DeesZ

The following link may help a bit. http://www.jetlink.net/~okayfine/SU/tunacan.html I have not run across anyone in the last several years that's running flat top Hitachis... Where are you in PA?

Flat top carbs and round tops both have the plunger that you reference. The 'dome' that it screws into is the flat or round part. Here is (I hope) a link to a good picture of flat tops that is on the eBay historical records: http://i11.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/1c/8f/65e7_12.JPG If yours look like this, they are flattop carbs. On the other hand, if they look like the ones in my gallery (towards the beginning - maybe page 6?), they are the round tops.

Perhaps some pictures of the underside will help us 'see' your problem?

I guess that hope springs eternal, Stephen.....

Don't assume the plugs are good. Take Carl's advice and check them out. It's easy enough to do, and will tell a lot about what is/is not going on. Please let us know what the plugs look like when you get in there. Just curious, when were they last changed, and what are they gaped at?

It's a new world... a storm in the north-west has an immediate impact on my evening on the east coast. Who would have thought that possible ten years or so ago? Have I become an Internet junkie? I'm glad that it's back up. I was forced elsewhere, then eBay... rather be home (here).

This has worked for me as well; years ago we used to use an ice cube on the plug after heating the surrounding case. The spray stuff he suggests is a nice convenient and less messy twist to this very old method. There is also a CRC product called "Freeze-Off" that I found at NAPA several months ago. It's a penetrating oil concoction that incorporates the expansion/contraction action by getting the surface very cold when you spray it.

Don't discount what Beandip said about rust. I have seen this happen first-hand and the results of rust are not at all good. I guess it's an issue of condensation being trapped which then feasts on the metal. In my neck of the woods that approach (wrap) is generally used for a car set up for short-term racing applications, and not long-term employment. Anybody have any experience with chrome headers? Do they have any effect on the heat transfer, or is it strictly a visual thing? I have a set on the wall waiting to be installed, but have not rushed to do so because there really isn't much of a gain for a stock engine.... just eye & ear candy (which btw I like as much as the next guy). figured I'd do it when I get into doing some work that will require me to remove the manifolds, if I do it at all....

Good question. Unfortunately I don't have a good answer for you. I assume that a good eye would be able to look at the top & or bottom tanks and tell if it was original or not, but someone else will have to comment on that. Going under that assumption, I took my original radiator to a local shop and had it re-cored with a three-row, tight-finned replacement (as recommended by the shop). The radiator man explained to me that there have been many advances in cooling technology since the early '70s, and that a good quality core of current technology should solve any cooling problems encountered with a '70s vintage original. What I like about that approach is that the top & bottom tanks are the original parts, and the 'new' one looks just like the original part. I have several original rads sitting around if you need one to get re-cored. (They might work as is, but I couldn't guarantee that....)

Julio, you have that car looking simply GREAT. Your efforts are paying off. I really like the ghost stripe, too. Let's see some more pictures when you have a chance.

Mine is in a two car garage that almost has room to fit my 240Z. Pictures would be an embarrassment, so there will be none forthcoming. :embarrass: At least it's a roof.

IMO, coal slag would remove the paint best. Be conservative and as equal as possible in all areas to make sure you don't remove too much metal in any one place so as to throw off the balance. You should be just fine as long as you don't focus hard on bare metal for an extended length of time. Just hit it to get the paint off and make the metal look nice and move on. (Remove all grease/junk before blasting.) You should end up with a nice surface that's ready for primer. (After blasting I usually spray & wipe down with mineral spirits prior to painting to assure a clean surface.)

Hi, John.... I had one of those in my hands yesterday, and the color is as Arne and his picture describe it. Unfortunately I cannot help with the color code, but you should easily find a suitable color on the shelf. That should look nice when you are done blasting and refinishing. Show us some before & after pictures. What media are you using?

Stephen, it's obvious that we have regionalized approaches to this day. Thus far I like the San B. order of things best (not that there is anything wrong with the others). I may try that one out here in PA this year. We were invited to share a meal at out friends house, so I'll be implementing the order that you suggest. Problem is that they just called and said that we will be doing shots, too, so that'll be interesting. And you are right, we were blessed. There is no question about that. I've always supported my local firefighters, and have developed a new appreciation for them. They, being non-paid, were totally professional. I was also blessed that there are several women on the team.... and further blessed that the women on the response team were using the chainsaws on my log house. (I've seen the guys do this before, and was quite happy that the women had the tools in their hands! They actually left a lot of it remaining!! There is something to be said for the way ladies approach things compared to some of the more aggressive guys. Interesting to observe that yesterday as well and developed another new appreciation!) Stephen, thanks for your prayers and thoughts. John

On the east coast we have adapted that a bit (at least out in the sticks where I live....): Beer Football Beer Turkey NAP Dessert then raid the fridge at midnight. Followed by compulsive ant-acid popping No matter what the order is, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all! I have a lot to be thankful for this year, especially after yesterday when my wife got back from the grocery store and found the side of the house in flames. A wood stove issue almost got the whole place, but the fire company was on the ball and got things under control before the whole thing went poof. The house is now drafty and stinks, but all is well. There is something to be quite thankful for: everyone safe and a dedicated professional volunteer fire company!

I would suggest media blasting with fine glass beads. You can see some results in my gallery.

Welcome to the club, Rob! Another '72, that's great, and it sounds like you've got a lot to start with. There is a lot of information in the archives related to starting engines that have been sitting for a while; well worth reading with this adventure facing you. It's not unusual that these engines get a lot of miles on them before a rebuild is needed, so you may just get lucky! Post some pictures for us when you get a chance.

Nice, nice score, Rob....

Very nice car, Jim (astock)! Carl's advice is worth its weight in gold, no question about it. Best of luck with your sale. Your car should create a lot of activity at the end. Really good specimens are few and somewhat far in between on eBay. As for donations to the site, just under the top banner on the page there is a menu bar. Click on "members" for a drop down menu, and you'll see "donations". (I just spent about five minutes trying to locate that today myself!)

PM sent.

No disrespect to anyone intended here, but the 'particulars' of a transaction that I had no active part in is none of my business. If I was the seller and received an inquiry about who took ownership from a third party that was not a law enforcement agent, I would likely not have responded at all, or as gently. As the seller, I could view a persistent inquirer as a potential scam. Look at it from the other side for a moment and I hope the point makes sense. I'm not intending to sound mercenary or rude, but I have many 'classified' sales under my belt, and (I learned this the hard way) the first person to present proper payment has the privilege of new ownership. Cash separates the tire-kickers from the owners. I've even taken cash 'deposits' from people who never finalize a deal, and that sets back a final sale considerably. Heck, I sold a '71 Z-car 18 months ago, cash in hand, and it still sits in my front yard. Odd things happen, and they aren't always a scam. Don't get hurt feelings, that's not my intention, this is just my opinion developed from first-hand experience.