The Brown Hornet - as NEW 1971 240Z - SOLD

[WA240Z]

Hi Adam,

 

My car is a very late '73, but may be able to answer a couple of questions.

 

2) The angle door grab handle is only on the passenger side.

 

3) My car has the small "J" hanger mounted on the interior. The belts have actually been upgraded to the retracting type, but the hanger is still in place. I will take a photo to night.

 

3) Will double check tonight, I am actually using the original spare as my spare. Pretty sure it is silver frost. Will confirm with a photo.

 

6) As for the spare wheel cover, might be easy to cut one out from similar material from Bunnings, a thin chip board. I can supply you the dimensions. The Velcro tabs should be able to get at number of places.

 

Cheers,

 

Billy

[NZeder]

Extra wires ARE for electric fuel pump and they terminate around the center console.

 

As a number have already stated grab handle is only on the passenger side

 

I can check the parts catalogs to confirm what the AU specs/ what shows up in there.

 

I recall when I purchased HS30-00016 it had the original spare wheel and original spare tyre and it was black.

 

No overflow bottle was ever fitted to any S30 that I know of, as stated just a hose down the side of the radiator.

 

I have one of the spare wheel things but I am sure it would get damaged in transit + shipping would be crazy.

[Riceburner]

On my 73 the belt hooks screw into the quarter window frame, about halfway up the vertical part.

[acf321]

Excellent work Ladies, and much appreciated.

 

There will certainly be MANY more anorak questions as the finer details come together.

 

Adam

[Zedman240®]

You can't miss the fuel pump wire, its a largeish dark green colour. There are a couple of wires that run around past the tail lights which is for the electric aerial.

[WA240Z]

Hi Adam,

 

Actually my spare is 5''.

 

A couple of pics as promised.

 

Billy

[Cozza]

Hey Adam

All the tricky awkward bits now hey.

What colour are the wires?

The wires I can think of in that area in my 9/72 are:

speaker wires left white and white black

Speaker wires right white yellow and white blue

antenna blue white and blue red

Tank sender yellow and black

Fuel pump green and black

and tail lights

I've got a few different wiring diagrams, my car doesn't seem to match any of them but more a mix of all of them.

Hope this helps cause I'm pumped to see your car on the road.

If not post the wire colours

Cheers

Mick

 

[acf321]

Thanks Mick.

 

Might post some pics of exactly what's what.

 

On another note, tried to fit the rear interior tail light plastic cover that I bought from MSA today and it was a real nightmare. The holes don't exactly line with all the tabs, and at the ends, where they cover the wired section of the lights the plastic cover is too high, so it really does not fit all that well. I got a steel file and trimmed the bottom lip off the whole thing about 0.5cm and that helped a bit, but suspect the heat gun might be coming out over the course of the next few days.

 

installed the rear quarter window interior panels and overhead cover and these being the original ones did fit, albeit suspect some patience and double sided tape might come in handy to properly align the ends into a neater finish.

 

Installed the 'precision' brand (green bag) right door aperture seal today and can say, that this is a seriously well engineered item, and infinitely better than the other ones out there. Rubber is supple, very very well engineered and a 100% perfect and neat fit. I used OEM for the windows but can say this precision stuff is seriously impressive and worth whatever they are charging for it.

 

HERE'S ONE FOR THE ANORAKS .... umm ... where does the factory paint colour decal go??? I have one, but have no idea where to stick it.

 

And another thing I need; I have the OEM chrome coat hanger hooks, but LOST one of chrome screws ... can ANYBODY PLEASE HELP on this part???

 

This car WILL BE GOING IN THE SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS (or so I am telling myself).

 

Lastly, I had a really good chat to Stew Wilkins about suspension. At the moment, mines 100% standard. We're going to cut the legs and shorten, add threaded spring perches (for height adjustment), Koni Sport externally adjustables struts, King Tapered Wire Springs and reinstall and paint legs OEM black. Car will then be much firmer (but not silly), and is height and re-bound adjustable, WITH maintaining a decent travel length ... This will happen, of course once its running!

 

Cheers all ...

 

 

Adam

[gav240z]

Adam I believe colour code goes on top of radiator support area. Slightly to the right hand side. However I would get a 2nd opinion.

[acf321]

SEATBELTS ...

 

The belts that came with the car are horrid. I want a new set, but I want genuine or very period correct belts. My preference is for no inertia reels (just manually tightening ones). Having said that, I just looked at the MSA inertia set and they do look excellent in terms of period finish. Has anybody bought these, and are they legal for use in Australia?

 

My car has some holes behind the seats that i needed to ask about. I have the usual hole with seat belt bolt through it. Behind the seats howewever there are two holes per side (both appear factory cut) that must need rubber plugs in them. Having said this, these holes go right through the body (and have upper and lower holes about 2" apart - in a boxed section) and I am wondering if these holes were what was used to mount the inertia reel on later models? My car came without inertia reels, but are these additional holes behind the seats designed for the installation of the inertia reel system? If so, is the MSA the best option at this stage??

 

Does anybody have any photos of the correct seatbelts for a mid 71 build car? Mine is a June 71 stamped car, chassis 00683.

 

One more thing i need. On the end of the fore / aft adjustment handles under the seats, there are supposed to be some small black plastic slide on covers / handles. Does anybody that is not using their OEM seats have these?

 

Many thanks, in anticipation

[acf321]

Went over to see Jimmy Flett at the weekend to make arrangements to take the car over and get all the little bitty bits sorted, such as wires, etc etc etc.

 

James graciously let me have a pedal of his orange car, and to be honest its completely amazing. I could not believe the overall presentation, condition and the way the thing goes. If my car both looks  and goes half as nicely as that, i'll be amazed its incredible. He's selling it too, and I'd suspect that it would not take much to be besotted by it.

 

On another note, I decided to can the SWR suspension option (ok, its money!!) and today ordered a set of Tokico Illumina's, and we'll be using those in conjunction with my lowered King Springs to give me a decent ride. James' car has this setup and it was like it was on rails, more than sufficient for me!

 

I should be getting the car to James this month, so hope to have more updates in that time.

 

Still looking for genuine 240Z seatbelts / buckles if anyone could raid their parts boxes?!?!

 

Cheers

 

Adam.

 

[acf321]

A watershed moment.

 

I just ordered and paid for my Koni Yellow struts. As you know, I tried to order Tokico Illumina's, but there is some wait on these, so the Koni's have won the race, and I am happier about this outcome too, such is the quality of these.

 

The parts I ordered through the wholesaler were;

 

8641-1060 SPORT for Front (uses 64mm spacer for standard leg)

8641-1060 SPORT for Rear (uses 23mm spacer for standard leg)

 

To be clear, I ordered from Koni direct and did ask them about the 8060-1146 which has also been recommended for the front. They confirmed these are marked as a Toyota part (and are those used for MR2's and other applications). The only difference in these part numbers is the length of the cartridge, and given I am using my OEM struts and will now not be sectioning, these 1060 Sport parts are correct.

 

Look forward to updating you once installed.

[acf321]

These just arrived from the courier from Topperformance, the national Koni distributor.

 

Part numbers are 8641-1060Sport.

 

Cost including freight was $1000, against quote for Tokico Illumina's at $220 per corner ($880 + freight).

 

Hopefully will get installed next few weeks.

 

[Zedman240®]

Well done... price must've come down as when I got a price they were $770 / pair without freight. Have any good springs?

[acf321]

Hi Dimitri

 

I have the 1" lower and firmer king springs that came with the car and were new when I bought it. James Flett will be cutting the top coil out of these to use, as that top coil is only a spacer anyway, as there is no spring section to it. I drove Jim's car with this same spring setup and was very impressed with the ride and handling for road use. If I need things different, I can change in time.

[Agno]

wow that's a good price! i think i might have to have a look myself

[adam]

That is a good price! I bought the 8610-1437RACE Konis for 4x$199 plus ~$150 postage, US dollars earlier this year..

[Riceburner]

Hey Adam, It'll handle like it's on rails! If it's not too much trouble, are you able to take a picture of the top of the shock(the threaded section) Also do you know the diameter of the threaded bit?

 

What is the body dia, are they suitable for both the 51&55mm struts and whats the difference between the 'race' or 'sport' versions?

 

Cheers, Gareth.

 

 

[acf321]

Hi Gareth,

 

Will get that info for you tomorrow mate, as in i'll measure it and will also measure what is in the car as I can also measure that top threaded section diameter as well. Point to highlight that when I ordered the part from Topperformance, the national Koni distributor, they suggested that they do get a lot of enquiries for the 240Z specifically, and whilst they no longer make a 240Z specific part, Koni have released a document specific to the 240Z that mentions the 1060SPORT as being the correct part, that requires spacing to fit in the standard legs (the sizing of which I pointed out earlier in this thread). I know that Chris240Z and Andrews 240Z have Koni yellows on standard legs, and they both rave about them. 

 

Whilst I know most of you guys will have set ups infinitely better than mine, this is a road car and my purpose in this project from the outset was to use what the factory made and optimise it, as opposed to completely remanufacture existing parts, or use after market parts. I stuck with this philosophy with the OEM brakes (but used Mk63's up front), R180 diff, 260Z transmission, and NA L24 motor. Suspect my car will not be the fastest in a straight line, or through the bends, but should give me a fair idea of what an in-period 240Z felt like when pedalled rather hard.

 

Thanks for looking Gents, will be sure to post any further updates.

 

Adam. 

[acf321]

Gents,

 

On the measurements, the top threaded section is to the best of my abilities 14mm at the outside of the thread, and the main size of the canister is 45mm. The thing that strikes me about the strut is that it is fairly light weight. The general range is Koni Classic, generally adjustable (but not externally) and red - designed to give you a sporty ride and improve road holding generally. I had Reds on my old Peugeot and the difference over stock was amazing and noticeable. The Sport Yellow's are differentiated by being externally adjustable and able to be set from firmish, to flat out hard. They are standard fitment on many exotics and are a seriously good piece of kit. They are described as giving a sport driving experience and improving roadholding significantly. The Race strut is a further iteration of the Yellow and also uses a yellow canister. Not suitable for road use, and perhaps has more adjustability. Koni's are covered by warranty for the full life of the car (ie if they ever break, you get a new set! - assuming you have not damaged them in an accident or similar).

 

On another topic, the Koni distributor asked me what springs I was using these with on my 240Z. I said; "1" lower King springs" and he said; "excellent, king springs are the best springs you can buy". I did ask him to elaborate on this and he then suggested that Topperformance also distribute Kings, but said they did so as they were universally regarded as the best product on the market and complement Koni's very well.

 

Will let you know how she goes. Will have the car shipped to James place next week. Photos show diameter or threaded section, and end adjustment lever that is actuated by the use of a Koni key supplied with the shocks.

 

Adam .

[Riceburner]

Cheers Adam, much appreciated!

[acf321]

OK .. just booked in James Flett for this Thursday to receive the Hornet.

 

The list includes; 1) install and set up Koni Yellow's at correct (lower) ride height, 2) install 2.5" mandrel bent stainless exhaust system with Magnaflow resonator and rear muffler, 3) ensure all OEM wiring is correct, get Tach talking to the Dizzy, and instal Odyssey battery and cables, 4) setup brakes and install my Mk63's, and 5) get oil catch can issue sorted, and 6) start the car!

 

Can't wait .. will be there with VCR on hand, don't worry!

 

Adam

[Cozza]

That's great news Adam.

Can you let me know how much of the coil he cuts off, I have the Tokico illuminas and king low springs but not happy with the ride height, it sits about 20mm or so to high. Ill probably cut my springs to get it sitting better but I'm a bit nervous to cut without some input from others.

 

Be sure to let us know when you're up for a break-in drive. 

 

Mick

[acf321]

The Hornet went via flatbed to James at MIA today ...

 

just off the phone from him now .. "should be very straight forward Adam, it'a all relatively easy from this point forward". We discussed suspension setup, exhaust, oil tank location, and so on.

 

Translation ... The Brown Hornet will be finished within a month!

 

can't wait!

[chris240]

Adam

I replied to your PM...

See link for koni yellow part nos and spacer height..

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,8653.msg82363.html#msg82363

 

Edit.....oh oh, didnt realise you have the konis in your possession....

did you order the 300zx "1060" part no. for all 4 corners ?

Also from memory I went with the 30-35mm lower kings...