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Today marks 15 years since I joined this forum. When I bought my brand new 1971 240Z 51 years ago I could not have imagined that I would still own it in 2022 and rely on maintenance advice and encouragement from a global community of Z owners. I would like to thank everyone who has helped and entertained me for the last 15 years, especially Cliff and Charles. Of all the car forums I follow, this one is the most friendly and helpful. I always feel that I leave with more than I bring. Thanks, Dennis

I was on another forum (firearms centric), and someone posted this commercial that i had never seen before. General consensus was that it was one of the best car ad's ever. 300zx.mp4

Here's an interview with one of the ad creators: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/joy-ride-story-most-loved-car-commercial-ever-made-rob-siltanen/

It doesn't seem possible that on 5/15/22 it will be 16 years since I joined. I've learned an incredible amount from so many of the members here on ClassicZcars, whether it be a few members responding to an electrical or mechanical issue that I was having on a 240Z and offering their advice or a member answering various questions regarding the differences between the various 240Z model years, etc. There are some members on this site that have an incredible amount of knowledge that don't mind responding to questions and I am very thankful for their input.

22 years for me, but not as active as most people. Z cars have been a part of my life since 1973. In my teens I had a 240, my brother had a 260 and Dad had a 280. I had 3 orange z's for a while and sold my last one around 2014 and never thought I would get another one. A couple of weeks ago a picked up a restoration project.......the addiction is hard to get over!

I learned something interesting in another thread about Nissan's move to electronic ignition systems, and thought it might be interesting to collect some stuff here. Nissan went from points to electronic ignition in 1974 with the 260Z. The coil still used a ballast resistor to limit current at long dwell times (low RPM). Spark gap was still specified at the gap used for points. 1975 and 1976 used the same basic system, an electronic module, a ballast resistor, and a coil, with spark plug gap set to the smaller points system gap. 1977 used the same basic system but opened the gap up to about .040" instead of the old ~.035". 1978 got rid of the ballast resistor and also kept the wide plug gap. Just collecting some thoughts while they're still in my head. I searched around the internet and found quite a bit of confusion about the ballast and 280Z's. Many people don't even realize that they have them, and assume that only points systems have a ballast resistor. Here is the carpartsmanual page for the ballast. The list doesn't quite match the picture, kind of confusing, the drawing says "to 74". So, does the 1977 ignition module pass more current than the earlier modules? Is that the difference that allows a wider gap? Interesting also that the first ignition boxes were aluminum with fins, to dissipate heat. http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/Z-1969-1978/electrical/engine-electrical-fitting/3

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is by far the best Z group on the internet!!

Dan, thanks. I hit those shafts with my power washer to knock of all the caked on grime. It was thick and struck in every crevice! I then metal etched the shafts and then painted them. Those l boots are not new, just cleaned them up . No cracks or dry rot there so I imagine they’re not so old. I put all my nuts and bolts in a shaker to clean them up also. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks great. Those half shafts came out awesome. Did you install new boots as well?

Dan, you’ve made some good progress. I’m about to start reinstall. I took this pic for you showing the e-brake cable routing through those hangars. I think you could use Muffler Hangers from AutoZone. I know they have them.

I used to be on the email string too, starting in 1998. That was pretty crude, looking back at what we have today, but the people were very helpful.

It'll be 15 years here for me too at the end of the month, although for most of that time I was more active on HybridZ. Started coming on here more a few years ago.

It was a potential solution to the fouling plugs.

Oh, and I do have to say that as much as I like talking about dissecting and analyzing electronic goodies, I don't think this (ignition module chatter) has anything to do with ckurtz2 issues.

The 77 FSM does show the ballast resistor.

Yes, I have a 77, and yes, that's a 77 ignition module. It is my understanding that the 78's don't need a ballast resistor because the ignition module does a better job current limiting and/or dwell control.

I agree with Yarb, the shredded straps are hangers for the e-brake cable. Mine look just like yours. Haven’t found a suitable replacement, but it seems to be the same stuff the muffler hangers are made of.

Lots and lots of anti-seize on the pins and housing going back.

Not positive but those straps look like the e-brake cable hangers.

Today I spent the afternoon tackling the rear suspension. I’ve been dreading this since I first started my restoration. The spindle pin horror stories prevented me from doing suspension before the engine but we are finally here. I started off by ordering a set of eibach springs and Koni yellow struts. Topped off with a poly bushing kit, urethane bump stops, and MSA’s street camber strut isolators. All four of mine are toast and it is the same price as going with an oem replacement. Here’s what we’re working with. Luckily being and Arizona car, there’s little rust. Don’t worry, the exhaust is not welded up and just there until I can get it to the shop 🙂 Thanks to @Av8ferg for the tips in his build log on how to remove the rear end, everything went super smooth. I had the entire assembly out in just about two hours. My diff strap was still in one piece but brittle as hell so I’m glad to go with the technoversions diff mount. I did notice these two straps that are torn, can anyone let me know what these were for? I originally thought it was an exhaust hanger but there is one on both sides and they’re too short for a hanger. I was going to leave this as is for now. I didn’t want to dig into the spindle pins until the weekend in case things went south. I told myself, okay let’s undo the locking pin only. But it my surprise they came out without a fight. With the spindle pins staring me down ready to fight…I gave in and grabbed my breaker bar. Each pin had one nut that was fairly tough to release and then one that was nice and smooth. I imagine this is due to the direction it was facing on the car. I didn’t have a sledge hammer handy or a puller but I grabbed a standard hammer and started to give it hell. Within 3 blows it started to move! I couldn’t believe it. In the end, both pins came out without a fight. I think the Datsun gods gave me a lucky draw today…or maybe it’s just the Arizona car 😉 lots and lots of cleaning to do but the part I was dreading is passed. Knock on wood my bushings don’t put up a fight as revenge!

I'm a short timer, only been around here since 2017. I think I was originally on IZCC (#2831) back in about the 1999 time frame and then updated my IZCC info in 2017 when I got my current 240Z back on the road after it had a ~14 year nap in my garage. I have been a continuous 240Z owner since 07/20/1973 when I bought my '73 240Z.

The broken part look like #5. Synchronizer hub From Dave WM. Second post

My family had a 68 Mustang when I was growing up, so I always had a special place in my heart for Mustangs, despite what idiots were doing at car shows. Back in 2011 when I wanted a new daily driver, I got the new Mustang with the 3.7L V6. It's a pretty good car, but it's no 68 Mustang. I appreciate it for what it is and for the honor it shows to the original. The new Z will never be like the old Z, but I like how it pays respect to the heritage. I also plan on judging it for what it is and not what cars once were. I think it could be a great modern driver in that respect. I'll also still enjoy driving the originals whenever I can.

Joined here in 2003 after spending a couple of years with Carl's IZCC.

I shipped my Z when I moved from Michigan to Arizona last year. It was a corporate move, so they paid to ship two vehicles in an open hauler, but I had to do the Z on my own. I got a quote from the same transport company figuring that I might get a break since they were already taking two. The quote came back around $1800 for an open carrier. I then requested a quote through U Ship and got a dozen or so transport company responses. Most were around $1100, but because of my situation, none were going to work. Enclosed transport was around $1600. The best any could do was a one week pickup window and an even bigger delivery window. I was leaving on a specific date from MI, so I would have to back up the pickup at least a week before my departure. I also had rented a 30 yard dumpster to clear out anything I couldn't take to AZ and that happened to be blocking the driveway until a few days before my move. I was forced to go with the same transport company that my other cars were using. They gave me a specific date and a few hour window for pickup with about a week window for delivery. When my cars arrived (open carrier), they were filthy, but mostly intact. The side mirror broke off along the route, but to be fair, it was weak and just broke from being shaken, not from being struck. If you request a quote from U Ship, I highly recommend using a throw away email address. You will get dozens of emails immediately and they will keep coming for a few weeks. We ship cars every single day at work via Reliable Carriers and I can say that paying more does not mean better care or reduced chance of damage. It all comes down to the individual driver, the position on the truck, and luck. If your car goes on the back of the truck, it could get unloaded and reloaded several times along the way. Each time they move it brings damage risk. If it's on the bottom deck, it could get dripped on from the car above, and so on.

I remember watching that one when it came out. Enjoyed it then and also now. If we're sharing great Z commercials I like this one for the new Z.

I think I know what inspired the scammers to use the phrase "Hello buddy".