psdenno

Sliding the fuse box through that small console opening can cause a few exciting sparks if the battery is still connected - don't ask me how I know :stupid: Dennis

I'm not sure how my $1.98 "plastic lawn furniture" paint will hold up, but with a couple coats it had a very acceptable finish. Thanks for the "Wow!!!".

Totally smooth as if it had been pressed on in one stroke with a paint pad. I used a sharp point, not the wedge point, Sharpie and held it horizontal to the ridge being highlighted. Then it was just a matter of lightly dragging the side of the point along the ridge. I paint model cars about as well as a five year old, so I didn't want to use a color source that could run, drip, or leave brush marks. I think the Sharpie cost about $2.50 at the local craft store. I'm sure they are also available at places like Staples, Office Max, or Walmart. Dennis

It turned out to be easier than I anticipated. Using the Sharpie for the silver trim works best if you do the inner boxes around the choke handle first and the raised outer edge of the entire panel last. Dennis

I recently pulled the shift lever on my '71 240Z to replace bushings. While the console was out, I decided to clean it up and repair stress cracks and 38 years of abuse. I got a new vinyl shift boot from MSA and reupholstered the hinged arm rest that I had installed in about 1972. I fiberglassed the underside of the console below stress cracks that were visible on the top side. Next, I filled the surface cracks with two part epoxy putty. I brushed away excess putty with a tooth brush so it wouldn't fill the grained surface. I tried a couple brands of paint before finding one that had the correct satin finish - $1.98 at True Value Hardware. The $8 a can name brand I tried first just wasn't right. Finally, I scrubbed the panel that holds the rear window defogger switch and surrounds the choke cable handle. The silver edging on the panel was long gone and I knew I'd have a difficult time trying to paint it. Instead of paint, I used a silver Sharpie pen. By dragging the edge of the pen along the raised areas of the panel, the silver highlight was easily restored. Pictures can be seen at : http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=177 Dennis

"How To Restore Your Datsun Z-Car" is a good start. The Haynes manual for the 240Z is also a good book to have near by as you start your project. Keep us updated! Dennis

Did we rule out the steering rack bushings? Dennis

As was mentioned, it depends on what you start with. I bought my Z new in 1971, drove it for about 12 years as primary transportation, let it become a seldom used car, and finally stored it for 15 years. When I brought it out of storage, I poured about twice what it cost new into making it roadworthy, and have driven it for only the price of gas for the last two years. Could I/Will I spend more? Certainly. But, for now, it offers great driving pleasure at far less expense than the late model family Audi. Dennis

I had a similar surprise with the floor of my '71. A couple years ago, when I was bringing it back to life after a 15 year snooze, my mechanic had it up on a lift and pointed out the huge dent under the passenger seat. Seems that at some point since 1971 a jerk with a floor jack had decided the floor pan was a lift point. I let it go and consider it to be patina. Dennis

Looks like quite a project! It can only get better from where you're at with it now. Keep us posted. Dennis

If it makes you feel any better, the dealership in Rancho Mirage, CA that services my Audi charges $135 an hour. Six miles from there my 240Z mechanic charges $65 an hour. Shop around. There are good mechanics at reasonable prices. Do it yourself - learn a skill and celebrate by buying beer for your friends with the $100 you save. A Win/Win situation. Dennis

Works for me. One black face & one in white. Nice job! Dennis

I've searched the archive, but haven't found an answer. I'd like to hear from anyone who has put BMW 318 or 325 seats in an early Z. Do you need to mount them lower than the stock seats mounts or just fab a simple mounting bracket on the stock floor mounts? First hand experience appreciated. Thanks, Dennis

Nice clean look! Dennis

Ford Explorer Sport Trac or Audi A6. Dennis

Let's all chip in a couple bucks a piece and donate it to a museum. That would keep it off ebay for a while. Dennis

Timely post - I just renewed my policy with American Collector's Insurance this morning. 1971 240Z, $11,500 value, $0 deductible, includes coverage for $500 spare parts and $25 basic towing: Annual Premium - $77.16 For comparison with my other cars on the policy... Same coverage for 1963 Studebaker Avanti valued $18,000: $120.32 Same coverage for 1970 Porsche valued $31,500: $173.96 There is an annual mileage limitation of 2,500 on each car, which is not a problem for me - but may be for some. Dennis

My owner's manual is currently in a tool chest drawer in my garage since my glovebox crumbled. (Note to self: Order reproduction glovebox) Factory shop manuals and Haynes manual are on a shelf in my home office. Dennis

You're going to get a bunch of opinions on this one, so let me be among the first. I ran AC on my '71 Z for decades with no aux fan. I did have a bigger than stock radiator, however, and a flex blade clutchless fan blade in place of the stock unit. I had no problems. When I switched out the original ARA unit last year, I installed a Hayden 3670 electric fan that comes on when the AC is on (about $100). I got rid of the flex fan and installed a stock plastic fan & clutch. Works well in 110 degree heat here in the desert. There are various other solutions, including junk yard fans from other makes. Dennis

As =Enigma= stated above, a Z is worth only what a buyer is willing to pay. You'll generally be money ahead, and on the road sooner, buying someone's completed project rather than reviving a tired Z on your own. Of course, it's hard to put a value on the pleasure, or pain, you'll get from completing a project car. Most of us are dreamers who search for the one time good deal or fantasize about completing a total restoration under budget and on time. It makes life interesting. Good luck with your search! Dennis

I had my Audi painted at Maaco a couple weeks ago and will run the Z past them for an estimate after I do a little more body work. My wife drives the Audi and was pleased with the results. Initally there were a couple dust specks on one door and they corrected the issue to our satisfaction. Dennis

For me, covered headlights complete the Z. I added a set of unsealed, rimless, covers shortly after I bought my Z in '71 and finally removed them a couple years ago. I'm now prepping a second set of headlight buckets for a pair of sealed covers with the metal rims. Can't wait to get them on! Thanks for the inspirational pictures to get me remotivated. Dennis

I think reproducing them for anything other than your own amusement could lead to problems. Someone, somewhere, still owns the rights to the artwork/pictures. I speak from experience. Several years ago, as editor of an international Porsche club publication, I included a reprint of a 25 year old magazine advertisement for a product that included a picture of a Porsche. Generally, I always got permission before reprinting something, but this time I didn't as I thought, "What could go wrong?". Within a couple weeks, I had a call from the photographer who originally took the picture used in the product ad. He still owned the rights to the picture and requested that my lawyer call his lawyer to work out payment for unauthorized use of his work. What was the chance of that happening? About one in a bazillion! I learned a powerful lesson. I suggest you take a little time and use the internet to track down the owner of the rights and request permission to copy. I've never had a rejection, when I asked for permission. Dennis

Sometimes the end bolts are the hardest part to remove. Go easy on them as it's quite easy to break them off......he said from experience. After removing them, I just undo the nuts holding the bumper to the bumper brackets and off it comes. Can be done solo, but an extra pair of hands makes it easier and prevents scratches. Dennis

Thanks, that sort of clears it up for me. Keep us posted on your experiments. Dennis