Diseazd

If you blast the valve cover, you should bead blast.....not sand blast. Also, if you bead blast the cover, make sure it is tightly sealed so no contaminant can enter the cover. I screw mine down with the gasket installed to a piece of plywood using power driven wood screws......tape off the vent tube. The last thing an engine needs is grit!

As mentioned.....Dave Rebello told me that the stock valve retainers would accomodate up to a .220 lash pad. When I used .160 lash pads in my last build, using Dave's springs, they just made me feel uncomfortable sticking above the hat of the retainer. I used Isky springs and retainers instead.....made me feel better.

If you're using a reground performance cam with over .460 lift, you should use performance valve springs (stock springs could stack). Dave Rebello sells new outter springs that you can use with stock inner springs and stock retainers (handles up to .500 lift). He says you can go as high as .220 lash pads with your stock retainers. I personally don't like to see the pads (.175) that high on the retainers (makes me nervous). I use Isky inner and outter springs with their retainers......the pads sit well in that set-up. IMO

I'll bet he plugged both hoses behind the firewall......who needs heat.

Check with Eiji......He gets a number of different heat shields from Japan.....he might have a solution to your problem.

Cygnusx1........One word.....Nice!

Lee....Where do you stand on your project? Looking forward to seeing your finished product. Guy

Yes.....I screwed it down to a piece of plywood with a gasket using wood screws so nothing could get inside, taped ofF the vent pipe and bead blasted the valve cover. Then used acid etching primer, followed up with VHT silver paint. Mag wheel paint works great also. The carbs and intake are Z Therapy.

My recently completed engine bay........

Beautiful car Julio.....nice story. You should have let 'em know what Datsun exhaust tastes like!

Where did you get the Victor/Reinz gasket? It sounds like a nice gasket. Do you have pics? I usually use gasket adhesive on the pan side. You can spray it on the gasket and lay the pan on the gasket, adjusting the holes with a tooth pick until it sets up........Then you can get a few bolts started with the help of a friend. I installed mine without removing anything, or even raising the engine.

Which gasket are you using? The Nissan factory cork gasket, or the competition gasket? If you use the comp gasket, it's really important to take Pop's Z's advice. The cork is a lot more forgiving. I don't use any RTV and I use cork......never had a problem.

I'm glad I don't live in California......I'd have build a fourth garage!

Only looks bad if you like steering with one front wheel attachedLOL........replace the tie end ASAP. Don't screw around with something as important as tie rod ends! IMO

Welcome back! It always amazes me how many really nice Z's show up.

I've got a friend who installed Vintage Rubber door seals in his 71 restoration. He said it was easy to install, fit perfect, and the doors closed perfectly. I saw the installation and it looked awesome. We're lucky to have VR take an interest in the Z cars and to make such a high quality product. We should try to reward that with our purchases so they stay around as a source for our Datsuns.

Agreed - Eiji is a great person to work with. ..............and he'll build you the most beautiful motor (right down to his signature laquer coated freeze plugs) you've ever seen! Eiji is a purist......he loves the "L" series motor.

Right you are Carl.....

Trannies are the same dimensions.....If you wanted to use a longer driveshaft, you'd have to use a 72 mustache bar, a 72 diff mount and the 72 diff hanger. This moves the diff back to correct the angular halfshafts to do away with the so called vibration of the early Z's. When you install a B tranny, it's exactly the same size as your A, so the driveshaft you have is good to go with either tranny. However, you're going to have a pain in the butt trying to make the B fit in your tranny tunnel and console.

No problem Zedy......use what you have in regards to your driveshaft....it'll work with either tranny. Guy

Way to go Brian....You'll have to bring it by to meet it's brothers. Guy

Ditto that.....my 73 is the best driver, but had to drop another engine with round tops and a few other goodies to make it something special. I love 'em all......miss seeing your red avatar. Guy

Congrats.......you're learning. Now find something else to fix.

Snap some pics of your 77......we can't help much w/o seeing what you got. You're right....I'm always a little distressed when the restoration is done! A beer toast to you! Good Luck

Thanks Arne.....always learning something new. Which brings us to what is the best Z to own. My conclusion is even though the early Series I and II's are the most collectable, the Series III is a much better Z to drive with just a small amount of engine mods to bring it up to snuff.