Sailor Bob

Hey Gary, Tom, Ed, Victor, Mike Thanks for the responses, if I'm reading this right it needs a washdown, remove the tray and POR treatment. By the way POR stands for?? Have you ever seen any resonable facsimile aftermaket or OEM Battery tray replacement? It seems like a common problem and most other problem areas seem to have a solution (floors, fenders, even frames). My tray has seen better days.

The good thing for me is I can't drive it till May or June when winter is done and the salt is washed off the roads. Lots of time to sort it out. I do like the idea of stiffening up the steering gear (poly) and replacing all the others with rubber. It's easy to spend a few dollars - I'm looking around at springs and shocks as well - the existing is original gear.

Any thoughts on how to handle this? It's a classic case - all the rest of the car looks good but the battery area looks like crap. It sounds solid underneath, but to tell the truth - I half afraid to poke at it too hard. The tray is showing signs of rot through the panel beneath is just ugly. I have a few jobs in the works now and I don't feel like taking on steel replacement as well if I can avoid it. Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away The car won't ever see rain again (maybe never did befor), I wonder if it will be trouble to leave it as it is until next year. Does it need to be washed down or is that more trouble? Anyway ideas/thoughts are welcome. Rick Cali 4/77

My 77 is in excellent condition with the exception of a few items, bushings they're all in poor shape (and the antennae is tits up) should I go poly or rubber. I like a comfortable drive but I don't like holding the tiller against the wind so to speak. Would all rubber be a loose ride?? Is poly like a perpetual dirt road or the right the way to go? Rick P.S. : Antennae kits??

thanks for the response Mr. Cam, I had a look at the front end in play - the ball joints look tight, the steering rod entering the pinion has some transverse play, on the rack sleeve there are a couple of bushings - I can see play in them, but they are rubber, does this sound normal? SB

Hi I'm back in the Datsun love affair after a 28 yr breakup. Had a 71 in 76, it was great car but I was a kid and it almost did me in. I'm back at it again with a 77 280z, I was looking for a 71, but not much luck with out major bucks or major overhaul. Anyway, bought it on Ebay for a very reasonable price from California. The car looks great and is running with almost no rust - one small spot on the hood, original paint, still has original paper stickers under the hood. It looks good enough after a little compound that I don't think I'm even gonna paint it. Pinstripes bug me but underneath the paint is obviosly not sunfaded - pinstripes will have to stay. Anyway I have three questions for informed/experienced members: 1/ I didn't get a manual - whats the correct wheel and tire size? 2/ Car has original California exhaust - Header, pipes and proper sounding muffler any thoughts or information are appreciated. 3/ Steering is loose, ball joints Checked - Would bushings do the trick after new tires?? SB