conedodger

I am using a custom made set of battery cables (welding cable) and I did use the cover on both the positive and negative cable ends. Who was the Martin Marietta engineer who was on the old IZCC email list? John Thomas? He used to say that arguing with an engineer is like mudwrestling with a pig. After half an hour or so, you realize you're covered in mud and the pig loves it! Datsun engineers spent a lot more time and study than I have the the resources for to determine what is needed in this spot. I try to stick as close to factory as possible because of that... Those rubber cable end covers are a couple bucks at most autoparts stores. My 914 uses a gel cell battery lying on its side. Now that one, I do worry about. The battery is very small and the posts only about 4 inches apart. Easy enough to contact both posts inadvertently with a tool... I may use a variant of this solution and make an apron of rubber to hang over the post/cable ends. I just checked Trackmasters and they have the supp you are talking about for batteries in non-stock mounting locations.

Cool find!

The implication here seems to be that this was some kind of Datsun design flaw. My battery is mounted in the factory tray with the factory hold down and hardware. It is very firmly held in place and the positive terminal is at least an inch from the bodywork. I can see where there is a potential for an accident causing the body to contact the positive terminal, but that presents other problems that are bigger, like the car is undriveable due to the fender hitting the wheel? My feeling is that if you are using a factory sized battery in the factory mount and position this is not a problem. If the original poster isn't, then this is an elegant solution. All I am saying is that if you don't try to outsmart the Datsun engineers, this isn't a problem. A couple others have alluded to that as well. In fact, the best solution presented is the more modern side-post batteries. As for not being allowed on an autocross course, that isn't true in my experience at all either. Over the last 10 years my car has more competition miles than street miles. Not one single tech inspector has ever questioned the proximity of my positive cable to the bodywork or the fact that the post was exposed. I have to stick with my feeling that this is not needed in a car that retains the factory mount in good repair.

I just installed a new Optima Red Top an hour ago. I cannot imagine this being a problem as the factory hold down has the battery pretty secure plus as has already been said, you always disconnect the negative cable first... Are you having the battery come loose? Is your body work smashed down enough to contact the terminal? I don't see the problem...

I wouldn't know. I'm not in England. But the value of a 914 such as mine is now triple what it cost to buy new in the '70's so that will drive what people are willing to take on.

No problem... We will see you next time.

The Performance Balancer that MSA lists is the same design as the one that was available through Nissan Competition years back. I have one and the bolt/washer set up on the shelf in the garage.

That is a beautiful picture... There is a guy in England going after a Porsche 914 that is in at least that bad shape.

Perfect! Thx. Don't know how I missed that in my search.

I could use an assist from one of you guys with pristine original cars. Mine is a '73 that my goal is to have look fairly original though the suspension and engine are rather 'developed'. I have all but finished the installation of the interior, I have to put the new dash in but other than that it is new front to rear. Now, I want to install the new emblems. My fenders were drilled and those emblems are on. The hood is new and was drilled and that emblem is on. Now, I need to drill the holes for the "Datsun" and the "240Z" emblem on the rear hatch. Here is the request - Can I get one of you guys to uninstall your hatch emblems and measure from the two constants so I can get a location to drill the holes for these? Also the diameter of the hole would be nice. Or, alternatively, a source for the dimensions?

That's all my pics... See you all at the next Sacramento Z-Car Reunion!!! Thanks for coming!:classic:

From the Deli, a few of us moved on to the SCCA Solo II event at Mather Field. This is a two day event so if you are feeling frisky tomorrow, go on out and show them what an old Z can do... I was particularly impressed by the Ferrari 360. All numbered up and ready to do battle...

Still more...

A few more...

We had quite a turnout for the Sacramento Z-Car reunion but no Z cars!!! !!! Three Z families. 4 kids, 2 wives, 3 guys! No running cars. Well, ok - one ran but with 4 people to haul they elected to leave the Z at home. The Porsche side of the event was well attended and represented and just for the heck of it, I will show off the pictures...

It's on! The July Sacramento Z-Car Reunion is less than 2 hours away! See you there!!! Audrina, Drop the flag! Let's get this party started...

Nothin' to it but to show up and do it! See you tomorrow morning at the July Sacramento Z-Car Reunion! 9am to noonish!

Just an FYI, I just got off the phone with Les at Classic Datsun Motorsports. Les has a company he is working with to make rubber products for the Z. In that regard, I want to say that we are not a manufacturing company. We are just a couple guys wanting to restore our cars. So given that fact, we are not interested in competing with Les' source. Les will probably come on and comment on this development but let me just say that Mark and I will only be making rubber product that Les' source is not interested in making. This is good news in that Precision will be a year out from making anything for us and their quality was in some regards not the best.

Huh... Looks to be a genuine Black Pearl. Not sure about those mirrors though. Nice.

Not taking anything away from the Z but you need to go to better pubs!!

The Sacramento Z Car Reunion is coming up fast! Will you be there? Hope so...

I will get her to come up for a while... She works pretty much everyday so it is unlikely she would stay long though.

Five days and a wake up till the July Sacramento Z Car Reunion! Come on out and get your donut on! 9am to noonish. Details in the first post. :classic:

Nice looking car. Start at $5K and don't be afraid to go up. He has done the good mods for sure...

Good luck!