New to the Forum

[Jack T]

Hello folks, this is actually my second posting to the Forum, I joined yesterday.

I bought a '70 240Z about two years ago and have been working to bring it up to daily driver status. I bought it from a gal in Arizona who was less than honest about the condition, it was not 95% restored. I figured there were electrical problems when I found the fire extingusher under the passenger seat and then realized the brake lights did not work as well as the blinkers and the front parking lights. I have sinced:

Rewired most everything under the dash,

Adjusted the valves and timing chain,

Had Ztheraphy rebuild the carbs,

Installed Ztheraphy balance tube.

New starter,

New radiator,

New coil,

Installed Mallory Unilight distributor,

New water pump,

Installed new thermostat,

Upgraded front brakes to Toyota 4 piston,

Converted rear brakes to disc,

Installed new master brake cylinder (larger),

Installed new clutch master cylinder,

Installed new clutch slave cylinder,

Installed original style radio,

Installed MSA 3-2-1 header with a 4" resonator in the tunnel and a 6" resonator at the end,

Polished the valve cover

It now runs like a top and sounds great. I find reasons to take it out for errands at night and on weekends. My wife named it Lucy because she thinks I am having an affiar with it. I tell her it is much cheaper than a younger blond!

I have been an avid reader for of the forum for several years, very informative and has saved me quite a bit of money... Every time I want to do something I go to the forum and read where somebody else has been there and done that, makes my first time a lot easier, especially since I have almost no mechanical experience.

I'll post some pictures as soon as I figure out how.

[Jack T]

Not sure if this will work but here are some pictures...

[zhead240]

looks great. how's the interior and engine bay look?

[Carl Beck]

Looks pretty nice in the pictures... if you bought it two years ago, and the things you list are all you've done - it was most likely a very good purchase.

When you are restoring Z's it's always that last 5% that gets you:stupid:

As always - Make sure you have it properly insured!!!

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Jack T]

Zhead 240

The interior (seats and door panels) is a custom job of tweed and leather that is starting to show its age and worn in one spot. I am getting ready to replace all the plastic panels which are butterscotch. This weekend I took the seat belts and shoulder belts out and redyed them black, they now look new. It is amasing what $3.00 of dye will do.

The engine bay is looking pretty good now that I have cleaned it up. I learned a hard lesson two weeks ago. Never use the engine degreaser at a car wash on anything aluminum. I did that and quickly realized that the detergent will tarnish anything aluminum. As a result, I had to repolish the valve cover (4+ hours) and still need to repolish the domes on the carbs.

Jack T

[ToXIc]

nice job...

i just got me a 70 240z a few weeks ago..

[Jack T]

Hello Carl B.

I paid $8k + shipping and have about $2 worth of parts into it (did all the labor myself) so I think I am still ahead from a cost perspective.

The list above was not complete, I also:

Changed out the front wheel bearings,

Installed new U joints in the driveshaft,

Upgraded the alternator,

Refinished the steering wheel,

Refinished the console,

Disassembled and fixed both combo switches,

Installed new body side molding,

Replaced the rear tail light panel,

If I had paid someone to do all the things I think I would be way way behind on cost vs value. This forum has boosted my courage on many occasions, who do I contact to make a donation?

I am starting to look at classic car insurance, any suggestions?

Jack T

[Jack T]

Good luck ToXIc.

It looks like you got quite chore in front of you. If you stay with the standard brakes upfront let me know and I donate a set of new brakes pads. I have got an extra box of new pads that I will not need given that I did the Toyota upgrade.

Jack T

[BRE-240Z]

I am starting to look at classic car insurance, any suggestions?

Hello, and welcome to the club. That's a beautiful car you have there.

Like many of the other members, I have my car insured with Hagerty. There is a $22K agreed value policy in place on my car, and the coverage costs me about $160 a year or so.

www.hagerty.com

I have never filed a claim with them, of course, but I have heard of others who had good experiences. Perhaps someone else will chime in.

[Carl Beck]

Hi Jack T:

I've been with the Hagerty for about 25 years now... I did have a claim... it was a wonderful experience. I'd highly recommend them, they are real "car people". They have taken care of the Classic Z Car Community for many many years - way ahead of the other Classic, Collectible and Special Interest auto insurance carriers.

You do have to have a pretty good driving record... To replace that car today, you'd most likely need $20K.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[bpilati]

Hi Jack T:

I've been with the Hagerty for about 25 years now... I did have a claim... it was a wonderful experience. I'd highly recommend them, they are real "car people". They have taken care of the Classic Z Car Community for many many years - way ahead of the other Classic, Collectible and Special Interest auto insurance carriers.

You do have to have a pretty good driving record... To replace that car today, you'd most likely need $20K.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Good to see you around Carl, thought we'd lost you. Haven't seen you much in months.

[twsutt]

Hey Jack T,

Welcome to the club. I'm literally just a stone's throw to the south of you. If you ever get the chance you should come to one of the Z Club of Houston's monthly meetings - (Hell, if I ever get a chance I should go to one of the meetings too.)

Your car looks great. I hope to get mine looking half as good someday.

Edited September 23, 2008 by twsutt