Marty Rogan

It's funny that we were talking about Bozo last week. This past week-end WGN had a 2 hour special that looked back on the history of the Bozo Show. It was really interesting to watch, especially some of the early shows. Many of the jokes were laced with adult humor, which really made us laugh. The original Bozo was played by Bob Bell for over 25 years. Ahh, it brought back a lot of found memories. I still think those cars look like a clown should be driving them! Marty

Hi Steve, I have a '72 LeMans Sport Convertible with a white interior. What I have been using for years to clean it is TSP. It stands for Tri-sodium phosphate. TSP was the active ingredient that they used to use in laundary detergent. they stopped using it long ago because of environmental concerns. TSP works really well to get old ground in dirt off. You need to rinse it well when you are done. I have never had it harm the vinyl. But like Carl says, it will never look brand new again. I have also used SEM with excellent results and recommend it highly. Good luck! Marty

So, ...what do you have to do to replace them. I just picked up an '83 5spd and might as well change them while it is out. Marty

Bozo was so popular that parents would apply for show tickets when their kid ws born and MAYBE they could get them by the time the kid was 6 or 7! Marty

Looks a little more like "Bozo" style to me! For those of you from Down Under and other lands, Bozo was a clown on a TV show for like 30 years. !! Marty

Bryan, Do you know what the K&N part number is? Also, where did your get them and how much did they cost? Thanks, Marty

I can understand the necessity of match the correct port shape. How did the MSA header fit. Also, how well is it holding up? Marty

Yes, I have seen MSA's coated headers. Seems like I recall hearing many people complain about proper fitment with the MSA headers. Marty

I just found out that you can order headers through Jet Hot coatings, with the coating already applied. The 240Z header is made by Hooker. I am putting an '82 ZX L28 into my 240Z, which they list as being made by Pacesetter. Has anybody out there used a Pacetter? Are the any good? Fitting issues? TIA, Marty

Just another tip that could save you some bucks. Take your heater core to a radiator shop. They will usually check it out for you for a nominal fee. In my case, they did it for free. I ended up not needing a heater core after all, as it was just the bad valve theat the PO bypassed. Just go back to them when you need real work done. Good luck. Marty

Thanks for the responses guys. So far I intend to keep the R180, so it sounds like it will be no problems. Thanks again. Marty

Will half shafts from a 280ZX bolt right up without issues on a '71 240Z?? TIA, Marty

Well, it depends. Are you replacing with stock rubber bushings or PU? Getting the old ones out is not a lot of fun. Some people burn them out. That was way too toxic for me. I used a drill and made a million holes in the rubber until it gave way and I could pull it out with some pliers. Check the instructions of the manufacturer of the new bushings to see if you need to re-use the outer sleeve of the bushings. IF you do, you may be better off having the bushings pressed out by a shop. If you don't need them, get the rubber out of the way, carefully use a hack saw to cut a groove in the casing, and then you can peel it out with a screw driver and hammer. Don't cut into the control arm! PU bushings go back in fairly easy. When I did the stock rubber ones on my '70 I had a shop press them back in. Marty

Tom, The locking pins are pressed in. Just tap them out with a hammer from the threaded side. If you leave the nut on, you might be able to re-use them. I just replaced mine. Once those are out, then you get to have fun with the spindle pins!!! Good luck, Marty

George, You have come to the right people to share these feelings. I get this same thing a lot, especially from the wife. You've got "Z Fever". It's a chronic disease that NEVER goes away. I was first infected in 1980 when I saw a friend's 240Z. After a short time I had to have one. Bought a 73 and restored it and spent a ton of money on it till it got totalled in '87. I got married, had kids and a house and thought the Z Fever had gone away. WRONG!! It was 11 years later and it returned stronger than ever. I just had to have another Z. Now I have two 240Z's! I will not willingly give them up. They are already written into my will to pass on to my kids when I am gone. Resign yourself to the fact that you can't get rid of Z Fever and just savor the car while you can. Marty