z2go

Agreed, looks like you are not getting an even coat. It's really hard to do with a rattle can... you should sand it back down to get an even base, and start again... no need to use caliper paint, since you won't be seeing those temps on the car. If you are going the rattle can route, I would practice on a test panel with different speeds, pass techniques, application thickness, and distance from the work until you are happy with the results. It's gonna take a lot of cans to get enough coverage. They also make an attachment for the top of rattle cans that allow you to hold it like a normal paint gun, and take the pressure off of your index finger (the name of the device escapes me). This will also allow you to get a better handle on the can, and will reduce your finger fatigue.

Not sure on the OD of the 280z struts, but if it helps, I just measured my 72 240z struts, and got 2.025 as well.

Awesome idea! Glad you guys are constantly looking for ways to improve the site.

I did put it on jackstands. I was able to get it high enough to easily work on it from underneath and from the inside.

Ah! That's a serious pain. Well, you could at least just get it off the outside, and just recoat the inside some when you get the welding done. That part wasn't very difficult at all, it lined up pretty well when I bent it in place.

I got mine from www.rockauto.com, about $100 but it came complete.

Burning out the first metal bushing, and then using the hacksaw method works well.

You can do that with anything mushy and with some water content... wet paper, etc... it's really the hydraulic action that does the trick.

Of course, I wasn't thinking of making it into an advertising campaign for those selling their product, but rather one where people could review commonly used products (such as spark plugs, tires, etc.).

Hey admin. I have an idea. How possible would it be to create a new section for product reviews? For example, have it set up similar to this: http://www.fordf150.net/reviews/g2-air-intake-products.html I know it's different software, but maybe there's a way with this program that it could work, similar to the poll feature? This way, members could search that forum for specific products, see what people think of those products, with areas for review such as quality, ease of installation, fit/finish, customer support level (if from a manufacturer), and price, along with a statement about the product from those who have used it. Or, it could just be free flow, like we have now, and people can just start regular topics regarding a product, and others can post their input like normal.

Use this website to download the Factory Service Manual: http://www.xenons30.com/reference.html The wiring diagram should give you a better idea of what you have going on. There are some subtle differences that will be confusing if you don't have the right year, such as wire colors. Also, the colors after the harness might be a different color, and not listed on the diagram. So, your best reference point is on the harness side of the connections. *EDIT* Yours is a 71, it's not available on there... but the 72 will be close. Your dealer should be able to supply you with a 71 FSM, if need be.

Holy crap. Well, one easy fix is that last picture... that is the piece that connects the horn button to the horn relay wiring... it mounts on the left side of the turn signal switch, facing in toward the driver, and the little round contact point is spring loaded toward the steering coupler, so that it can maintain a contact and allow a connection to the horn. Make sense? For the other stuff... I would advise replacing a lot of your wiring. Also, I would recommend studying the Factory Service Manual Wiring section, including the dash wiring, and especially the whole wiring diagram for the car. Once you know it by heart and can identify what every wire does, only then should you really start hacking away at the harness. There is a lot of stuff previous owners have done that is not in the FSM, and you are going to have a hell of a time figuring it out. Also, it sounds like you probably have some corroded connectors somewhere, if you are only getting .2V off the key. I would start at the ignition switch, and work my way from there, cleaning all connectors, using some dielectric grease to ensure a good contact, and checking them, one by one... until you die of old age. Seriously though, this is a huge project to tackle without having a good knowledge base of what is going on with everything, being able to identify every wire, etc.

As Miles said, search this one out. Whatever you do, you don't need to drill out the bottom, it's not suction that is keeping it in there. It's rust and friction. Think slide hammer on the old strut tube...

I say, has it gone far enough? On a friggin' rocketship from mars and beyond! Or something...

Thanks! I'm sending you a message now, glad to help.

I told my girlfriend of 3 + years the other day that I needed to bring the Z's dash inside to the living room to work on. I told her I needed to rewire the whole thing, so there's going to be a huge mess of wires, solder, tools, all strewn about. She said, "You're going to put a blanket down, right? I don't want the carpet to get dirty from old wires and such." I said yes. Now that's compromise!!! You shouldn't have to give up the things that you love. She supports me in all of my hobbies and goals, even if it's something she would never do. She is scared of riding motorcycles, won't even get on a dirt bike. However, I've been able to buy whatever motorcycle I want, crash whatever motorcycle I want, got help living in a cast for four months, and then buy whatever motorcycle I want again. Yea, it's dangerous to ride, but you are safe about it. You personally are probably better off on a bike than in a car on the freeway in traffic... people die in cars too, you know. If keeping you from being happy makes her happy, then you either need to be happy not being happy, or find someone who lets you be happy. **NOTE** That's 3 + years of living together, sharing bills and not doing the chores I'm supposed to because I'm in the garage working on the Z...

How does it go? "If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, find yourself an ugly wife"? Tony, you have the best advice here in this thread, but unfortunately most will not take this advice... only look at it after the fact and say, "Man, I should have done that, would have saved a lot of time and money..." I know I've been guilty of the same, and most guys just don't want to hear that they have a crappy relationship and that their compromises will suck the life out of them... and that their woman wears the pants, and how that pink dress he has to wear now just doesn't match his shoes...

Man... I hate mind games. You should not feel guilty for the fact that she let you believe that she was OK with motorcycles to begin with, and now that you are far along enough in the relationship, you are "stuck" and are now forced to compromise. Granted, it seems like she is somewhat willing to compromise as well, so if you are willing to meet her in the middle... good for you. Just don't do anything you aren't 100% willing to do, or you will resent her and regret the decision! Tell her to get her wires un-crossed and start saying what she means, and meaning what she says! I tell my girlfriend this a lot, any time I feel like I'm not getting her honest opinion... I tell her that if she says something is OK, then I am going to do it, and I'm not looking back. It seems to work well. Screw trying to decipher what those she-devils really think!

DIY network has a lot of really good tutorial videos on what to expect in a lot of projects. They list all the tools needed, as well as some idea of technique and procedure. It should get you going in the right direction. Lowes and Home Depot also have a lot of good video tutorials of the same nature. And don't forget Youtube! My master bath also had carpet, which was one of the projects I tackled (installing tile), as well as landscaping my whole backyard, including a paver stone patio and rock retaining wall. Tons of great info!

Yea, no one wants to see a wiring diagram that you can't read! Or a picture of a project that you can't really tell what's going on in it... i.e., Craigslist size pictures... (is that a pristine original Z or a rust bucket? I think it's a Z... maybe it's a Pinto...)

You will need to do the CV conversion that is outlined in the FAQ since you have CVs.

I have a 75 rear end in my car that is an r200. It came out of an auto.

Hey now, I said something! Reading the post, it looks like I pretty much said the same thing. In the admin's defense, I think they might still be trying to sort out other bugs in the system... to include keeping all of the spammers in check.

I agree. I have even been known to be a mondo-picture poster, not intentionally though. I usually scale down my pictures to 30% of original in MS paint, easiest way to do it for me... although, it would be nice to have a max picture size to keep the uber gigantic pictures in check.

More evidence that this repair procedure works. Only thing I changed was the type of texture I used, only because SEM texture wasn't available. Used some stuff made in Canada called SureTex, worked very well. I'm extremely happy with the results.