TomoHawk

I put in new bearings & bearing plate, new vacuum pod, new inductor and new sensor. Just about everything, but the mechanical weights. I just don't have the electronic thing to adjust the sensor.

When I rebuilt the distributor on my 280Z, I noticed that the vacuum advance didn't move to easily when you put suction to it. It moved very slowly and required a lot of suction to get it to move. Is that correct? I expect it to move more easily, to match engine revving for times when you need more power instantly. thxZ

I have my thermotime connector on the switch itself, but the one wire to it is disconnected at the bullet connector ( under the fuel rail.) There's no need to keep that little heater inside constantly hot. It gets connected for car shows where people might notice an unconnected wire on the engine. So right now I have both disconnected.

Why fdon't you get together with some friends during the next Z convention and put together a more respectable video?

Yes, I have the cold-start injector/valve completely disconnected for now. It looks odd ( if you are familiar with that engine) if you see the plug hanging there, so when I put the new connector on it I will cut one wire so a simple butt connector can complete the circuit if I want to use that injector again. But unless I am at a Z car show, I should disconnect the thermotime switch too; there's no need to have current running through the heater inside constantly.IIRC, it's connected via two bullet connectors to the main sensor harness. thxZ

I thought the dome light covers were supposed to be translucent white plastic. I got a new one for my car from VB and that's how it was. Maybe the 240Z had a transparent one that get cloudy? thxZ

My engine is running well, and starts easily, and I don't even have the cold-start injector (or valve) connected. So I think even if you want to work on something else and just leave it unconnected for now, you should be able to get the engine started & running for whatever time you would need to work things out. The weather in TX should be warm enough that you wouldn't need the use of that injector. In the meantime, I tested the thormotive switch, temperature sensor, and some other stuff, and I replaced the ones that weren't working right. FWIW- I still have the cold-start injector installed, and the connector will be plugged on, once I put a new one on, but I plugged the fuel hose going to it, and I won't worry about it, since I only drive the car when it's warm. thxZ

Did you check the programming on the engine computer? Sometimes it'll get oout of balance and you need to go inside an press the reset button to get it back to the default settings, so it doesn't shut off the fuel pump when the coolant gets too hot. Well, you can't do any of that :cheeky:, because the ECU ( Engine Control Unit) is about as dumb as a transistor radio. It just takes inputs from the coolant temp sensor, the air temp sensor, AFM resistor, etc. and generates pulses to turn the injectors on. It's not anything like a computer or a brain, and if you ever get any work on it by a 'modern-trained' mechanic, you'll know better if he tells you that you need a new engine computer, or you can reprogram ( 'rechip') the engine computer for performance. Remember the L28 engine is of the old-school design, which relies more on the mechanicals to get power. the ECU is there to make sure it gets the fuel it needs for the temperature, RPM, and airflow. You would do well to get yourself a copy of the '280Z EFI bible.' It has diagnosis charts and procedures. Also atlanticz.ca has several tech sections which describe how you can test sensors and other stuff. thxZ

Yeah, Solo II is what I'm primarily interested in, but I might do a hot-lap occasionally. It looks like the Canadian requirements are similar to the U.S. ones. Still, what is the current standard for Snell? Snell is more familiar and available to me than SFI. FYI- Snell has proposed a new standard for 2010, but that shouldn't concern anybody for a while. thxZ

What is the current helmet standard required for SCCA Solo I (for Autocross)? According to the SCCA, these are the current helmet requirements: SA95, M95, K98, SA2000, M2000, SA/K2005, or M2005, SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, and 41.2A (source: http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/SoloHelmetBulletin.pdf) In general, you can use a helmet "meeting the current or two immediately preceding Snell Foundation standards." So I think that means you could use an SA2005 or SA200 helmet? thxZ

Will- What do you think about making some of those plastic covers for the 280Z arm rest/door handle bolts? They would need to be plated, but you could leave that up to the purchaser.

I'd like to see some wiper shaft boots that don't crumble after three months...

My other dad ws born on New Year's eve, so everybody gets to party on his b-Day. I also have friends that were born on Christmas eve, Christmas day, and New Year's day. I think it must be really neat that there are people born every minute of every day. thxZ

What's a Toby Bean?

There is an opening feast Monday, provided by the guys from TX, and a closing banquet on Friday. What do you mean by "painless" ? thxZ

Will, I'm just sharing my opinions on these things. If anyone wants to see changes in the 2008 convention, they need to cantact ZCCA, and/or the people in charge of the 2008 event. These kinds of changes should be put to the people working on the 2009 convention, or the one after that, but IMO, it's too late to reschedule things for next fall. I go to a lot of Saturday or Sunday car shows from spontaneous decisions on Friday night, but it it's not the biggest reason I have.

OK, you compete for bikinis, and I'll be somewhere else.Shouldn't you people be out drinking? Happy New year to all...

I think another problem with a Saturday Z car show is that people want a 1/2 day to arrive, unwind, feast & mingle, 1/2 to a full day for primping, then two or three days for track events, sightseeing & such, then a day for the banquet, packup & go. That's a lot to fit into a weekend, unless you live an hour away.

I want Art for President in 2008... :lick:

I think I will mention your idea of simultaneous car shows at the next planning meeting. I don't think any local clubs will go for a Tuesday car show, but maybe just a cruise-in, although the car show will be over by 4 or 5. Just not ricers..

In response to the suggestrion that the show be on a Saturday... Would you be willing to put TWO weeks toward the event? A saturday show means people need to leave home probably on a Wednesday, Be at the Hotel for Friday night & Saturday show, then go to some track events Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, Banquet on Wednesday, then leave for home Wednesday night or Thursday, and be home Friday night or Saturday. That means you need 1 1/2 to 2 weeks for the event, a babysitter ( or Grandma) for that time, not to mention lost work time, lodging expenses and using up all that vacation time. thxZ

Local radio stations don't seem to want to do anything more than a quickie-drive-by visit without getting a significant amount of $$$. If you can figure out how to lure them in, please speak up:laugh: Getting a PSA announced on local radio & TV stations is easily done, and is on the list. The best ( ant cost-free) way to get the word out is by getting other car clubs to mention your even or pass out flyers at other car events. MO, there's nothing "entertaining" enough about a Z convention to have a radio station be there the whole week; or even just certain parts. There is a down-side to getting "too much" word out. It increases the risk of attracting people to the show that don't belong around any expensive or valuable cars, because these kinds of people probably have theft or vandalism in mind. (I've seen this happen.) It would probably be best to use other car club channels to get the word out. These are probably the best people to have at your car show. Also, the car show is in a nice part of twown, where it would attract people of a more appreciative nature, or those who can just pay the entry fee. thxZ

A big issue for making people happy with things outside of the hotel and carshow parking lot would be getting people to drive their Zs to the different places for tours & sightseeing. Would you really want to drive your show-car around in a strange city? Fortunately, the Hotel and show site are out in the suburbs on the edge of the city ( NOT the boonies), so you won't have to be driving into or through the city much, if at all. Downtown Cleveland is only about 12 miles from the hotel & show site, and unless you get lost and end up in the flats (where the steel mills are) the city is quite modern, roads are good, and most any place is close-by. And except for things like the poker run, there will probably be a local person available as a guide so you don't have to get lost. thxZ

Well, we have a veteran crew to run the 2008 show, so except for the larger number of entrants, things should go well. Keep on mind that some things like seeing previous winners depend on participant cooperation. A successful show will really depend on the preparation & cooperation of all the participants. thxZ

I think you will be pleasantly surprised, gnosez.