psdenno

When my early style original M/C went bad on my '71 Z, I replaced it with the later style due to cost and availability. All that was required was to route the brake lines to the appropriate reservoir - which is opposite from the early style M/C. No other issues. Dennis

Here are two links to pictures of what I did. The first link has a rough drawing of the mounting bracket layout. The second link shows the finished product on one of the seats. All pieces are bolted together - no welding required. All material available at your local Big Box Hardware Store. Dennis http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=174 http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=357

No problem - did it all the time from 1971 to about 1976. Camped in Florida, California, and all along Route 66. I even ended up sleeping in the Z's luggage area during a bad storm while camping on the beach in Florida. You might not need two folding chairs if it's just you on the trip. Dennis

Actually, the BBC Top Gear is a "for profit" show, too, outside of GB. Or else I've been wasting my time watching the commercials on the BBC America version we get in the States. As for the three hosts developing personalities in the next 10 episodes......I suppose it could happen. It just seems unlikely. They must have done a pilot as well as several dry run episodes prior to recording what we saw in the first televised episode. I think to succeed, there should have been a lot more time spent in casting the hosts. They are neither quirky, funny, likable, nor credible car loving fanatics. Car Zombies......yes. Dennis

I was disappointed by the three hosts - no chemistry between them and no attempt to develop the individual characters as likable car enthusiasts with differing views & values. In general, except for the cars, the show is lame. I'll give it one more episode to grab me and then delete it from my Tivo. Dennis

I'll cast my vote for an old/weak plastic fan blade that deformed out of shape and made contact with the radiator just long enough to shatter and not long enough to scribe a complete circle into the radiator. Although my first guess was the water pump. Had the engine been loose enough to move that far forward, there would be other problems evident. Dennis

I just renewed mine a few weeks ago by mail. Got the new one last week and my old passport was NOT returned with it even though I had requested that it be returned. I was bummed. On Monday of this week, my old passport came in the mail. Like you, I like to keep a collection dating back to military "official" passports. Don't know why they don't send them together - wait a minute, it's the government Dennis

I didn't use the BMW mounting rails - took them off and made a new base that uses the Z seat rails. The seats are centered, no problems with seat belts, and sit a little higher than the original Z seats. Dennis

Is the reclining mechanism loose? I don't think there should be any movement. I put Recaros in my '71 and the only problem was fabricating the mounting bracket to mate the seat to Z seat rails. Not impossible, just took time. Dennis

Another easy solution is to go to your local Datsun (Nissan) dealership parts department and buy a couple of the factory replacement bushings - just a couple bucks each. My local dealer had them in stock. Dennis

Just a guess, but there's probably a reason the Nissan engineers put a thermostat there in the first place. And, guessing again, the reason wasn't to make your life more difficult. Put in a new thermostat and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Carry a spare if you worry about it sticking. How often has a sticking thermostat been a problem for you? Maybe I've been lucky for the last 39 years with my Z - only one stuck open. Dennis

Clark in the Philippines, Forbes in Kansas, Keesler in Mississippi, March in California, and a little time at RG near Kansas City, MO. I think all of those bases are like me....retired. We used to evacuate from Clark to Kadena during typhoon season 40 years ago - good shopping trip. Hard to believe it's that long ago. Dennis

Same back to you! I'm a retired USAF C-130 Aircraft Maintenance Officer (A, B, and H models). And yes, I've seen the rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air. Thanks to all Vets for what you've done! Dennis

Not a bad looking conversion. The "down draft" carbs are interesting. Odd as it is, I'm sure there's a buyer just waiting for such a Z. Dennis

The portable spray kits are great and available at most Big Box hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot. I used one with a repair on my Z years ago when I still had the little can of touch up paint that came with all new 240 Zs in the early '70s. When did they quit giving that can of paint with new cars? Dennis

Only allow female drivers. Dennis

I bought a ColorTune for my Z over 35 years ago. The only difficult part about using it tends to be seeing the "flame" color when tuning outdoors on a bright day. It's a nice, inexpensive, addition to the tool chest. Dennis

I work with autistic kids and a significant portion of the perceived recent increase of occurrence can be attributed to better identification and labeling. Many of these kids would have been labeled anything from odd to retarded a couple decades ago. Understanding the nature of the condition has helped many to lead normal, or near normal, lives and function successfully in society. There are very active parent support groups and schools are far better prepared to meet unique student needs. Support the cause! Dennis

From reading the posts of others with a similar issue, it appears a roof from another Z is the best way to go. Time to grab the sawz-all and head for Pick-A Part. Dennis

It was more of a "Look what I can do" than a "How to do". That may disappoint more that a few viewers. Dennis

I live in the same valley as both of you.... What wrecking yard out here has Zs? I've been going to Pick-A-Part in Orange County for bits and pieces. In fact, I plan to go again tomorrow. If there's anything you need, let me know. Dennis

Mine were from ebay last May and were close enough (90 miles away) that I avoided shipping costs. Be aware that there are different mounting configurations on the BMW seats. Mine are not mounted like the ones seen above and required a little more involved bracket to attach the stock Z seat runners. Welding was not necessary - everything bolts together. I'll post pictures if anyone is interested. The passenger seat went in yesterday and the driver's seat is a work in progress. Dennis

So comfortable, but oh so uneasy to mount in a Z. Time will tell if it was worth the expense & effort. Dennis

Based on about 15 years as a 944 owner, I speak to the comfort but not the installation of the seats into a Z. They're good, not necessarily great, and shouldn't be that difficult to find if you live near a metro area with wrecking yards. If you're not near a source, try www.partsheaven.com/ . They dismantle Porsches and ship worldwide. I'm putting BMW seats in my '71 Z - just installed the passenger side yesterday. Today's assignment, should I choose to accept it, is to get started on the driver's side. Dennis

Looks good! How long did you wait between coats on the "wood"? Dennis