Marty Rogan

Arne, Really nice work on that one. It looks fabulous! You really surprised me in how fast you got the sunroof gone and paint done. Working on a non-rusty Z really makes it more enjoyable doesn't it? Keep up the good work! Marty

I have the Toyota 4x4 brake conversion with vented rotors on my track car. The high heat eventually deposits a microscopic film on the rotors, which makes them vibrate like the rotors are warped. Is there a good way to clean them without having to get the rotors turned? One option I have heard is to use MetalMaster brake pads to clean them up. If there is a quicker easier way, I am open to proven suggestions. TIA, Marty

If you can get the R180 4.11, do it! IT is lighter and you won't have to monkey around with more conversion parts. I just put one in and it took me almost a year to find one. IT makes the car really quick. Marty

My car was built 1/71. My modified shifter ended up not working after all. It moved the problem from contacting at the front to contacting at the rear. I just bit the bullet and trimmed the tunnel and the console. Hated doing it at the time, but once it was done and working I was glad I did it. For the inner boot, get the mounting plate and rubber boot from a Series II car. You can use the mounting plate as a template for how much of the tunnel to trim. You should use the throw out bearing, collar and fork that are correct for the ZX tranny. The auto adjusting slave is much more convenient to use. Good luck! Marty

As long as you already have the tank out, I would take it to a good radiator shop. They can boil it out, weld/solder the joints and re-line the tank. They don't charge that much for this service. Once you have this done, you shoulnd't have any more gas tank issues. Marty

I took mine out for a little Sunday Drive this past Sunday. I put 100 track miles on it at Road America. Yahoooo, that was fun!!! The car ran and handled great. It was a little cold, with a high of 40 but the track was dry. I felt bad for the guys that ran on Saturday when it was raining and snowing while they were on track! Marty

It was interesting re-reading the jute padding discussion, started back in 2003! Man how time flies! I still have not found a US supplier that is close to the original jute material. Has anyone else found it? Marty

Interesting. I had not heard that story. thanks, Marty

What is ultra rare about the 280ZX?? Marty

I was able to get right into the site from Chicago. Marty

Not a bad idea. It will have to wait till the car is out of hibernation though. Pretty soon, ... spring is finally coming! Man it's been a long winter. Thanks for the ideas and info. Marty

Datsun gauges accurate, ha, that's a good one, !!

Good point Brady! I am using 225/50/15's on the car. I guess I will need to play around with the speedo calculator to see which gear set gives the smallest amount of error. Marty

You are right, the website only gives you the tooth count and color. He also states that the red cog from the 4.11 won't fit on the ZX sleeve and to use the white cog from the 3.90 instead. This Courtesy info would solve that problem. Thanks Stephen! Marty

Thanks Arne! Marty

Hi Guys, I went to check Brian Little's website to find info on the various speedo cogs. I recall someone saying lately that the link has changed, but could not find that post. I have recently acquired a 4.11 diff and need to change the cog in my '83 ZX 5spd to match it. Does anyone have the P/N? The new link to Brian's site would be great to have too. Thanks! Marty

Check my gallery. I have 2 cars with 15x7's. I also have a set of Rewinds, but I don't think I have a picture of those in the gallery. Depending on what size tires you get, 16x7's may rub the front fender lips. Marty

I just did some playing around with my spare early choke. I removed all the mounting hardware where it attaches to the bracket and moved it over to the throttle side. With some extra spacers, I was able to get the lever to line up with the slot in the bracket. The slot is a full slot on this one too, not just the half slot as in my other pictures. I wish I had an extra throttle cable to test out the connection to the lever. I don't really feel like going out in the cold garage and tearing my car apart to try it. I wonder if the cable is still available? Carl Beck, any idea? Marty

I see what you mean about the offset from the centerline of the lever. I have an extra series 1 choke assembly that I will have to pull out and look at again. I think what stopped me the last time I looked was how to attach the cable to the lever. Jame's lever looks like the choke lever, but has an extra slot that it rides in. Interesting to see the differences. Marty

Those return springs don't have enough pressure to affect the thottle lever. You just pull it back and it stays where you put it. Works great! Marty

Yeah, I have been less interested in EBAy lately as the pricing does not make sense anymore. There are very few bargains these days. Except of course, when I want to sell something, ! I just bought a steering wheel for my yellow car lately with Beandip's help. He help me locate an original metal cooling fan too. I am collecting the missing parts before they dry up. Once the car is retired from track duty, it will be treated to a restoration. If I see a reasonably priced steering wheel around, I will keep you in mind. Do you need one with holes of no holes in the spokes? Marty

I have always wondered if you could just add a second choke lever to the right side of a series 1 choke bracket to handle the throttle cable. Looks like it could work. Marty

They weren't meant to be used while driving. They are an aid to warming the car up, so you don't have to sit there with you foot on the gas pedal. I love it and buy another for my other Z in a heartbeat. So, if you want to sell yours, I'll take it off your hands! Mine is parked in a bad position to take measurements (hibernating for the winter!). If you can't get to yours, I'll see what I can do on the weekend. Marty

Pictures didn't make it. Let's try that again. Marty

Filipe, I was able to dig out some pictures of my hand throttle when I bought it. Hope this helps. Marty