Ferd/289

Yep--Thanks Ferd

just measured the springs and they are just over 10 inches long uncompressed. Ferd

how about an x box with built in screen?

When my 280Z is up on stands the coil springs in the front are loose in that you can turn them around with your hand. Is this good or should I be securing them at the bottom with a clamp or other device. Ferd

Have not worked with studs much. I know they can take more torque and are stronger because of their inherent design. Whats the best way to install and de-install studs lets say on a head with stud mounted rockers, or engine block casting hole or use as damper installer? Do you just hold them in the middle with vice grips or what. How do you arrive at the right torque? Any advice would help. Ferd

Jmortensen..thanks for the great write-up. This kind of solves the mystery. Plasma it is. DLP is really not cheaper over time, and projector technology is prone to failure. However I know that Mitsubitshi apparently is going to DLP for their rear projection screen offerings and they usually have great quality. Ferd

BTW, what kind of weather can I expect in January??

Rogers Ark. Are you kidding? There is only one business to get into in Walmart Country. Hunting and fishing guide trips. The big money today is Survivor type trips. You can take groups into the hills and do all kinds of stuff ( keep it legal! ). Ferd

Wondering if anyone has been to the BJ auction. I have seen it on Speedvision and it looks like a neat trip. I was wondering where you might stay, when to attend, etc. I have been to several brand-x auctions in Dallas but maybe I will hit this one this year. Ferd

This is a great thread as I have been shopping around for replacing my big screen. the negatives of the DLP types seem to be fan noise and DLP replacement bulb every two years. The design reminded me of the old type slide projectors. The picture looked real nice. I am upgrading but will stick with an LCD thin and flat-silent and lasts for 60,000 hours with no maintenance. ( dont know if pic degrades though, does anyone?) Anyway that's the current plan. FERD

I've never installed a balancer, are they this tough to install typically? Ferd

Okay, Sounds like you can set the timing without a light. Although without a timing light you just do not know the setting. Ferd

BillZ260, How do you remove a broken tap? Ferd

I have 8 point 1.5 inch roll cage that was custom made and installed. I am not sure what thickness they used I will gues at .120 but dont really know. It was welded, starting from the back, to the rear wheel wells and rear of door frame area, and area by knees and just back of feet on frame. I will try to post some more pics in my website of the roll cage. Ferd

fyi, I was reading the 'Mustang Performance Handbook' by William Mathis (1994) who I guess is pretty famous Blue Oval builder/racer. He owns and raced a 2.3L fox-4 mustang. He mentioned a component called, Mass Air controlled EFI intake from Esslinger Engineering. He says it uses a modified Ford ECU computer and mass air meter to allow 400+ HP output from the 2.3L engine. Again I dont know anything about the 2.3L but thought you might be interested in this. Ferd

For the next time.. ( you may know this already, if so I apologize) it helps when attaching bolts to hard metal like cranks and cast iron block threads, to screw in 1 or 2 turns, then out 1 or 2 turns, then again in progressing 1 or 2 and out, etc. I have always done this since a machinist told me this years ago. Hope this helps..good luck. Ferd

Is it possible to correctly time an engine without the use of the 'timing pointer' that typically attached to the timing cover that shows the strob light degree setting on the damper scale. How is this done. Please dont ask why, just answer the question. My friend and I have a little bet going. Ferd

I agree, loose the blocks. THEY BREAK.

I think you are going to start a trend. I have been interested for severals years in this Hybridz conversion. Good Luck. Ferd

Sven,, thanks for sending this information so I could descrobe the right book. This is the book I had mentioned. It is very well done and comprehensive. It explains to the first timer, very clearly, and yet gives you the information you can use to make basic parts, and quite sophisticated parts, out of FRP and CF. I highly recommend it. Competition Car Composites By Simon McBeath, 2000, 208 Pages An excellent guide for using composites in a home workshop. This book covers all the main materials and methods from wet lay-up to prepreg carbon fiber as well as core materials, resin systems and vacuum bagging. This book will appeal to anyone who builds, repairs or develops competition cars of components and to any motor sport enthusiast seeking a better understanding of composite materials and techniques.

There is a good book out that you can get from your library. The title is something like 'fabricating composites for race cars ', or something very similar. It covers the entire process including how to use FRP and carbon fiber and other materials. It covers how to design and make parts from simple to plug and buck based. I think reading this book will help you see the entire picture including the most important part ie how to form with the correct measurements. Sorry I dont remember the author, who I think was English, however there is only one pub that I have ever seen with this title. Ferd

Wondering whether when replacing floors should you copy the pattern of the two 1.5 inch holes that are in the original floors, by the drivers heel, and passengers heel. I never knew what these are for and if the holes should be sealed from the outside with something like rubber grommets. Ferd

Try your local windshield distributor. These folks have an uncanny way of finding glass for almost any application cheap. I bought a new windshield for my '77 Z for $100. Junkyards were asking $125-150 for used ones. Look in the yellow pages under like your cities name, auto glass, I.E. Charlotte auto glass. Its worth a try if you have not done this. Ferd

I think the Red Cross fixed the problem of donations that get redistributed. Apparently the CEO stepped down last year due to this problem. I think Red Cross is still the best bet since this is what they do. God willing, these great organizations can make the best of a terrible situation. PS, I did not notice Osama Bin Laden's organization, Al Quaida, sending any funds to help the cause. Ferd

I wonder if http://www.streetneeds.com works for posting pics on this url. I have used it for my z32 pics, but not for my Hybridz. Actually, what I did was to get a free website from http://www.Geocities.com. On here you can post pics as you get them for all to see by listing your personal website on this website. Hope this helps. Ferd