kats

A set of parts , and Z432-R racing manual. It is said that STD pistons are casting made , on the other hand racing pistons are forging made . Even this page doesn’t mention about titanium conn rods , it is the sign of “ titanium conn rods are specifically made for factory racing “ isn’t it ? Kats

Hi , I have got a set of high compression pistons and , titanium conn rods . They are meant to be used in a racing car ( GTR or Z432-R), factory team or private racer . I try not to expect too much , but I think these parts in front of me are real period correct parts which related to either Nissan Murayama , Oppama , Omori racing factory. From early 1969 to mid 1972 , those factories were very busy every day for developing racing S20 engines . Engineers and craftsman tried so hard making new cams , pistons , etc , testing them , and installing them in racing cars .Even heads as well as blocks , almost each race has new parts . Some parts were the same which were sold as sports option in a catalog , but many of them were not listed in a catalog , factory or some private racer only . This titanium Conn rod is the one , not on a catalog but used in racing. This piston is the same , looks slightly different from others . Alan , could you authenticate these parts ? And please tell us more about racing back in those old days. The titanium conn rod is 474 gram , the std conn rod is 710 gram , I have heard titanium is lighter than steel , it is about 2/3 . So , looks like I have got a correct one ! Kats

Hi Mike , we will meet soon , I have been to Fuji Speedway last week to see a racing Z432 for some laps for setting and testing . Here is an old picture of PS30-00013 at Fuji Speedway back of the paddock might be shoot in late 1969 or early 1970 , and a picture of my Z432 in 2019 ! And a movie . Kats

Hi Jim , yes the can which he has in the video is the clear coat . We used to have black coat which was common for the dealer service men when they work for periodically maintenance required by the regulation. I have heard it was an additional service, they sprayed black all over the chassis without asking customers!! They don’t do it without customers request nowadays . I was asked by the service man , he said it is good for the car , no more black , it is clear coat. I said OK let’s do it . Kats

Thanks Gavin ,you said just I wanted to say . I really feel big companies are sometimes stressful for both , customers and employees . Yes very slow , even to answer just one question ... I really love both , a lot of trophies were brought by L-series engines from overseas (of cource in Japan too ) , and by S20 engines in Japan. I am so proud of myself being a S30 nut. Kats

Hi Locke , I checked some parts catalog, what I found is E88 started from September 1971. This was when S30 series had got a new center console, new hub caps , etc . I haven’t seen cars around mid 1971 in person, so I can’t say the catalog is correct until I see some examples. As a side note , E31 and E88 were meant to be “ low octan / regular gasoline “ . E30 was meant to be “ high octane/ premium gasoline “ , and this was never used for Datsun 240Z and Fairlady 240Z series . Kats

When the car was under restoration, a few things were not correct like a water pump ( for GTR ) , an engine block ( must be silver ) and an oil filter was for non- cooler type . I had changed them as you know , and the parts which shown I attached pictures are going to be on my spare S20 . And some of you may remember Mr. Takei , a chief engineer of developing Europe S30 team . He drove through Europe with his freshly rolled out Euro 240Z after finished his work , that was in April to September 1971 . After he returned, he reported to Dr . Nakagawa like this , “ Japanese automotive technology is far behind from which Europe has , I think 15 years behind “ Then Dr. Nakagawa said to him “ you go to Europe again and learn from them “ The picture was taken Luxembourg. courtesy Nostalgic Hero extra edition No. 564 Kats

Thanks Alan for the pictures of super rare heads , it is a little bit scary for me to seeing "knife edged " triming as I think there are not much meat left around it. Looks like my Z432 has a hand finished port for each , pictures from March 2007 at the shop . Kats

Alan, thank you for the comment , I am so glad that you like this topic and also you have experiences that talking with one of the engineers. When I see you next time , I am really looking forward to hearing anything of Nakagawa-san from you. I think to understand Nissan , I need to know Prince . In late 1960's Nissan merged Prince , Skyline and S20 (and some cars and engines ) came from Prince , and Prince engineers were allowed to take care of those work . They (people and cars ) were different from that of Nissan in many ways . Mr. Sakurai (far right of the picture whitch Alan posted) spoke many many interesting things in the past in the magazines , he always said " Prince was a small company , we were all happy to build cars and engines. We were able to discuss , work , even some times we quarrelled , but everything was valuable . From Boss to young men , we had good communication each other. " Thanks Blue too ! Kats

I would like to share this , Dr. Nakagawa , a former executive of Prince motor company . He was joined Nakajima aircraft company and was an engineer of engines for fighter aircraft during WW2 , he refreshed “Sakae” engine for Zero fighter, also he was a chief engineer of designing “ Homare “ engine for Shiden- Kai . After the war , he made cars and engines with a lot of engineers who used to make military aircraft and engines at Prince motor company. Dr. Nakagawa had always highly admired engineers and craftsman who were never credited to the public , he said they were so genius. He said he designed with confidence, but sometimes he was corrected by craftsman of casting “need to change here and there ..” Dr . Nakagawa said in his book , “ No matter how the design is perfect, we can’t have it without craftsman who make it real . “ I can see why S20 engine is different from others , this engine was born from and given aircraft spirits by those engineers. S20 has a lot of bolts to secure its head and block , well taking care of for oil and water running even under the stressful G force effect. Kats

I would like to show this , my NOS S20 head compared to my used spare one. I found the used spare one had had the hand work in the past , you can see the surface is trimmed , and grinded smoothly . NOS one looked completely different. As I have heard this used one came from 432-R , so I guess previous owner had put some work into this engine . However, it is a subtle work ! This pictures showing an Exhaust port , intake port looked almost same for both . Kats

So cool in Z’s cockpit ! I can’t believe Lotus Esprit had the console , most of the owner scratched his head ! Kats

Hi grannyknot , I think this bracket is bolted with the room mirror onto the roof where the welded nuts located. I still want to know how the rear end is attached to the roof . Kats

It is so cool !! Kats

Thanks Roo and Blue , it was also available in UK ! RM 710 is the top model , the most expensive one . The one on eBay UK is so clean , still expensive ! Kats

This is it ! Thanks Blue . Panasonic is National, like Datsun by Nissan . Do you often see these on eBay ? So cool , thanks posting the picture. Kats

I want this because I may want to feel something “ cockpit “ after I retired from flying. And I would be able to tell my future grandchildren “ your grandpa used to fly jets “ in my Z’s cockpit. Kats

Nice !! Thank you wheee! ! It is very similar to the one in Japan . Kats

Thanks again , Mark , I see . I now want this for my car ? Kats

Thanks Mark , how about in the 80’s ? Kats

Here is more about “ National Cockpit “ https://ameblo.jp/mach-gyo/entry-11887433930.html It is an audio device hanging on the roof , using a room mirror basement . Kats

Hi , now Nostalgic Hero vol.192 is on sale , this time featuring Fairlady Z . I found this unique device , an aircraft type over head console for Zs . I remeber this was so fascinating on cars not only for sports car but also for sedans etc . It was like everyone wants to put it on their roof . Was this type of console popular in other countries back in 70s and 80s ? Kats

Yes Gavin , S20 engines have sleeves in the cylinder bores , that is why it is very good for cooling the engine. This video is my favorite , just enjoy of the S20 music. I want to drive my Z432 like this ! But maybe I can not . What I will do is, I will use a racing alternator , a rcing starter , and an oil cooler system , and hopefully a set of racing cam . And an earliest gear driven oil pump which makes strong mechanical sound ! The driver is Mr. Kurosawa , this was taken in 2001, at his age of 61 years old. Wonderful racing driving , he was a chanpion of 1969 Japan Grandprix driving Nissan R382. He said at the end of the video , " Our factory race cars were very sharp coming up torque "boom! " from 7000 to 8500 rpm compared this car . However this car has the same sound and feeling , this car reminds me of my old days " . Kats

Thanks Chris, the tool is in my show case ! Kats

Is this intake valve stem guide modified ? For better air flow ? Ex valve guide looks normal .I doubt some hand work was done in the past . I feel same thing when I viewed from In / Ex port , it has slightly grinded around the hole for the stud bolt . I need to check my NOS head . About the front gear housing cases , they have a same number for each . My spare has “15” on them , because these cases were bored at the same time . Kats