A to Z
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Posts posted by A to Z
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11-13-2021 update: I had a few hours today, so I went out to the garage, and finished isntalling my console, auto shifter, and finished the installation of the MSA parking light and interior dash lighting upgrade. It does definitely make the gauges brighter. The clock is a tad bit dimmer....i think when i had to push the green inserts in, the one in there might be partially blocking the light.....I think if I pull the glove box, I maybe able to stick a small screwdriver in the light hole in the back of the clock and bring the brightness up. Anyhow, I then cleaned up some more interior bits to include the steering wheel. I put it in the bathtub and used an old toothbrsuh and comet and boy you could see the dirty hand oils coming off of it. Then I dried it and took alcohol cleaning wipes and scrubbed....and yes even more dirty oils came off, but eventually it was coming clean. So, I will leave it as-is, but CLEAN. Here are a few pics:
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Thanks, Ken.
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short video on 11-7-2021. I miss you and love you, Dad.
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Should the rear louvers stay or go?
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Safe to say, NOT FOR SALE. This is the car I should have bought 30+ years ago and kept. SO HAPPY I got one before they are all gone....or too expensive to get. I grew up with Datsuns, so it is natural to have one.
I see a lot of views, but no comments. PLEASE say something, if it is negative, I can deal with it.
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11-7-2021 UPDATE. Wasn't expecting to have much, if any time today, as I needed to do a front brake pad swap on my Daily Driver Civic, and I slept in from being beat up working on this old Z car darn near every day.....So, I rolled out the new carpet and put it in. The contrast really sets everything off! I also pulled the seats, and pulled the factory spacers that were on there....I gained an inch of lowering, which for me at 6'2 is a God-send. I decided not to fight my factory luggage straps....they were really worn and tattered, so they went to the dumpster. The carpet....needs time to stretch out and get rid of the wrinkles, but here are a few pics of it.....it just magnifies the need to color paint my strut covers. I can't tell you how good it feels to see it finally coming together. NOTHING on the interior has gone easy.....every single bit has been pure a$$ pain. I also took some pics of the car and garage environment.....the big boxes are installed, and it just feels good, at the 5 month point, to be seeing SOMETHING coming of all this work. So, why did I decide to put myself through all of this? Because the Z's that I was seeing for sale had something about them I didn't like and for the price, was unacceptable. 20+ grand and a flat black and not compeletely done engine compartment....that kind of thing. Z's are supposed to have a body colored engine compartment....in my humble opinion. AND....I wanted an S30 Z car. So, I bought this THINKING it would be a little work....but 49 years old means A LOT more work than expecting. It just "feels good" to see it coming about. Here are some pics fellas.
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THIS....is what will take the faded vinyl away!
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11-6-2021 UPDATE: Well, I decided to take an easy day...just go ahead and put the interior panels in, then get the carpet in and other things.....WRONG! If you have never done interior panels, let me tell you....they do NOT just "go right in"....maybe NISSAN factory pieces, but the aftermarket DO NOT. You need your Dremel tool handy, and be prepared to "adjust" grind a little here a little there, and oh yeah, the bolts don't line up! Infuriating! I managed to persevere. But It took the better part of the day, with the last pics being after sundown. You can defintely see that the shock tower upholstery is faded, but no fear, SEM color interior paint is here! I would recommend getting it anyway, as you MAY nick some pieces up during install (I did). I already have a can of the NAPA red SEM paint. Anhyhow, here are some pics. If some seem redundant, please understand these are pics I keep to record the work done.
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Anyway, enough for a Friday.
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seat belts and straps inside drying.
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The sunroof has really grown on me. I like it. I would never cut up a Z to put one in, but if it has it, leave it.
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Yes, I would SERIOUSLY take a 240Z over a Jag E Type.
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finally looking like a Z car again. wiped her down....and I can see why I am doing this.
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An up close shot of the Clutch cable moutng kit from Z Depot. The factory mounted it to the console, which meant the consoles got cracked. This eliminates this. 40 bucks well spent. Have to drill 3 holes to screw it on.
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Justin at Top Notch Upholstery, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Even painted them for me, I appreciate it!
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11-05-2021 UPDATE: Boy......a long day. Got under the dash and finished some wiring, and went and picked up my seats after having all new foam and new upholstery done on them. Justin at Top Notch Upholstery in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Good man. Give him a call for the work you need done, okay?? Used the MSA kit.....poor guy had to steam the heck out of them to stretch them far enough to work....so the word about them being short is true. So, I need to give them a call and let them know about htis.....Anyhow, I got them in and the center console. Ran the wires for my MSA parking light and dash lighting upgrade. Used some National, Silicone garage door lubricant on the clutch cables, and they went from really draggin bad tio easily movable! So I installed them with the Z depot kit where you attach the clutch cables to the body insead of the console. Console crack has been fixed.....Then I took some time to REALLY clean up the garage, and move the cer over more to the center. I have a gap bewtween the tire and the fender, but I cen't even put my push broom all the way under the car without hitting the exhasut, so she is already LOW. Wiped the car down awiuth a rag and denatured alcohol nd worked ont he windows with the denatured alcohol.....they were covered inside and out with some type of dried goo....like a milkshake exploded in there or something. At any rate, it feels good to see her FINALLY coming together. Seat belts and other straps are drying after a soapy scrub in the bath tub.....they were DIRTY! Here are a few pics.
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anyhow that is today
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console and tid bits drying after a soapy bath. the center console was DIRTY! the cigarette.coin box was dirty...cleaned up and painted inside and is currently drying. The lid as a patina finish......thinking maybe paint it satin black later, but then it will look like a 280Z lid isntead of 240Z....I don't know.
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PROGRESS! Time for choke cables and console!
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Glove box and door installed. I was able to get the box in on a 45 degree angle and then pushed and got the box to "give just enough to pop it in! I used the Skillard glove box hinge and metal plate kit. I bought it in the optional powder coated finish. Very nice. Pic looks terrible, as everything neess to be cleaned with Armor all. Missing 2 screws on the box sides that I will have to procure I guess.
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stereo prepped and ready for install.
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soldered the connections, then slid the shrink wrap over and used a cigarette lighter to melt it down.
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little soldering iron I got online for a few bucks. Actually works good!
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11-4-2021 update: So I went ahead and put the vent face and controls back in, finished the stereo pre-setup and got it in (still needs some exterior work on the face plate area) and I got the glove box door on with the skillard metal hinge kit. I also brought in the center console and some bits and gave them a soapy bath and they are ready to go. VERY close on the interior being done.
Joe's 1972 240Z adventure
in S30 Series - 240z, 260z, 280z
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15A fuse for lighting upgrade and relay. Nice and tidy.