26th-Z

You hit the nail on the head with your description of desperation. I looked for months before I finally sucked it up and spent some big bucks for something I was looking for. Essentially, I satisfied myself that what I was about to pay was a fair price for a fair part. There is always the story of finding it cheaper or better, but I would have to say that desperation is the driving force behind the high ebay auctions we see. I'm guilty of making some desperate ebay moves but have learned to discipline myself to bottom fish on ebay and let the expensive stuff slide. I would also say that a lot of parts on ebay are listed at or slightly above what anyone would pay at a parts house or dealership or mail order web site. Once the bidding starts, the price immediately moves to the expensive range. I would encourage everyone to shop around - don't cheap around - just look and ask before jumping to a price. Arm yourself with a MSA catalog, a VB catalog and check the Nissan database for Nissan parts you have a number for. http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH&Store_Code=CP http://www.nismoparts.com/catalog/ The database will give you a price reference. Email Chloe or any of the other sponsor / parts dealers we discuss commonly. SATISFY YOURSELF THAT THE PART REALLY IS DIFFICULT!!!! There are many parts which have become difficult to find, but the fact remains that they CAN be found and they ARE available. In comparison, it makes 240Z restoration pretty inexpensive.

Set it rich and let it run at a constant RPM below 3000 until it reaches temperature. Use colder plugs than the ones you plan to race with. Avoid revving it or RPMs over 4000. Just let it run constant from cold to operation temperature several times (3 or 4). Continue to watch oil pressure and check for leaks. Make adjustments and tweak. Change the oil after your run-in.

Oh you guys. That's a 280. Weather or not it's a Black Pearl is the question. It should have an identification special edition plate on the console and some other peculiar special edition identification. It MAY be a Black Pearl and it MAY be a 280Z painted black. BIG DIFFERENCE. Black Pearls also had red and silver pinstiping. Make sure you know what you are buying!

Here's another one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2448187948 Also, from everything I can determine, the correct oil cap for this valve cover is the plain OIL cap also known in Australia as the 710 cap.

Chloe has them on her MidwestZ site for a little less than $350 each - brand new.

And the other side of the yard

Here is the Suncaost Z Car Club Christmas Party.

This particular valve cover appears on the series one HLS30 240Z up to around mid 1970 production. They are not very common. In my opinion, $75 is pricey and I would call around to the people who advertise used parts - junk yards - to find one. I found one six months ago for $25. It's all a matter of how badly you want it now. I have seen them go for $100 or more, but I think that is ridiculous.

So what did you think of Yate's book, Carl? I liked how he had others tell about their experiences. Didn't you get the feeling that you had to be there to really appreciate what was going on?

I have been dying to write this all day but thought you guys would think me a snob or jerk or something. Why don't we see wings on Z's? Because they don't belong there!

That thread is 28 pages long and contains heartfelt sympathies from all over the world. The Ron Jeremy joke was pretty good. But go back and read the original post and take a good look at the damage. Somethin' ain't write.

Guus, Great bumper! All that work looks great. But, what a shame and lucky it was not worse. That's called "patina"!

That's covered under the factory warrenty! NO PROB!

We play a lot of Bingo down here in Tampa, Alan! Shuffleboard is big too. But to answer billcapp’s question, there are a bunch of S30’s in the Tampa Bay area and even to my surprise, a bunch of low serial number HLS30 cars including a new acquisition in Lakeland. I saw a Black Pearl last weekend at a Suncoast Z Car club party and rally. I don’t know that I would call the cars rare, but rather unique. Rare should have a higher standard, in my opinion. A car of maybe fifty examples, maybe one hundred examples is rare. I don’t think the S30 is rare. There are also very many unique variations of the S30; a unique type on it’s own with a unique and interesting history. How unique a specific car is might be a better question as we compare the words “rare” and “unique”. An S30 variant produced less than fifty times might be the most rare of unique! Perhaps uniqueness ratings could be ranked in points - one point for each unique feature. Everyone who owns an S30 starts with one point. HLS30 in Japan - two points. Tattyest carpet West of the Mississippi - two points. Factory variants get a point. HS30-H - two points. ZZZap edition - two points. Tattyest carpet West of the Mississippi HS30-H - four points because it is in America.

Hey there! I have number 26. Carl Beck is here. He has 20 and a BRE car. He just sold 42. Jim Frederick has 16, 19, 322, a Paul Newman owned car, one of the 42 Nissan rebuilds, a Fairlady, and a bunch of other seriously interesting cars. The Suncoast Z Car Club just had the Christmas party at Jim's. I'll post some pictures. Beck wrote a blurb about what is considered collectable on the Zhome website. Good discussion.

Smokey, that's an attractive price. If the car is as nice as described on the web page, I might consider flying out there. Nice looking car.

The Nissan 240Z Restoration Program literature suggests re-wrapping all harnesses and mentions 3m Scotchbrand tape, p/n 054007-06130. I have yet to go looking for the tape to compare. My original tape is very thin and does not appear to have adhesive on one side. Thanks Victor and Marty for the references. This is exactly what makes this club great!

I'm going to have a similar situation with my restoration when I get to that point. I plan to at least re-wrap my harnesses. My engine bay harness is going to need some work as well. The direct wire for wire replacement is my direction. My source for connectors: http://store.yahoo.com/eagleday/blco.html I'm interested, but I'm not at that point of my project yet. Please keep me in mind as you get further into this.

Superb picture kats! Notice the chrome ring around the cigarette lighter is missing and the dual switches for the fog lamps - controlling each lamp individually! My wiring for the fog lamps is up in the dash harness but I also have wiring for these console switches. Notice the missing switch for the rear window demister - not an option on the very early cars yet the wiring is in the harness. I think the "T" looks apparent in the dual knobs forming one big T. I always appreciate your your pictues, kats. Great reference. I save them all.

There you go! Thanks for the info, guys.

Do you guys think the knobs and console face plate was used on another car? I certainly do not have the knowledge, but perhaps a common choke handle / throttle handle was originally taken from the interior of another car with existing stock? The squared off knob is probably easier to grip and control making it more favorable to the interior designer's thoughts during the design of the S30 interior. Perhaps the design was for squared knobs but an overstock of rounded knobs was depleted prior to the switch.