A to Z

Again, when you are running an automatic trans, the headers won't work, so this is what you have to do....unless you are going to custom make your own headers I suppose. Instructions from machinist is to screw in the studs until they stop, then give them 1/4 turn....THAT'S IT!

Thanks. Here are 3 pics of my 1972 exhaust manifold. The bolts that hold the probes in have been there for 49 years....hence they are not coming out. So I cut them off and grounded it down smooth. I took it to a welding shop and they welded them all shut and grinded them down flat. On the next pic, you can see I cut off the 2-3 inch long probes, and was able to get in there with a Dremel grinder and flush the port probes. The last pic, the same with the 3 studs. They were a part of the manifold. Had a machine shop drill them out and heli-coil it. I got the new set of studs and bolts on eBay from the Z Depot. Lastly painted it in 1200 degree F flat black exhaust paint. So total including the paint was $125.

the black paint I am using is engine block paint. I am using it because I figured it would be more durable. The problem with it, is that it is VERY temperamental. ANYTHING left on the surface makes it bubble up. So, the last pic doesn't show it as well, but there are some spots that are "bubbly". I have sanded it and primed it and still goes "bubbly", so I guess it is good enough for this "driver" Z car.

I have been busy the last week. I took the driver's side front fender off, repaired the rust, painted inside the fender and painted the inner fender well, except where the strut is. I then cleaned up and painted the cowl, not sure if the wiper will work, so may have to go back in there later. I had to repaint one side of the engine compartment, as when I was using a torch and scraper to remove the under coating the metal got so hot it bubbled up the paint! So, I finally got that fixed. under the battery box, I got it undercoated and then painted over it. The paint there has a yellow hue. Oh well, progress is being made. Here is a before and after pic of the front of the engine being cleaned up. I also got most of the front nose done. here are some more pics:

these are the pics he took of them before shipping them back to me. I have the box, just haven't opened them yet.

Sal Ceja. He is on facebook, "S30 Life" is the page. He has been rebuilding SU carbs for awhile now. Here are some extra pics of my carbs:

Carbs are done. Here they are. On the way home!

NO pics as of right now, but been very busy. I got the driver's side fender back on, rust taken care of and everything painted black in there. I also got the cowl section cleaned up and painted, it was TOUGH getting the wiper arms back in there. I may still may have to play with them a bit. I picked up some Appliance 14X8 Wire mag wheels yesterday for 250 shipped, so 35 bucks a wheel....not much for tire selection though. Slow slog forward on progress.

Yeah, all good points. Yesterday I dug it out and cleaned it up with steel wool, brake cleaner a rag and an old toothrush. It has the hinged front door where you can close it for winter to divert air to the bottom port tied to the exhaust manifold, or to summer for straight through air. Someone in the cars past, took it off and drilled a bunch of 3/8 holes in the bottom of it to let more air in. At any rate, after cleaning it up and using some turtle wax swirl remover, I polished it and buffed it out, and even with a few character scratches on it, that patina makes it look nice, and after the turtle wax it is shiny orange. When I first took it off, I noticed inside it was velocity stacks. Heck I could run it without an air filter in there and be fine.

Kit has arrived.

Final one for the day...."I'ms tired" .

Ignore the overspray on the old A/C radiator. It is soon for the dumpster.

July 2. I got the rest of the engine compartment painted today. When you are sanding around pieces, it takes a lot of time and effort. Then you take rope and pull them back from the area to paint. When dry, then you can clean up the stuff, release the rope and bolt it back down. At any rate, here are some pic of the engine compartment in fresh Datsun 904 Kilimanjaro White.. I got the engine painted and the engine bay painted....not too bad for having the car 11 days huh?

I am using the factory exhaust manifold. It is a 3 into 2 setup. The exhaust bolts up to it as 2 pipes for about 1-2 foot, then collects into one. I'm going to paint it flat black with the high heat paint. I looked into headers but they said "for manual transmission only", so I decided I would keep the cool factory setup.

ready to do the other side then bring the firewall together and then the radiator surround.

here it is in color with clear coats:

After several days of work, I managed to get the passenger side engine compartment wall finished and painted. I used automotive paint in aerosol cans mixed in the factory 904 Datsun "Kilimanjaro white". Yep. Expensive, but I wanted the engine compartment car color as that's the way they came from the factory. At the battery box area, some scarring bled through the color. That is the All Metal I used. I was using 60 grit paper to form it. When it dries it is as hard as concrete, hence using 60 grit to form it. Tough work! At any rate, to hide the little bit of filler scars that are showing and make it look good, I will mask off a section under the battery and down a bit and spray on some bed liner. It would be cool if I can paint over the bedliner...if not, I can still make it look good. A Lot of work fixing this side......MANY years of being subjected to a leaky battery apparently. The other side is leaky brake master cylinder....:( Oh well, forward momentum continues. Here are some pics. First is in sealing primer, the rest in factory white with clear coats over it.

yeah no kidding!

scrub, scrub,scrub.......polish......wire wheel bit in drill...back and worth......whew!

Thanks. I was thinking about using a different air cleaner setup, but I can just as easily keep the stocker. it's really in good shape. They are kind of hard to take off, not much room.