Sorry, I never gave the original reason for the head gasket.
The Z was losing radiator fluid and there were no puddles or leaking hoses. Upon closer inspection I noticed said fluid flowing out of the back of the head, but only when it was running. Obvious head gasket problem.
I could have used Stop Leak or something similar and MAYBE….. it would have contained it. But my thinking was why put a band aid on a problem instead of what I would have to do eventually to fix it properly. Plus that stuff coats everything and I didn't want that. Of course, when I a snapped head bolt along all the tugging, pushing, prying, pulling and cussing the head, I was in too deep to go backwards. The Quest had begun.
What gave me encouragement is that I've got a winter project L28 on a stand in my shop. I've started the tear down when I have the time. The head on it popped right off, no problems whatsoever. I call that one "the bait head". I can't write here what I call the one I dropped off at the machine shop today.
I know in a recent thread there was discussion about head gasket brands. Just a shout out to Datsun Spirit, I ordered the gaskets, bolts and studs from them. They sent nice, pretty OEM Nissan gaskets and cad plated bolts/studs.
The bonus part of the project was the manifold stud bolts. They were rusted of course, but weren't the same. There were a couple of 12mm, some 1/2", two 7/16" and a bolt in place of a stud that none of my sockets would fit. Good ole' Mr Cresent wrench to the rescue for that one. It was an omen that I had to remove the heat shield before I could get the manifold off…. You gotta love PO's.