Pop's Z

I've used dryer fabric softener sheets to keep critters at bay. I don't know if it really works, but I've had no critters. I just put them everywhere: on the shelf behind the seats, under the seats, in the intake to the air cleaner, up the exhaust pipe, behind the dash, etc. I've used moth balls before, but the lingering smell was not pleasant. Now I just put them around the car on the garage floor...sort of like a defensive position. Good luck with your storage. +1 on the empty gas tank. Cheers, Mike

Yesterday went out for a bit of a cruise. Got a ticket from a Sheriff's deputy on a motorcycle with forward look radar for 13 over. He knocked it down to 5 over and 1 point. I was totally guilty. I've owned the Zed for 10 years. I have done some serious hooning about in it. I paid the $98 fine...that averages out to $9.80/ year. Cheap for all the fun I've had. Ironically the last speeding ticket I got was in 1975 in my '73 Zed for 30 over. When I think about all the times I could have been busted I just smile. Cheers, Mike

Matt, where is the stainless strip above the side windows? Cheers, Mike

Been there, done that...the hair dryer is your friend. It helps to let the vinyl heat up in the sun before installing. It's not that difficult if you are handy. If not take the seats and covers to your local upholstery shop. As an aside I ended up going with seats from a '90 300ZX. They offered more support for my tired old butt. Cheers, Mike

Haz, experience has taught me that a filter between tank and pump prevents crapola from messing up the pump. I don't think this is your problem, but it can't hurt. Did you do a tank cleanout? Cheers, Mike

I've had good results from using"Invisible Glass". Our old dash plastic and vinyl outgasses more than new cars do. I also use newspaper instead of other wipe-off materials. I was told by a glass installer that Windex and wipe cloths are not good cleaners. Just my 2 cents. Cheers, Mike

Matt, Looks great! Not to be Debbie downer, but that exhaust pipe looks pretty close to the ground. You will scrape it...been there, done that...no t-shirt. Cheers, Mike

As usual, Sarah gives the best advice. Remember that the only zeds worth tons of money are the early series 1 cars. I have a '73 and I wasn't going to worry too much about the value. I wanted to relive my youth and have fun with my car. This I did on both counts. Have fun. Make up your own mind given your money situation and your mechanical skill level. A lot of members here weren't so skillful that way when they first got here, but they went for it and learned how to work on their own cars. Fun and satisfying. Good luck. Cheers, Mike

Given that our cars rotate through the odometer several times in their life, and that your car is "new", you can do whatever you like. Go for it. After mine rolls through 99,999 on it's original miles I would reset it if I was to thoroughly re-do the whole car. How many of our cars have rolled around more than once? Cheers, Mike

Actually, this was posted on Hagerty Insurance website a couple of days ago. Nice car, pretty decent analysis for our beauties. Cheers, Mike

It's been a looong winter in the frozen North. Cheers, Mike

FWIW, in the long run I found it easier to just pull the dash. That isn't easy, but the benefits outweigh the cost in bruises and skinned knuckles. While you've got it out it's a fine time to clean up the gauges, change out the dash lights for brighter ones, check all your wiring for damage, and replace those old leaky heater hoses including, for you 260/280 owners, the rotted vacuum lines to the a/c. Just be sure to tag all the electrical and hose connections and take a bunch of pics for when it comes time to put everything back. Pull the seats, center console, shift lever, and steering wheel. Lay a padded furniture blanket down and go for it. I found it much less frustrating, and you are less likely to damage the dash or instruments. Also you will really know your Zed inside and out. Took me a half day to remove the first time, about 2 hrs the second time. Cheers, Mike

Yes, Charles it IS a great drive. The best part is it's only one of many we have available to us here in Northern Colorado. Cheers, Mike

Got Mr. Brown out of winter storage, fired him up, and took a reasonably brisk drive up Colorado 14 up Poudre Canyon (google it) to the top of Cameron Pass and back. I love the way you are so connected to the road...every bump or imperfection plays right through the steering wheel and your butt with instant feedback. Cheers, Mike

Yeah Zedy, they are longer, but don't be surprised when they compress to a much smaller length. I found mine actually seemed to have the upper coils touching each other. As you may notice from my sig. I went back to the original springs. Two reasons: 1) I got tired of scraping things like speed bumps, and 2) the ride, while a bit softer than tokicos was still too harsh for my old butt. The car still drives great, though. Good luck with your spring exchange. Cheers, Mike

I have KYBs and they work just fine. Not too firm, not too soft...as Goldilocks said..."just right". Cheers, Mike

Len, I don't have a fuel injected car, but I would love to meet you and show you "Mr. Brown" (I think about converting to FI to eliminate carbs so I'm very interested in your "Hellfire). Plus, Fort Collins is THE craft brewer place to be. Plus, we have some of the finest twisties you can imagine. Hope to see you this summer. Cheers, Mike

How many times do we ignore this excellent advice until we learn...in my case too many. Cheers, Mike

Julio, Fabric softener will not shorten the life of your dock lines or your halyards and sheets. It makes it much easier to get the salt-encrusted lines soft and usable again. Another trick I learned was to put the ropes in a mesh bag when washing them. They don't get tangled as much. FWIW I lived on boats for 16 years, sail and power. Cheers, Mike

FWIW, I changed out my poly bushings with stock rubber in the rear, removed the T/C rod kits and replaced with rubber, and replaced my Eibach springs with my stockers just because of the harsh ride. Also I removed the poly steering coupler and replaced it with stock rubber as it transmitted all the road imperfections right to my hands on the steering wheel. I felt that I didn't need an autocross suspension on a road car. I am much happier with the ride and I don't feel that I have lost much handling. My wonky back has thanked me. Cheers, Mike

Thank you, sir. Greatly appreciated. It appears that my Delta stage II cam has mushed the Nissan ones leading to oil consumption. If I am going to the trouble of replacing the seals I might as well use the Ford ones. Cheers, Mike

Re: Felpro low-profile Ford valve stem seals. Do any of you have a part number? I would greatly appreciate that info. Thanks. Cheers, Mike

Ptero, You seem to have an itch to learn about rebuilds. So..."just do it". My 2 cents is to tear the spare motor down, figure out what's what with it as far as a "racing engine" goes, and do a complete rebuild. These motors are not complicated, parts are readily available, and there are several publications to advise you along your journey...Tom Monroe's "How to Rebuild Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine", and Frank Honsowetz's "How to Modify Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine". These publications are readily available. Also there several members here who are Canadians, eh, who can help you with hands-on help if needed. "Blue", and "Zcars" are two of several of the Canadian Zedders. You say you've never done this. Short story: When I was a younger guy I had a VW beetle on which I needed to have some work done. I was introduced to a book called "How to Fix Your VW for the Complete Idiot". With that book in hand and a factory service manual I learned how to do all my maintenance even to the point of successfully, completely rebuilding my motor. I didn't know doodely about mechanical stuff then. Since then I have successfully maintained a blue-water cruising sailboat and a twin diesel powerboat. I have done all the work on my Zed with the exception of paint and seat upholstery. So, if I can do it, so can you. We here on this site can help keep your chin up when the going gets rough, all these things you contemplate have been done previously by our members here. It's not rocket science. Good luck and keep us informed as to your progress. Cheers, Mike

I use 303 on my dash. When I lived on a boat on I used it on all it's vinyl covers and such. We sold it at West Marine. My local dealer now is a spa (hot tub) place and I have been using it on my vinyl-clad hot tub cover. It works very well with no issues whatsoever. I highly recommend it. I used Vaseline on my dash, too, but it was a bit shiny and I got a glare in sunlight. When I put A/C in my car I replaced my old cracked dash with a NOS dash I got with the car when I bought it...lucky me, so I really want to keep it going as long as I can. Cheers, Mike

Last pic: Yes you can use your pulley with the A/C pulley removed. Cheers, Mike