ddezso

http://www.desertzassociation.com/index.shtml

While I am posting I'd like to show you all the latest pics of my engine compartment. It is really coming along. Yesterday I removed everything from the right side of the engine block, cleaned it, and painted with the blue paint from Les at Classic Datsun Motorsports using a paint brush (there is no way I can pull the engine and do it properly). I think it turned out pretty good. Check out the first 2 pics from before I bought the car and the latest pic from yesterday. All of this work is paying off.... Just thought I'd share...

While I am posting I'd like to show you all the latest pics of my engine compartment. It is really coming along. Yesterday I removed everything from the right side of the engine block, cleaned it, and painted with the blue paint from Les at Classic Datsun Motorsports using a paint brush (there is no way I can pull the engine and do it properly). I think it turned out pretty good. Check out the first pic from before I bought the car and the latest pic from yesterday. All of this work is paying off.... Just thought I'd share...

Good news - I got the existing switch connected to the wires you folks referenced and the lights work! I did buy a new switch but didnt need it. I'd still like to put it in but the existing switch is totally stripped and in there tight. Any recommendations to get out a slippery round metal switch? I tried vice grips and they even spin around on it. They werent the best grips. Any other ideas? I know if it aint broke don't fix it but I have a shiny new switch I'd like to get in there for fun... Thanks...

I am starting to slowly take apart my front suspension and do an amateur refinish job (clean and paint, replace bushings, etc). Can I convince anyone who has pictures of their front suspension to post their pics here so I can see what color things are? I am specifically interested in STOCK original cars from 1970 or 1971. Thanks, Derek

Sorry, editing

I'm a lefty guitar player but I've already got 10 lefty guitars including 2 strats. I'd sell one (sunburst) if anyone else wants to buy it. $300 with case sounds good to me..

I am finally getting to the underside of my car project and have noticed that there are two switches sticking out of my transmission that are disconnected and look the same. Although my car is a build date 11/70 the engine is from a 74 and I cant ID the tranny. I believe the s/n is in a location not visible while in the car (is that true?). My backup lights do not work and it is quite obviously because the backup switch is not connected. I have attached 2 pictures and have 2 questions. First question is there are no disconnected electrical connections that I can see anywhere near these switches. Can anyone explain where I can trace the electrical cables from and to to find where I would connect the appropriate backup switch? Second question is which are these two switches? Various manuals I have show a 'neutral safety switch' which might be present since I cant ID the tranny but I dont think my year of Z used that feature (explaining why it would be disconnected). The first picture shows the switch coming out towards the front of the tranny on the right side. The second shows the switch that is just below the shifter near the start of the propeller shaft near the speedo connection. I want to replace the backup switch and find where to connect it electrically. Any pointer would be appreciated. Thanks, Derek

The insultherm hose arrived and I had mixed results. Since it does 'expand' permanently a bit when stretched I found it didnt work well on hoses that bend. It is possible I bought the wrong size of insultherm. It really worked well on the pictured water hose (straight one just above the oil filter). Its tough to get clean ends since it is fireproof and heating has no effect. It is also obviously shinier than cloth braiding...

Thanks Arne - now I see it. .. . . Now I will have to find a nice correct version. Mine originally was covered with the heat shield wrap and I removed that. It didnt leave behind a very lovely rail. I saw a nice one on ebay a couple weeks ago but decided it was too expensive.

I cant quite spot the difference (except the finish is worn from mine) but it it likely true. My engine is not the original engine - I believe is is from a 74. I am replacing everything I can to make it look more like a 70 to match the body of the car but some elements won't be perfect. Some day I'll get a new rail I'm sure.....

True Moonpup. At the end of the day I guess it doesnt really matter because I like what I got but I thought it could be a rare known early variant of something that a guy with a super low '69 Z might have been looking for. Oh well, my engine compartment is all the better now..

For those of you who are curious here is the perspective from Mike at Banzai: "Derek, I've had some time to ponder your air filter housing and I think it is a late 69 (11 or 12)or early 70 (1), US market, unit. I'm assuming that the 2 halves belong together. Having said that, the fitting for the air pump hose is present which would rule out Canada, UK, and most of the rest of the world. Why it has the one decal in the center, not sure. Important to remember that cars weren't manufactured to anything like the standards in force today. Maybe that day the line was out of the large silver one? FE-2, maybe a lot #? Mike "

I agree with you. Thanks for reporting. I was going to do the same since I can't alert the secret bidders. I've reported to ebay as well. I'd hate to see someone lose several thousand $$.

I plan to attempt a restoration on my original knob with the same cracked plastic. I am keeping mine because it is the only remnant of my first Z car I got when I was 16. I totalled the car and wound up in the hospital for a week with a ruptured spleen. My Mom went to the junkyard and retreived the knob and some emblems. I guess it is sentimental to me but I hope it's not bad luck. I saw the earlier post on restoring with stain and tung oil. Any other perspectives on that for the wood and has anyone brought back the 'metal' ring on the bottom with any methods?

OK - so I know 'check it on ebay' posts are a bit annoying but this one strikes me as interesting. Here is the new listing from a brand new user to ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Z-Series-1971-Datsun-240Z-Low-Reserve_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6187QQihZ001QQitemZ110055747195QQrdZ1 Beautiful huh? Now look at this site. I bookmarked this 2 years age when I was searching for a Z: http://www.personalbestseminars.com/240z.html Back then it had 51,000 miles and was in Vancouver. Now it has 68,000 miles and is in Illinois. The pictures from the site are basically the same ones from the ebay listing but years and miles have elapsed in between. Odd huh? I sent the seller a note with a few questions and will advise.

Good thinking. I was so excited I was planning to order this for everything today. Does anyone know if it kinks, bends, and looks funny?

That Insultherm techflex stuff looks awesome! I think I'll do that all around....

Thanks Bruce - I am mostly trying to validate if this is truly an original unrestored item rather than a knock off with a poorly placed sticker.

Anyone????

My car still has some of the original braided hoses left and they appear to be in decent condition inside but the outer braiding is dirty and dull looking. I am assuming a little soap and water and gentle scrubbing should get them looking good. Have any of you successfully restored an 'experienced' braided hose back to beautiful condition? Is there anything you would spray on them to make them look 'shiny' and new? New ones are hard to find and getting to be so bloody expensive...

Any other perspectives and any idea what the little FE-2 in the bottom right corner of the sticker means? It looks like a little stamp - not part of the standard printing on the sticker...

Those are new ZTherapy carbs. Combine them with a tune up and valve adjustment and once she's warm she runs perfectly.... Still wondering - has anyone seen a box with the sticker placed like this? I use the attached pic as my guide for perfect super early Z(from kats)......

I just received the airbox pictured below. I purchased on ebay from this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270045999157&rd=1,1 (yeah it cost alot but still less than a refinished one from ZTherapy and it really is in perfect original condition - I hope) My question is: The lone sticker on the top of the box seems to be in an odd location and it lacks the larger 'silver' sticker that shows the position of carb screws and such. Is this a match for an early series 1 air box? I assumed they all had the larger silver sticker as well.... While I'm at it I am excited by the progress in my engine compartment so I have posted a pre-purchase 'before' picture and a picture of it now for your enjoyment. I don't plan to pull the engine and properly repaint and such but for working around the edges I think it is coming along!

You will need to pass emissions here because no Z car is old enough to get a waiver like in some states for 'classic cars'. There is a bill pending to change that and you can check it out at this link: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/laws/0076.htm You should also check out the Scottsdale Pavilions car show every Saturday all year. Once a month the Desert Z Association turns up with some Z cars. I am there most weeks for a bit with mine since I live right up the street. The show is at the 101 and Indian Bend at the Pavilions shopping center. You can check out the Desert Z Association here: http://www.desertzassociation.com/index.shtml I chose not to join because the benefits and the social scene is not for me but they are good folks and post what dates they will be at the car show on the site. I get work done on the car by Gary at Spanky's Auto in Mesa. 260 S Alma School Rd Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 644-0060 Gary knows his stuff and is a really nice guy....... Your Z and your Avatar look alot like mine. Shoot me a PM when you get in if you wanna go to the car show at the same time and check them out....