Z Guy KY

Leon, Sounds like you made some progress man! I knew the first ride after I installed the Bilsteins that they were awesome:) Good for you for making some time to do some catchup on the Z. Steve

What model Z? When you say you've replaced everything, what did you replace and why did you replace each of those items? Steve

Here's some pics... Have a great weekend -Steve

Yep, that's one of the vent tubes for that gas vent canister. While you're there check out the other vent hoses flexibility, the gas filler tube flexibility, and the smaller hoses underneath at the tank and replace as needed. Better to do it now while you're there than later. This is part of the journey of a 40+ year old Z car - enjoy! -Steve

We are on the same wavelength my friend...and I'm enjoying every minute of it This is a car, an addiction, a time machine and a memory maker all rolled into one! I'll never get rid of mine. My wife and I dated in this car, we went on our honeymoon in this car, and my Dad & Mom gave me this car for graduation. I can still remember this car sitting in the driveway after high school graduation with a big bow on it, and the 5 different shades of yellow it was, but it looked like a million bucks to me. Way to much sentimental value... -Steve

Hoover, Been reading your progress/posts for a while now, and had to comment. I know what you mean with your old Z and getting the chance to pour into your kids about this car they never knew. I just got my 1970 Z back on the road last July after I garaged it in 1991 while life happened. Now I'm having a ball with my 22 year old girl - she's been going to cars and coffee with me in the Z and we're looking at old cars together! I'm loving this:) -Steve

WOW You've been busy man! Look forward to seeing with the flares and the LCA's on and adjusted. Steve

Thought I put it there - Sorry! Steve

seattlejester - that's what section this is posted in Steve

Just bought one Steve

DELETE PLEASE Looking for New/Used/Good: - Good or new Luggage Riser Trim - Good or new wiring harness vinyl covering with the snaps that covers the wires on right side bottom of dash - Interior rivets, about 20-30 Thanks, Steve

Leon, I would count on reinforcing that, I just think it needs to be beefier in my opinion. Bad dog parts makes some brackets for not much money, but you still use your frame rail nuts/mounting. I felt like that needed to be bigger bolts and spread just a little wider between the bolts. Also if your using the poly bushings, make sure you get that poly grease from energy suspension. Nastiest, stickiest stuff I ever used, but it works. You'll have to wash your hands 3 times to get it off! Steve

Thanks for the review. I want to hear from people who have done this! Steve

Anyone out there who can give me a performance review after installing SM needles to replace the stock needles in your SU carbs?? Would love to know if this was a good performance upgrade. Thanks! -Steve

Thanks again for the write up on this! I installed mine several weeks ago and love it Boy is it a different ride around the corners now. - Steve

Bill, Your coil over conversions look great man! I don't know why it took me so long to commit to coil overs, but I love it Steve

I totally agree! We still have a place here in Louisville Ky that is a true radiator repair business. - Steve

Leon, We fabricated a 3/8" steel L brackets, drilled thru the frame rail nuts, drilled and tapped the brackets for new bigger bolt size, welded brackets to the frame, and mounted the bigger sway bar directly to the brackets. This also helped by lowering the bar for some space between the bar and the lowest oil pump bolt. In my opinion the OEM frame mounts are too weak for a bigger bar, the bigger bar will eventually rip out from the frame, especially if it is the original frame rails. What I noticed was that the original frame rail had no support bracket internally, whereas the replacement frame rail from years back did at least have an L bracket internally for more support. I could see the welds on the newer frame rail, none on the original, which was the one with the broken nut! I'll take some pics of the brackets and post them. - Steve

Check for true radiator repair businesses, I think they will be a good bet to fix this or will know where to get it fixed. - Steve

I would drop the tank and take it to be cleaned and sealed. If you are getting visible rust in that filter you're putting off something that needs to be addressed. Good time to paint it afterwards. This is a great time for you to learn more about your car, the more you can learn the better off you will be. People today don't know these cars. The great thing is that they are simple, but it takes time, and you have to be methodical and check everything and address one thing at a time. There is usually not a quick fix on a 30+ year old car, there are things that need to addressed along the way - count on it. Get a datsun service manual or a PDF of it, this will help you learn. This forum has a lot of people with a lot of great knowledge. When you buy an old Z it is a project, a journey. If you're looking for a low maintenance daily driver you'll be frustrated and disappointed unless it has all been gone thru and addressed, and it probably hasn't. But the journey is the fun of it! Enjoy- Steve

Too bad we don't live close by, you and I would be all up in that Z. Maybe you can get back to it soon. I did a suspension overhaul when I went into this project - I LOVE IT. Here's what I did: - Bilstein P30-0032 all around - Coil overs w/much stiffer springs - ST Suspension front and rear sway bar kit Here's what I didn't expect: - Frame rail mount for front to be so weak (I had one nut split inside the frame rail) After it was all complete here's what I realized: - Why was I hesitant to do coil overs?? Awesome upgrade vs stock - Love the stiffer springs - KYB vs Bilstein = no comparison. Loved the Bilsteins 20+ yrs ago, love them now (not impressed with the KYBs) - Money well spent with a good welder/fabricator (fabricated & welded a solution for the weak frame mounts) - Wow is it sticky around the curves after these upgrades! Enjoying the ride- Steve

What's the Latest Update Leon ?? Steve

Rear coilovers and bilsteins install started Thursday night, finished last night. Front coilovers and bilteins installed last night, will finish today. How far are you Leon?

I just saw a really good deal for front and rear sway bar kit ST # 52095 from Stillen for $302 and free shipping. Steve

Got my Bilsteins today dude, better giddy up