orange240z

Thanks for all the information! I think I will strip it or at least try a solvent to get the 30+ years of finger grime off and see what's under it. shoud I stain it like wood? what kind of laquer did you use to recoat it?

I am thinking of refinishing my wheel (I have refinished lots of furntiture before), but I see in some places people calling it simulated wood. I haven't picked at it to see, but does anyone know for sure?? Did Datsun offer real wood as an option? Thanks!

Seems hopeless to find a perfect original drivers seat for my 73 240z. My passenger is perfect so i don't want to buy a pair. Don't want to have it re-upholstered either (will never look the same). Can I put a passenger seat (when I find one) on a drivers side frame?? thanks

What's the deal w/ the alt / v-reg / amp meter in the 73 240 Z? Here's the problem: Car runs fine if the battery is charged up. Disconnect the battery and it dies. I disconnected the main wire on the alternator (the one with an 8mm nut) and put a v-meter on it and grounded it. Only measured about 4.5 volts. I would expect that I could test my alternator like that, but I may be wrong. Is there any way you can test an alternator w/ a volt meter? Or do I need to go to a shop that has more avanced equip? Also, where is the amp meter in the car supposed to sit when it's running? It is the one that shows -60 and +60 amps. I do a lot of work on VWs and just got this Z. The alt. is way down low and I have an AC comp. above it. Do I need to move the a/c out of the way to get to the alt? I didn't really even see a tightening method on the alt either... Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Here's the car... <img src=http://www.batho.com/240z.jpg>

Thanks for the great commentary... Did I mention it's from the orig owner??? Sorry... I look forward to forgetting about VWs then! Mark.

Thanks for the help - if they're like rabbit brakes, it'll be no prob! Mark.

Hey, I work on lots of VWs and brakes are a snap. I'm getting a 240z for free (1973) and I was wondering how easy brakes are... are the rears drums? The car has been sitting for a few years in Oakland, CA and the rotors are rusted-frozen... What's it gonna take to replace the rotors / drums. I have a lot of exp working on VWs (clutch jobs, brakes, susp, exhaust work etc... and am an engineer...) Thanks!