MikeZcar

If I can find someone close to Columbus, ie Delaware OH need a big favor, there is a 78 Z on Ebay right now that a tree fell on, I need the wheels and hood. Have someone who could bring wheels/hood close in a pickup but the owner has to get rid of the whole car. IF I bought this car is there someone who could pick it up and pull the wheels and hood for me, maybe meet my pick up driver and keep the rest of the car. It has a good motor, tranny, and lots of other goodies. It would have to stay kinda cheap for me to bid, but it may. Mike

I have a 17 year old who has destroyed everything he drives and or rides, now he sits around and whines because his Prelude has a knock in it, thinks if he cries long enough dad will buy another, I have a much harder head than he can ever imagine. Till he walks to a job and puts forth an effort there will be no help. As for that motor, it's way too much trouble with the 3 carbs, feel sure you will grow to hate it. However I have a 280 motor that would go right in there and might be persuaded to work a trade on that crappy old 3 carb motor "wink wink" that's probably not much more than a boat anchor. OK OK really do have a good motor and an interest in the 3 carb motor, drop me a PM , Mike

What would have been easier to say is "Did you use the arm that came with the 82 tranny"? The pivot point is in a different place I believe, so you need a longer arm. If your old tranny was 4 sp and you went with a 5 sp you must use 5 sp arm. If your old arm had a hole in it for the end of the rod of the actuator it needs to be there also, much easier to drill on the bench, that's some HARD metal.(I know, from a 70 I used to own and did not notice till it was in the car) Currently swapping a 79 5 sp with 1st and 5th problem for an 81 5 sp in a 78 model, currently means I came inside cause I am burnt out just removing the old one, new one is in the floor waiting on me. Mike

Did you make sure the arm/lever the throw out bearing is attached to is the one that worked before? ie length/shape

78 model, tried to read drawing in an old forum but kinda tough a piece at a time but looks like no relay, may have to wait on FSM, Mike

I have hi beams and no low beams, also no FSM yet, is the hi/low beam tied to a relay or is it the switch in turn signal arm only that's supposed to change them? I do not hear an audible click in the turn signal set up(like it make a switch change states) only a weak sounding hint of plastic on plastic as the little plastic actuator bottoms out in the switch. Mike

On my way back to the junk yard with tools to pull a 5-speed from an 6/81 built ZX, the rear end has drive axles that bolt directly to the "pumkin", I thought they all still had flanges and bolts at both ends, did I dream this? Does it mean anything or is it just an R200 that was stock on all cars? Thought about pulling it also for the lower gearing but they want "extra" money for the independent rear end and even more for the axles. Mike

Man I hate to buy these new since I want to do a complete rebuild/repaint in a few months, any help? Thanks, Mike

The Grand Canyon is worth the trip, good road trip for the family something to remember for all. Hope the car also proves to be worth it. I have made several road trips that a non car nut would never understand. Mike

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8043494465&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Need a little help for the 78 I just got. Doing my crawl around under it to see what it needs to be road ready. Looks like the top rubber of the mustache bar bushings was left out by whoever was there last. It's the source of my little clunk as everything else looks decent except 1 flakey u-joint. I need someone who has the bushings and maybe the sleeves handy from a poly upgrade or a parts car as that's all I want to do right now. If I get new bushings I can't put them in with a dirty old mustache bar, so would have to remove it, clean it and paint it and while I was there I may as well,,,,,,,,, you know the story. I want to wait on a complete disassemble, rebuild, repaint on the rear suspension till I have all the new stuff (money) handy. Someone help me out. Mike

Soon as I saw this I reported it to Ebay, seen this scam before, remember the V-8 Z that was sold and put right back on from the guy in "England"? They use picture and description from a completed auction and hope for a rube. If it seems too good to be true it probably is.

Put me on the list to join you, I'll meet you there if only to act as pit crew member. I am 50 and need to get back on the list of "things to do and see" before the hour glass emptys. It's down to a much shorter list then when I was younger, lots of it has been done (mainly on a beer budget) but been there. Kentucky Derby, starting line with Kenny Bernstein, Mardi Gras, Daytona, Sturgis, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon , etc I am still willing to sleep in my car "to be there", that's the poor boy way. May be wrong but I think I am only going to get one go around on this planet, trying to make it a good one.

Went to see this movie last night with the misses. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. Only bringing it up because it looks as if this movie is only going to have a limited release and not a giant advertising budget. If you've ever had a "dream" you should see this movie. Mike

Sounds good, consider this an open invitation. Mike

Rick, Please tell your wife her long lost sister is alive and well and sitting on Her throne, right here with me as her loyal subject . (Man I hope she doesn't see this, if so just kidding honey, Love ya Boss, er I mean Baby) Mike

Well it's as I feared, still not for sale, I did buy the Black Pearl and it's in my garage now. I have promised to call him the first week of every month till one of us croaks or he sells me the car. I hope to end up with this car as he also has his 72 Z race car he campaigned 20 years ago to restore and I don't think he will find the time to restore both. I did guilt him into moving both of them inside, he has the room especially since that old black 78 Z is out of the way now. Wish me luck and look for this thread to come back out of the blue with a big YEEHAH as the title, someday. Mike

Being 50 I am waxing a body panel ie fender, door etc a day (ok maybe a panel every 2 or 3 days) on the Black Pearl. I have to be careful I don't burn myself out. Mike

Thanks to all who have added their two cents, and Carl thanks for your reply as I think this is a great Archive piece and if someone needs this info at a later date it will be of great value. The car is a "needs everything" example that's mostly intact and very solid. IF I can get him to sell it, "Gonna restore it someday" kinda deal as it sits outside, and it is affordable would prefer to push it into the shop and spend 3 years or so on it. If the price is too high I may see if there is room to resell it or may post info here if it's more than I want to fool with. More info as it bcomes available. Mike

These are too far and snakey for me but someone should pursue these gems http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4614777672&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT ph 772-485-1386

Although I would like to I can't keep everything, working a package deal on a couple of cars and #156 is in the mix, green, needs resto but it's complete less passenger seat and it's really solid, sure it's got some hidden rust but it's not a Flintstone car. Feel sure this car is like a savings bond and down the road will command more money than now but I would like to get a feel for what I should put as a value in this deal. Not sure what I will do just yet but selling it is an option(not a good one) and IF I do decide to sell it I will post it here for 1 week before Ebay. OK anyone who has looked at, bought or considered buying a low number car recently tell me what kind of prices were being thrown around. Please no PMs, I still haven't worked a deal or decided the fate of the car if I end up with it. What's it worth? Mike

I have a question about the above post, anyone verify this? I have read everything I can find about the Black Pearl and it seems to me ANY 1978 model 280Z that is factory black #938 is indeed a Black Pearl regardless of the other SAP(Sport Appearance Package) pieces that were added. I believe that the dealers added as little or as much of the SAP(and other non SAP items) as they believed they could sell. Any Thoughts? Mike

At least someone in Vilonia finally graduated.

Are the 76 and 78 light switch interchangeable?

Is there any way to tell if a 78 Z shipped from the factory with a 4 or 5 speed?