psdenno

Good looking Z! Dennis

I have the "front valance with aero lip" - creepy name. I put it on a few years ago after I installed 15" Rewinds and larger tires. The right front tire rubbed slightly on the stock metal valance when turning, so I thought this would be an easy solution that could be trimmed if the tire still rubbed. I didn't want to hack at the stock valance. Quality of the part was top notch, fit was perfect, and installation of the turn signals was fairly easy. Tires didn't rub, so there was no need to trim the edge by the front wheel well. I've had a "Spook" spoiler in the past to compensate for front end lift and, because of its size, I'm sure it did a better job than the Aero Lip. However 80 mph on the highway with the Aero has been smooth, so it must do something. Dennis

For some reason, my Z is the only car I drive that makes me smile when I'm behind the wheel. Always has. Dennis

Mad Max, your ride is here...... Dennis

Wouldn't mind having one in the driveway - or the stack of money it probably costs. Dennis

Perhaps, even better, would be to apply for one of the BBC job vacancies in New York, Florida, or California so that you could work your way into a position to influence programing. See list of 22 job vacancies at the link below: https://www5.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/BBC/PublicJobs/controller.cfm Dennis

Can't put a price on the fun! Think of it as money well spent. Dennis

I recently put a 5 speed in my 4/71 Z and everything fit nicely with nothing extra to buy except for replacing "wear" items like clutch, T/O bearing, rear engine seal as part of the job. Transmission tunnel hole needs to be enlarged and a late style rubber inner boot used. The later boot is held in place with a trim ring and fasteners rather than just being a press fit in the opening like the early boot. Dennis

So, to bring closure to my 5 speed swap, here's what happened..... In late December, I took my recently purchased 5 speed gearbox of unknown condition to KBL Transmission in Midway City, CA (Orange County) for rebuilding prior to having it installed in my '71 Z. The folks at KBL were friendly, knowledgeable, and fast. The trans was ready for pick-up three days later. I brought it back to the desert and gave it to my mechanic who then removed the old 4 speed and installed the new 5 speed and a few other things while everything was apart. On the drive home from his shop, I noticed that the transmission popped out of 2nd gear when decelerating. Bummer! I got home and called KBL who said to bring it in and they'd take care of it. Since they are about 100 miles from where I live, I told them I'd have to wait until my Easter vacation. No problem. On Easter break I removed my center console, detached the rubber shift boot, and drove the Z to my in-laws house which is just a few miles from KBL. As I neared my destination, transmission fluid started spewing from the area around the shifter boot and spraying the interior of the car. I limped it to the in-laws and had it towed to KBL the next morning. The folks at KBL said the drive shaft had taken out the rear trans seal and recommended shaft replacement. They reworked the trans internals and replaced the seal while a replacement for the drive shaft was being readied. The trans continued to pop out of 2nd. After pulling the trans several times to adjust and replace parts, they finally put all the internals in a new case and it worked perfectly. They delivered the Z to the in-laws house a few weeks ago and I finally picked it up yesterday. The only charge was a very reasonable one for the rebuilt drive shaft. I highly recommend KBL if you need transmission repairs or a rebuild. They stand behind their work and aren't satisfied until the customer is. Their phone # is 714.698.1466. Ask for Don. After dealing with my car, they may never want to work on another Z, but give them a try, anyway. Dennis

If any of the visible rubber on the M/C is suspect, replace the whole unit. Chances are that the internal seals are in the same condition. Check the clutch cylinder, too, if you haven't already done so. Cheap and easy to replace on your terms, but a real pain and danger when they go out unexpectedly. Dennis

I think if you Google Celica Sunchaser you'll see that it was factory approved and more of a Targa top than a sunroof mod. A Celica SUNCHASER is nothing more than a special conversion of a 1979-1981 Toyota Celica. In all, probably 2000 GT and ST models were produced from all three factories in these years. The Griffith Company was commissioned by TOYOTA to do the conversion. It involved cutting of the roof immediately behind the windshield to the edge of the B-Pillar to accommodate a targa style removable roof, and removal of the roof from immediately behind the B-Pillar to the trunk to accommodate a collapsible convertible rear section. When fully converted, all that remains of the normal roof is a roll bar. Specific Alterations- A sticker with the Griffith Griffin and SUNCHASER production number is placed on the inside of the Glove compartment door. A badge stating "SUNCHASER" is placed on the outside of each B-Pillar, though mine was removed, you can still see where it should go. It's the long grayish section at the bottom. A fiberglass enclosure is placed around the B-Pillar and remaining narrow band of roof and skirts underneath the convertible top. A Leather/Leather-like padding is added to the interior of the B-Pillar / Roof. Dennis

And stories you shall have..... I've had 39 years of adventures with mine and look forward to many more. Welcome to the group. Keep us posted on your progress. Dennis

Since this thread is still growing and I have a little time today...... I got my license in 1963 and drove the "family" cars for a few years. Then, I began owning. 1963 Studebaker GT Hawk (Still have it.) 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 1969 Pontiac Gran Prix (First new car, sold it in the Philippines) 1971 240Z (Still have it.) 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 (Still have it.) 1974 Porsche 914 1983 Thunderbird 1971 Porsche 914 1968 VW Cabrio 1970 Porsche 914-6 (Still have it.) 1992 Toyota Camry SE 2001 Audi A6 (Still have it.) 2003 Ford Sport Trak Dennis

Maturity is an amazing thing. At this point in my life, I take comfort in knowing that my Z, Porsche, and Avanti could probably all come close to "pegging" the speedometer without actually having to prove it on the highway. However, the last time I went 148 mph in a Porsche was a heck of a lot more fun than just knowing it could probably go that fast. It's unlikely to happen again. Dennis

I look out my kitchen window and see the San Andreas Fault on the other side of the Valley. I'll be among the first to know when the BIG ONE hits. As for earthquake insurance, I have it, it's expensive, and there's a huge deductible. The prevailing wisdom tends to suggest going without it and in case of major structural damage from a quake, torch the house and put in a fire claim. Dennis

Ten months of desert heat & cold and the silver Sharpie highlighting is still holding up well without any protective coating. Dennis

AutoWeek has an online magazine of Z car history containing their compiled articles from previous issues. Free just for filling out a form or 99 cents if you want to keep your identity a secret. Use this link: http://www.autoweek.com/section/ztastic Dennis

It will take only one unhappy customer with a rusty "stainless" bumper to put them out of business. Since it's such a narrowly focused product I'd be surprised if they went to the expense of tooling up with the intent of producing an inferior bumper. However, having spent more than a little time in SEA, it's not out of the question. They look great - hope they're around long after the rest of your Z returns to the Earth. Dennis

The Z appears to be more of a Craig's List or Ebay car than a Barrett Jackson car. I'd be interested in learning why the seller went that route. Dennis

You mean spending a disproportionate part of my waking hours reading Datsun Z stuff isn't a life, either? OMG!!!!!! Dennis

I'm guessing the one in my recently rebuilt 5 speed was NOT put in correctly and that's what caused the problem after about 100 miles of use. Still waiting for the damage report from the transmission shop. Dennis

Here's a link to pictures of the seats before installation. You'll also see a diagram of the bracket needed to attach Z seat rails. I'll post pictures of the process after I install the driver's seat. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=174 The basic procedure is to remove the BMW seat rails and construct a frame that allows the Z rails to fit tightly against the bottom of the seat cushion. Each new frame requires 3' of angle iron and about 7' of 2" steel bar stock along with an assortment of grade 8 nuts & bolts. Only the passenger seat is currently installed and offers ample headroom for my six foot tall son. The Z and I are currently slightly stranded 100 miles from home with a transmission issue. Hope to be home by the weekend. Dennis

I originally had the York set-up and when I pulled the Z out of stoage three years ago I converted to the new current rotary compressor. Dennis

Wish I had read this yesterday before I hit the road in my Z. It started puking trans fluid at 70 mph on the freeway and is now at a transmission shop 100 miles from home. Dennis

I just carry a AAA card and a cell phone. Whatever happens, happens. Dennis