Marty Rogan

Well, Chloe at Midwest Z has worked her magic again and scored me a complete Choke/throttle control assembly. I am so excited about getting this! The part is a really nice NOS piece. This part is really old. It has to be at least 33+ years old. This part should settle the debate about what knobs came on the original parts. It has rounded knobs for the throttle and the choke. One question for those of you that are using these. I understand that the cable attaches to the back of the gas pedal. I am wondering if it needs to be attached by a bracket or something to the firewall? It seems that you would need some way of fixing the cable up there to get enough leverage to pull on the gas pedal. I would appreciate any input you can provide on how this is installed. Here's a few pictures. Thanks, Marty

Victor, You can count me in too for one of your kits, if you don't have to cut into the wiring harness. Let me know how much you are asking and when they might be ready. My car is an early 71 if that matters. Thanks, Marty

Thanks guys. I had heard that Earl's hoses were really good. I am glad to hear that is what MSA is selling. I am going to order a set. Thanks again. Marty

Has anyone used the MSA stainless steel brake hoses? Are you satisfied with the quality? Did they install easily and fit correctly? If there are any better (or cheaper) alternative hoses out there, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks, Marty

The interior on my 70 is blue. It's interesting to see others, as they are pretty rare from what I have heard. KAt's has a really nice looking blue interior on his 70, which was blt about 3 months before mine. White has to be a pretty rare color too. I don't see too many at all. Instead of changing to black, you might want to try SEM Vinyl Dye to whiten it up again. It would be cheaper than buying all black interior parts. I SEM'd my driver's door panel blue (from black) because they are impossible to find (Been looking for a new one for 5 years). SEM isn't recommended for seats, but new white ones are available. Later, Marty

Hey Carl, Does Bambikiller have a blue interior, or is that a seat cover showing through the window? Marty

My money is on the ballast resistor. I've had that hapeen twice. When strting the car, try holding the key slightly toward the start position (not enough to ground the starter though!), just don't let is spring back all the way. IF it stays running while you are holding the key, and then dies when you let go, it is definitely the balast resistor. They are about $5. Good luck. Marty

Victor/Keith, One of our members on the email list posted a source for connectors a couple of weeks ago. Here is the link: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/615/606.pdf And here's another source: http://store.yahoo.com/eagleday/blco.html Hope this helps! Marty PS: Victor, I think you have a Roadster too, right? Here is an interesting parts source: http://www.datsunparts.com/

I ended up going with some NOS Euros that I got off eBay. They still had the Nissan part# tags identifying them as Stage I Euros. I was expecting them to lower the car by 3/4". Instead they ended up raising the car by 1+". I am hoping they will settle a little over time, but I guess that is trying to be optimistic. They are definitely stiffer and significantly reduced body roll. That is with new rubber bushings as well. The ride is stiffer over the bumps, but not harsh at all. I haven't really had a chance to put a lot of miles on them since I finished the project in Mid September. Someone recommended cutting them down to the height I wanted. I am not so sure about that idea. Well, thats been my experience with Euros. Marty

It's funny how Nissan inventory works. Last year when I re-did my suspension, NOS stock springs were NLA from everywhere. I would be surprised if Courtesy could get them, but would love to see it happen. Let us know if you can get them. The only other option I could find to get stock springs (and I looked EVERYWHERE) was from Banzai Motorsports: http://www.zzxdatsun.com/ As I recall, they were aftermarket springs made to Nissan specs and were around $360. Good luck, and let us know what you end up with. Marty

Hi Capt, Glad to hear it drove well on the way home. Sounds like you will have a fun project to improve over the next few years. As far as I know, 5spds were on option till they became standard on the 280ZX. They only thin I am not certain about is the Black Pearl model. It may have been standard on that. You can check out http://zhome.com/ They have info on a few special models and collectable Z's. Congrats on your purchase. Marty

26thZ, Sorry if that was confusing. I meant to say that the AMCO rubber floor mats were meant to go on top of the OEM carpeting to protect it. I would like to get a set of those, but they are getting very rare. Marty

Hi Kats, I have a Z that could be the twin sister to yours. It is HLS30-05341, blt 6/70. It is blue with the blue interior. The side sills are covered in a thick black vinyl material. US spec cars did not have carpet in that area. I also have an early 71, HLS30-18420, which has the same material on the side sills. Actually every US Spec 240Z I have seen, has had this same vinyl material on the side sills. The floors and the rear deck rear had carpets. Rubber front floor mats were available as a "Dealer Option". I believe they were actually manufactured or sold by a company called ADCO. They had a few optional accessories for the 240Z back then. 26th Z, do you know of a US source for the jute material? Marty

Mark, There are actually quite a number of us Z nuts in Illinois. The WCZC June show had a little over 50 cars show up! That was the largest show we have had. Hey, now that you have a running Z, a couple of hours cruise north for some of these events would be fun. I usually drive down to Indianapolis each year for their show, and that about twice as far. There are at least 3 other guys that I know from around here that frequent this site also. Next summer maybe, I'll cruise down your way for a visit. I would love to see haow you are doing with #215. Of course you are welcome to drop by my place if you are ever in the NW Suburbs. Marty

Hi Captn, Welcome aboard! The looks pretty good from the pics. Did you buy it locally? How many miles on her? Was that the original color or a re-paint? If that is original black fromthe factory, you have a Black Pearl Edition there, which is collectable. If you haven't already, you ought to join the Windy City Z Club: http://www.windycityzclub.com/default.asp It's a great group of people. Marty Arl. Hts

MArk, That's a really nice looking Z, even if it is a 280Z. Love the wheels. What brand are they? Are they 15's? By the way, in Illinois, you are legal to drive the car if you have the sellers title and bill of sale with you. Also, you can register, license and re-titel the car at a currency exchange. That's what I did with the 71 I bought recently. A few extra dollars in service fees was worth it to me to stay away from the DMV long lines. Have fun with the new Z!!! Marty

You need to look here: http://zhome.com/ This site has a lot of good info. Good luck. At least you are in CA, the land of plentiful Z cars! Marty

Banzai Motorworks has the rear panel for $110. http://www.zzxdatsun.com/ Marty

Mark, Congrats! It's great to get those impossible to find parts. Like the blue interior drivers door panel that I have been looking for for 6 years. Some day I might get lucky. We'll turn you into a concourse guy in no time! Just curious on what you paid for the hup caps? I got a set of unused ones when I bought my 71. Marty

Greyghost, What did your friend use to cut the springs? It seems that it woudl be hardened steel, which could be a real job with a common hacksaw. What do you do at the new end. The stock design has the last curl mating into the previous one. Seems like, if you just hack off an inch or two, you would have a rough end, which may not mate up well with the upper perch. By the way, I just posted some pictures of the car in the gallery which shows you what I am talking about. Marty