psdenno

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

My pleasure. Enjoy the hell out of that Caddy when you get it. Dennis

I don't think that paint will buff out too well. Definitely not for the faint of heart, although it is from a dry environment. Dennis

I've always like the look of the enclosed rear wheel wells and wondered how easy it is to change a flat tire back there. Dennis

For most of us a ride in a Cadillac is the last ride we take. Good for you in wanting to ride in one sitting up. As for my dream car, I think it would be a 1983 Avanti II. The GM mechanicals make it easy to service and the classic Lowey designed fiberglass body make it a pleasure to view. My wife has indulged me on my Porsche, Z, and Studebaker Avanti, so I don't push my luck with a newer Avanti. It's good to have something to dream about. Dennis

The ring hanging from the rear bumper? Dennis

As I mentioned above, decide how much protection you need. You referenced the Weather Shield, which is the highest level of protection with a 5 year warranty. At the other end of the scale is the poly cotton cover for under $170. It's a great cover that protects from sun, bird droppings, light morning dew, and dust. It will soak though in a rain storm, however. Although it says it's for inside use, I've used them on my cars outside for years. When dirty, they can easily fit in a washing machine and home dryer. If you don't need protection from nuclear fallout, acid rain, and meteor strikes, poly-cotton will probably serve you well. Dennis

Not original to your '71, but a fun relic of the era.. Dennis

Covercraft makes custom fit covers for just about any car, new or old, and has been around for 50 years. I used to be a dealer for them a few decades ago and sold tons of them for Studebakers and Porsches. I know that they have Z custom fit covers. If you have a car for which they don't have a custom pattern, they will create a cover from dimensions you provide. They have thousands of custom patterns. Before you go cover shopping, decide where your car will be covered - outside or in the garage. Some covers are merely dust covers while others are made of fabric that "breathes" and will let moisture escape and not not leave water stains on paint. Waterproof covers keep water out, but also trap any moisture like condensation in and cause paint damage. A good quality poly-cotton cover will work well indoors or out and last for years. You can also get a cable lock for security or windy days. http://www.covercraft.com/ Dennis

Continuing off topic, there must be some forum members familiar with I-70 between Topeka and KC, as well as west of Topeka, who might know if the wind socks are still up. I may bring up Google Earth and scan down the highway to see if I can spot one. Dennis

That high speed lift wasn't limited to the race track. I remember catching a strong crosswind while driving the Interstate near Topeka, KS that lifted my Z and moved it from the slow lane to the fast lane. Had I been in the fast lane, I would have ended up in the center divider. There was a stretch of Interstate back then (around 1972) that had orange wind socks in the center divider as a visual warning to drivers of strong crosswinds. I wonder if they're still there. Dennis