Obewon

I was on Ebay about two weeks ago and I saw this dash, see attached pics. It's out of a junk yard '78 280Z that had been garage keep with 63K miles. Mint condition dash, no cracks, no rust, all gages, switches, heater controls, vents, wiring. The seller had the seats and full console, with radio up for sale as well and I must say it all looked brand new. I consulted with my chief financial officer, the wife, and received approval for maximum spending limits on these three items. On the last day of bidding, I stayed up to 11:30 PM for the end of the auction. The bucket seats went for over $450 and the console/radio went for over $575. More than I was allowed to bid. The dash, however, stayed in reach. I nailed it for $850 with shipping. Here's where that moral support thing comes in guys; did I do good or blow it? It should be here next week and damn if I don't feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Hey Carl, I can send a better picture if you want. If you look closely, you see the door post was pre-punched\indented for the data plate but never drilled or filled in.

Onuthin, Arne and Mat both make good points. I personally would leave it as is.

Onuthin, Here you go. http://www.new-datsun-parts.com/datsun-240Z-parts-interior2.html I'll take that kingdom now. But seriously folks, you can never have too many spare parts, just a shortage of places to stash them.

Onuthin, From the research I've done on my 240Z, VIN#17924, it was manufactured in 12/70. My roof badges show no vents behind them but on the rear hatch. I have a different problem, no door post data plate was ever attached. The dash and engine bay match. I have no idea what you may have or what year. Attached are pics that may help.

Brushie, Not much snow left. It was up to 50 degrees today and sunny. I live out on the prairie (I have a modular on 52 acres) and most of the snow blows through to Kanas or New mexico. In the Springs it piles up a little more. Thanks for the PM, I'll reply.

Brushie, Hope my bitching about winter didn't put you off. I love living in Colorado and wouldn't move for anything. However, I think this is the worst winter I've seen in the last 16 years of living here. Most of the time the weather is good and the winters are bearable. I think you'll like living here. Attached is a pic of some of the great sunsets I see all the time.

Congrats Will.

Paging Mr. Mehoff, Jack Mehoff to customer service please.

Brushie, I'm 25 miles East of Colorado Springs, 5 miles South of Ellicott off HWY 94. And don't get me started on the weather. Seven weekends of snow storms, cold and wind. COME ON SPRING!!!!!!!!!! I just got the 220 electric heater for the garage and need to install it. Too damn cold to work out there lately. Let me know if you want to talk Z's.

I think you nailed it Mike. Years ago in 70-71 when the 240Z came out, the curves and lines turned my head. Being married to the 1st wife, there was no way for me to own one. I was in the Air Force as the years passed and I watched her go to the 260Z and then the 280Z. All this time I longed to own one. The S30 body with those curves, the lines. After a divorce and a year later, 1978 to be exact, my new wife and I bought a new '78 280Z. That's her picture to the left. We really loved that car. The way it handled, the ride, the zip. I'm currently restoring a '78 280Z, but like a father with more than one child, '71 240Z, '76 280Z 2+2 and the '78 parts car, I love them all the same. The '78 280Z is special to me. A lot of memories with that one. The '79 and up are just some other car to me. No offense to you ZX and up guys. I know you must feel the same about your rides.

Don't say the word "back up" if you're standing behind that. If she had to haul a$$, she'd have to make two trips.

Is this the same woman the cops arrested? When they searched her, they found 50 pounds of crack.

Tony, I felt like I won the lottery when I bought 2 Z's (without engines) for $600 from a new friend. But dude, you're just greedy, . Good for you. I am so envious.

Right Ed, after I polished the inside of the aluminum can with steel wool, I used a good grade of car wax on it befor cutting out the templet. I suppose you could use a clear spray coating of some type if you wished.

Will, you're right. There needs to be a vent but, it could sure be in a better place. I'll have to give that some more thought. And thanks Zak for the feedback. Z Excellence, any of this stuff helping you out?

Thanks Will. The gasket is not the problem. In the bottom, center, of the parking light lens there is a small "U" shape cut out of the plastic. Glued over that is a small square of felt. I can only guess this is to let condensation or moisture out. But driving in the rain at any speed would also let moisture in. I just got a new set of parking lenses and I'm seriously thinking of removing the felt square and sealing the "U" cutout with clear RTV to keep any moisture out. Any thoughts?

Here's what I did to fix mine. I didn't get any feedback from other members on my solution but here's the thread. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24266&highlight=parking+light+refurb

You're more than welcome. I just wish you had some of my luck. I just kind of fall into stuff. A new friend has already given me a engine and tranny out of a 79 208ZX for free. Plus I bought 2 Z cars from him for $600. Good luck in your search and Happy Holidays.

Any junk yard that has wrecked 240Z-280Z. Check the engine for any damage and missing parts. Take a look at the cam after removing the oil fill cap and see what kind of shape it's in. If it's clean and shinny, it might be a worth rebuilding. My local junk yard guy will let me have one for $200 but I wouldn't pay more than $300. I checked with Pep Boys and can get a long block for $1700. If you have a core engine to turn in, that's $200 back. Hope this helps.

I took my parking light lens off my 78 Z to clean and check for rust. When the lens came off, the inside assy was half packed with dirt and half the reflective lens on the inside was half eaten up with rust. Went to Ebay bought a replacement set only to find out they were in the same condition. I came up with an idea a week later. Used a dremel tool with a burr bit and shaved off the 2 heads of the plastic rivets holding the reflective lens in place. I removed the lens and wrapped light cardboard around the back sid side and traced a templet. Then took an aluminum soda can cut it down the side with shop scissors, then cut out the top and bottom. The inside surface is coated with a gray material but with elbow grease and steelwool it polishes up nicely. Trace templet with a scribe and cut it out with shop scissors. I removed the light socket (2 screws) and washed the housing assy. I used the dremel again and ground down the 2 plastic post flush with the housing. Dry fit the new lens to make sure it fits. Using double sided foam sticky tape (two 1 inch squares near the ends on the backside of new lens) to attach the new aluminum lens. Attached is a pic and a templet for your consideration and use. PkLt Tempet.doc

Thanks for the welcome. I'm married to a good woman that tolerates my Z car addiction. She let me build a second 2 car garage and get all the tools I need. I need another garage but I won't dare push my luck until next year. The guy I bought the Z cars from has more parts located in 2 huge garages and said he'll drop them off as he finds them.

Here's my favorite one. Put Vasaline in the ear piece of his phone, then call his number when he comes in to work.

Rob, you're not going to believe this one either. I bought the 76 2+2 for $300 and it is in fairly good (restorable and no engine 85% complete) shape. He then shows me the 71 240Z (restorable and no engine also and 95% complete) he was going to restore and says he changed his mind and he'll let me have both for $600 total. So guess what I did. I'm short $600 but gained two Z cars. No major rust to boot. I should go buy a lottery ticket

Thanks, I've been tagging & bagging while taking sections apart. Sounds like you have a good system. My favorite toy is the digital camera. I take pics before and after disassembly for reference. Thank goodness for ziplock bags and white lables.