RIP260Z

So, didn't the North American 260z with flat tops not come with a heat shield, apart from the small ones under the carb?

Eerr, its not derogatory, the myth of the Samurai conversions (apart from the odd car with some history- and even some of that is written wrong in places and myths occur) is rather over- sung. Some (a few) actually had some decent engine work done, I also hear someone witnesses some cylinder head work done whilst the head is still on the block, in the car. Some were just bolting the likes of Webers and a Janspeed exhaust, and a paint job, and somehow its........... It has a place in the UK S30 history, but its over-egged. For me, much more significant and interesting S30 stuff was going on in other places in the world, e.g. Japan. Nice to see them though, they are nice examples. I think there were more S30's at Silverstone a few years ago.

I concur, only seen one brown interior on a UK market HS30, many years ago. And the "choice" (lack of) other interior colours on the RS30 carried onto the UK cars too. Mine must of been one of the few that originally came with blue seats (to go with metallic blue exterior paint), which were swapped out just before I brought it (and sold the seats on). Hindsight is wonderful. I owned a Feb. 1980 first registered RS30 (build date was around late 1977 if I recall) and I think it sat at the UK dealers for that long because it was a sick tan/yellow colour, and nobody wanted it. I haven't seen the colour on any othe RS30. We were poorly served by Nissan UK then.

Excellent work motorman7. I also couldn't find any small in body filters, and agree, why aren't they in the rebuild kits?

As Gav points out, I just got them off Yahoo Japan in 4 separate auctions.

I have. Though I brought them in early December last year, well before Kats introduced us to them on this thread. I had nothing to go on, except I had seen the seller selling stuff for years and a good reputation. I got them yesterday. I haven't really had a chance to look at them yet (hence partly the delayed reply). From what I see on-line only, they are selling, more of the rally replica style than the Z432 replica style.

We don't know the full story on these rally/z432 style wheels, it could well be the seller got these made, rather than a generic buy, so could have had more control on the process/end product. As with most things made in China, its driven by a desire of the West for goods and that are cheap. Even when made elsewhere (e.g. a S30 group buy) the people expressing interest falls when they realize the actual cost. People want quality for peanuts, and that doesn't work.

Hello Kats, Your praise and enthusiasm for my site means a lot Kat. Thank you. It has taken a lot of effort, hours to do this site, whether tracking down period magazine articles from Japan (I am still missing some) and working every single kanji by stroke, finding it electronically, pasting into Word, the translating via Google. So far, I must be up to around 80,000 kanji done. (No, google translate image on phone won't work on old faded print, where I had to use a hand lens). Plus, it gave a feel/understanding of Japanese kanji, and Japan as a whole, doing it the "long" way. Making sure the english sentences are short/un-complicated, so Google can give a better (though maybe not correct) kanji for me to post up. It does bug me slightly that the Japanese is maybe not quite correct, but as long as a Japanese person can get the right idea of what I am saying. As HS30-H said to me, how maybe Japanese websites have perfect English. I wanted the CSP311/A550X/Toyota 2000GT/S30 (as all their stories are joined/flow) be as good as I could find. That meant bypassing most of what was/is written in the western print (though it was still researched, read and cross referenced) and going back to where the story happened. Japan. My hope Kats, is someone in Japan sees my site, and this helps me get more information, to make the story, better, fuller, with thoughts, ideas and drawing, anything. Patcon, I know. But it means that I have to go right back, no hiding, and it also means I can put my stamp on it, e.g. it will have larger fuel tank fabricated, and to match, I already have a refurbished/newly screen printed fuel gauge saying my larger fuel tanks volume, rather than stock. You won't notice, unless you know where to look. I am currently looking at doing some injection molding...

Very, very nice Kats, any Silvia (csp311 only) I love to see. It is a pity it is missing a few things, grab handles above door, sunvisors, and has Bluebird 410/411 hubcaps. But still lovely. Hopefully, the restoration of my one will be to a very high standard (it is so far with the length I am going to..) For those who are interested, this website is rather good for the design/launch/motorsport of, what could be described as Nissan's first super car. https://csp311.net/ (Oh, did I say the website is mine?)

Hi Kats, What did you think/the seller says about the rally and Z432 replica/style wheels, in terms of quality/market...? I think the seller say they are for race only, but I think this is more about legality for use on Japanese roads (testing?) than being "poorly" made? I know you have said in a previous post, real Kobe Seiko z432 wheels (a set) are selling for up to 1,000,000yen, so is it not reasonable to think replica of both are going to be made when the price is what it is, and the possible demand? The Rally Kobe Seiko wheels, original, again, are a high price if you can find them. Regards Ian

provisonally sold....

A pair of used, good condition rear lights. As JDM/Euro spec, come with amber indicator. One has a slight crack, not too noticeable (see pic). All fixing bolts there, though one a bit rusty, and one has broken the plastic, therefore needs glueing. Due to condition, $165 for the lights, plus; Shipping from UK, $82 tracked, 4 days delivery, $63, not tracked, 5-9 days delivery. Both insured for about $125. I can insure for more, but the postal service does ramp the cost up.

Yes, Warren can be slow, but you have to try all options. He has some parts on Ebay.com at the moment..(photos with a green rug behind!)

Reading an old archived email conversing with someone else about bushes and flat-tops (and chroming the shaft, to build up the wear, then machine to fit), it seems that all the HMB46''s didn't get bushes, yours obviously did, maybe I am not mad and mine don't....

Great photos, the North American market sure did get some extra (emissions) stuff on this manifold compared to the European one.

very nice, regards o-ring seal. Sorry if I mis-lead regards throttle bushing not been there, its been a while since I looked.... keep up the good work.

Zup, motorman7, I looked into my notes (old receipt) [over 10 years ago] at what jet needles I got as a SU replacement. But, I don't think it is quite as straightforward, as the North American market got a different part number (16354-N3310) than the UK/Europe market (16354-N3500). The Australian market have the same as the North American market. You quote N61, meaning what is etched onto the jet needle (yes?), whilst the microfiche for the European has N-56A. And my notes say N57 from the jet needle I physically took out. So, I had; https://burlen.co.uk/ profile my jet needle N57, and got AUD1550 needle (KQ) as the nearest profile. If my memory serves me, it was very close, only at the point of the needle did the measurements differ, but this matters less, as this is where the full throttle operates on the jet needle. So, I would suggest getting yours matched, I don't know who in the US is any good on this, but I am sure someone else could recommend. If not, send them to Burlen... Motorman7, if my memory serves me, there isn't a bush for the throttle spindle, just a drilled hole in the aluminium carb body. It maybe a solution if having bushings/bearing put in like Ztherapy does for the Hitatchi SU for the earlier models. Here is also a picture of a pair of NOS nozzles for reference.

Yes, fuel nozzles. Worn usually down to bent needles. Mine were also very carbonized (as were the power valves), all not helping them run well.

It was many years ago...I sent a needle out of a carb to a SU (Skinner Union) specialist, and got them to match the profile of mine, with something SU already stocked. I will have to see what I did with the info..they did send me a pair of SU needles, if I recall.

Are you going to rebush the throttle spindle in the carb housing? A big source of air leak, meaning no balance due to being worn. the brass nut (you have pictured, from underside of carb) will come out that holds the needle guide in (its glued) as the needle can wear a groove in this guide, again meaning un-able to get the carb set. The needle is easily damaged/bent. They do come out, I have never found NOS replacements, but found an SU needle with the same profile. I have some NOS diaphrams....somewhere.. Now this thread is getting interesting...

Hi Kats, I think the air box, the much maligned HMB46 carbs and the different intake manifold (N42) added a good bit to the extra bhp of the European 260Z, and not just down to extra cc's over the 240Z's L24.

And for me, this type of air filer housing is better than the pre August 1973 air filter housing, as it has a separate channel inside (the bulbous bit below where the vacuum can is) which feeds the rear carb with air much more directly.

HI Kats, I think the cap ending in -16300 is more for the SP311, which has a expansion type tank (where the coolant can be sucked back into the coolant system)...for me, Nissan part numbers ending in -16300 are more than likely CSP311 specific, which is true for trim/unique parts. Whether this carries over to "generic" mechanical parts, I am not sure 100%. Cheers Ian

I'm another fan of the flat tops, have been for years. Hi Jay, we have conversed on these a good few years ago. I never got round to using the flat tops, I sold the project Z I was going to use... These carbs are well designed, as is the airbox that goes with it. Can't be that hard to use, its only fuel and air! (though the key is careful set-up/adjustment). I may have an odd NOS for the "1974" version (as this version went on to 1978)..... and found an SU replacement needle part number... Will be interested how you get on.

Nobody can answer my points, why? To quote an American culture, Bueller? So, if I post technical information, sales comparing the UK(RHD) and France (LHD) and graphs etc as a mirror of what has happened here, can I claim the "Z was made for the UK market"? For me, its got nothing to do with "American culture" its about picked info for a biased read. So, future readers, please read the original information with a cellar of salt. HS30-H for me, has added some of the "missing" material, and there is plenty more on this forum, without this biased. All I want is a full picture.