Zak's Z

Heres the story. Theres a guy I work with who owns a Smart Car, and he left his work computer logged in one day so 'someone' sent the rest of the guys an email explaining how he was a 'little different' due to the fact that he has the Smart Car. I have a green die-cast 240z on my desk that I didnt notice missing until the pictures started coming in. He knows I like that little car, so he keeps describing how he's going to ruin her in various ways. I thought he was just joking until the shocking photos started showing up. Heres what happens to your beloved when a co-worker gets ahold of her. I dont know if Ill ever see her again. Any revenge ideas are welcome. Zak

good article. I'll take one of the PDF's too when they get uploaded. I never knew you could get the glass out like that, or get it resilvered for that matter. Zak

I visit that site regularly, but I'm not sure I'm getting what youre suggesting. What do you suggest happens to maintain its viability, and does that suggest that something is in fact happing to that site? Just asking for clarity. Zak

I posted a thread on a hood emblem I restored here: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21505 I used Tamiya model paint, I couldnt get a Pactra in the black. I used the liquid mask so it didnt get paint on the chrome. The liquid mask can be cut with an Xacto aso you get all the tiny places properly, I'd recommend it. Then I sprayed, let it dry and removed the mask. Zak

I have only driven mine down my driveway ONE TIME!. I know how you feel. I have been busy all summer with work and moving into a new house...now winter is here and she will sit until spring. I still come back here as much as I can, and look at all the pretty pictures of nice Z's. I think the reality of how big a project really is eventually sets in and then you prioritize it accordingly with other life events. My Z isnt going anywhere, and it can ONLY get better, so I think the key is just plugging away at it when you get the chance, and keeping focused on what it will be like to finish it, and finally get to drive it. Even if you have lost your lust for the car, you're learning and you also will have a car that will be easy to sell for more money when its fixed. I hope you keep going, you always have this place to support you. I'd love to see the car when its done! Zak

Arne, I dug my old knob out of storage and it is chrome plastic peeled off. I have a replacement OEM knob, but I have to dig out the 4-speed emblem from this one...gotta think about this for awhile so I dont crack it. Zak

I'd also like to restore my old 4-speed shift knob. I have taken it apart, and I dont think theres any way to restore that little plastic emblem. It looks too delicate, and I also have those tiny hair-line stress fractures in it. I cant remember (its in storage) but I also think the chrome trim at the bottom is also coming off. I think its a paint over plastic. Its easy enough to re-paint that, sand the knob a bit and re-varnish it, but its that little plastic piece that catches your eye. If anyone has restored this, please post some pics. Zak

Hey, Sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to hearing a positive story when you got back. If you own a body shop, at least you know you'll get the floors done right! Hopefully after that you'll have a better car for the money than you could have got here anyways. Zak

Welcome back. Can't blame you for studying more than working on your Z, hopefully that will lead to you being able to afford your z-hobby later! Good luck in school and keep visiting. Zak

do we have to do a big group-hug now? But seriously, seeing you get yours back on the road made me get back in the garage today for a bit to get more work done on mine. Z

Is there rust near the battery tray? Hard to see in the photo, but thats a bad area to have rusted out. It just might be paint or dirt, I cant tell because my work monitor is crappy. How is underneath the car? Pull the carpets back and look at the floors, and look under at the frame rails, are they rotted? How are the wheel wells? I bought a z that was in decent shape other than it needed floor pans and rails. It turned out to be a pain in the a$$ to fix, and for the money I could have bought a better Z. Im not trying to sway you from a diamond-in-the-rough, just have a real good look at it again. Pointing out rusty battery trays and floors and the like might also get you some leverage in getting a better price. Zak

Welcome to the site. Use the search function, and you will find lots of answers, questions, and technical know-how. If you have a Z, let us know. Put some pics in your gallery if you have some and fill out your profile so folks where you are abouts. I cant think of a better site with better people willing to help out and share their knowledge. Zak

I have an early switch thats in good condition, and it returns to center automatically. I did some searching and I think the '84 (and earlier?) Maxima antenna is the same. The model they sell now that says fits the 240z is Harada XMXB-22. I would bet if you take the switch apart, you'll be able to clean it up and probably get it working again. Good luck, Zak

Wow...puts all the work into perspective when you show the before-to-after shots! Congratulations. Zak

Nice find! Thats a great feeling coming across stuff that alot of people just threw out, or has disentigrated over time. I dont blame you for not wanting to open the bag, but if you do open it and make copies...count me in! Zak

it doesnt say if they are positive, negative, or any other info though. just says reputation points. it should say who said what. Just IMHO, but seems pointless and a great way for anyone who is a little competative or who doesnt have the best intentions to skew the data if you know what I mean. Zak

OK, Mike question for you. I am looking at my 'reputation'. and it says I have feedback, but how does one check his own feedback score, and the details associated with it. I dont see it anywhere on the USER CP, or anywhere else. Since you just slid this in, can you tell us how it works and how to check it? Zak

What type of Air Compressor are you using with it? How many HP and how many gallons? Also I had that problem until I got a 'water filter' for it. I screwed that on and it helps. Zak

There has been bare metal spots for a few months now with nothing more than a slight flash-rust haze, and I'm sure it will get wet from the snow when I tow it so I'll just heat it up when I get it back then wipe or hose off any salt, dry it if need be then do another coat of metal ready. Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. zak

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. TROUBLEDZ - Thanks for the offer, I'll send you a PM with a chemical wish-list when I get it done! ..And did you pick up that Z from Florida yet? Last I heard you were shopping for a transportation method. Zak

Since mine is a rolling shell, I plan to store parts inside the car, and boxes and tools on the roof. I'll probably put a ladder and some tarps inside the engine bay. Thats my plan to store it this winter . But seriously...here is a good starter for winter storage: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19117&highlight=store+winter Zak

ok, I already treated it at least twice with the metal ready. Ill just give it a shot again after I move it. I just didnt want to chance ANY rust after I worked so hard getting rid of it. Thanks Will. Zak

I think this is the 3rd winter I've spent on this site, and every year its the same. All of us in the snow belt share our woes about the winter hibernation, and everyone in the glorious south pipes in about how sunny it is, and what a beautiful weekend of driving their Z's they had. Once again, I say you guys are lucky and I hope all of you take advantage of the warm winter and get lots of time in your Z.

So Im up here in Canada and winter is coming fast. I bought a new house that were moving into January 30th, right in the dead middle of winter (it has a 2 car garage...yaaa!). Since I had to go about buying the new house and selling this one, it ate up alot of my Z-time this summer. I HAD planned on getting all the paint off her (she's currently just a rolling shell) and getting her into a shop to get her prepped and painted before winter. BUT.. Currently the enging bay is all cleaned out and about 60% coated with POR-15. I 'll have to read if I can finish it in cold weather, or I'll have to heat the garage all morning then finish it. The rest of the body is MOSTLY paint free now. theres alot of bare metal spots, but I still have alot of work to do to get everything I want painted free of the P/O's layers of paint before I send it to the shop. I have hit all bare metal I see with METAL-READY, and I dont see any real rusting going on of places I've cleaned off. So my question is...What should I do to in preparation of winter hibernation, and a short trip (5 miles) via tow-truck to the new garage? I was thinking I just use a rattle-can self etching primer and then sand it all off come spring when Im ready to finish removing all the paint so I can get it to the shop. Any feedback? Zak