[2011] What did you do to/with your S30 today?

[Arne]

Rather than let these threads go on forever as they do in some other forums, I thought I'd start new ones for separate generations for the New Year. Use these threads for short, Twitter-like posts, things that may not be worth their own thread.

This one is for the S30s. Enjoy, and let's keep each other involved!

[Arne]

Went out for a nice drive in the sun, warmed it up thoroughly, then treated it to some fresh oil and a new Nissan filter.

[zed2]

Replaced all the fuel and coolant hose clamps with newly plated wire clamps.

[tlorber]

Took it out for a 3 hour drive with about 60 other cars. Great day for a drive out here.

[Travel'n Man]

I looked at mine - thought about the salt and grime on the roads from the last snow storm knowing that each day is going to get a little longer and spring is another day closer!!

Happy New Year to all!

[esmit208]

Sandblasted!

[steve91tt]

I installed a fuel pump cut switch to eliminate the battery drain issue caused by the ZXP alternator upgrade plug on 1973 cars. See link...

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/s...d.php? t=39259

I just cut the yellow wire leading to the fuel pump solenoid and rerouted the plug side to a hidden switch which is connected to fused ignition power.



I left the mechanical pump in place and plan to only use the electric when it's necessary due to under hood heat. I won't use it much at all but its nice to know it's there if I ever need it.

[spitz17]

Let it rest in the garage through this rainy New Years

[Oiluj]

Went for about a 45 minuted drive today with a buddy. Let him drive her on highway 92 to Half Moon Bay and back to highway 280 via Crystal Springs Resivoir road. Fun!

No rain, but the roads were still very wet. I have to wash her and clean-up the suspension and under-chassis areas to get rid of the salty rain water residue.

[Z Speed]

Walked out to the garage and looked at it....

*sigh* it's all I ever do....

[motorman7]

So, one of my Z goals this year was to enter my Z or Z's in car shows that are not specifically Z, or Datsun shows. So I entered my '70 and '71 (pre-'72 cars only allowed) in the 24th annual Vista Burger Run. There were over 500 cars there. I had the only 2 Z's in the show. There were also about 10 other English and German cars at the show, otherwise it was all US cars.

Got a nice response from a number of the visitors and collectors. The comment I kept hearing over and over from people was that "the Z was the best car they ever had and they never should have sold it."

Love the AMX's and Pantera's. Doing my best to try and increase the exposure of the Z.

[Walter Moore]

I hooked a battery charger up to my Z and measured the exhaust pipe to verify that it really is 2 1/2 inch pipe. Then I ordered a glass pack muffler and band clamps from Summit Racing so I can splice in my own "resonator" to cut down on the drone at highway speeds.

Other than that, there isn't much I am willing to do with the car on the ice, snow, and salt encrusted streets around here. ;-(

[ajmcforester]

So, one of my Z goals this year was to enter my Z or Z's in car shows that are not specifically Z, or Datsun shows. So I entered my '70 and '71 (pre-'72 cars only allowed) in the 24th annual Vista Burger Run. There were over 500 cars there. I had the only 2 Z's in the show. There were also about 10 other English and German cars at the show, otherwise it was all US cars.

Got a nice response from a number of the visitors and collectors. The comment I kept hearing over and over from people was that "the Z was the best car they ever had and they never should have sold it."

Love the AMX's and Pantera's. Doing my best to try and increase the exposure of the Z.

Hey that show had more Z than the ones I go to.

[Rich1]

Drove by the body shop and saw it still sitting there. One year, four months and counting....

[Perfect240Z]

Got my new Z to drive today after 2-3 years of sitting in a garage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXDoq-mZFY

[motorman7]

Hey that show had more Z than the ones I go to.

Only because my wife drove the yellow one and did her crochet while I toured the show. We had the only two Japanese cars there. No awards for foreign cars, but that's OK. I like the conversation best.

The guy who won best Camaro (and believe me, there were a lot of Camaro's there) loved the '70 Z. We ended up talking over an hour. His car was a near flawless restoration. He gave me a lot of cool tips on prepping the Z for shows.

Best story was a guy who made it from New Jersey to LA in 38 hours in his Z (Going back to school at USC). Said him and his friend made one stop for food in New Mexico. Only other person at the restaurant was the police chief who was with two women at the bar. Police chief loved the car and told the two college kids where his two officers were posted. He said they could go as fast as they wanted but slow down at the area where the two cops were. Sure enough, the cops were right where he said they were. They slowed at the right time, just as the chief told them. Very funny.

[ajmcforester]

Only because my wife drove the yellow one and did her crochet while I toured the show. We had the only two Japanese cars there. No awards for foreign cars, but that's OK. I like the conversation best.

The guy who won best Camaro (and believe me, there were a lot of Camaro's there) loved the '70 Z. We ended up talking over an hour. His car was a near flawless restoration. He gave me a lot of cool tips on prepping the Z for shows.

Best story was a guy who made it from New Jersey to LA in 38 hours in his Z (Going back to school at USC). Said him and his friend made one stop for food in New Mexico. Only other person at the restaurant was the police chief who was with two women at the bar. Police chief loved the car and told the two college kids where his two officers were posted. He said they could go as fast as they wanted but slow down at the area where the two cops were. Sure enough, the cops were right where he said they were. They slowed at the right time, just as the chief told them. Very funny.

It was funny their had been several shows in the past they would not let me enter since it was Japanese well one I won best of show and asked how that happen well they told me they saw how much the crowd loved your car and you got more attention than the rest of the cars so we decided to call it an entry. IT think people love these cars and they just don't seem to make many car shows, I never got a bad review at any show, and people seem to just love these cars.

[Zs-ondabrain]

I actually touched my 260Z project car today, but only to keep me from tripping over the broom that was near it. Just no time to fiddle lately. But I WILL make time. Lots to do before Canby. I really want to make it to Canby with the 260Z this year but unless things pick up around here, it ain't gonna happen, again....

Dave

[Casey_z]

Cleaned up the battery area.

Big hands working in a small area

[Zulaytr]

I finished a two month long project to refresh and detail the complete underside. I can finally take it off the jack stands and hit the street.

[5thhorsemann]

Spent money on it. Hoping to be ready for paint by 04-01-11.

[ajmcforester]

I finished a two month long project to refresh and detail the complete underside. I can finally take it off the jack stands and hit the street.

She looks great that was a lot of work, what did you use for under protection on the body.

[WDILL]

Finished weatherstrip on quarter windows, started dismantleing emergency brake assembly,finally got the new bushings on the TC Rods, and looked at vendors for grommets and rubber bumpers.

[Z dreams]

bought a nice body shell in Dallas.

[psdenno]

Cleaned up the battery cables, put in a new rotor, and found the source of the transmission fluid slow drip leak - speedometer cable seal (I hope).
Dennis

[cajunz]

Walked over and said hello to my car. She sits suspended on the rotissoire. Hope to have all the metal work done so I can start getting ready for paint this summer. Also put up 3 suspended 4x8 plywood shelves over the garage doors to clear some of the clutter in the garage. This week, I plan on putting up shelves on two walls of the garage and then build a new work bench and cabinets. Once it warms up, the garage floors are going to get painted. It's gonna be nice when its done and the spousal unit likes that some of the clutter is gone.

[Rainman]

Removed undercoating!! Almost have half the underside of the car done after three days of work..

[MarkS30]

today i traded my xxr/sportmax wheels i had previously to more period-correct enkei 92's.







and just for kicks, an engine pic. just put back the stock aircleaner setup and noticed no difference from having open velocity stacks.

[Arne]

Installed a pair of NOS non-smog (euro-dizzy) advance return springs in my original dizzy today. These springs have a quicker advance curve than the US emissions springs. Got 'em on eBay, Nissan part number 22110-E3100. They were dirt cheap.

My car's dizzy had been "recurved" by a cowboy at some point in its past—the "mechanic" (or so we will call him) quickened the curve by simply removing one of the two return springs. This did bring on the mechanical advance faster and sooner, but it also was reluctant to return to the static timing at idle. That poor single spring didn't have the strength to pull both weights all the way back.

These non-emission springs appear to be a good compromise. The curve is still quick, probably similar to the single spring. But now it returns to idle properly.

[gryt57]

My newly rebuilt 82 turbo motor in my 78 280Z

[240znz]

I pulled the cover off to see just how much dust can accumulate. Yes...it's a lot.

[billyjarrell]

Drove it to work, like every other day.. Hahaha

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I put some meguiers on my seats. Then sat in it and cursed the fact that put some meguiers on my seats.

[spdcrazy]

i did something you don't do everyday.

i bought mine!

[tlorber]

Colorsanding...still colorsanding.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Rebuilt the Mechanical fuel pump (was leaking due to a bad Diaphram)

Finished installing the Nissan Maxima Push button Start/Stop Switch into the 240Z. With a big thanks to Brian Laine, who designed and built the circuit board to make it all work like a Maxima, but in my 240Z.

http://video.cardomain.com/VideoPlayer.aspx?id=2202506
Dave

[spdcrazy]

Rebuilt the Mechanical fuel pump (was leaking due to a bad Diaphram)

Finished installing the Nissan Maxima Push button Start/Stop Switch into the 240Z. With a big thanks to Brian Laine, who designed and built the circuit board to make it all work like a Maxima, but in my 240Z.

http://video.cardomain.com/VideoPlayer.aspx?id=2202506
Dave

i like that! might have to look into that a bit!

[280TurboZX]

Replaced the radiator with a New one(three core Brass/Copper) from RockAuto.com ($150.00). Perfect fit and looks great, bonus, no more leaks. Made a defrost duct pipe for drivers side(missing when bought car) Took her for a ride and cruised for an hour. Arn't days off fun.(Not)

[gnosez]

So the BBS wheels are ready for tires and the 44mm taper bored to 50mm Solex carbs have been gone through (note the lack of a venturi and instead the soldered in "J" tube).

Cam, springs, rockers, etc. got cryo and rem treated, pistons Swann treated, E31 head has been gone through, torque plate rented, cage welded in last night and tonight hit it with the grinder, undercarriage and wheel wells to be touched up after all the welding.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Went To Brians house to reinstal the Start switch and box (Brian had to do a little tweeking on it) and as soon as I'm ready to go home, I get a call from the Wife, "Are you on your way home YET?" I say "ya, I'm ready to go, Why?" "Cause I can't see the road anymore and you're out in the Z. And we both know it don't wok in the snow"

So I got 5 miles to get home and at one point, I clenched my butt so fast that I'm pretty sure I almost sucked my underwear off my body. And on another note, LSD diffs have NO advantage in the snow. If anything, it was worse. Clutches chattering from it trying to grab and let go. Not cool...

So somehow, by the Grace of God and a little skill (hills and turns included) I made it in front of my house. And then I couldn't even get into my own garage. The damn driveway is about a 20* uphill slant. Do I had to park half way up and get my "Torchdown Roofing" torch out and Blast the snow enough to melt it and expose just a little asphalt. 5 minutes later and she's resting in the garage.

Lesson learned, "If there's a chance that it'll snow while out in the Z, DON'T DO IT!!"

Dave

[kjohnson2444]

Dave,
Glad you made it home safely. I love that push-button start! My wife's Altima has it, and you just have to have the smart key in the car. Does yours require a smart key, or does the car start without a key now?

[Zs-ondabrain]

Dave,
Glad you made it home safely. I love that push-button start! My wife's Altima has it, and you just have to have the smart key in the car. Does yours require a smart key, or does the car start without a key now?

No Key, No Key Fob or smart key. Works the same as your Altima. Press once to turn it on, press and hold the brake pedal down while pressing the Nissan Start button and it starts. Pressing it again shuts it off. I do not have the option of keeping the radio on till the door is open though. That can be mixed into the system but not really needed on my Z as I only listen to the radio when the car is running, for power reasons of coarse.

When we've worked out the bugs, we will be offering this to the Z community. It'll include a Genuine Nissan Maxima/Altima Push button ignition switch, the Start box circuit, the Plug and Play Datsun Ign. harness (plugs right into your ign. connector, brake switch tap with bullets for an easy tap, parking light and door pin taps as well as the Tach input tap and wires (with a few options for getting the right signal to the box)

Not sure on a price yet. We need to find out exactly what every cost of every part is going to be. Mix in some instructions, shipping costs and "Vuala" Done!

It also has a simple grounding input from an alarm or toggle switch to make it a Nonfunctioning unit. and like most alarms, if you hit the button while the car is armed, it will not work and will set the alarm off (activate the alarm)

Thanks, Glad you like it and Glad I made it home in one peice.
Dave

[MarkS30]

today i finally figured out (took me two years) why my car would not rev past 5000rpm. within the past few years i replaced everything ignition related (coil, plugs, plug wires, points, switched to pertronix, new ballast resistor, new distributor), adjusted valves, rebuilt and balanced carbs, new fuel pump, cleared out all fuel lines and checked out for any and all vaccum leaks, replaced everything electrical (60amp alt upgrade, new battery, new interior fusebox) which improved the car drastically but didnt get it past the wall at 5k rpm.

finally i found a thread where someone had a similar problem and found their cam gear was off a tooth. so low and behold i take off the valve cover to check that out, and sure enough it was off by one tooth! after fixing that it fired right up and revved all the way out to 6500rpm easy! the tone of the exhaust has changed drastically and now it finally has the familiar L-series tuned straight six wail. before that it sounded kind of flat, and was gutless.

that put a big smile on my face. finally, now that its running as well (if not better) than it was brand new, bring on the mods!

[kjohnson2444]

Today I drove the 240Z five miles to the body shop where it will get some rust repair and new paint. This was its longest drive in 35 years!

[motorman7]

Continued my mission of crashing the party at the American Car show circuit in So Cal. Entered two of my Z's in the Escondido Cruisin' Grand car show. Amazingly another guy with a Z showed and we had 3 in a row. There were about 300 cars at the otherwise all US cars show. The response was great. Talked with a number of people who loved the cars and appreciated the stock Z cars
I was approached early on by one of the event organizers. He thanked me for bringing my cars down and said they were a great addition to the show. He also appologized that there were no awards for foreign cars. I'm hoping that if I show up to enough of these that the foreign cars become more accepted. We'll see. It may all be in vain.

Rich

[Powderkeg]

Replaced my fuel pump and found out why the car was running rough...two bad spark plug wires! Can't complain too much...the NGK wires have been in the car since 2002.

Dave Ruiz


Have I ever told you guys who own garages how much I envy you?

[Zs-ondabrain]

Continued my mission of crashing the party at the American Car show circuit in So Cal. Entered two of my Z's in the Escondido Cruisin' Grand car show. Amazingly another guy with a Z showed and we had 3 in a row. There were about 300 cars at the otherwise all US cars show. The response was great. Talked with a number of people who loved the cars and appreciated the stock Z cars
I was approached early on by one of the event organizers. He thanked me for bringing my cars down and said they were a great addition to the show. He also appologized that there were no awards for foreign cars. I'm hoping that if I show up to enough of these that the foreign cars become more accepted. We'll see. It may all be in vain.

Rich

It's Never in Vein Rich.
The respect a car deserves and the beauty of said car is all in the eye of the beholder. Not sure if I bring my Z(s) to classic car shows to Show them off, attract attension to the Z car scene or just to piss off the American Muscle car crowd. But I do know that they ALWAYS get attension from both young and older folks who insist on telling me about a there previous Z, a friend or relative who had one or something along those lines.

I parked near a BEAUTIFUL 32' or 23' T-Bucket Ford at a car show 2 years back. People walked right past it to my car, with a look of "Been there, seen that" on their face, about the Ford. While talking to most of them, I even pointed at the Ford and mentioned how nice it was, only for them to say "Ya, but it seems Every car show has 1, or 10 of them. But how often do people get to see a Nice Classic Z car"

Keep your head up Rich. They Are accepted and will have their place soon enough. Trophies may even be involved at one point or another.

Dave

I took a shot of another Z I see at local show now and then.

[Zforce]

Well it wasn't today but last week I did the valve guide seals, but it took about three weeks to finally do the job because I could not find that kd tools 3087 valve spring compressor anywhere. I found one on ebay still new in the wrapper for 41.00, as soon as it arrived I got out there and did the job in about 4.5 hours, had to pull the radiator to get a socket on the crank so that took a little more time. I used the rope in the plug hole method, worked perfectly.

[motorman7]

It's Never in Vein Rich.
The respect a car deserves and the beauty of said car is all in the eye of the beholder. Not sure if I bring my Z(s) to classic car shows to Show them off, attract attension to the Z car scene or just to piss off the American Muscle car crowd. But I do know that they ALWAYS get attension from both young and older folks who insist on telling me about a there previous Z, a friend or relative who had one or something along those lines.

I parked near a BEAUTIFUL 32' or 23' T-Bucket Ford at a car show 2 years back. People walked right past it to my car, with a look of "Been there, seen that" on their face, about the Ford. While talking to most of them, I even pointed at the Ford and mentioned how nice it was, only for them to say "Ya, but it seems Every car show has 1, or 10 of them. But how often do people get to see a Nice Classic Z car"

Thanks for the encouragement, and I honestly I feel the same way. I was talking with some people at the Cruisin' Grand show and they said they just get tired of the same old cars...it's nice to see something different. They were glad that I brought the Z's for a change of pace. I am all for American cars and have my favorites; Pantera's, AMX's, Chargers and Challengers to name a few. But the shows might be a little more interesting if they would be more accepting of the Imports. That I guess is my overall goal really, to get them to open the shows up. And or course, promote the Z and Z heritage.

Keeping the Faith,
Rich

[Arne]

...am all for American cars and have my favorites; Pantera's...

Umm, DeTomaso Pantera was made in Italy, despite being sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealers. It is/was no more American than an Opel GT (made in Germany, sold at Buick dealers).

[cygnusx1]

After three, long, snowy months, I put on my boots and hiked back into the woods to the Z shed. The snow is still up to my knees in most spots, and there is no way that the Z cars will be out in less than four more weeks. I managed to squeeze into the side of the shed containing my 240Z to take a peak. What a sight! Absence makes the heart grown fonder. I put the key in the ignition and with great restraint, restricted myself to turning the key only to the RUN position. The once, annoyingly loud fuel pump that feeds the Webers, sounded like a symphony to my yearning ears. Enough evidence that my rigging of the solar panels on the sheds was a successful mission. The START positions will need to wait a hearty thaw, and a few rain cycles.

[DougN]

I changed out the passenger side headlight this past weekend, as I either took a rock from all the crap they put on the roads here when we had a couple of inches of snow - or I took a shoe/boot to the headlight when I was parked somewhere. Oddly, even though the glass was broke, the light itself still worked.

Either way, job was easier than I expected - fortunately the screws that hold the light in the back were not rusted or stuck

[Travel'n Man]

I peeled off the old plastic insulation on the headlight wires - parking light wires and replacing them with the flexible coil plastic that is much more pliable. It would have to better on the wiring than all that brittle plastic sheathing.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Mitchell,
Try this... Near the bottom of the page, Section 6, Part number B11. It's the same tubing I use when I do Engine and dash harness refurbishing. As well as headlight bucket rewiring...
http://vintageconnections.com/mail_order_form.htm

Very flexible, and a nice touch to cleaned up wires. Just mark and unplug the wires on one side and slide it on.

Dave

Here's some front turn signal before and afters and some redone sidemarkers.

[Mike B]

That looks great Dave. Nice work!

-Mike

[Zs-ondabrain]

Thanks, I'm real happy with the product and even happier to have found it on a site I regularly visit and buy from. Good stuff and it looks stock, without the stiffness.

Dave

[nahurry]

drove home from work this morning.

[Matt K]

Installed some Japanese headlight covers...



The gate guard at the base (I'm in the Air Force) who was about 18-20 years old said, "I don't know what kind of car this is...but it's cool!" !

[Oiluj]

Emptied my bank account and filled the tank...Premium was $4.21 / gallon.

[Travel'n Man]

Dave-
Those pictures up there look great - I bought some of the cheap wire cover but yours looks great - I will get some on order and that is on my todo list. Looks a lot cleaner - thanks for the heads up.

[73chemist]

AMSOIL syn gear oil in 5-sp and R-200. Have not drove it yet.

[Lazeum]

I'm refreshing my front suspension currently This is what I've done this weekend.
Next step is reassembly with poly bushings, clean up of the under hood prior to reassemble my motor which is currently under re-construction.

[Zealous]

Busy few weeks so far:

• Pulled old radiator and drained coolant
• Pulled inspection cover cleaned and began polishing
• Pulled old thermostat to flush system
• Cleaned and polished thermostat cover
• Mounted rear speakers so they don't move when braking hard (no thanks to PO that pre-drilled the holes wrong last time that was a PITA)
• Purchased parts for Series 1:
  
• Poly bushing kit
• Poly bump stops
• Master vac hoses
• Rubber TC bushing

[Travel'n Man]

Finally - got my clock and gauges pulled - replaced lights and worked on clock. She is ticking a gaining 2 minutes every 24 hours - moved the setting back a bit and going to watch her for 24 more hours -
Cleaned up all the lens - a fresh coat of trim paint from SEM and all is good..............so far. Had to send in the tach for rebuilding due to frying it. Ouch - that was an expensive cooking of my tach $200.00 for rebuild.

[Arne]

Replaced the tail light gaskets and steering coupler today. Coming soon—rack mount bushings and inner tie rod boots.

[Gary in NJ]

I finally started my winter maintenance. I got most of it done. Hopefully I'll get the car out today. It was last driven November 21st.

[nahurry]

mine left me on the side of the road, had to walk home, (thank god it was only 1 mile). a heater hose blew on the highway and i limped it as close to home as i could. now waiting on a new hose from black dragon.

[5thhorsemann]

It's sunday, I walked past my Z on the way to work this AM, heavy sigh. It's in the upper 50's partly cloudy a perfect day for a cruze. I'm opening a new smoke shop on the west side of town this week and haven't had a day off in 34 days now. This really sucks.

[Oiluj]

Busy few weeks so far:

James, you've been busy!

[esmit208]

Sandblasted and rust-proofed the inside of the left front fender. My backyard looks like a beach!

[WDILL]

Cleaned and POR'd hand brake parts. Has anyone used the Motorsport 3 into 2 Exhaust Header or the performance 6 into 1 header? I had an exhaust manifold with the smog fittings but must have discarded it since I'm taking the smog stuff off. Leson learned, "Don't discard anything until you really know what you have available to replace it".

[esmit208]

Cleaned the undercoat from the wheel wells and bottom in preparation for sandblasting.

[Zealous]

Started cleaning polishing the carbs still a long way to go and learning the ins and outs of polishing. Left is sanded, right is just cleaned with carb cleaner.

[Nomake Wan]

Stared at it in my driveway again. The ongoing crisis in Japan happened right when I had managed to win a few auctions there for parts I needed, like tail-lights. Without them I can't make the car legal to drive. Hopefully soon...

[inmocean]

Finally switched out my battery cables...Used 2/0 ground, and 1/0 starter positive,(replacing the original tiny cables) and additional grounds to firewall(4 guage) and from intake manifold to inner fender(8 guage.) All connections heat-shrunk and new marine-grade terminals,covers, and cable used...Better than new.

tommorrow I hope to swap my headlight harness's(originals old and loose-fitting to headlight,potential for meltdown...) and install new marker lights, if they ever arrive...

[gogriz91]

Worked on the carbs last night, cleaned the fouled plugs and re-discovered it's running way too rich. Also found one of the steering boots is torn and what I hope was just water but may be a leaking head gasket...more meds please.

[Galaxybj]

Must be in the air - seeping head gasket. I took mine for a ride today, but before doing so was checking things out under the hood and noticed the seep.

[gogriz91]

Must be in the air - seeping head gasket. I took mine for a ride today, but before doing so was checking things out under the hood and noticed the seep.

Misery loves company but remember, a bad day in Abq still beats a good day in Middle GA.

[JohnnyO]

Blasted and painted the rear suspension.... Looking good.

[cygnusx1]

Drove it, washed it, waxed it.

[kitran01]

Removed the front fenders and knocked off undercoating and found rust to clean.

[nahurry]

ran a new speedometer cable

[cygnusx1]

Came up with a mental plan on how to pull and rebuild the blown turbo motor in the 280Z. Took a 1 hour cruise in the 240Z to help me think!

[Blue]

Nice warm sunny day here so out in the driveway:

Dremel and die grinder got friendly with Maxima N47. Had an E31 next to it to compare and test cutters, sanding, rolls and technique before committing.

The N47 is a very nice head stock. It is very easy to see the squish area in comparison to E31 as well as the brass seats of the E31. Most of the N47 chamber was laid back nicely with only a few sharp edges to address. I just had to soften the edge of the squish area, the edge was caused by the skimming mill. I also had the machine shop cut back the exhaust valve guides to the roof so it should flow nicely.

Cleaned up /blended the passages below the valve seat with dremel (head upside down)... especially on the short radius side of the intake. Used my finger to feel what was going on.... seemed like best technique.

Used die grinder on the manifold side to clean up the casting. I may sand the intakes with a flapper wheel extended on a drill but it looks pretty good as is.

Any last minute suggestions?

[mgood]

This was not just one day but many from November last year to Sunday 4/10. I spent 3 to 4 hour each weekend to remove clean and paint the front suspension and zinc plate the bolts and nuts. I also did some cleaning and painting on the front end area under the hood. Some before and after shots. The car started right up and the horn even works after it was taken apart.

[OutlawDrifter89]

Finished stripping out the sound deadening, carpet and seats. Turns out I need both floors instead of just the driver's side, but oh well. Next step is pulling my 2 decade dormant motor and see if she still turns. Wish me luck *crosses fingers*.

[kjohnson2444]

Today I visited #4642 at the body shop where she is still in chop and cut mode, but the reconstruction begins soon.

[d240zx2]

I guess, by comparison, I was a bit lazy lately. All I did was admire her.

[signal34]

Spent forty-five minutes persuading this guy that he didn't want to live in the engine compartment of my 77.

Guess that will teach me to leave the garage door open while I am mowing the yard.

[240ZX]

Installed a new set of Yokahama Neova AD08's on the 240.....all I can say is WOW!!!

[blue 72]

Spent 4 hours changing the oil pan gasket. Woulnd't have taken nearly as long if I didn't have to raise the engine to get my Arizona Z Car aluminum pan out. Well, and if the steel drain plug hadn't seized in the aluminum too...

[gogriz91]

Popped the valve cover, no visible damage, clean as a whistle on the valve train, replaced the distributor cap and rotor and fixed the god awful knocking on my #5 cylinder, now I've just got to figure out why it's running so rich.

[motorman7]

Took my yellow Z to a TV commercial shoot here in San Diego. The TV commercial is for the San Diego County Fair. They were looking for a '70's vehicle and I was selected. They liked the bright yellow color. (not an original color, but your average TV viewer won't know). The short ~6 second spot showed two actors dressed '70s style running to the car and getting in to go to the fair. Was cool to watch. Nice to see the Z promoted and they took some good shots of the car. They also gave me $150 and a catered lunch for about 2 hours of my time. Not bad.

[kitran01]

Began digging into the engine compartment, tagging, bagging, and labeling as I went along. Also figuring out how to undo my brothers ghetto wiring job on his attempt to fix the car.

[Willoughby Z]

Took my yellow Z to a TV commercial shoot here in San Diego. The TV commercial is for the San Diego County Fair. They were looking for a '70's vehicle and I was selected. They liked the bright yellow color. (not an original color, but your average TV viewer won't know). The short ~6 second spot showed two actors dressed '70s style running to the car and getting in to go to the fair. Was cool to watch. Nice to see the Z promoted and they took some good shots of the car. They also gave me $150 and a catered lunch for about 2 hours of my time. Not bad.

Very cool! I'm jealous on many levels...

[Oiluj]

Got my car rained on!

Sunday was beautiful and the bride & I went for a nice pleasure run and drove her to the farmer's market.

Yesterday I took her to work without checking the forecast and she sat in the rain for the 1st time since the restoration.

Dang weatherman didn't call me up and warn me. Guess it had to happen sometime...

[ezzzzzzz]

Broke two rules this past weekend. Drove more miles than I normally put on the 240Z in a whole year AND drove through torrential rain and flooding in the Charlottesville area of Virginia. The club, TZCCA, had a winery trip planned. Six members showed up and a seventh appeared on Sunday. I clocked about 530 miles! The only mishap was my car started hitting a rpm wall coming home at 75 average speeds. Suddenly I couldn't get past 60 with the pedal floored. This would clear up then rear it's ugly head again and again. I nursed it home at posted speed limits. No apparent problems under the hood and no backfiring. The fuel filter looked full and clean. The tank was flushed, etched and sealed a few years back. I guess it could be the old RX-7 electric fuel pump starting to go too. I'm suspecting the +20 Allison ignition system so I ordered a new Petronix igniter and coil last night.

[David Jacks]

finished refreshing both bumpers and got the new rubber on them. Added a fresh coat of chrome polish and now awaiting some rubber bracket pieces so I can put them on! David Jacks, Fort Worth, Texas '72 240Z

[Willoughby Z]

Removed left rear interior panel to access power antenna assembly [note to self: order panel pins for those MIA]
Removed and disassembled antenna assembly to replace mast and clean and lube while it's opened up.
No good. Part from antennaX.com (eBay) is not a correct replacement part. $20 and free shipping should have been a clue that "something that seems too good to be true..."
Posted a WTB for a good mast/bad motor assembly and crossing fingers. I know I can buy an aftermarket but...
Probably will buy a short mast so I can listen to my OEM AM/FM stereo hi-fi occasionally. Somebody will come through. In the mean time, I can refurb the antenna assembly.

[motorman7]

Coming home from work, noticed the engine was hot and steam coming from right side of hood. Pulled over at nearest gas station to find the problem...not hard to find. Looks like a little un-authorized Arc welding took place. Attachment of battery cable to solenoid was loose (even with lock washer), and cable rotated up touching hose clamp that was touching engine block. Circuit complete for arc weld. Totally melted clamp and put hole in hose. Never had that happen before. Easy fix though. McGyver'd it to get it home, then replace clamp, trimmed hose, taped cable and re-tightened. Easy fix.