Phantom

1. I kept it in a garage whenever I wasn't driving it. 2. I put one of those fold out window shields in every time I parked the car outside with the windows down about an inch. 3. I applied Meguiar's vinyl restorer regularly. I figured out that the sun would dry the vinyl to the point that when it got cold in the winter and tried to contract it would crack.

Google CableX. It is made by Abbott Labs. Their website will have all the information you need. That's the unit JCI installed on my car and it's still working 12 years later.

Got notification today from USPS that the Clock Works has contacted them about return shipping of my clock. They asked me if I wanted to pay an extra $20 for expedited 48 hr turn around. I said "no, a week would be fine" so they turned it around in 24 hrs. Go figure. ZLEDslights also recommended that I get a solid state flasher module that I'd LED compatible. I was thinking about trying it with my original flasher first but timing is getting close so I'll probably get one asap so I know I'll be good to go as soon as the lights arrive. The shop that has my car closed for 5 days over the Memorial Day weekend. The good news is that they are at work today and tomorrow behind closed doors working on my car and one other.

So my lights shipped via USPS yesterday. I also got an email from Samuel that indicated that I need to get a turn signal/emergency flasher that is compatible with the LED's. It would have been nice if he'd told me that when I asked him 3 months ago so that I could have had it here and installed already. He gave me a link to a website where I could get one but they do not advertise any modules for a Datsun. I fired them an email asking them if they do but not hopeful at this point. Guess I need to just get the one out of my car and go to AutoZone and see if they have one.

Wheels are definitely pricey and the ones they have on the 280Z they show are 5-lug.

Got the call from the Clock Works this morning and a guarantee the clock would be done this week. Received an email from ZLEDslights with the tracking number for my lights. Supposedly a 3-day delivery rate but, with this being Memorial Day weekend, I don't expect to see the lights until next Tuesday. That would be consistent with USPS. If everything goes as I've been told there is a chance the car will be fully back together by May 29th.

I have one from Safelite in my '77 280Z. No issues. No bluish tint or obvious band at the top although it does get slightly darker toward the top. Safelite will generally try to use an OEM windshield first and then go to a "reproduction" after that. They recently replaced the windshield on my Audi A8L and they used an Audi OEM windshield.

Bob, The biggest issue with the fiberglass kits is the variation in the cars. Over the past 40 years most of them have been dinged & repaired or parts have flexed and moved around so there will be tweaks & minor modifications you'll have to make to get a good fit with the front spoiler. The other panels are pretty straight forward and will need very little "adjusting".

Clock arrived at the Clock Works today and the LED lights finished today. Now waiting for tracking # from ZLEDslights and a call from the Clock Works for payment.

RebekahsZ - 1st - Congrats to Rebekah on her achievements! I know you must be really proud of her. 2nd - Yeah, I've vacillated back and forth on the LS1 thing but I'm really not into being hassled by guys that don't have a chance so I'm probably going to do it for the statement: "Wow, you really have an LS1 in there!?" 3rd - Been looking a lot at wheels and tires. The Rota RB's come in 17x9.5 with a -19 offset which I'm told fits fine front and rear on the Z (with flares). They also come with a metallic gray spoke which would go well with my paint scheme. My son has a set on his 240Z so I can do a fit test before I order. For tires I'm looking at the Toyo Proxes R1R since they have the performance specs I'm wanting and my local Les Schwab dealer handles them. Will run 275/40-17 in the rear and front if I can. If I have to narrow up on the front I'll run 255/40-17's.

I've been running e10 forever and have never had an issue with any of my engine/ fuel systems except for the fuel lines to a '93 Mercury 2-stroke outboard where the fuel lines started to disintegrate. Sounds like a lot of hassle with little upside.

Bob, I've had the MSA Type 2 kit on my car for 18 years and it has survived fairly well. Only caution I would have would be to ensure the parts are very securely mounted. The side skirts don't extend below the body so they won't make jacking any more difficult. I'll have a few minor repairs done on mine when the repaint gets done.

Who's engine mounts are you using? I have JCI mounts and I don't think that set-up would clear my hood. It looks like it's 3-4" higher than a stock LS1 intake manifold.

Samuel from ZLEDslights called last night. The tail light LED boards are complete and he will be assembling them this weekend so that all the lights can ship this Monday. Here is a link to his Facebook page that shows the lights as they were yesterday. http://zledslights.com/store/ I'm getting pretty excited about this.

Got a phone call from Samuel at ZLEDslights last night. He said he was finishing up my order and one for a 240Z this weekend and they would ship this Monday. Here is a link to his Facebook page that shows the LED pattern for my taillights and one of my front turn signals in operation. http://zledslights.com/store/

Here is a photo on Autotrader of the interior of a new Audi S5 cabriolet. You'll need to scan the photos to see the same interior photo. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98908&endYear=2016&interiorColorsSimple=RED&modelCode1=S5&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2014&makeCode1=AUDI&searchRadius=0&extColorsSimple=GRAY&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=%5BAUDI%5BS5%5BS5%257CPrestige%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=400256003&Log=0 Here is a similar photo of my 280Z from 10 years ago.

Thank you! Knowledge is power and I now feel much better.

You might also contact the Z car club in Atlanta. It's a good sized club, not too far away, and they would know if there are any decent cars available in the area. Suggest you go for a 280Z as the 240Z's are starting to get pricey. Also the 280Z has a stouter unibody and is already set up for fuel injection.

How is the pricing vs MSA? MSA in Orange, CA is a big store and has a reputation for good aftermarket parts.

Wow - just realized the car has been in the shop 3 months now. I was hoping to be done in two but it looks like about one more to go. Never found the OBDII connector so soldered a new one in. Check engine light will be on the front of the console. The white face gauge conversion is complete along with upgrading all the dash lights and eliminating the green lenses. Clock is now on it's way to The Clock Works in Wisconsin to be redone. Not cheap but less than buying a remanufactured one. LED light conversion is complete for the front turn signals and side marker lights. Tail lights are supposed to be done the end of this week. Targeting getting it back together to attend the NW Datsun meet in Canby, OR. Never been. It might be fun.

Gotcha!

I notice I have the phrase "0 warning points" under my post total. I haven't noticed anyone else with a reference to warning points in theirs. Have I been a bad boy at some point and finally got myself down to zero for good behavior? Anyway - please let me know what it means. Thanks.

The build looks really great. Glad to see you have a great shop to work in. Looks like it's heated too which is a big bonus for that part of NY. What degree are you going for? I have an MBA from Syracuse. 57 semester hours but no thesis requirement. That Z you want to emulate is beautiful. I'm thinking of going that direction myself when it's time to repaint mine. You did notice that it has an LS motor in it vs and SBC? That 355 you have will be a beast though.

You certainly got a nice body. I haven't seen one that clean in a long time. If you start cutting on the unibody be sure to weld in some temporary bracing ahead of time. You probably already know to do that - but just in case - I wouldn't want the body to distort on you.

My son got his fuel cell from www.Tanksinc.com. It is a universal pick-up truck fuel tank. Part number UT-N. When you go to the website it will show tanks. You'll want the one on the right as it's for fuel injection. You'll need ventless gas cap to go with it and to run vent for the tank. He ran his up in the rear passenger shock tower area. He has a bolt down plate covering the installation. He got the license plate bracket off a 50's/60's vintage auto from a salvage yard. Also - I've been driving over 50 yearns and I've had a total of 5 flat tires, and none of them in the last 15 years. I've had a few nails but was able to driven the tire to a shop to get it fixed. The tire well in my Z is not useable except as a small "trunk". The only flat I had in it was about 20 years ago when a really old BFG radial T/A blew out a sidewall on me. Photos: