Brand new owner - need help w/ Christmas gift ideas for my kid

[Grubb240Z]

I bought a '72 240 for my son for Christmas. Going to give it to him on Christmas morning.....It's going to be awesome!

I want to give him some small things as gifts that he can use to restore/maintain the car.

The basics:

-- The care is in pretty good shape. Solid daily driver w/ no rust. Mostly original interior and engine. Picking it up from the mechanic tomorrow (went through brakes, carbs, a few hoses, etc to make it ready for daily use).

-- Examples of the kinds of things I'm looking to buy: penetrating spray for siezed fasteners, cleaning liquid for interior, fender cover (to drape over fender while working on engine, etc.

-- Anything else we might need as brand new owners just getting started with our Z. I have most of the basic hand tools we'll need, but anything that is particularly useful on a Z would be great to know.

 

Thanks, everybody. Looking forward to participating in this forum and getting to know people. Once my son has his car, I'll let him into this login so we can both post.

 

[Jeff G 78]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase!  

What kind of tools do you and your son have?  Nissan did a great job keeping the number of fastener head sizes to a minimum, so a good set of 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, and 19mm double box end wrenches and 6 point sockets will be a great start.  A good multimeter is another must have.  If you already have a good tool set, get a UniSyn carb synchronizer tool.  A good floor jack and jack stands are also must haves.

Other than tools, you can get him things where the car is weak - carpet, suspension bushings, etc.

Most of all, have fun!!!

[SteveJ]

Look at vendors on my website http://fiddlingwithzcars.wordpress.com

Many of them have Christmas gift ideas (MotorSport Auto and ZCarDepot to name a couple). MSA has a fender cover with a Z emblem. A good timing light and a good multimeter are very useful. This multimeter can also be used as a tachometer https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U3HFFH. That can be useful for tuning. Also a carburetor synchrometer is a must for the old SU carburetors: https://www.google.com/search?q=dellorto+syncrometer&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj4fnXu4_YAhVK4IMKHZVpDLwQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=949.

Finally, videos from Z Therapy ( @Bruce Palmer) can help him keep his Z running in top shape.

Don't forget feeler gauges for valve adjustments.

 

[Jeff G 78]

Beat you Steve.  

[SteveJ]

1 minute ago, Jeff G 78 said:

Beat you Steve.  

Only because I was looking for links to a better synchrometer than a Unisyn.  Jeez, get with the program and use a flow-through meter.

 

[Jeff G 78]

25 years or so ago, my buddy and I each had Z cars.  I had (and still have) a UniSyn and my friend used the one you linked.  For whatever reason, I never liked his and have stuck with my trusty UniSyn ever since.  At times, it feels like a crappy device, but it has always done the job.

[Galaxybj]

Crowsfoot open end wrench for adjusting valves

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Classic Zcar Club mobile

[Galaxybj]

I have my UniSyn from '71. Still works great.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Classic Zcar Club mobile

[Mark Maras]

Some Caig DeoxIT for all those electrical connections that are slowly corroding. 

[Zup]

Welcome Mr. Grubbs!

I would highly recommend:

Not cheap, but very high quality and supplied to MSA by this forum's very own Dave Irwin. @Zs-ondabrain 

If the car does not have this get it---I wouldn't have a Z without it.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic10l/12-4651

Next would this-----

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic10l/12-4652

These are the 2 of best upgrades that can be done for a 240Z electrical system along with the DeoxIT Mark mentioned above.

Please post more photos, especially of the engine bay and interior!

[heyitsrama]

Yeah I would +10 on those electrical upgrades from Dave.

Seriously, like add to cart right now , really prevents the wiring from getting messed up, and prevents the combo switch from melting.
I have not driven my 240 much, as it’s torn apart, but I hear the replacement piece to change the fuses to blade fuses is really good, the old ones have issues where they get hot/melt..

Maybe a AAA membership if your on the west coast, saved me a couple times!

Tell him to join the forums, and treat the car well!

[Mark Maras]

 Another possibility is the choke knob mount kit. Can't remember the name tho. Not enough coffee yet.