know the truth. It is a real PITA. I have a R200 L/S with 79ZXT half shafts. It is nearing completion. If you really want to know what it takes, give me a private message. If you really do not want to know the truth, don't ask! Everyone says it is a piece of cake... it bolts right up... no problem! Hogwash! It takes a lot, A LOT of work to put a R200 with CV axles in a early Z. Trust me!

I read "the book" and he recommends the headliner going in first. I have the turquoise vinyl so I am awaiting the pieces for Too Intense and from Motorsport. The Z has black carpeting on the tunnel. It was glued over the diamond plate. It looks like I need to put the dash cover plate in place after the W/S is installed. You guys agree? It looks like you need the room for the gasket and then install the 5 screws after the windshield is installed.

Here is what I think should occur in the order I believe it will happen. 1] Put the window posts and side roof post vinyl in place 2] Put the front window post vinyl in place 3] Install the headliner 4] Install the windshield (anytime after 1-3 are finished) 5] Install the weather stripping around the doors. 6] Install the rear plastic panels (front and then the rear) 7] Install the rear t/lights plastic panel 8] Install the door panels Now, can anyone see anything that is out of order? (I wait to do the windshield after everything else is done) I am starting on it tomorrow so now's the time to speak out! :sick:

I have a build date of 2/71. I am guessing this is an early Z, correct? It has a large rectangular hole in the tunnel with a large rubber gasket. When I stand the two trannies (4-spd and 5-spd) up together, the only problem I see is where the gear shift rod comes out of the tranny. It is about 3/4" taller (at the first bend) then the 4-speed. The guy that is advising me said he has never had a problem with the 5-spd hitting the tunnel in many changes that he has done. I will check it out but I do not see a problem with my 2/71 Z. I will keep everyone posted.

It is a 83 Maxima 5-speed.

Well, this Z was hit in the right rear Q-panel about 20 years ago. They replaced the Q-panel and tail light. It is a light red then the left/pass side. I guess I will just keep looking for a later model driver tail light. That all red one looks like a 260 light without the back-up light. Could that be it?

I have the original 4-speed "A" tranny and the 5-speed "B" tranny standing beside each other. (on blocks) The "B" shifter has a severe bend in it and it appears to come out about the same place as the "A". It appears that I will not have any problem putting the 5-speed into my 2-71 Z. I checked my plastic storage boxes and found a sack of nylon bushings for the "B" tranny. I remember ordering these from Datsun back in the late 70's. They sent me a sack of 10. I have 7 left! I cannot believe that I remembered these bushings and where I put them after 30+ years. :knockedou

I just realized that exhaust damage syndrome. I restored a '68 Dart with one left taillight bezel needing to be re-chromed. I did a '73 Duster last year and it had the same malady. Exhaust is very toxic to autos. I never realized the plastic would also be darkened or damaged. Thanks for the info. Some times you have to take time to smell the roses and it will all make sense. As Johnny would say, "I did not know that!" :surprised

I am cleaning up my '71 Z tail light assy's and noticed that the driver lenses are much darker then the passenger lenses. Is this due to age or have they changed their lenses with newer light assy? I think the passenger T/L lense has been changed. I like the newer lenses. Can I get lighter lenses or do you have to buy the complete assy?

I was attempting to put my Z back together after a total disassembly and tub paint. I put the fuel catch tank in and had all kinds of trouble getting some hose for this (pic) plastic pipe. I was trying to put a hose BETWEEN the pipe the the filler neck. After I accidentally slipped the plastic pipe INTO the filler, it became obvious what I needed. I put a clamp on the filler and the vent fits nice. I could not remember how it hooked up when I took it all apart 5 months ago. It is kinda like putting together a jig saw puzzle without ever seeing the picture. It is all coming together, finally!

Hmmm, that is what I was guessing 1 1/2-3/4 quarts. I remember the 180's we would put a little less than 1 1/2 in them. Thanks for the info. I have a 70-78 manual but could not find the specs table. Where is it listed?

I cannot find the specs for the R200. How much does this diff hold when full? I bought 2 Quarts of Red Line lube and just need to know how much to put in the diff. I checked 'search' but did not find any info. :surprised

I am replacing the vinyl pieces in my '71 Z. As long as I am buying vinyl, why not get the correct color? I have the patterns. I just need the vinyl, the 1/2" sponge rubber and some correct glue. I guess I can go to a place here locally but they will have to order the vinyl. Where do I ORDER the vinyl?

Where do I go for the headliner and front windshield post vinyl? I know that they have the kits but where do I buy blue vinyl. I need about 4 yards of this stuff to cut out my headliner and post covers.

I can use a few of those blue plastic rivots if you want to part with them. I need about 12 more to finish off my blue-on-blue '71 Z. Let me know if you can sell them rivots, OK?

I remember the first Z I ever encountered. It was at a race track and was driven by Jack Scoville, a Datsun dealer. It was quite a hit with all of the racers and fans. I do remember Jack asking people to not lean on the fenders. He said they will bend from the weight. (Oh really!) He had a very light-weight Orange 1969 model. I feel in love with that car right there at Delta Park (Portland Raceway) and now I finally have another 240Z. This is the 5th Z that I have owned and I will have this car and until I go to the big pre-grid in the sky. It is great reading your thoughts about the Z's. Great memories!

Taking them apart is no problem. But, putting them back together is a huge headache. I have put my dash in and got everything plugged back together with the exception of one white wire. I have not had the time to look for the wire to the fuse panel. escanlon told me the wire feeds into the voltage regulator. I will find it I hope! I still have some of the "thingys" hanging down that bolt to the dash or kick panel area. Where do these black 90`steel pieces bolt to? I have them on the work bench but cannot find anything in my notes about them. Hmmm? They look like some kind of mount. I will have to take it to an auto electric shop if it does not work when I get it all back together. I can be very expensive but no one wants to put in a new harness if it burns up a wire or two!

I know what you are talking about, "How to Restore Your Datsun Z" just doesn't always sense. It is a good book and I am glad that I have it. Mr. Humble just needs to be a better tech writer. He gets a C- from me for his writing skills. Thanks for your input. I too started to scratch the paint on the doors. I am certain it will not rust in 10 years, but it well eventually rust. I have ordered the window "rollers" for the doors. Anyone put these things in? I guess they just press in over the top of the door. The passenger side is 10.85 and the driver side is 18.65. I wonder what the difference is?

My wife has On Star in her car. When you get elderly, you need to know where you are at all times. We just push the button and say, Where are we? Seriously, it is a nice feature to have. I would rather she calls AAA when she has a flat then to call me. I will be doing something important like playing golf or working on my Z and do not want to be disturbed. You guys understand that don't you? :knockedou

I guess good 'ol AAA just does'nt give a damn about the old Z drivers! I am a member of Triple A. Why I really do not know. My wife has a Nav system in her car, I have towing with my insurance and I have the internet. What do I need from AAA? A CC key and they don't have one. Hmmm?

I have never taken a window out or put a window in. ( A buddy took the doors apart) I was looking for the method of installing the glass. I got it done, finally. I just took my time and tried a lot of combinations before I finally got the passenger side window in. It took me 3 1/2 hours of fiddeling. I put the drivers side window in in about a hour. Funny how things go together once you learn a few tricks and the correct process.

I mastered the lock assemblies and the new locks work great. (I even had a new lock built for the hatch) I am now ready to start putting in the glass. What is the process? (1 - Put the stainless window channel on 2) - Put the forward glass channel on. 3) - ????? I do not know what goes on next, and next and next???????? I can figure this out just like I did with the lock mechanisms. But, it would be nice to have someone give me the order of putting everything together. How about someone who has done this a few times? :surprised

The coolist spare key I have seen is a credit card that has an emergency key cut into it. You just break the key out of the card, unlock your door and drive home. It is the correct thickness and will only be used in an emergency. You can put the key back into the card and keep it in your wallet. Nice idea! I do not know if the car manufacturer made this key or if some after-market people thought it up. Anyone know of this key?