Oiluj

I compiled this a table of tire sizes vs. speedometer error for my tire selection and decided to expand and post it on the board for those who might be interested. The data sources are Tire Rack.com and Tires-n-Wheels.com. For my new 15x7 panasports, I'm thinking of Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires. My use will be street and highway driving with the occasional, (maybe 2x yearly), fun-run autocross. Any comments or suggestions? Julio 1972 240Z (restoration in-process)

I see them on eBay fairly often, but the shipping isue stated above is the main concern.

Sounds like perhaps it's vapor lock. Do you have a sheet metal heat shield between the exhaust manifold and the carbs?

Here's my take on it. Like some have said, an early S30 is a rare find. If you do decide to modify it, make most of what you do reversible with bolt-on upgrades, (as opposed things that require cutting and welding). Save the original parts as they will be valuable later on for the person after you who wants to restore it to stock. Congrats on the great find!

Thanks for the feedback. Mine was riveted on, but the body shop has welded-up all the rivet holes to make it easier to generate a fair, straight surface. I'd prefer to tape it on as opposed to drilling, etc. I agree that the strips don't protect 100%, but they are better than none, especially in an urban environment where I can't always choose a "safer" spot to park. I'd estimate that the strips protect against 80% of the potential dings. At least that reflects my previous experience. If the tape is that good, how about using it to hold on my BRE style rear spoiler? That would save two holes in the hatch... Think it's strong enough to handle the aerodynamic forces?

Correction: The aluminum molding is 5/8" wide, so I could use 1/2" tape.

Arne, (and others) I know the 3M adhesive tape works well on wide body mouldings, but do you think it's strong enough to hold on the old-school, thin aluminum strips? I want to keep the ding strips so I can use the car in an urban environment without getting hundreds of door dings... I have the original, 1/2" wide rivet-on ding-strips with the vinyl insert that came on the car. I would probably need to use 3/8" wide tape so it doesn't show. Here's a link to the type of moulding I'm talking about: http://www.customautotrim.com/products/moldings/rivet.htm Julio

Didn't realize we got a discount from MSA. How much is the club discount?

I'm looking to see just how far the unit hangs down into the passenger footwell. Can't seem to get a clear answer from either MSA or Nostalgia... Thanks!

I have a set of Shelby slotted mags in good condition that will be available in about 8 weeks when I get my car back from the body shop. (see pic).

There were only 38 factory Z program restorations? I thought there would have been more. Lack of sales demand or just loss of interest at Nissan?

On the dyno chart it says Rebello Racing in Pacheco , CA. They are now located in Antioch CA.

Here's the link: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/601656709.html Sounds like like it's still at Rebello's...

I appreciate those who are building cars to be as close to original stock as possible. Years ago I helped a co-worker build a 66 Mustang for show. It's insane how much detail and expense is involved in producing a competitive car, right down to the level of orange peel in the paint and over-spray in the engine compartment. It's a real challenge to get those last few points... My take is that unless you are building a car "for show", it's more important to have good looking, durable carpet it is than being 100% correct. On my previous Z what I did was use indoor-outdoor loop carpet. It had a nice backing and did a good job at helping to deaden sound & vibration, but it was a bit heavier. I cut it out myself using the old carpet as a pattern, improving the fit where required. I then had a local upholstery guy bind the edges. I plan to do the same on my current car. It won't be "show" stock, but then I'm not building a show car... While it will be mostly stock, I'm building a "the way I want it" car...

280 HP w/ 245 ft-lbs of torque.. WoW! That has to be an amazing ride in a Z with that much power. Mine will be much more sedate. From your chart it looks like Rebello was located in Pacheco, CA. They are now located in Antioch.

Even in N. California I rarely see one on the road. There are more here than in most of the US given the climate, but I rarley see one being driven. That's what's so cool about having one!

Listen to Carl... 9.5:1 compression is what I specified for my engine because of the quality of gas these days... Higher than 10:1 means you have to start putting in octane boost additives in each tank of gas and that gets expensive!

Very nice ad. I'd buy it if I could, but don't have space for two Z's

Carl, There is much truth in what you say. I was VERY careful to ask just these types of questions when I insured my MGA with CSAA many years ago. Also, not all insurance companies are created equal. I've been with CSAA since 1971, and while they are a bit more expensive, they have always taken care of me without hassle. (no, I don't work for CSAA...). When I brought the MGA in to CSAA in late 1990, it had a stated value of $12K. CSAA inspected the car and took lots of photos to document condition. In 1995 it was side-swiped by a lady in a small truck w/ no insurance. While the body damage was minimal, to repaint required substantial disassembly with a $7,100 total cost to repair. I met with the CSAA adjuster, showed him the car, my documentation and stated value policy agreement. I highlighted that this was not your "average" car. They paid with no questions asked. I think a lot has to do with how well you present your case, as well as the insurance adjuster you get. Early S30's are now considered collector cars. You don't see them on the road everyday, especially in "like new" condition. I think that a restored 240Z with good documentation will be viewed by my insurer in a similar fashion as my MGA was back then. Time will tell... Just my 2 cents... and maybe not worth that much!

Just an FYI: I looked at the Haggerty web site and find that while inexpensive, the policy is a bit too restrictive for my needs. I called my insurance, (CSAA), and they told me that with reciepts showing what I have invested in the car, (or alternately a professional appraisal), I can insure my Z for a stated or actual $ value. I plan to bring my purchase docs and big ticket reciepts to CSAA when the restoration is done and insure the car with a replacement value reflecting what I've invested. Did the same thing with my MG before I sold it. While it will cost roughly 2x more than collector car insurance, there are no restrictions on how I use the car and no annual mileage limits. I'm guessing that most other insurance companies will do the same.

I answered a Craig's List add for some Z parts and picked-up a set of aluminum rear window louvers for only 20 bucks. They came with all hardware and don't even need to be re-finished! These are the older curved slat type that rest outside the rear window seal and require screw mounting onto the hatch. (Not like the smaller ones sold by MSA that mount under the hatch rubber and rest on the glass). I know some don't like the look, but I like keeping sun off the interior. Been looking for one of these for about 4 months and missed-out twice, but managed to snag this one before someone else beat me to it. My insurer offers a discount with a third brake light, so I'm thinking of fabricating a third brake light that will mount under the top slat. More on that later after I figure out what to do and make a prototype.

Delivered my engine to Rebello Racing this morning. Attached is a pic of the engine just before we loaded it up into my buddy's truck. Met Dave Rebello and he gave us a tour of the shop. Engine should be done in about 6 weeks. It will be bored-out to 2.8 L with a 280 crank and mild cam on an "almost" stock E88 head. According to Dave, it's sort of a mild ITS build and should put out about 200 HP with plenty of added torque. She won't be a powerhouse, but should maintain a smooth idle and have good drivability. Turn's out Rebello's is located about 1/8th mile from the house I grew-up in! We passed by the old house on the way. It's still painted the same color and it looks like the current owner's are taking good care of it. Like going back in time...

I meant to type "reasonable" not resonable. I need to stop and proof-read my posts...

Still have to figure out a resonable price for everything. Have other stuff to do that takes priority so I plan to post the parts for sale in about 2 weeks.