[280zx no ignition power]

You might have your hot wire connected to the wrong lead on the ignition switch.

 

You might want to edit your title to something like "no power through new ignition switch". That might get you some more hits (and less "dont say just "please help me"" hits )

[What's the stupidest thing your previous owner did?]

Ok, so the previous owner of my Z did some pretty crappy stuff that I am finding as I am rebuilding my Z that I just want to complain about. Hopefully some others will throw in some stories to make me feel better

 

To start with, mine is a really low VIN, so I am starting to think the PO did just about everything he could to keep it on the road.

 

For starters, I found that just about every inch of the car has a layer of bondo on it for no apparent reason. There was a dent in the right-rear quarter, so I assume a lazy shop just slabbed on the bondo to make it easier to blend everything. That, I can deal with because it's not like I am finding all kinds of dents that I didnt know about.

 

I also found a small rat's nest of wiring behind the glove box that I have no idea what it is all there for which is part of a cheap car alarm that is also wired to the solenoid for the shaved door handle on the driver side, and I want to remove the alarm but I cant trace where all of the wires go. There is a dizzy kill switch that is kinda nice, but there is this other 2-way momentary switch that I have no idea what it's for.

 

The battery was relocated to the rear, and the negative was just grounded to the body. As I understand it, this is lazy and a negative lead should have been run to the engine compartment and grounded to the sub-frame and engine block. The positive was run through the firewall and inside the fender and poked through holes with no grommets.

 

The thing that the most is while sanding the left front wheel-well, I found part of a weld line along the shock tower that was hidden with bondo.. now I dont know how dependable the structure is. I hope this doesnt end up being the "break it" of the make-it-or-break it, but I am really concerned about seeing welding around the shock tower. This is the worst thing I have found so far, but I am starting to worry about any other "patches" I might find.

[Iceman's '70 build-up]

Here's some progress pics:

 

 

Floor mats are in just for pics. I cant decide whether I want to use bedliner for the whole floor and just put these mats on top, or if I want to carpet the whole floor.

 

Anyone want to buy the mats? That might help me decide.

[Top three HYBRID dream cars?]

Just recently got a special spot in my heart for the Datsun 610. I had never seen one until I met my new neighbor.

Would love to tub one out and build it strictly for strip.

 

Here's one if anyone else hasnt seen one before.. maybe I'll get a pic of his posted

[Cheap rotisserie alternative]

Are you me?

 

I would love to see some kids run by that 2nd shot and give it a good shove.

[350 engine, 240z 4 speed transmission.]

You know they put the T5 in IROC camaro's right?

 

Unless I am misunderstanding the JTR manual, T5s dont have a universal pattern. Says something like Mustangs, Camaros, Jeeps all have different patterns. That's where I got lost. Maybe it was just referring to where the mounts are. I dunno.

[350 engine, 240z 4 speed transmission.]

If you have a t5 you could make it work. You'd need to change to a chevy pattern bell housing though. The non-t5 Datsun transmissions (the name escapes me) and automatics would need an adapter plate which, if you can find one to fit, are usually more expensive and more of a hassel than just switching to a chevy trans in the first place.

 

Cool. Guess I might be able to get it to work because I have a Chevy bell housing sittin in the shed.

[my 71 240z w rb25det... almost ready]

Bump it back up cause it deserves it.

 

Indeed! I missed this thread.

 

What airdam is that btw? I have the same one and I am wondering if there are other pieces that correspond to it.

[350 engine, 240z 4 speed transmission.]

hey, i searched the forums for this and i couldn't find the answer. maybe i'm looking in the wrong place or what ever but heres my question.

 

can i drop in a 350 engine and use the same stock 71 240z transmission type b. i'm a noob so go easy on me.

 

thanks

charles.

 

I've asked about using datsun transmissions and seen a few other folks ask about them too and all I have seen in response is "well I would use this.. or I would recommend this..". Personally I'd love to use my T5 because I LOVE the gear-spread and I am only going for about 250-300HP. I think phlebmaster implied that it COULD be used though.

[280z Cranks and Pops but won't start]

Any pops out the intake? You might be 180deg out.

[Subaru WRX, LSx conversion!]

Wonder how it would do at World Rally Cup

[Thermostat Opening?]

The Z doesnt have any weird angles for the hoses, so you arent likely to get air trapped. If you do get air trapped, there is no mistaking it, your needle will skyrocket because it will get extremely hot where the sensor is. Another easy check is to touch the top hose after the car has been running for a while. If it's hot, and not full of air then your thermostat is working.

[get a darn fire extinguisher...now!]

I keep one in my car. Actually helped save someone's house one time. Someone flicked a cigarette and it bounced into a dry, dead yard next to a house. I pulled over and started to fight the flames. I had it mostly contained by the time the FD got there, but it got pretty close to the house and fence.

I've kept one in my truck ever since I had a fuel-pump fire. Talk about a scary thought! Thank God liquid gas doesnt burn. The fire was actually snuffed out by the gas!

[Another home paint job.. What do you think?]

Great job! Just another example of "why the hell can't auto manufacturers paint this good?!"

 

Are you keeping the wheels gold?

[Powder Coat or Paint?]

I've read a few kit-car magazines where they do powder-coating. It seems to be pretty popular with the kit-car cobras. I think it's factory five racing that offers a powder-coated body as an option.

[Anyone running a Taurus 3.8L fan on their L6]

Looked at mine.. no way it will fit with the L6 in there.

[Window Crank Question]

It can be tricky. I normally use a skinny screwdriver and poke at the open end of the clip until one side or the other pops out of it's groove.

 

Ok, I feel like a dork, but how do you get the clips off so you can take the handle off and then the panel. I am use to the window cranks that screw into the little nub that it goes on. I'm sure it's a "D'Oh" move, but I'm about to scream...thanks.

[A way to lock the hood?/anti theft.]

Here's my idea:

 

Install hidden cell-phone with Verizon's chaperone app on it. Then I can track my car myself if it gets stolen. Personal lo-jack that you can deal with however you wish for only a few bucks a month

[How safe are your wheels?]

did your strut tube shear off?

 

Yeah, kinda. It bent and popped out of the bottom. The top stayed bolted at the top.

[How safe are your wheels?]

ouch! wtf happened?

 

Ouch indeed!

Got hit on the freeway, spun 180 and slid into one of those triangle islands for an on-ramp.

 

Here's the one that didnt shatter

[My DIY paint job thread...]

Very nice work!

 

It always amazes me when I see quality DIY paint jobs like this and then see the pathetic paint jobs from the factory on brand new cars, even luxury cars.

[How safe are your wheels?]

just for good measure....

 

Mine..

[How safe are your wheels?]

whats the best locking lug nuts???

 

Here in NorCal, the thieves just drill them out anyway. There's other ways too that make it pretty easy. About the only thing you can do is have accessory insurance on your car and hope for the best.

[My fuel pump died, should I go electric or mechanical?]

I hooked up an electric fuel pump and a regulator in my truck for around $60 total. The price difference between the two doesnt have to be huge. If you go to electric, make sure you get an oil pressure switch so it turns off if your engine dies or you get into an accident. I like electric because you can have a hidden switch to turn it on. If someone tries to steal your car, they might get a few blocks down the road with what's in the bowls before the engine dies and they need to ditch the car.

[Safety in the Rain]

It's all about hydroplaning (gliding on top of the water with little to no traction). It doesnt matter how much weight you have, once you start to hydroplane, you are just a passenger. Whenever I drive any car in the rain, over 40mph, I move the steering wheel a little bit each way to feel the responsiveness and to make sure I'm still gripping the road. With enough rain, you can be completely hydroplaning at any speed over about 35mph. Narrower tires will help against this like a couple people have said. I dunno about riding a motorcycle though. Between the oil buildup on the road, and the fact that the bike is gone if the brakes lock up, I wouldnt really consider it safer. I've been in an accident in the rain in my Z (t-boned by a drunk driver) and an accident in the rain on my bike (someone turned in front of me and I got on the brakes and the bike disappeared from under me because of the slick road) and I came out of the one with my Z in much better condition.