psdenno

And it's not superior just because of the difference in hand brake operation compared to a 40 HP air-cooled VW Bug? How's your lock and key problem coming along BTW? Dennis

I've limped home using the hand brake when a brake hydraulic line broke on the front caliper of an older Porsche I no longer own. On that car, the hand brake was located on the left side of the driver's seat, rather than between the seats, so the driver could down shift and brake using both hands. Clever, those Germans. I have a friend who used to do nifty handbrake turns with his Honda CRX in parking lots. A good all purpose feature with uses other than just keeping a parked car in place. Dennis

Doesn't look exactly like any of the switches on my '71. Do you have your Hazard switch? Possible replacement for antenna switch? Dennis

The Neo-Classic car fad was fun to watch while it lasted. Builders tried to outdo one another with chrome fake side exhaust pipes, floating headlights, various chrome grille shells, and other signs of faux opulence. My favorite, however, wasn't built as a Liberace-mobile. It was the Excalibur, designed by Brooks Stevens. OK, he also designed the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, but the Excalibur was a real car built as a prototype for Studebaker. The original was a cool two seater powered by a Paxton supercharged Avanti engine. When Studebaker didn't pick it up, production went private and several thousand were built over the years. Unfortunately, over the years, it did change from a cool powerful roadster into more of a Liberace-mobile a bit like the Spartan. Dennis

Better yet, strap the designers in before crushing. Stop the problem at the source

After going back and rereading earlier posts in this thread, I'm leaning toward blaming the fuel pump and/or fuel filters as others have mentioned. My experiences with crud in the gas tank and clogged filters sounds very close to what's being described. I just got my 240 back from the shop yesterday after having the tank drained and cleaned as well as other work done. Prior to cleaning, I was clogging filters with very fine silt like particles. Power decreased due to lack of fuel flow and I would idle to the side of the road - no throttle response. It never stalled completely, however, and would always run OK for a while after sitting. Dennis

Back in 1972 I had an ARA AC unit with gigantic York compressor installed on my '71 240z. No FICD needed. I believe all that was needed was to set the idle speed a little higher. About eight years ago, I replaced that sustem with a modern rotary compressor and current refrigerant. Again, no FICD. This time, I did add electric cooling fans for the radiator, however. No problems. Summer temps run 115 degrees where I live, although not the humidity of Panama. FWIW. Dennis

As Steve said, help is on the way. My advice is to do nothing until Steve and Chet get a chance to look things over. Anything you do now may add to the problems they hope to resolve. They will be in a better position to evaluate the situation first hand than any of us can do remotely. Stop, relax, don't buy any parts, don't "fiddle" with anything. Experienced help is on the way and you don't want to create a bigger problem than already exists. Dennis

This is becoming the movie happy ending solution I mentioned in my earlier post. I hope I don't cry Dennis

A Datsun for just $75 is quite a deal. No pictures of the interior, so may need an expensive make over. I do, however, appreciate that it's a "four on the floor". Looks lowered, too. Any chance the owner drives a Dachshund 240Z? Dennis

I see two solutions. The movie happy ending solution is that a helpful group of local Z Car do gooders gets together and makes getting her 240Z back on the road a weekend project. The "wake up call" solution is to cut losses, live within the Social Security budget, and get a reliable car. Buying the 40 year old second Z was a bad decision, no matter how good it seemed at the time. Painful as it may be, a time comes to cut losses and move on. I say this as someone who has poured silly money into maintaining my one owner '71 Z mainly because of happy memories driving it. Jai needs to prioritize her needs and determine where fixing two old sports cars fits into the big picture. As described, I don't think they do. But not my decision, only my suggestion. Dennis

Tough call. It certainly looks good as it is. I guess it all depends on if you like shine on white or black on white. The more I look at your Z, the more I like black bumpers.

Interesting speculation. It's always fun to play "what if". An FRS sized Z would be nice. However, considering that FRS sales took major dump over the past year, that probably isn't going to happen. My guess is that the current sized Z will continue on as is until something else enters its market segment and forces a major rethink to remain competitive. Dennis

After years of reading about forum members' negative experiences with Datsunparts LLC, it's going to take more than the business owner telling us about his wonderful services and pleased customers to change opinions. Perhaps some of those happy customers will chime in and add a little credibility to the claims. That would go a long way toward image enhancement and maybe change perceptions. Dennis

Steam might work. You could try getting it wet again and then pressing it flat while it dries. If it gets too wet, the particle board will start to disintegrate, so be careful. Dennis

Two of the more expensive repair/maintenance items on a 944 are replacing a bad water pump and periodic replacement of the timing belts. The water pump must be the first part in the assembly process because every other part on the car is either attached to it or covers it (only a slight exaggeration). Replacing the pump is so labor intensive that it used to be a $1,000 job 20 years ago. Not sure what it costs now. Timing belts are changed at mileage service intervals. If you don't change them in a timely manner, they have a tendency to break. And then all the valves tap dance on the tops of the pistons. Often, owners will sell a 944 just before that service is due, to avoid the cost. If you do buy one, ask for service records and check the mileage at the last timing belt change. That said, the 944 was a very fun car to drive for many years and everyone should have a chance to own one for a while. It was my wife's daily driver and she loved it. I often drove my then three year old son to day care in it and he would call out shift points based on engine sound. My wife now enjoys her Infiniti G37 convertible and I enjoy its reliability. Dennis

Good memory on you about the aircraft radome paint on my spoiler. The days are far behind when I could stroll into the aircraft fabrication shop on base and ask for my broken spoiler to be fixed and painted. This time will just be plain old off the shelf rattle can black paint after the Z is painted. It's been at least 115º here most days this week, so hoping for a little cooler weather when I start prepping the body for paint. Nothing happens quickly. Dennis

Carbs aren't my only issue at the moment. I have a leak around the transmission port where the speedometer drive gear is located. The two required seals pictured in the following link are still available from Nissan ( http://www.classiczcars.com/gallery/album/524-speedometer-gear-seals/ ) as part #s 32709-14600 and 32710-14600 and also from MSA. MSA is about $1 cheaper for the pair plus shipping and a week's wait as they travel through the postal system. My local Nissan dealer had then to me in two days. Dennis

The saga of my "new" ZTherapy carbs continues. Got the ZTherapy carbs within the promised timeframe and swapped them out for my original 44 year old set. ( Pictures here: http://www.classiczcars.com/gallery/album/517-ztherapy-carbs/ ). My mechanic installed the carbs and noted gas spewing from the float bowl hose on the front carb. I called ZTherapy and they have a replacement hose in the mail to me - good folks to deal with. I'm looking forward to getting the Z back on the road next week. Then the fun begins as I get the body ready for paint and new window gaskets. Too much fun! I still need the small piece of rear hatch glass stainless trim ( top corner piece, passenger side ) if anyone has a spare sitting in a box in the garage. Dennis

You'll never make enough money to afford to pay someone to keep it out of the shop. You just have to suck it up and realize you're working for Porsche while you own a 944. Great car, fun to drive, quite expensive to maintain. Had one for about 20 years until I could no longer justify the upkeep and repair costs. On the other hand, I've owned several 914s during the last 30 years and find them to be much more user friendly - even my current 914-6 which I've owned for over 20 years. Dennis