Carl Beck

Not at all uncommon to see some filler on the tops of the fenders. Just leaning on them with one's elbows will cause dents. If the fenders are solid - I'd pull them off, remove all the present filler - then get a good metal man to work them out as flat as possible first. Then I'd sand them on down and put an epoxy primer on them. Then finally a if needed a very thin layer of glaze/filler... and block the hell out of them. If your going to change the color - don't stop half way. Do the entire interior and the engine compartment. Pull the engine and do a first class job on the engine compartment. Pull all glass/chrome/stainless etc Do it once and do it right... That will add considerable value to the car if you use a Factory Color for that year. Do a half fast job with a surface repaint - and it will actually lower the value... Since your in one of the Eastern States - a clean, properly "refreshed" 240-Z even with a non-matching number engine - should sell for around $6K to $8K. But you'd have to do some major refreshing on the interior and of course the car would have to run out well. If everything on the car was "right" - even with an L28 and tasteful street mod's - in a year or two it could easily bring $12K - - HERE AGAIN Quality and Attention To Details matter A LOT. How do you know that it is a non numbers matching engine? Just want to make sure you understand that the engine serial numbers in these cars DO NOT match the VIN to begin with. FWIW, Carl B.

Amelia Island Was A Great Place To Meet People In The Real World. Amelia Story - #4 - Bobby Unser: We finally got a chance to meet Bobby Unser. He was one of the honored "Great Roadster Drivers". Having won the Indy 500 three times. I wish I could repeat some of the stories he told.. Vicki and I attended the seminar given by the Great Roadster Drivers Saturday morning. After the seminar, we were standing around talking to Mr. Brock and Hurley Haywood, when Bobby Unser came over to join us. I introduced myself and Vicki then told Mr. Unser that we had been to his home, were given a tour of the Unser Garage and indeed we had a picture of Vicki sitting in one of his Indy winning cars. Mr. Unser's daughter had invited us over to their home after the Z Car Convention in Albuquerque, NM. She how owns the Datsun 260Z OMS Pace Car that her father was presented after winning the 1974 California 500 - USAC Championship. So it was great to finally get to meet Mr. Unser in person. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi John: Would you be shimming the starter -out - by putting the shims under each of the two bolds? Or would you be putting a shim under on lip of the starter, between the two bolts? Or what???? I got used to shimming starters on the Chevy's.. never had to do that on a Datsun. thanks, Carl B.

Hi gnosez: No - the North American Spec 240Z's 70-72 did not have the metal fan shrouds as standard equipment. I'd have to go back and check - but I do not believe that the 73's had them as standard equipment either. I know they didn't for the first six months of production, because adding the fan shrouds was part of the "fix" for the problems with the emissions carb.'s in 73. Just as retro-fitting electric fuel pumps was. It might be possible that the 73's produced in the second half the year started coming through with them as standard, but I don't think so... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mike/ Guys: I wasn't thinking clearly - - A Calendar was included in the "Goody-Bags" and when I stopped at the Classic Motorsports Tent - I did pick up a few more copies of the calendar. I told them that had I known they were going to be free at Amelia - I wouldn't have ordered and paid for a dozen last Dec.!! I think they would be worth more without my signature - the only time my signature is worth anything is when it's on VISA/MC/AmX charge slip... FWIW, Carl B.

If the collector coming off your header is 2" - that will be enough back-pressure for the scavenging effects of the header to take place. Twin 1 3/4 or 1 7/8's will allow you to run the exhaust pipes tucked up high enough that you won't have ground clearance problems. Muffler - is a general term, usually used to describe the main noise reduction chamber in the exhaust system. Mufflers usually reverse the flow of the exhaust gas as noise {sound waves} tends to travel in a straight line. So that is one of the most effective methods of reducing the sound of exhaust pulses from the engine. Resonator - is a smaller more specialized noise reduction chamber used to reduce high pitch resonance or drowning in the exhaust system, without introducing too much restriction to the flow. Normally located mid way in the exhaust system, or a little closer to the engine. Most resonators do not reverse the direction of the flow of exhaust gases - but rather use tubes of various diameter, with holes or slits cut in them on both the inlet and outlet ends. Moving the resonators along the exhaust system can change the tone of the exhaust system. Glasspack - refers to the material that is packed around the tubes running the length of the muffler, with holes or slots cut in the tubes. The fiberglass absorbs both the heat and noise - but it also burns out in fairly short order. So as the car is driven the sound increases. Another method of changing the tone of an exhaust system, as well as increase the total flow capability - is to put a balance tube between to the two exhaust pipes, when two are used. Again moving the balance tube, or changing the diameter of it will have an effect on the tone of the exhaust system. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Jon: I had one - one Corsa that is. I had several Corvairs... I wouldn't mind haveing another Corsa... but this time with good push rod sealsROFL Carl B.

Hi Rob: Oops.. Posted the wrong Cut/Paste... at Post #19... my bad... Carl B.

No disrespect nor would I wish any bad luck... but at 61 I wouldn't wait. After you pass 68 you have a better chance of having time to wait... Secondly - the longer you wait - the more expensive these cars will be.. Money is cheap right now - take out a small loan, buy a 240Z now - then make small payments until you are ready to spend time on it... FWIW, Carl B. 64 and no time to wait any longer...

If I didn't have the 240-Z - - Pontiac Soltice with the Turbo.. Bright Yellow! FWIW, Carl B.

Cracks in the inner plastic retainer can be fixed {glued}... but if you are missing pieces of it, you are better off getting one in better shape to begin with. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Bob: It was great getting to meet you and your wife - finally in the physiclal world. Likewise - several of the Z Car nuts I've gotten to know only in the virtual world of the Internet. I'm only sorry that the activities of the Event keep me too busy to spend the time I would like to have had with everyone in person. It is an event that really should last two days at least. So many wonderful cars, so little time to see them. Anyway, I'm glad you could make this year. Surrounded by so many Ferraris and Porsches it was good to have some Z People around!! FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Rob: Yes - I bought a Freedom brand 8.5'x20' enclosed, V-Nose. Found a local Dealer that would meet the Internet Pricing. $4095.00 plus $200.00 shipping to Tampa, Fla. With Sales Tax and Tag etc. it was about $4698.00 out the door. Strong full box triple tong and frame, 1" x 1.5" steel tubing welded upper structure. 3/4" plywood floor, 5/8's side walls. Load ramp with 16" extension, 4 5000lb tie downs... For the price it's a pretty good trailer for the money - towed very stable... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Donna: The more you drive the car, the longer you keep, it the more you'll love it. It's impossible to tell from the pictures - however it looks like a pretty good car to start with. So after the initial joy and happiness works it way through you - - it will be time to take a deep breath and let the logical side of your brain take over. First Step Is Critical Assessment: Really go over the car with fine tooth comb. If you have a friend that knows something about cars, or perhaps you can get a local Z Car Club member to assist - - you want to take a note pad and go over the car from the front bumper to the rear bumper and NOTE every thing you observe that is anything less than it should be. Be really critical - the idea here is to document all the flaws, so later you can determine what all will need to be corrected, assign some reasonable cost to it and start planning for the cars future. Second Step Is Preservation: -Get the car up on a lift - and inspect the undercarriage. STOP any surface rust NOW. -Take that battery out - and clean the area under it and around it, stop any surface rust and repaint to protect the metal. -The bumper look to be in pretty good shape - take them off and clean inside them, and again stop any surface rust - put a protective coating of paint inside them. You may want to later send them out to be straightened and re-chromed. - Pull all the carpet and padding out - check the floorboards etc - and again stop any surface rust - repaint to preserve... - Clean all the diamond pattern vinyl and plastic panels - they look to be in pretty good shape. Get them very clean, Armor-All them and then take care to protect them when using the car. - The Tail Lights look to be in pretty good shape - carefully clean them and polish the chrome strips. These are getting very expensive... so get them clean and put a coat of wax on them to preserve them. - get a friend - a few bottles of brake fluid - and flush the brake system. Do the clutch as well. Clean and flush the cooling system as well. On and on and on - clean and preserve, clean and preserve, clean and preserve. You can spend a couple hours a few evening per week, perhaps 6 to 8 hours per weekend... Third Step - Start Gathering Needed Parts and Finding Needed Vendors/Suppliers/Service Providers: As you have now gone over the car and made notes, and you are now looking at every detail as you clean and preserve - - - start gathering all the parts you will want to, or need to, replace. Stock pile them over the next year or two if necessary. Also start getting recommendations for good body shops in your area. Talk to people at car shows, look their cars over and take notes... get recommendations. At some point - you may want to completely refresh or even restore that car. "Refresh" is more likely because it is getting VERY expensive to do an actual restoration today. All-in-all the car looks to be in pretty stock and original condition. While the engine compartment is dirty - it looks like it hasn't been molested. The original metal fan has been replaced with the lighter plastic version (a good thing for a street driven car). The original Dealer Installed A/C looks to be in place etc. Overall it looks like you have a pretty good early Z there.. You can clean it up and drive it as is for a couple years and later you might want to take it to the next level... Plan your work and work your plan.. Good luck, Carl B.

Friday evening we were starved... So we went one of the restaurants in the Ritz-Carlton for dinner. Only to find out that reservations were required, and without them the waiting list was about four hours long. The Hostess told us that we could get something to eat in the Sports Bar, as we could order off the Cafe menu there. So there we went. The Sports Bar was not too busy, but all the table were taken, so we decided to just sit at the bar. A few minutes after we ordered - another couple came in and sat at the bar with us. I thought I recognized the guy, but just couldn't pull the name from memory. You know how it is when you see someone you know, but just can't place them or remember their name quickly enough. We spoke briefly, and give them our copy of the Cafe menu - and I kept thinking that he would say something that would key my memory.... something like "I saw you at the Cleveland Convention" or "aren't you from Clearwater"... After about 10 minutes it hit me - "Is your name Chip?" I ask him. "Yes" he replied. "Foose?" I continued. "Yes", he replied!! Da.. no wonder he didn't recognize me, he didn't know me from Adam. I had to laugh.... Anyway - Vicki and I had dinner with Chip Foose and his wife. So we talked about all manor of Design, Automobiles, Kids, Dog's and life in general. Very down to earth couple and it was a real pleasure to met them both. Ah Amelia.... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi John: I was standing at the front door to the Convention Hotel minding my own business - when the group of girls came out. They were throwing a bachlorette party for one of their friends. They were wound-up... Having a daughter of my own, and always loving young girls - I started talking to them. They thought they were going to shock this old man, but of course that isn't possible... So I started joking with them and teasing them a bit .. and we had a good time exchanging stories while they waited for the bus to take them bar hopping in Cleveland. One of the girls sent me the picture the following week and said they had a great time. I had told her that she had to send me a picture because my daughter would be mortified.... she knows how I tease or harass her friends... So yes - Vicki saw the picture and was not at all surprised and yes - my daughter was mortified... eyes rolled.... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi RJ: THOUSANDS... Most of the pictures I was able to take - I took before the crowd got too large, and when people weren't standing in the picture. Perhaps Will or John took some pictures of the people surrounding the car. NO - someone showed up with a Dayton Coupe - prehaps the best example of the design. It is planned to be sold in the next couple of months and they expect it to sell in the $10M to $12M range. It was great to have two of Peter Brock's cars there... but even if it hadn't shown up - there was a Porsche 906 to contend with. I had no illusions of winning any awards - - just getting a Datsun 240-Z sitting in that company was more than enough for me. We had a fantaistic time - and it was a dream come true. We had a goal of getting Datsun 240-Z's into the Countries Highest Level Concours Events and Classic Car Shows - starting around 2003. ZULAYTR { aka Bob Speights} and Dan Banks have also worked hard toward that goal, and their 240-Z's and efforts should not be overlooked. Many of the Ferrari owners and one person with a Jag. 220 were among the most welcoming and enthusiastic about seeing a 240-Z there. Several told me that they either still have a 240-Z, had one, or were planning on adding one to their collections. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Will: I was laughing so much I had to stop typing, as I constructed that report. Sorry to say that was the only picture that Vicki and I had time to capture of that activity. Nonetheless, you look good there.... FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Steve / everyone: I agree that I should not have said "at the carb venturi"... that should have said "just past the carb venturi"... better still I should have used the term "ported vacuum". After reading countless articles related to manifold vs ported vacume and finding widely differing views, I begain to realize that in most cases the individual views were dependant upon a limited number of engines, or a limited number of "hot setups" for specific cars. All, focused almost entirely on what happens to manifold and/or ported vacuum signals at different throttle positions or engine loads. Only one considered the entire timing advance system. The entire timing advance system includes the technical spec.'s of the vacuum advance mechanism being used, and the signal strength range it covers. So I do not agree that you can use manifold vacuum just fine. Unless one also makes the stipulation that the vacuum advance mechanism, as well as possibly the distributor timing curve are then matched to the manifold vacuum signal. The vacuum advance mechanism on the Z is designed to work with the ported vacuum signal of the S.U.'s. Depending on the configuration of your engine, the intake manifold used the stock vacuum advance mechanism may or may not pull in all the advance at idle when hooked to manifold vacuum. It may or may not allow the timing to retard enough at cruise either. In that case - the safe thing to do, might be to use no vacuum advance with the triple carbs and the associated intake manifold - and make adjustments to the static timing and distributor timing curve - that you can control. FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Gang: I’ve published some pictures and captions from the Amelia Island Concours this past weekend, on the Z Car Home Page. It was just faster/easier to put the large photo files there, along with the proper captions. If your interested see: http://ZHome.com/Amelia09/Amelia09BREZ.htm I’ll be adding some side stories about the trip and the Event a little later to this Thread... so check back.. FWIW, Carl B.

Outlined in the article written by Steve - and as Posted a #4 above. See the 4th page. http://ZHome.com/ZCMnL/tech/240SX5spd/transmission.htm FWIW, Carl B.

I've seen it done. Usually done because the 280Z dash is deeper than the 240Z dash, so the 280Z dash has room for the factory A/C. Of course you have to also change the center console to mate up with the dash. It's a good swap if you want good A/C and don't care about keeping the 240Z original. FWIW, Carl B.

I don't know if you overpaid or not. If you got what you wanted, in the condition you wanted, when you wanted them - then a couple hundred one way or the other really doesn't matter that much. The Dellortos are basically the same as the Webers, but I think you have a wrong price comparison. The Webers being more common, usually sell for between $450.00 and $550.00 {at least several that I've seen go though E-Bay that actually sold}. At any rate - I don't believe that you can use manifold vacuum for the distributor advance. When you go to wide open throttle - manifold vacuum drops; while a vacuum signal taken at the carb venturi increases. It an increased vacuum signal that is used by the vacuum advance on the distributor. So the seller may have screwed up the intake.. Hard to tell from the pictures, but the intake runners look like the shorter version - good for constant high speed use, but not so good for a street driven car. FWIW Carl B.

The auto-redirect is so that Members and Visitors are switched over to a highspeed Fiber Optic link. That should make downloading pictures, graphics etc just fly. {depending on your network speed on the other end.} FWIW, Carl B.

Hi Mike: Yes, that is closer - I'd make that rear section that flips up - a fold down loading ramp.. That way one wouldn't have to screw with setting up the loading ramps, and the angle of loading would be lower/safer. But yes - they have closer to the idea.. thanks, Carl