Oiluj

To take my car there would require I drive it like in a Flintstones cartoon... It's got no engine, brakes, drivetrain, seats, etc... Plus, even if the car were ready, it's a bit of a road trip from the San Francisco area.

As promised, a another progress pic of my 1972 240Z project. Here's a pic of the engine bay. It's about 90% ready for the engine. Still some details to take care of before I scratch things up installing the engine... Removed the differential on Sunday to find I need a new front mount. The rubber is starting to separate from the metal carrier so I ordered a new part. Was on my back last night painting the underside of the transmission tunnel and have a few tiny flecks of silver paint on my face to prove it... The fun continues!

Thought I'd share these. This color combo mimics what I did on my previous 240Z. With the silver car it will be a bit monochromatic, but that's the effect I'm trying to achive. Carpets: Carpet is high grade indoor/outdoor material with sewn vinyl edging. I backed the carpet with 1/8" closed cell neoprene foam. This foam doesn't soak-up spilled liquid, good cushioning, easonable sound absorption and good recovery from compression. Seats: The seats were done by a local shop, (Jack's Auto Tops), with new foam from MSA. Jack does good work and is very reasonable. The seats need a bit of "massaging" and warmth to work out the wrinkles in the upper seat back, but other than that I realy like the way they turned-out. The insert cloth matches the carpet pretty well. I just started work gluing the interior vinyl in the hatch area. The MSA vinyl kit fits like a pair of baggy jeans with one leg too short. I'll make it work, but what a pain!

OK... So what's the optimum pipe size for a Z? I have 2-1/2" and think it's to big. I'm thinking of going to 2".

Nice Job! I really like the grey spoilers / tailight finisher with the green!

I'm ready to re-install my engine bay wiring harness. It's that last major item I need to do in the engine bay prior to engine installation. I got a new main harness grommet, but how do I get it onto the harness? The grommet is not that elastic and from both ends, there are fairly large plugs that have to go through it. I'm not sure how to proceed and don't want to damage anything trying to force things. Last time I split it and glued it back together, but I know that's not the "right" way... Will post some progress pics of the car in the next few days after the harness is installed. Thanks in advance for your help!

Now that's just wrong....

In our residential area, a city ordiance requires cars be moved every three days if parked on the street. Parking is scarce in my area, so my neighbors, (including me), will call-in cars left more than one week.

On my 1972 240Z, the previous owner put a 2-1/2" single exhaust with a small, (10" long, 3" dia), cherry-bomb style resonator midway back. At the tail end it has an open split over/under angled tip at the back. (no muffler). The car sounded like a race car, but was unpleasantly load and attracted lots of attention. The first thing I plan to do when I get the car back together is to change the exhaust before a cop hears it and gives me a ticket!

I'm Jealous! Nice looking Tiger. Have fun and go easy at first, lot's of throttle steer in the corners.

Well said. I fit category #1. The one caveat is that if you stay on top of maintenance, those old british ragtops can be very reliable. Just not as relaible as more modern cars. My 1960 MGA didn't even leak oil because I replaced engine & tranny seals with modern elastomeric ones. The original main seals were actually made of felt! She never failed me away from home, though I did have a time or two locally where the brakes overheated before I figured-out the problem. Longest drive I took in the MGA was to to San Luis Obisbo , (4-1/2 hours each way), one summer weekend. She was pretty, but the seats were not very comfortable for extended drives and it lacked luggage space, not to mention the sun & wind burns!

Rob, Keep us appaised of future events. I'll try to come when my car's done, probably next Spring on a dry day.

Check the usual parts sources, Courtesy Nissan, Motorsport Auto, Black Dragon, etc. If they don't have them, I think I recently saw some on eBay.

For polishing the "shiny" stuff, I can recommend a product called "Miracle Polish". Very mild abrasive and works well for most things. Even works to restore slightly oxidized rubber surfaces. Works on plastic, brass, stainless steel and plated parts. Warning: With any abrasive polish, when polishing plated parts don't get carried away or so will the plating!

The mirrors do look great. I had the second pair of mirrors painted the same as "back-up" replacements. Doming the same with tailights. Have 3 sets I'm going to restore. Will keep one set as just-in-case replacements and sell one set.

Pics of my rolling chassis on 7/31/08 just before being towed home. Hood ended-up staying because William needs to fix a small flaw. Engine & seats will be done in about 1-1/2 weeks. The assembly fun begins!

Arne, Before reading you post my first impression was: "Why does it need a refresh? The paint is Shiny" (with a capital s)." Then I read your post. I agree with your choice to remove the sunroof. She will look great! Or, you could leave the white primer on top and call her a canvasback... (for you duck hunters out there).

Thanks for the compliment, though William of William's Auto Body in San Mateo gets all the credit for picking the Mercedes silver. It's his paint of choice for Z's and does look good. I worked with him to get the stripe color just the way I wanted it. I have a target to complete the car by the end of September so I my buddy & I can drive it to San Diego for the Miramar Air Show. However, I think work and other obligations will probably delay completion till later in the year...

Yep, that's what I'm talking about, the type you moisten with water to install. I've spent about an 1/2 hour looking on-line, but no luck so far.

Welcome to the forum. Before you buy, check out the search feature of the foum. Also, listen to the advice of the experienced individuals on this forum. I have found members of this forum to be very helpful.

Welcome to the forum. As others have stated, the search feature is really helpful.

Here's a pic from 2 weeks ago...

I'm talking about the ones that were applied to the top, inside of the windshield. The ones I remember were silver and had "240Z" in darker letters that could be seen from outside the car. Did some web searching have not found a source...

I have a magnet on my file at work that says: "It's not that I'm old, Your music really does suck!" Gets laughs from everyone over 40...

Nice looking wheels! I painted my Panasports gunmetal, but they are darker than yours. I like the color of yours much better!