Zup

@JLPurcell I remember that thread Jerry----I've thought about Snake Oyl before, but your thread indicated you had some less than perfect results with them. Seems you got it all worked out, but I had reservations and they're pretty pricey. After seeing Ziggy's excellent result with the 69 underhood decal, I'm hoping to place this additional work his way.

Ziggy, I'm very interested in procuring a set from you, but would need the date stamp to read 7 -1970 Would you consider this?? The belts I have are the originals to the car, but the tags I have are quite tattered and do not make a full set of 4. Jim D. "Zup"

My initial thoughts--- To buffer temperatures of the cold air to metal contact, hence sweating (condensation) during periods of high humidity. Since the foam used was not closed cell, it would also effectively become a sponge for some of the condensation if it occurred.

@conedodger Rob, Contact Eiji at www.datsunspirit.com He should be able to accommodate your fastener needs. His engine fastener package is beautiful when installed and is complete. I have used them on both my 7/70 and my 6/73 and am extremely happy with them. (and him!) Jim D. "Zup"

Congratulations on your purchase! Glad to see it went to your good hands and that quote shows me where your heart is! I, as well as many others, will be following your story with keen interest. This is one of those "once in a lifetime opportunities" to do the job as well as can be done to preserve and restore her to original. She deserves it!

Jay Atoka at www.jdm-car-parts.com has reproduced these for some time and is expanding his market through Motorsports. He has an Ebay presence as well. On a similar note---when are the true JIS cross head double wire metric hose clamps going to be reproduced? Everyone needs them and they are a real pain to clean up and re-plate. There is a thread noting that Nissan itself may be bringing back vintage parts, but it is uncertain if the Z cars are included initially---and who knows if these clamps are a part of that. (if and when it happens)

"Put a tiger in your tank" was Esso, Cliff. They gave away "Tiger tails" that you hung around the gas cap or out your gas cap filler door so they could flap in the breeze and show you had used Esso gas. My favorite though was to "Fill your tires with Pink air", a Fina promo in the 60's. Always loved "Dino" the green dinosaur which was Sinclair's brand mascot. Anyhoo----my 9/10 cent contribution to this thread!

I don't know from experience, but in a closed hydraulic system such as the brakes--- I would think---they shouldn't be affected adversely by the addition of an additional few inches of line. Routing of the additional line length securely and safely shouldn't be too difficult. Interesting proposition Jeff!

I feel for you regarding the air injection tube removal Rich! Everyone talks about the spindle pins being a bitch to remove----HA! They haven't done this yet, or they would say spindle pins are the second most difficult job. I gave up, and went to the machine shop, where the manifold went into a very hot penetrating oil immersion for hours, followed by heating to 500* before being persuaded with brute force to yield. Same story---the injection tube nuts were so scarred that it could not be cleaned up enough for re-plating for re-use. Oh well---the new injection tubes, once installed, are expensively beautiful! Great to see your progress, and I can almost feel your anticipation growing as everything starts coming together. Makes all the effort most rewarding!

Welcome @notWes ! Nice opener! @Patcon is telling you truth---look at the data tag on the passenger side shock tower in the engine compartment, then cross check the firewall stamping of the vin number against the door jamb tag you have pictured and against the vin plate just inside the windshield on the drivers side of the dash. These are all the "matching numbers" you will have. I suspect that your new purchase is all original (regarding the "numbers"). Go to www.zhome.com and look up the vin number in the registry database. If it is there you'll know a little more about previous owners---if it is not register it into the database. Our Z community is "at your service".

@S30Driver may be able to help you with this issue. Jim2 recently fitted his Rota's with new caps and was purposeful about what he ordered in order to resolve this exact issue.

I have used Jeff at Paltech several times on 4 screw and 3 screw carbs and have found his work to be extremely good---for some maybe a little too good--as the micropolishing process he uses brightens the carbs beyond the original factory finish. As @Captain Obvious commented to me upon seeing photos of Jeff's work "that is a self correcting problem"--- meaning after several years and several thousand miles it is likely the gleam will be reduced. Enjoy them while they shine---which could be a very long time if you oil the exterior occasionally with some Gibbs Brand using a clean cloth dampened with the oil. So treated they will not tarnish, or attract dust and dirt, or stains. I have used Paltech and ZTherapy for carburetion restoration and am glad both are in business. Both do exceptional work. The biggest difference in my experience has been that Jeff will do emission device plating and water tube plating----something ZTherapy does not advertise. Oh-- but wait--ZTherapy will not do "boat anchors". They will tell you to "drop anchors" and install 3 or 4 screw carbs. Jeff at Paltech does restore flat tops---he's the only source that I know of that will take them on. So www.ZTherapy.com or www.Paltech1.com ---either one is a great choice in my book.

Having lost Sully and Claire within the last two years, so sad to hear. I know the feeling---big empty spot---your life isn't the same. Give it some time Jai---the sorrow fades in intensity and memories of the good times together remain forever. You gave Deanna a wonderful life, she blessed yours.

@jfa.series1 I've tried to PM you Jim, but there is a notice saying that you "cannot receive messages" ???? Don't know what's up with that, but it sounds as though your uniquely sourced item is being fulfilled by TerrapinZ. You guy's crack me up----this patina thing may end up being elevated to a new trophy class---- "Best Rust in Show"

All the Best Dan-- I'm hoping for you to have a speedy complete recovery. Jim D. "Zup"

Yes to everything above. Paint those areas as @grannyknot mentioned he's got it right! Use a flat black. Don't worry about the wiring. After the underpad and carpet are installed it is not noticeable. None of the early cars I have disassembled, including a 71, had a hole in the vinyl rocker trim next to the seat belt mounting bolt for the wiring to pass through. The wiring was on top, not underneath the vinyl as it emerges from the dogleg trim. The wiring does go under the vinyl rocker trim as it runs along the rocker toward the front passenger side of the car.

Let me have a look Jim. (Home for lunch with little time at the moment.) I may have one that is beyond redemption--- save the switch.

@motorman7 Nice to see such rapid progress! Probably obvious, but be sure to clear the engine number or it will rust.

+3 same story

@Wick Humble The Z Community will be really excited about your HTRYDZC revisited Title. Your book has been invaluable to me and many, many others in our quest to restore these Z'z. It IS the definitive work on the subject. I can't tell you how many times I have wished for clearer photos though! Right now--- I want (hope/ wish/ will pay for) an autographed copy as soon as it is released. So glad to see you "name drop" Steve as a collaborator! What a great combination,--- you two! He is my "go to" guy out there in the "Land o' Plenty" for hard to find Z items and has helped me numerous times. We chat by phone every few months. Steve clued me in on his projects some time back, but I am "sworn to silence" even though you mentioned it. I would say he has one in particular that is the "project of a lifetime". Thanks Wick, for everything! Jim D. "Zup"

Regarding the Sem Color Coat---yes, Satin Black is the best match to original. I've used ProForm Products and like them---right up there with Wurth. I haven't used the PF620, but it sounds a lot like Naptha spirits, which I have used as you did with the PF620, and it behaves the same. Naptha will not harm paint, vinyl or rubber when used sparingly and not soaked.

Perfect!

I officially dislike this!!!

@Careless If by "side sills" you mean the heavy vinyl inner rocker trims, you would be best off finding really good used ones. They are indented with respect to fastenings at the seat belts and have notches and cutouts that are not well duplicated on the reproductions that I have seen. The originals, if in good condition, will fit perfectly. After cleaning and a little Sem Color Coat they will look like new As to the other trims---I used the set offered by Les on my 7/70. They installed just fine and match the early pieces reasonably---there is not much surface that is exposed once installed with the visors in place, so the match of grain texture is not a real issue. By now we have no choice, as all factory NOS replacement pieces are "unobtanium". I purchased a set of the factory "A pillar" and "above the windshield" trims some years ago in anticipation of the restoration. The box had never been opened. Much to my dismay when I got ready to do the install, I found that I had received 2 right side pillar trims and no left side pillar piece. That is when I went to the set I purchased from Les, as I could not mix them without it being more noticeable. The pieces I received from Les were not complete with foam, but that is not a big deal---just use the trims to create patterns using 1/4" foam for the padding. It will make the vinyl nice and tight. The headliner is a reproduction with foam, as offered by Les at Classic Datsun Motorsports. As an alternative, Mike McGinnis at http://www.zzxdatsun.com/catSoftTrim.php has all the same trims and quite possibly will be a quicker source, as I often have difficulty getting in touch with Les. At the top of the page is Mike's statement: "My soft trim is manufactured by the same domestic company that supplied Nissan's Z store program in the 90s." Good enough by me. Photos follow:

Really nice job of pulling this together Jeff! All early car restorers will be indebted to your attention to detail and the completeness of your photo documentation regarding this important aspect of the hatch. Jim D. "Zup"