psdenno

A thought about the brake booster.... I wonder why rpm didn't drop other times he hit the brakes - only in heavy traffic, not when he pulled into home parking spot. When my booster went bad it happened every time I hit the brakes. dennis

Not sure why you mention opening the "float valves'. Do you mean float bowls? There's not much that you can do with the valves actuated by the floats except to make sure they're clean and not stuck open or closed. The gaskets on the float bowls can often be reused and are available through Nissan parts departments for a couple bucks if you do need them. Have you considered using a Colortune device for synching the carbs? (http://www.amazon.com/Colortune-for-14mm-Spark-Plug/dp/B000E9VGNM). The Colortune replaces a sparkplug and allows you to see into the combustion chamber while the engine is running to view the color of what's happening. You can tune your carbs to an exact "flame" color and see if it's rich or lean by the color of combustion in the cylinder. Do it once on the front bank and once on the rear and the carbs are synched. I've used one for 40 years and find it to be a good tool for fine tuning the carbs in conjunction with following the adjustment steps in the FSM and using a Uni-syn. Dennis

Interesting. I told you the radiator was fine and not the cause for your problem on January 4th. Could have saved $3 and 10 days by listening. My point is that you've received wonderful advice from experienced Z owners and ignored it. Stanley's post above is another example of great advice. A Uni-syn, or similar carb tool, to synchronize the carbs is essential. Guessing won't do it. Dennis

What a fantastic model! If only my model building skills hadn't stopped improving when I was nine years old. Dennis

Perfect pictures to show to his first Prom date. Dennis

Now you're going all James Bond on me. Only get a cotton windbreaker if it has a Datsun logo patch on the front. As for the plain jumpsuit, keep checking the local thrift stores for one piece leisure suits. The older generation is dying to get rid of them - literally Dennis

When you get the tweed jacket, make sure it's the one with the leather patches on the elbow area of the sleeves. A pipe is also a nice touch, even if you don't smoke. Just carrying one and using it as a pointer adds to the aura. Dennis

But, if you're going with the turtleneck, stringback gloves, and driving cap, a flowing neck scarf the color of your Z would be classier. Dennis

He went out in style with a new album and video released last Friday - must have known the end was very near and had been "sitting on it" waiting for the right time. Video has him in a hospital bed and lyrics mention "look up here, I'm in heaven". Way to go! Dennis

Making a pattern would be the easy part - mostly flat,surfaces. Stamping a copy would be the problem. I would imagine that a welder could replicate it to some degree out of seven or eight individual pieces on a jig. But it would be labor intensive. Dennis

Why do you think there's a problem with the radiator and how could it cause a rough idle and stall? You don't have an overheating problem. Do you have the only Z in Panama? My guess is that there are others. Find out who they are and who works on their cars. Dennis

You keep mentioning that the temp increases to 3/4. THAT IS NORMAL. Let me say that again, THAT IS NORMAL. Your car is not overheating. You measured the temp with the heat gun at 185 degrees. 185 degrees is at the 1/2 hash mark on your gauge. Your gauge is not accurate and is reading high - no Bueno. See the red zone on the temp scale near the 250 on your gauge? If the needle was there, you would have a problem. I would be more concerned about low oil pressure since you mentioned that the engine has a new oil pressure sending unit and your gauge reads near ZERO. Carb adjustment is critical and MAY be the cause of your rough idle and stalling issue. Clogged fuel filters can also be a reason for what you're experiencing. Good luck with future troubleshooting. Dennis

I think we can rule out overheating based on the temperature readings you took. Actual temp is within normal range, gauge reads,high. So, some questions. Did the Z ever run well after you bought it? If so, how long, weeks, months, days? Did anyone check the running condition of the car for you before you bought it? if I remember correctly, you're taking the previous owner's word for what was done to the Z mechanically before you bought it. The engine rebuild was provided by a questionable vendor who has had many complaints about shoddy engine rebuilds in the past. You won't know what's in the engine unless you tear it down and rebuild it - a costly process. I'd suggest looking for an experienced Nissan mechanic and start over if you plan to keep the car. Dennis

If you look at your temperature gauge, you'll see that the numerical range is from an indicated 120 to 250 degrees. That means that the center mark on that scale would be, wait for it, 185 degrees. If your temperature gun reading of 185 on the radiator is an accurate measure of coolant temperature and your dash temperature gauge was accurate, the needle should be at the half way point on the scale, not at 3/4 as you show in the picture. I would suspect an inaccurate temp sending unit or gauge out of calibration and not worry about the reading on the dash gauge. Now, on to the stalling issue. Dennis

A search on this site, and other Datsun Z sites, for "Datsun Parts LLC" and "California Datsun" will bring up earlier message threads that will offer insight into what may be the reason for the engine problems you're experiencing. Shady engine rebuilding history with many complaints of unwillingness to stand behind completed work. Dennis

If you're going for the rubber nipple driving shoes, you'd better plan on also getting a tweed driving cap to match shoes and driving gloves. Got to look coordinated when you play "dress-up". http://www.orvis.com/p/aberford-tweed-driving-cap/7g3y Dennis

Perfect! But, don't forget your string back driving gloves. All sports car fashionista need a good pair of driving gloves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEzz7BZNbA8 Dennis

Type of event, time of year, and location all need to be taken into consideration. While I've never been a guest of Nissan at an event, I've been the guest of Porsche at events in Germany. My packed wardrobe included sports coat and slacks with nice shoes, tuxedo with appropriate shoes, polo shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes. Porsche provided a new car at the factory for use during the scheduled events which ranged from lectures from company ececs and engineers to hot laps at their test facility, to formal diners in castles, to a road rally. Lots of clothing requirements. My wife's wardrobe also ranged from casual to formal evening wear for the events we attended. Dennis

When I converted my '71 to a five speed transmission, I experienced the same interference with the console. However, I didn't need to trim too much to avoid shift lever contact - not nearly as much as in the pictur e in the previous post. With the shifter boot installed, the cut out is not noticeable. Dennis

Do the heater control levers operate smoothly and feel connected? Dennis

Just came in from shoveling up after my eight month old pup so the gardener can take care of the back yard. Almost as bad as cleaning up after a cow! As for males being easy going.....not in my realm of experience. I seem to always pick the one in the litter that wants to be "Alpha Male". The new Cocker is no exception. Dennis

A little pricey, but FREE shipping. Dennis

I was a little taken back by "conversate", too. So, had to look it up. Learned something new. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/conversate Next time I'm in Alabama, I'll have to be careful with whom I conversate. Dennis

Almost as good as Friends University of Central Kansas. Check it out next time you're in Wichita/ Be sure to buy a shirt. Dennis

When I have to bring a metal beam back from Home Depot, I generally strap it on the roof. But I guess this works, too. Dennis