Diseazd

Holykawowwow!!!!! Love that Safari Gold.

The early Z trannies and up to and including the 1983 ZX transmission are the same dimensions (length). Therefore, if you take out the original 4 speed (even in the early cars that the diff hasn’t been moved in), the 5 speed (up to 280 ZX) will work with the driveshaft that works with your current setup.

As I understand it, a light flywheel is harder to drive in stop and go situations (in town), but I’ve never installed a light flywheel, so can’t speak from experience. I run the stock 23lb. flywheel and love the driveability of those flywheels. However, I did want to try a somewhat lighter flywheel on my last build and searched everywhere for an 18 to 20 lb. flywheel to no avail. You can get yours cut down, but you can’t get a new flywheel in those weights. I would think that a flywheel in that weight range would be a nice compromise and would sell a ton, but no one makes one........I wonder why?

The whole clutch/collar question is really simple. Exedy clutches are same spec as original Datsun/Nissan pressure plates. If you have a 240Z with a 240Z original pressure plate and order an Exedy 240Z pressure plate, your collar will work. If you are not sure what you have, order a 240Z clutch and a 240Z collar from someone reputable like Motorsports, and it’ll work.....no sweat. If you order a 280Z or ZX clutch, order the corresponding collar. A 240mm clutch and you simply need to order the 2 plus 2 or turbo collar that goes with that clutch pressure plate. The collars are cheap, so why not just order both clutch and collar to match when you order. Just order from someone you trust to know they are sending the correct collar for that clutch. Then if you want to measure for peace of mind, you can do it. It ain’t Rocket Science. IMHO

You guys are sick....get a grip! Seek help........before you do something stupid....over and over 🤪

........and the 240Z collar that goes with that 240Z clutch. Order from Motorsport.....they know Z’s and can talk you through it. 240 clutch disc, pressure plate, collar and throw out bearing and you’ll have a successful install. Good Luck Guy

Like I said.....very simple. Call Motorsport....tell em you want a 240Z pressure plate and a 240Z collar.....it’ll work with your 5 speed. The pressure plate on the left is a 240Z pressure plate. The throw out bearings are the same.

Doesn’t matter whether 4 speed or 5 speed. You just need to match the clutch to the throw out collar. You can order a 240Z pressure plate and 240Z collar, or a 280Z pressure plate and 280Z collar. That simple.....don’t make it too complicated!

Driveshaft lengths are the same for the Datsun (Nissan) 4 and 5 speed transmissions........at least for the common swaps through 280 ZX.

I spoke with Eiji....he said the factory recommends installing those bolts even without a crank fire wheel. I don’t know why, but above my pay grade to argue. FYI

I just didn’t put them in. I assume they were for a degree wheel which I don’t use. Is that correct, or should they be installed? Stroker motor has been run hard for a year without them installed.

@AK260 Have you thought about notching out a spot in each blade to clear those bolts. You could dremel out a notch in each blade to clear those stickie outie bolts. That would keep you from installing a spacer so thick that it would hit the radiator. Just a thought. I didn’t install those bolts in my damper.

In my opinion, there are 2 reasons to convert to a 5 speed. 1) low gear diff 2) you drive long distances on higher speed highways. I don’t do either, so all 5 of my Z’s are 4 speeds and I’m happy with that. Most of my runs are short spirited runs through low traffic areas.....4 gears are plenty......also as Jim mentions, it’s how the Z’s came from the factory. Another plus as they are a lot cheaper and a lot more available. IMHO

Here is the fan I had to go with to clear the Super Damper....still barely cleared. Also, a picture of a set of fan spacers. I assume they are for the 280ZX’s to clear the three row dampers, but don’t have a clue if that’s correct. I guess you could easily make your own spacer out of a number of materials. Stickie outie is what I had too.....just glad it didn’t push the fan too close to the radiator....I didn’t want to go electric.Now that I look at it, I wonder if I could have symmetrically removed some of the inside corner of the fan blades to clear the stickie outie bolts?

I had to find the bigger offset fan for my Super Damper.....I found one with factory spacers.....gave me the clearance I needed. Curious if that came from a 280ZX with 3 row? Anyone seen these spacers?

Very cool story. Walt Maas was a hero of mine along with Morton and Sharp in the early 70’s. Those guys were responsible for more Datsun (Nissan sales) than anything else. I’m sure you’ve got some fun stories. Sorry about your folks....glad you experienced the beginnings personally! Guy

Just curious how others lock flywheel when tightening crank bolt. I usually pull the starter and get a friend to lodge a screw driver in a flywheel tooth to lock the crank. I don’t like to put a screw driver through the cam sprocket or a wrench on the cam as it could put pressure on the timing chain. If on an engine stand, I have a flat metal straight edge I bolt to crank end (2 bolts) until it rests against engine stand to lock the crank. How do others do this? Just curious. Guy

heyitsrama answered your question in the second post. First of all you didn’t post any pictures of your metal rivets, but if you have metal rivets, the solution as mentioned in that post is simple. Drill the center of the metal rivet out with a small bit and your metal rivets will be gone. Then replace with the Nissan plastic rivets still available from Nissan.

Good job heyitsrama.....exactly!

Good Luck on your move Jeff..........

Amazing what that little rubber disc does. I am very surprised that no one makes a replacement disc so you wouldn’t have to pull the booster, but I’ve never seen one offered. I super glued mine on to keep it from falling off on installation.

Yep, the NA RB Z31 is my son Brandon’s car. I can’t wait to see your finished product. These Z cars are so cool......drive it on dry days....enjoy it. What I’ve found out is the perfect restos don’t bring the really big money anyway......the original cars do. But, I don’t restore these cars for the money, just hooked on the Marque. I expect you are too. Great restoration....nice color combo!!!

That’s pretty cool @SteveJ.......Any bets on how long before you get a call from your HOA? Right after they call your next door neighbor with the Pink Flamingos!

This car is incredible!!! Just when I see a restoration that I think can’t get any better than that, one gets better than that. I love silver Z’s. My first Z was a 1970 in silver with a black interior. The only thing that worries me is that it’s gonna be too nice to drive. Congratulations on a beautiful restoration!!!!

Like father ........like son. This car is going to blow the Z community away! Can’t wait to take the twin Safari Gold cars to an East Coast Z event.