JLPurcell

I am recovering from surgery and dying of boredom. I, while thinking of something to do I decided to finally reassemble my original 240Z Datsun Competition Mikuni 44’s. They have been sitting dry and disassembled since the early 80’s. A couple of years ago I got the urge to pick up rebuild kits, linkage upgrade parts, new air horns, ventures and jets for street use, (close to $800.00 in parts from Wolf Creek Racing). As I said earlier I just got around to putting them back together today. I ran across a problem, although I had told Todd (Wolf Creek Racing) what carburetors I had he sent me the wrong needles and seats. No problem, still in original packaging. So I thought! I called Todd and he explained that I had a set type RS5’s which had a 10mm base and I needed a 14mm base. He went on to tell me that he does not take parts back:ermm:. OUCH! I am not one to argue so I ordered the new, correct, needle and seats to the tune of around $90.00 shipped:tapemouth. This brings me to this question: Does anyone need a set of needle and seats for 40mm or 44mm Mikuni’s Type RS5??? If so let me know and I will make you a deal. All being said it was fun to finally get to turn a wrench on some of my Z projects. JLP

Carl, Remember to show me your happy dance next time we meet!

Montezuma, Thanks for taking the time to find the NOS Shift Knob:beer:. Although I sent the car out to Les with a Mid-Close-Ratio 5 Speed we are putting a stock 4 speed back in the car. Thanks again, Jerry Purcell

I received these photos when Les got back from his “Datsun Parts Search across America Tour”. Any one of us may benefit someday from his trip. These are the latest photos of my car. I really like the restoration of my original AR Libre wheels as well as the Toyo 14” DOT race tires suggested by Les.

Mike, Les had a NOS 72 dash in stock and the NOS dash I sent out with the car was for a Series 1 car. I beilieve he has a project for it. He does have the original dash out of my car, it was in great shape, one minor flaw, and he has restored it. JLP

Mike, As to the time, Les did make me a heck of a deal and I knew going in that he was going to work it in as he could. That being said it has taken longer than either of us anticipated but I am all about the outcome. Although I have two racing 5 speeds, mid-close overdrive and mid-close direct, I decided to go back all stock and Les provided an original rebuilt 4 speed for the project. The car had mid-close ratio overdrive 5 speed when I dropped it off. I have decided to sell all of my old school racing parts this summer on ebay. These are parts from my 70Z when it was prepared as a CP car. All of the racing parts associated with the car from the IMSA preparation are going with the car to Les as part of our original deal. At one time I considered keeping them for a future project but I have too many projects now. Jerry

I installed the programer and reprogramed the truck, cat and DPF delete. Removed the cat and dpf (4" replacement exhaust) and instlled the K&N air box. Fuel econ up, power can be dialed way up. Still testing but it seems to get better fuel mileage on the higher horse power settings. The truck is super fast with the additional 250 hp dialed in. The transmision is still learning to deal with the additional power. Will update when I have had a chance to do more testing but so far I am happy with the upgrades. JLP

Wanted to share the latest photos of my car. Let me know what you think.

Les is not part time, he is just a very busy small operation with many demands on his time. From what I have seen Les sleeps, eats, and breaths Datsun. I have been patiently waiting for completion of my car for over 5 years and I know that it will have been worth the wait. Although Les is one of, if not, the most knowledgeable Datsun restoration experts today it is seemingly becoming secondary to his Datsun race preparation and race support. I just hope our small group of enthusiast can support such experts in the future so they are always around when we need their expertise and support. jlp

I was trying to contact Les last week and received an email that he was on the road and would be back at his shop sometime this week. As I understand it he was traveling all over the states looking for and buying parts. I am waiting to here from him. Les does not seem to be a tech guy thus the lack of on the road communications but I would not worry I am sure he will take care of your problem. jlp

This is not on subject, (DATSUN), but some of you might own a Ford 6.4 Powerstroke and could find this informative. I have been driving Ford trucks for 30 years and love them, (no Ford jokes please). In my last truck update I decided to go from the F150 V8 to the F250 Powerstroke diesel. I tow periodically but most of my driving is in town. I found that the engine was in constant cleaning mode and that it never completed the cleaning cycle. This was causing extremely high engine compartment temps as well as extremely low fuel economy:angry:. I took it to my dealer and their fix was to reprogram the truck so it did not let me know when it was cleaning and told me that when it goes into cleaning mode to drive it at 50mph + until the cycle was complete. Do you see the problem with this, the information center no longer indicated when it was in cleaning mode! When I requested clarification on this I got a simple shoulder shrug and was told to remove my K&N filter and cold air box or they would void my warranty. I removed the K& N and continued to have in town drivability problems. Although I love the truck I listed it on Craig’s list due to the continuing drivability issues:cry:. Yesterday I bit the bullet and ordered a H&S Mini Max programmer and a new 4” aluminized exhaust system (DPF & Cat delete):classic:. I will install this next week and put the K&N system back in place. Ben at Rudy’s Diesel, (Durham, NC) say I will kick my own A**:stupid: for not doing this sooner. I believe the gains will be worth the sacrifice of the remainder of the warranty. I will update this thread as I have the results of the modification. jlp

Sent PM. Carl Beck is a good source for getting an idea what these cars might be worth. What one has to remember is that there is value to a low mileage car but how they have been maintained and stored will be the greatest factor affecting the value. jlp

I can not say for certain on the 280Z but it was a dealership install on the 240's and I believe on the 280's as well. Back in the day there were independent contractors which went dealership to dealership installing the side molding, tape pin stripes and add on vinyl tops. A few Z's of the day got the full treatment. In my opinion nothing is less appealing than a vinyl top on a Z. jlp PS I forgot to mention the other Abomination, the dealer installed sunroof in the early Z cars!

Eiji has great sources and hard to find parts. Good guy to deal with in my experience. jlp

Thanks Mike, He did email me yesterday with that information. jlp

Has anyone been in touch with Les this week? I have emailed and called all week with no luck. His voice mail box is full. JLP

I have no idea what they are worth. I paid over $800 for my NOS 240Z tail lights. jlp

Should have read; thought some 240K owners might be interested.

Not a 240k owner but noticed these on Ebay thought some 240k owners may be interested. jlp http://www.ebay.com/itm/DATSUN-240K-TAIL-LIGHT-not-240z-260z-280z-BRAND-NEW-NOS-/180816966792?hash=item2a1987f488&item=180816966792&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Turbo, The car has been with Les (Classic Datsun Motorsports) for 5 years 2 months. Current plan is to pick up car in April of this year. It was part of our original agreement that Les would work it in as he could. All about the out come.

Les sent these photos out this week. Little story on the dash, the NOS dash which I had stored for my car for over 30 years was not correct for my car! It is a series 1 dash. With luck as it is Les, had a NOS Dash, (photo), correct for my car which he was willing to trade out with me. The Toyo R888’s look great on my restored A/R Libre wheels!

The following links are to a couple of 240Z flasher switches: http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-73-DATSUN-240Z-EMERGENCY-FLASHER-SWITCH-OEM-/160709668933?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256b0af045&vxp=mtr http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Datsun-Nissan-240Z-Hazzard-Emergency-Flasher-Lights-Switch-/260923301694?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3A240Z&hash=item3cc03d9f3e&vxp=mtr Below is a link to one of the two factory manuals I mentioned in my earlier post. This is the L20 / L24 Factory Engine repair manual, there are no factory Body / Electrical manuals listed on ebay at this time but keep looking and I am sure one will be listed in the near future. The manual looks like this one only it is light yellow, (tan) in color. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Service-manual-model-L20A-L24-SERIES-ENGINE-Nissan-Datsun-240Z-/320842884449?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item4ab3b9e561&vxp=mtr

There are a couple of Hazard switches currently on E-Bay that will work. The hazard switch acts as a buss bar for all of the lighting. jlp The best wiring diagram in my opinion is in the original Datsun shop manual (body/electrical) they can still be purchased on ebay etc... The manuals are in a set of two, mechanical / body. They are a must have in my opinion. I have a couple of sets. jlp

Thanks Dan. You have confirmed my thoughts on which switch is correct for my 1972. I know that one is from a series 1 car and one is from an early 73 series 2. Thanks for the help. JLP

Les is assembling my NOS dash for the restoration and can not find the flasher switch. I have two and do not know which to send him. Does anyone know which switch is appropriate for my 1972 Z? It has a production date of June I believe. Thanks Jerry Purcell