Montezuma

I studied Asian Studies at the University of Maryland while stationed at Yokosuka Japan, it was so interesting I majored in it....what does it get you? Not much, but I have no regrets. The 400 level course sounds very interesting as well. My 3 years of being stationed there gave me lots of oppurtunities to visit many historical sites throughout ther great Tokyo region. I am one of those guys who does a lot of channel surfing with the remote, if I happen to catch something about Japanese history pre WWII I never hesitate to stop on it and watch. Japan is a beautiful country, loved driving and living there.

I should qualify my statement with the words: "If you are not sure that it will work and are uncomfortable selling it" or maybe....screw it "nevermind!".:sick: As we used to say in the Navy "Belay my past":mad:

Nevermind.

How about some pictures of the project? I always love seeing the process in motion by photograph.

I have this old Z that I have owned since 1994, it is a 1978 that had poor paint and 175,000 miles on it when I bought it. I got it for $1400. I drove it hard and fast, I got into putting factory parts into it along with custom stuff like exhaust, springs, shocks, stereo etc... I had to park the car when I moved over seas for military duty, for the first 3 years overseas the car was stored in an in door storage facility paid for by the U.S. Navy. Then I moved to Japan and had to take the car out of storage to have it stored outside in sunny San Diego since 2006, hardly ever used or started. Everytime I put I new battery in the car it starts on the first turn of the key going to a smooth idle within seconds. It never ceases to amaze me the way that car is so resilent. It now has 375,000 miles on the original motor and seems to have no quit in it. The car has been parked in my driveway since last summer and only once since then in about April have I attempted to start the car. This weekend under the urging of my friend and nieghbor we dropped a brand new battery in the car, he said to me right before I went to fire it up: "Let get some either to spray in it", I was like...."this baby don't need no stink'n either" then I proceeded to turn the key and on the first turn the car fired up and went to a perfect idle in seconds. My wife has been on me to get rid of the eye sore in the driveway....but how can? The car wants to live and wants to go for a long run again someday. You might say why is the car in the driveway and not on the road? Simple, three words: California Smog Certificate. I wish I could find the car a home in a none smog state so the late 1978 Z could please another owner. Maybe I should find a nice car cover and keep the car until I have the time and extra money(two kids in college right now) to give her the complete overhaul she deserves. I Love Datsun Zs.

I have all my exhaust work done by Ed Hanson in La Mesa(San Diego County) CA. Ed is a very approachable guy with a great attitude. He has numerous photos of street rod jobs that he has done over the years. I had my 78Z's system done over 10 years ago and it is still working great. I had his shop do the work on my 73 and it did not go right at first(they had a rookie work on it), he had the downpipe hanging too low which caused a manifold stud to break, so I took it back in to have a resonator added since it was so loud without one and they fixed the exhaust leak. All and all I still very happy with Ed Hanson's shop. I am sure the place that Ron mentioned up in Vista is great too. I agree with Arne, guys who do custom jobs for street rods and what not tend to be much better place to get a nice system down for your Z.

While we're talking eBay and wheels, get a load of this one - those things were garbage when I (reluctantly) sold them back in the late 70's and early '80s! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RIMS-CHROME-WIRE-BASKET-14-DATSUN-240Z-260Z-280Z_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140748QQihZ008QQitemZ180020890049QQrdZ1 They look like that type that are the famous "Mr K" yellow Z.

The vin number seems a high to be a factory restore project car. Don't get me wrong it looks like a great car. If I am not mistaken only used 69,70 and 71 low vin number cars and maybe not 71s. I am sure Les would know for sure. An unfinished factory restoration or just an unfinished restoration what's the difference, just as long as you love it...that is all that matters. Congratsulations and enjoy the ride.

I personally don't like the recommendation of the C/R. It might work....but I am not sure. I am not afraid that the brackets will not hold up in a wreck.

I mounted mine behind the seat and it works great...not an eyesore. I don't think the picture that Daniel put up will work with the retrator high right behind the seat.

I used the angle bracket on position B of your picture. This is a three point belt, so what you do is mount the retrator right where the factor one was located then the pulley at point B of your picture. The end goes right inside the door by by the sill or outer bolt. You will need one extra nut and bolt for the angle bracket. I will try to take pictures tonight after I get home if I can.

I feel that I have found "the solution". I allowed the customer service rep that answered the phone help to get the right set for my car, I am believe I have the I3207 model along with the angle bracket. I did get the bracket pictured but when I ordered an additional one they sent me a thinner version that looked much better installed. The retractor fits nicely behind the seat but not in the pocket that held the factory unit. The other thing I had to do was cut the bottom the plastic holder for the recieptical which worked out great too. My wife used to hate to ride in the car because the old belts were a pain to work, she is very happy with the new belts as well.

I bought a set of retractable belts from Wesco for my 73. They are so much better than the originals. They bolted right in with a small "L" bracket. Check out there webpage: www.wescoperformance.com/ They have great customer service too, my belts arrived within a day from date or order. I would highly recommend this product to any 240Z owner.

My friend passed up one a few weeks ago that was exactly the same with the brand new G-nose hinges but no light covers. It was off a Fairlady that was for sale on ebay....the price my friend passed on was $500. I should have purchased it, it is gone now.

I have the JVC with USB hook-up in my 73Z, I really like it alot. It has a nice little remote that fits nicely in the ashtray. In order to use the USB you need to buy the plug and play kit for an additional $80-100. I put a nice little 100W amp and the rear speaker box and I am "good to go". I recommend the JVC to anyone who wants to use a USB as a method of utilizing the IPOD. I put mine in for my daugther's IPOD, thinking it would make it more fun for her to drive the car...but she still hates it because "It is too hard to steer".

[ Ian, I don't think the gas cap from the 77-78 cars will fit a 71. You are correct....

I saw that exact key for $16.00 on someone website yesterday while I was looking for Datsun L320 parts. It was exact, it said it fits: 410,510 and early Zs. The winner of that auction is a total wienny.

Nice but will work for awhile...then stop....then work slow....just like the clock with the same name located in my dash.

Own one....LOVE IT.

It can get a happy home in San Diego....respond to my message on your phone. It will be on its way to its new happy home early Saturday morning.

In addition to my 2 Zs my daily driver is a 1994 Mitsubushi Montero. The Queen of my garage is a pearl white 2003 Infiniti G35 6MT Coupe. Now for the topper we give our kids the newest car in our stable a 2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R. Future purchase: Xterra or a alternative fuels Titan or some Hybird SUV to replace the Montero. Previous autos of mine: My teens: 72 AMX, 72 Gremlin X. Post High School/Begining of Navy career: 73 Triumph Spitfire(loved that car/kept for 11yrs). Mariage/Grown-up years: 85 Mitsubishi Might Max, 87 Mustang, 80 Corvette(garbage/wife wanted it), a rust bucket 73 Z(free), 70 510 Wagon. Duty in Japan: 92 Nissan Skyline GTS, 98 Mazda Eunos Roadster.

I am glad to see that people "got" my little pun on words.....Just having a little fun.......

Can't do much with the Boobs since most of the time that I am on this site I am at work....no boobs allowed on government computers.

I don't think the signature is of anyone important in the Z world. The good news is that you can just remove those old covers without damaging them and put the new OEM ones on problem. Who did you buy your seat covers from? Good luck with your project and enjoy the ride....when its done of course.

I don't think it is too bad althought I did not really like it when I first saw it last Friday on ebay. I think the fender mirrors are inappropriate on a U.S. spec car especially without the G-nose. Also the wheels look a little over sized for the car. It is not a $12K car, I suspect the reserve is $11 or 12K but the car is at best a $5-6K car. Looks like it will be staying in Oregon for a few more years.