Zak's Z

Hey, thats a great looking Z! I looked at the pics in the Ebay link, but you should post some of your own so we can all look at the details of this fine example. Zak

KDMATT - just got your spreadsheet. Im not on it so my VIN is ('72) HLS30-079101. Closest car to mine is ZRUSH at 80428. I had a '71 i parted out and wrecked, Ill post that VIN when I find the door plate. Zak

What, no vote for the 4-speed manual? I voted for 'whatever came with the car' only because the 4-speed that came with mine isnt there. Zak

I was thinking of installing an 8" or at most a 10" for the spare tire well. I assume you could even buid a ported enclosure for the well if you had enough room. The well could be used as part of the box, so I guess you could cut out a circle of wood to fit the well top flush, then cut the hole for the sub, and maybe if you put it to one side you could cut out a port and tube it somehow from the inside. Then add baffle material and drop it in? If anyone HAS done this, please post some pics or a description of how it turned out. I know the stock alternator probly wont push enough amps to run a big setup, but where did you guys hide your amps? Is there room behind the plastic in the rear, or is under the seat a better idea?? Zak

http://www.tabcobodyparts.com I got my outer rockers from here, but I don't know if they have inners. Zak

Truly sad to hear this news. My condolences to the family. Zak

I know its not on your list, but that car would look great in Skyline Bayside Blue. Zak

The people who committ those types of property offences quite often do it JUST to get in a chase with the police. The thrill and all. I dont think theyre worried so much as to them or anyone else getting injured, which seems to be the case often when a chase happens. Even if its just a police car getting rammed, that officer probly has a family. The big topic here is public safety when a pursuit ensues. General thought is dont chase if theres a probability someone might get hurt. Its just not worth it for a car thats insured. Hey, pursuits happen when its something serious. But for the usual stolen car thats going to be joy-ridden, or used to hold up a convenience store, its often not worth it. As for those crimes declining as a result of getting caught, kids dont usually get punished nearly enough here to prevent it. In fact, I'd say the 'street-cred' you get by getting pinched for trying to outrun the cops far outweighs the deterence factor. I cant speak for the U.S., but those cop shows sure make it look exciting. Zak

Arne - That looks great. MatM - glad to hear you did yours. As soon as I get the shell stripped and off to the body shop, I'll restore a bunch more stuff and post some pics.

I have 3 layers of color on my '72, and I want to go to bare metal before I repaint. I tried rattle can paint stripper - DID NOTHING, I tried the 3M disc, it works well, but way too slow. I tried the wire wheel, same thing. I got POR-STRIP and tried that. It worked great on the first layer. The paint flaked right off after 2 coats. I still have to go re-apply to the other layers, but I expext it to work on them too. This is a pic of the door about 8 minutes after I sprayed 2 wet coats on.

....nice work. I wont be done till the end of the summer using the blowtorch and the paint scraper. Z

I cant believe you did that! Was there any damage done to the shell or did it work out good?? That method looks ALOT easier than what I've been doing (on a creeper with a torch and a scraper). Nice work. You could get that whole bottom POR'd in no time now!! Post some pics of how it's progressing. Zak

I am using POR also in my restoration. BEANDIP has good advice above, and do a search and you'll find lots of good pointers. I had new floors put in, i cleaned the metal with mineral spirits, then used POR's Metal-Ready to etch the metal, then I coated 2 coats underside floor pans. I also cleaned off all the old undercoating in the rear wheel wells, and front inner fenders and POR'd those also. I did use their Tie-Coat primer on one inner front fender, then I realized Im just going to coat it with undercoating anyways...whatever you do, youll have to put a topcoat on any areas that will see sunlight or the POR turns color and breaks down. From the searches I've done, people either coat inners with black undercoating, or paint body color. I am in the process of cleaning out the engine bay, and I plan on POR'ing that then topcoating with their Tie-Coat primer so it can be painted body color. I want to coat the whole underside later, and even suspension components. I would buy smaller cans of the POR, it will cost you a bit more, but you wont waste any that way! Also definetly use a filtered respirator and dont get any on you or you wear it for a few days. That stuff is nasty. Plug or tape ANY screw/bolt holes too! I painted over a screw hole in the engine bay and I had to use a hammer and pick to punch out the hole, its that tough. The surface has to be completely dry too, I took an air gun to it, then a heat gun then air gun again, and every time I found just a drop here and there in the seams. If water gets in the POR, its ruined. Even a drop of sweat while youre painting, im told, will ruin it. Have a look at my gallery for pics, and let me know if I can help with more info! Zak

Thanks GW.

Yeah, I figured that as soon as I saw the tube they came in! I have no problem connecting them all together, and making them work like that as long as theres enough to go around. I guess it doesnt matter really, as I can always just buy another line if needed. I dont suppose I'll be putting these in till the end of the summer. But I'll definitely post a 'how to replace your brake lines' thread when I do. If anyone else has done this already, how were the results? Zak

I'll have to check for the proportioning valve when I get home. I don't think I saw it up front, but I really dont remember. Thanks for the info, much appreciated Ed. Zak

It looks good so far but I just had a quick look though. I took the longest one piece line out of the car (but had to cut it). I will have to connect at least 2 long pieces from the kit just to make that one. The pieces themselves all look quality, they are all flared at the ends and have connectors (but I didnt verify 10mm). Im glad I got it, it was cheap and shipping was fair to Canada, and it came packed well. I just want to make sure I have enough length!! Zak

Does anyone know the total lenght of the brake lines in a '72 240z? One of mine was cut out or I would just measure myself. The reason I'm asking is because I ordered a 17 piece kit off Ebay, I just got it and it doesnt look like enough. This is the same kit I got: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-piece-metal-brake-line-kit-Datsun-Z-car-Toyota_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34199QQitemZ4646990000QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Thanks guys! Zak

Mapquest says its only a 40 hour drive, 4431 KM to his house from mine. I'm gonna need to stop for gas first! Zak

I tried to take mine off a couple of days ago..I used a propane torch, soaked it overnight with Releaseall, tried levering it with a hammer, and only managed to strip a corner of one nut. And I have sausage-knuckes too. I'll be watching thias thread for ideas too. Im afraid Im gonna strip a nut or lose a finger. Zak

I sent you a PM too. Good that all of you have the same story, that helps. Find one whos Canadian, that way he can be a spokesperson in the same jurasdiction if it helps.

Im a Canadian, and I do alot of shopping on Ebay. My feedback is 100%. I'm sure theres scammers everwhere. I got scammed 2 times last year from the U.S. and once from England, so I filed complaints with paypal, etc. In the end I won 2 complaints, but because they were in a different country I could NOT RECOVER any money. ZED2002 I'd like details of exactly what happened, and how paypal took the guys money back even after you supplied proof of you sending them. That goes against their policy (ive been told that also when I bought overseas- that seller proved he sent item so I get no item and no refund). If you can provide me any details I'll be glad to refer you to the nearest police agency in the scammers jurisdiction, and I'll even call and find you a contact person in their fraud or major-crime office if you like. Maybe theres been other complaints, or a history with this guy. Police action may not get you any money, but all complaints must be followed up on, so at the very least, contact will be made with him if possibe. I see from your ebay sale the item was listed in Australia? Send me a PM if I can help. Zak

Matt, Try here: http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/electrical.htm It has the color wiring diagram and should sort you out. As far as guage goes, I would use what the originall harness has. Zak

If you want to get REALLY original looking color schemes, check out this from user KATS personal website, he redid his moustache bar to look like it came from the factory: http://www.geocities.jp/datsunz240zsports/mast.html Zak

Im just at that stage also. I plan on using POR products. They have different colors and finishes depending on what product you get, and all are meant for rustproofing. A google search will bring you to their website. Check the members photo gallery and look at what some members did to their suspension parts. Theres some pretty detailed photos as to colors and finishes. Some suspensions I'm currently looking for ideas are by the users: mlc240z and Jackhammer. Hope this helps a bit, Zak