280Z Fuel line insulators

[EuroDat]

Hi club members,

Most of my fuel line insulators have seen better days and due for replacement.

Mike (nix240z) makes the sets for the 240Z, but they are different from the 280Z and only a few of the insulators are usable:disappoin.

I decided to make a set of fuel and brake line insulators for my 280Z. I had all the equipment (degassing tank, vacuum pump and pressure chamber) from making my amber turn signal lenses from the taillights so the extra investment would be my own time and the raw materials. To get a good mould I made the dummies out of aluminium and now getting ready to make the silicone moulds.

The insulators will be made of urethane rubber shore 70A and post cured.

The insulators will fit the 1977 280Z. I know there is some variations between the years, but I think its only in the brackets and an extra insulator after re-routing of the return line after Aug, 76.

If any Club members are interested, I can make extra sets.

[HaZmatt]

I would definitely be interested in a set!

[EuroDat]

Quick status report.

I made an inventry of all the insulators on my 77 Z and checked it against the Nissan E-FAST parts manual.(same as Datsun 280Z Fuel Piping L28E )

The quantity mentioned doesn't add up to what Im getting on my car.

For example; I have 7 of the type D/E and the parts manual lists 9 (Pos 10 & 19) And I have 2 of the type F and the manual states 1.

I don't think the years use different types, just the quantity is different. Ill make a list of all the different type and quantities needed for my 280Z.

Chas

[EuroDat]

Its been a while, but finnally had some time to play with the insulators. This is the first run, but the first results still look promising.

I made some photo's during demoulding and after a quick clean.

Now to cure them and see how they fit.

Chas

[rcb280z]

Hey Chas, they look good and I'm interested in a set of these.

Bob

[EuroDat]

Hi Bob,

Im still have to make the last moulds for the small (single) fuel line insulators 1/4" & 5/16" and I want to check how all these fit on my Z. Cured the first batch today so I might have time tomorrow to fit them and take some photo's.

I having a bit of trouble trying to figure out how many are needed on the differeny model 280Z's They changed the lines around the tank area in August 1976. Mine is a 77 so I know what needed for the 77.

The parts manual is not very clear, so it will require some input from pre aug 76 owners.

I made some quick sketches to give people an overview of what goes where and how many are required.

Chas

[rcb280z]

Chas, mine is a 77 as well. Production date 05/77. Should be the same as yours. Keep me posted on how they work on your 77.

Bob

[superlen]

Chas,

I'm not sure how I missed this post earlier, but very nicely done. Mine is a 77 as well & when you get everything to your liking, I would be interested in a set.

Lenny

[EuroDat]

Hi Guys,

Did some testing on the car today. Fitted some of the B1, B2, F3, F4, F5 and F6. They clamped up well and look clean and straight. They dont want to be any tighter because that will disvorm the brackets that hold them in place.

Not easy getting decent photo's under the car.

Only the F6 is not up to scratch. Its too tight and just doesn't look right. Im not happy with it so Ill make a new mould for a slightly smaller version. The F6 was the only one I didnt have any kind of good example to go with and it ended up being 1mm too thick. Doesn't sound like much, but it makes the rubber bulge out the sides.

I took some before and after photo's. You can see whats left of the F4 and one of the F6's in the photo's.

Photo index:

DSC-1818 One of the original F6

DSC-1819 Original F4

DSC-1820 New F5 just in front of sway bar

DSC-1821 New B2 on fire wall brake lines

DSC-1822 Whats left of F4 and one of the F6.

DSC-1823 is the best F5 from the originals.

Ill try to get the new mould done this week and make some new F6's next week.

Stay tuned.

Chas

[rcb280z]

Looking good so far. Now if you just had replacement lines......

[EuroDat]

I spent the last two evenings under the car changing the rubbers insulators.

They are all replaced except the curved one behind the engine for the two brake and cluth line. I tried to make the mold from the original, but it looked worse than the original so I need to made a dummy later this week.

PITA to do now the suspension, diff and transmission are in the car. Dipping them in a contain of soapy water first made it a lot easy to position them.

Here are some photo's of the last sets I fitted.

Hope to have the set complete and able to reproduce next week for people interested.

PS: Bob. I would love a new set of replacement lines. Just getting them fitted and still reasonably straight is what s holding me back. Its on the "to do list" or wish list might be a better name for it....

Chas

[EuroDat]

With the good weather we are having here, I have been side tracked a little trying to finish things in the back yard.

Turning this

Into this. Still not finished

All the molds are done and I changed all the insulators (or what was left of the insulators after 37 years of aging) except the two small insulators on the clutch line under the brake booster. They are still in good condition.

I had some trouble getting the F6 insulator to fit. In one bracket it was not very tight and the other it was too tight. The brackets are slightly different, but Nissan quotes the same insulator mmm. I ended up making a new mold and "adjusting" the metal bracket on the loose one to fit better. Its onlt 2mm smaller, but it makes a big difference. The insulator doesn't buldge out anymore.

Ill take some photo's on the weekeind when I have more light.

If anyone is interested in a set. Send me a pm.

Chas