TomoHawk

Would it be possible to substitute truck bedliner stuff for the vinyl in high-traffic area, likethe door sill? I think it might look good if the texture or color wasn't too rough or irregular.I can get a can of spray-on stuff and try it... thx.

I had a digital memo thing (the kind that takes multiple memoes) velcroed to the dash for the first few months after I got my car. I had a few things that needed immediate repair, but otherwise, if I noticed something, I just presssed the record button and spoke (yelled?) a message formyself, and later wrote the messages down in a notebook when I was home. Either that, or carry a small notebook & pencil in the car. You might need to give your number to some beautiful girl! or Z friend. thx

I did a little autocross with my stock 280Z. Another guy was there the same day with his stock 280Z, although it went like the engine was fixed up some. Other than that, he just had some grippier tires. Do lots of reading & research, and go visit some events you might like. Many organisations have a web site, with help/tips, rulebooks, etc., and friendly people you can contact. Ask them questions ( there are no dumb questions.)

You should do your car a favor and get the entire fuel rail off, the injectors out, and have them serviced. I noticed that more than 1 one my hoses werew ready to go, and the in & out lines needed replaceing too. Then you'll have all 6 new hoses & good clamps when you put it back together, and the knowledge that all the injectoorkrs are working &and flowing well. It's a little extra work & time, but you'll be able to clean your intake, the fuel injection rail, injectors, and have everything new and performing when it's done. 30 years from now, you can have somebody else do it for you. :lick:

This Christmas brings me 50-degree weather, so I can go out to the car and do a little work on it occasionally. Last year we had 26 inches of snow by now.

It's like asking if there are any good deli's in NYC...

You need the basic tools of restoration, mate: 1. Tape & label stock/ permanent marker 2. Digital or film Camera 3. Notebook & pencil 4. clear plastic bags & ziploks Right now you need the correct wiring diagram for your car.

What's the difference between the two grades of glass?

What we are doing here is to splice a connector with wires already on it into the existing wiring. Just cut the wiring back a little, and connect the new connector with soldering or crimped butt joins. I think Stephen already mentioned that the polarity of the connector didn't matter.

I think I saw somewhere some kind of heat shrink stuff that has a lubricated core (for marine use, I think.) That would go over the wires right at the connector, and you should be able to push it into the oem- style rubber so the wire doesn't bent so fast straight out of the rubber neck. If I can't find any straight away, I could always make my own with a little silicone RTV stuff on the wire before shrinking the tube on.

I'm starting into the process of replacing the fuel injector connectors on my 280Z I have gotten the entire fuel injection hareness of an 88 BMW ( dunno which model tho, just the year) and it had about 40 of the Bosch injector-style connectors on it. Some had the usual smooth- style of rubber on it, and some ( the injector connetors) had a corrugated- style rubber on it. Take a look at he pictures below. I'd like some opinions on who likes which better. They both serve the same finction; the one is just a little fancier. Also, Since I'll be splicing into the wires on the Z's injector harness, I would like to know what to use over the wires to protect them, like the L28's black plastic sheathing ( which is hard or brittle,) which I'll probably remove to get to the wires inside. I could just get some black insulation from 8 or 10 gauge wire, or is there a more appropriate material? Something very flexible to make the sharp bends near the injectors. thx

RockAuto is one of my favourite suppliers for 280Z engine & mechanical parts. Better than NAPA in many ways. Too bad nopbody has gotten their windsheild wipers to go faster with a new (Datsun) wiper motor yet...

Where do you get those in the U.S.? Maybe they have new wiper motors too? thx

My GPS was almost free and I already have a Palm. Do you think the stalk blocks the window any?

Is anyone using the dash-mounted suction cup disk? I am concerned about getting one of those because the disk might be conspicuous, as it doesn't blend in with the curves of the dash, and it can't come off. I will assume they probably work about as good as a glass mount, but what kind of support does your mount use, gooseneck or artculated? The articulated style looks like it would be more rigid. BTW, I think Mapopolis might be cutting the price of the NavPack maps to about $70. thx

I'm not sure about the snaps you need, but in the sewing or leather store, they usually come in sets. There is the new 'Industrial strength' velcro out now. It seems to be even more grippy than the cloth-backed stuff. It's also stiffer, because the hooks part has a plastic backing.

Sometimes a bunch of people need somebody to bring things together, Gary. No defense is needed, only to get things back together between the different points of view. I usually leave opening for people to jump in to add their experience or to tangent the topic (it's called brainstorming.) Sooner or later somebody else will have the same question. Myself, I want to know more about the vinyl, if any, there is in the 280Z, besides on the scuff plates, but that's a different topic. Do you have a copy of the 240Z restoration book by Wick Humble? It would probably answer many questions. I also have a document from the 240Z factory restoration effort. It's like checklist for any Z car restoration.

76Datsun280z has a 280Z. mlc240z mentioned vinyl, and Mally002 contributed a picture of 240Z stuff. As usual people are talking about their car, or about the stuff they are familiar with. I decided to clear it up by getting people to realize that they're talking about the different models, and things need to get on the same line. I am quite aware that there is no vinyl on the transmission tunnel of a 280Z.

Thanks Jim & Mike, for the interest & support. Irregardless of all the lesser comments from people who need to grow up, I was able to find some interesting information on all the above names, and one document describing the construction of the doll: Craft article Even eBay.au had a couple auctions of these kinds of dolls.

That's a sarcastic comment. A blanket or any object could easily be used to cover a flaw; and I appreciate most flaws in older cars because that's what gives them character!People put them in because otherwise the car would be empty, and one might wonder if it was driven by ghosts. Otherwise, it's just a cold, soul-less bunch of metal, wood, rubber, and fabric. People do the same thing with train sets, model boats& airplanes, dioramas... What good is an empty scene where you'd normally see people?

When did the 280Z have vinyl on the trans tunnel?

If you want to, you can buy the snaps that use a screw to attach to the trans tunnel around the brake handle. Find a place that does boat/trailer covers, or maybe a place that does pickup tonneau tops. You'll need to remove the passenger seat and slide cover on the handle to see where the snaps will screw in. My car didn't have one in it when I got it, and I didn't see any holes where screws may have been. Is there a usual reason?

"...overlay gps information or/and G force (lateral, braking, accel) graphics, Whatever..." Are we going to see your videos on ABC Sports or something?

You intend to record your entire trip on video? How about using time-lapse? Some camcorders have that function. If you take 1 picture per second, 2 seconds of video is 1 minute of driving. A camera with a good lens and fast focusing would give you good images so you can read signs, etc.

I think replacing the old single-jet squirters with something like this would make better use of your windsheild washer pumps. I look for a jet with dual nozzles, and attaches with a nut from underneath. It would have to fit in the slots in the air cowl, unless you intend to make it permanent, and have way to seal the metal after drilling or shaping a hole to fit the jet. An example: VW beetle nozzle Auction Either that, or something like the l.e.d. jet without the l.e.d. I even favour the style from a Ford Escort, which is plastic, somewhat flat, and has a fanned spray pattern. thx VW washer jet: