Huw

Well......I am getting a bit sick of this one.... '71 240Z, upgraded Maxima Alternator. When starting after maybe 1 day of not being driven (occassionally immediately after, but not often)..... If it does not fire on first turn over, and you stop and turn they key again....it starts making the clicking flat battery noise..... Initially diagnosed as a fried starter motor (and the one we took off was REALLY fried..) the problem is still hanging round. Battery is about 5 years old, I think it may be the next to go BUT if you leave it and come back, it can start as if there was no problem. Any suggestions? Huw

Any news on the Melbourne bars? Huw

Thanks Scoota.....thought of that as soon as I pressed post on that lazy question! Still haven't got round to it but hopefully tomorrow.

In stock?

Well.......after some 3 weeks + of searching.....still no luck.... I have been looking for a 15/16 Brake MC from the series one 280zx.....have been trying for new units but may have to settle for second hand one and re-kit. My 7/8 240Z Brake MC has been leaking and destroyed the paint under it....it has been re-kitted before and I think while in the process of replacing may as well upgrade.....need to have one before I get stuck into the paint repair (as no use putting the old one back in!) No luck with Better Brakes (PBR) - who were fantastic, Supercheap or All Z Parts...... All Z Parts can get the MC in but have been telling me next week for 3-4 weeks now......(so I am reluctant to rely upon it as I need the part urgently.) Does anyone: - have one available? - know where they can be obtained? - have a suggestion for a wreckers? Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers, Huw

Hey Pauly, thanks for the offer. Better Brakes confirmed for me that PBR no longer has the part. I also spoke with Supercheap Auto again today (2-3 weeks after ordering and paying for the part) and insisted that they call the supplier. According to Supercheap Mentone, who called the supplier this afternoon (after some hassling) ATAP (Protex) has discontinued the 15/16 Brake MC. Huw

odd question for you Kobes (or anyone else who would know).... have ordered the 15/1 early 280zx master from Supercheap Mentone a week or two back and haven't heard a peep out of them. Last I heard the supplier had not told them a shipment date. Any idea on the turnaround on these things? As I couldn't find the part at my local brake guy and he said they were no longer available.....having paid and needing it in the next week or so I am starting to wonder. Huw

That could be fun.....I never imagined myself saying it, but a shame to rip the engine out of that 280, as (from the photos) it looks like quite a nice one! Although.....it would make for some fun in my 240..... Huw

Jamo, thanks for the offer. After having a closer look at everything, decided to try and source a 15/16 280ZX MC and to leave my Booster in (as it was refurb'd when I restored car)....................for my current purposes, the R33 one may be too big.... So, Kato, go for it.

Well.....as this delves in to an issue I am looking at now.... the 15/16 MC, where is the best place to get it? I am looking for a new one..... I have looked at the Protex catalogue for P/N 1361 and can't seem to see anything (just wanted to confirm dimensions & model etc.) 79-81 280ZX, correct?

also...brakes have always been funny (pedal feel) so I have: - 7/8" Master - Stock 240Z booster - Adjustable Brake Bias set-up (Wilwood Unit)

Thanks Benny, Still uneasy with ebay....don't know why.... Will try some of the wreckers in Moorabin and then if no luck, might have to do the ebay way for convenience. To jump around.....and mainly because I am looking a bit closer (rather than blindly following a recommendation).... would it be best for me to just upgrade the master to a 15/16" 280zx one? (which I can get new)....' or to do the r33 master and booster combo.....which will be secondhand..... thoughts? +/-? I am running r31 rears and stock fronts (odd combo - previous owner half did a 280ZX rear conversion and lost interest.....replaced and sorted with r31 but didn't do fronts as was young and poor....(now I am older and poorer)) Huw

Well.....as part of my car being hit....I have had to have a closer look at the front quarter.... and it is well and truly time that my old 7/8th master cylinder and 240Z booster was replaced..... looking at putting in an R33 booster and master, as I have heard that with a slight modification to the firewall they fit and run well. Does anyone know a wrecker (preferably in the SE suburbs) that is likely to have them? Alternatively, if i were to buy the whole unit new, where could it be found? Huw

If purchased off ebay aetc (esp. with stolen comment.....even if joking) please tell me that you searched the title before handing over the money. Huw

I am with Shannons with choice of insurer....so as soon as I get the rest of the details it should be fine. Front driver side guard caved in at the front from just before the middle of the wheel arch with some minor denting and scratching to the headlight cone too........bumpers seem to still be straight, only concern (apart from fixing the bloody mess) is whether any of the front suspension or frame has been affected.....to my eyes no but will need to check anyway. gives me something to do with the week off before starting my new job......... Huw

Well......i knew there was a reason I always tucked my car in the shed.....even if it required moving everyone else's...... left it out today (on the street) and promptly hit by someone leaving their drive..... At least they let me know their details.....the last time it happened (outside the mechanics no less...) no details were left and it was my 'fault'. not the way to welcome the weekend. Huw

Would suggest that best way is (not necessarily in order): - cut and replace any rusty areas (floor plan, battery tray, dog leg etc) - Galvanise/treat/dip any removable panels (doors, bonnets, hatches, new floor plans etc) - sandblast whole body - immediately sand and prime (if there is a good quality anti-rust agent....might be ok, but check how it works with your other paints. basically, if you got it all right the first time (with blast cut and dip) should be no need to do any more converting. now just need to minimise exposure sp it doesn't get back. - sand sand sand and bog a little..... - sand sand sand some more and paint.... - once you are done....some people (I need to re-apply) oil the hidden areas where rust can appear) but I am a lawyer not a panel beater so......Sirpent or one of the experts should know best. Saying that.......none of my zed has (touch wood) had any rust issues and it was not good when I got it. We started on mine by wire wheeling and trying to remove rust and treat with paint and other black magic.....comment that I got from the Panel Beater who worked on mine is to do it right in the early stages, so we blasted and treated it properly. Huw

with side feed careful of clearance with Clutch master and/or accelorator bracket (car on other side of the world so I can't check). I had to grind mine down fairly heavily to fit. Huw

Looks alright....has fiddles with the centre console and may either be: - broken - removed entirely choke and hand throttle levers do not match either. still, only had a brief look. Huw

poor lawyers.....everyone picks on them!

Rob Laughton. Zed Restoration factory. knows the zeds backwards and does very good work. Usually has a fair line of cars waiting so can take some time.

Well....hopefully this is in the right place. Is there anyone with a 240Z who could check the thread on the Spare Wheel Retaining Bolt/Pin? Neither my car, nor my father's had one (71 & 73) and we cannot seem to source a replacement....as such, it looks like we may have to make one, but this would be far easier if we can use an existing bolt etc etc. If anyone could it would be much appreciated as the noise of a bouncing spare tyre is driving me nuts.... Huw

Thought it looked interesting..... trying to figure out the logistics and benefits.... http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/58083-su-efi-manifold-update/

Japan Auction 260Z has some interesting toys on it. 　Probably not worth the cost to import a 260 tho (no offence intended) If anyone seriously interested can translate condition report.

re your indicator.... I tried to refurbish mine.....was basically a waste of time. Try AllZParts in Sydney for a new one (which if I remember correctly was what I did), if the bushes are gone (rather than it being a contact issue) it will just pop up again and annoy the ...... out of you. P.s. like the colour....reminds me that mine due for a cut & polish! Huw