tanny

peterc: I think I'll build that immobilizer. Thanks. Victor.

I worked too fast. It's already wired with the small stuff. I kind of thought that wire was too scrawny, but put it in anyway. Does sound good anyway though, and with all the high frequency squeaks and rattles this old z has, I probably couldn't tell any difference except when parked with a wench on Lover's Lane listening to Johnny Mathis(maybe 30 years ago if I'm lucky). Thanks for the advice. Victor.

Speaking of which, what recommendations for an alarm system for the z? Preferably something reasonably priced, if such exists. Any experience with alarm systems would be informative. Thanks, Victor.

Thanks for the info. Zed240au: if you hook the antenna up to the ignition, how do you get the antenna to stop trying to continually extend(in other words, you'd have to shut off the ignition power) and then how do you switch the power to the other wire to get the antenna to retract? This same problem would occur with the antenna power wire from the cd player. I think I'll just hook up the manual switch for now and maybe mess with the automatic antenna later. The only real reason I was going to try the automatic route was so that I wouldn't forget to lower the antenna when parked. There always seems to be someone who gets a great deal of stimulation by pretzeling extended antennas. Victor.

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to ask: Is there a way to wire the stock electric antenna on my 73 240 to the antenna wire( the switching wire from the radio, not the antenna reception feed wire) from the radio so that the antenna will raise and lower automatically when you turn the radio on and off? Or is the only option to wire it to the stock momentary switch? The instructions that came with this Alpine are the most incomplete I've ever seen. They obviously want you to have a pro install it. Thanks, Victor.

Just bought an Alpine CD player and am installing it in the 240. Only putting in two speakers in the back(no fronts) and was wondering how to wire the speakers: do you combine the wires for the front and rear speakers or do you just ignore the front speaker wires. The manual has no instructions regarding a two speaker system. Thanks, Victor.

Good one. Similar to when you see a nice looking girl waving at you and you give her your most handsome smile and wave, then you see the boyfriend walking behind you and waving. All that wishful thinking gone to waste. Victor.

Australia could have their own TV series with these guys similar to the Dukes of Hazzard and call it something like Bogan's Heroes. Victor.

I'm sure there would be some real fighting at the BLM to see who would be on the posse to hunt these brazen hussies down and make the world safe again. Usually the big wigs get these critical missions. Would they cite them or ex-cite them? Victor.

Man you're brave using the word "old" anywhere near the word "wife". Quickest way to get cut off, both figuratively and literally. 58 years "young". What is a hoon? Victor.

Absolutely right. Worst thing for anything mechanical is lack of use. If there is any access to those radio switches and rheostats, static can often be eliminated by spraying with contact cleaner. Victor.

Yeah, I wonder how the Z would perform on some hydrogen? Might prevent people from squealing at me for removing my smog stuff. Victor.

Hopefully the bumping isn't the same problem I had a couple months ago when I replaced my cartridges. The cartridge retainer bung at the top of the strut would not screw down far enough to contact the top of the cartridge, allowing the cartridge to bounce freely up and down inside the strut. If it was bumping before the cartridge was replaced, then that probably isn't the problem. Victor.

The Predator wondering where the plug wire holders are. Victor.

Thanks for the optimism. I also forgot to mention that the new(two months old) mechanical fuel pump started sounding like a trash can lid symphony, but I was able to make it the rest of the way to Denver(because it's a 73 and the electric pump continued functioning). Actually I did enjoy the trip and fortunately didn't have to call AAA once. For some reason I can't explain, because I never plan that well, I had brought along a fairly complete bunch of tools. I take heart from the fact that if I had been in any of my more modern cars, I would have gone over my tow limit with AAA and been out mucho green. Victor.

Well, I just arrived back home from the first long cruise(350 miles each way. Purpose was to get the Z painted) with the Z since rebuilding it, and the trip proved interesting(euphemism). First thing on the way up to Denver, I was stopped by a cop for no front license plate(Didn't even realize it was required. Guess that's why they sent me two plates. Duhhh.). A little farther on, I stopped to get gas and found that my fuel inlet fittings on the triple webers had come loose(the dirt roads I live on wreak havoc with anything not welded) and were leaking a substantial amount of gas onto the header. Almost turned the Z into a ricer with the flaming exhaust. Then while in Denver, on the way to the paint shop(and late of course), the Z dropped dead on a freeway on ramp. Fortunately it was only the wire to the points had popped loose. On the way home, I stopped for a burrito and noticed a high pitched squeaking(not gas from the burrito) from the right front. The alternator was only held on by the adjusting bolt and was starting to twist, making the belt squeak. Apparently one of the bolts on the base support had fallen off, and the remaining bolt had snapped from the excess torque that was then applied. Hitch hiking to the local parts store allowed me to attach the base of the alternator and get home. Now I get to use the easy-out and and repair the snapped off bolt. Other than that, my trip was no problem. These old cars make for a great driving experience. Vaguely reminiscent of the descriptions I've read of traveling in the Model T. Maybe I better get some practice and start driving my sister's Model T. Victor.

Hate to look at the negative side, but hopefully you didn't run very long with the temp pegged. Any problems noticed from the overheating? I don't have any idea how resistant these z engines are to damage from over heating. Victor.

All right!! A butt man. Shake that booty. Victor.

I've always done mine hot, but after seeing the variation on the z, I think I'll try the cold method. Victor.