Huw

Solely personal opinion....but.... you can do the tourist leg and see Japan perfectly well.....but it will be a far different experience than if you can use the language (even a little bit). Tokyo/Osaka way less of an issue (see rb30x comments) but if you want to get out of town and see anything other than the tourist loop, have a shot at it.....the basic structures are quite simple (quite a lot of grammar but once you know the rules it is flexible)....also makes nice food easier to find! Also helps when the .... hits the fan in airports or other places (speaking from experience after having to be 're-admitted' to the country without customs/visa approval after leaving a wallet on the other side of the gates......I don't think I would have had much luck with the kindly policeman/security guard in english.....as it was he just gave me a sermon in Japanese and let me through. If you get the time and have the energy....Kyushu is fantastic (I used to live there and spend 3-5 months a year out that way since) P.s. If Rockyauto and that lot are worth the trip....let us know! (then all I need to do is figure out a convincing excuse to drag the boss up that way). Huw

well it shouldn't be the thermostat.....as I replaced that 3 weeks ago....to vast improvement (as it had jammed and I only just caught it). I am not concerned so much about it varying at idle, it is more the fact that previously it has not varied a noticeable amount (so the change). Thanks for the posts, will check the fan and if it is as you say, shall relax and go for a drive!

Well....the zed has started to do something odd.... it is not overheating (I just drove it 200+ km tonight) but the temperature increases at idle (after the thermostat has opened). I am thinking that the funny coupling (articulate, i know) for the original fan may have died and am pondering simply installing an electric unit this weekend. Thoughts? objections to diagnosis? Would like to be 100% on it before summer hits.

Sounds dumb.....are your calipers and the bleed nipples facing the right way? (Initially configuration when I did mine at 18 meant that I had to take rears off to bleed! cause the nipple was facing down (?)...) On the Handbrake issue, with a lot of the conversions you end up with a dud handbrake unless: 1) pay attention to how cable runs 2) extent either the threaded section (the adjustable part of the handbrake) or the inner part of the lever itself (which is how the Japanese guide does it). Probably not much help but...

Not sure with 260's but you are not looking at much of a 240 for that price. Depends on how much you want to do.....if want a runner and not too fussed about perfect finish/getting all the rust out, should be possible.... BUT, I know people that have spent 10k+ and still gone close to a rotisserie and full repaint to get it right. I spent 2k to buy and probably 10-15k to restore/rego etc etc...while at uni (had budgeted 6- Spent the entire time broke but ended up with a nice car at the end of it. still a couple of niggling loose ends to tie up tho. Moral....pick carefully.....also, if you can....before you buy measure the bugger! if it is not straight (not just by eye) you may be in for a bit of $$$.

tad harsh but....if you earn the money or own the property/house....you pay the tax (or should). elect the government that you hope will use it best....to provide the services that you would otherwise have to pay for (avoiding privatisation debate). Mimisation (ie. tax deductions, salary sacrifice etc are fine) but blatant tax dodges, especially where they waste other peoples time (much like writing a long off-topic post) are not. In short....if you are not selling it, it should not be advertised....whatever the purpose, whether real estate agent, car dealer, lawyer, accountant or criminal (there's a joke in there somewhere)..... nice zed.....sorry about the hijack.

Mine is the same as KatoKids and it is a 1971 Model. Huw

All paid.....now to wait.........

PM Sent. Where are you located? Also, is the joint on the mirror (between the stalk and mirror) still in good condition? (ie mirror not 'floppy')

hmmm couldn't answer that one without looking. My guess would be that early 240's may differ slightly but could be easily 'adjusted' to fit. Huw

Mirror bit (not stalk) came off......whole lot (was on way out). so now just have the stalk. Went back to look for it (was a late night country drive up to house out Gippy way.....lost somewhere near Cranbourne) but no luck. Huw

If you give me a couple of days (not home)....I can provide you with an article on a Yellow project car that Rocky Auto did with RB and Carbs.....I even have a video of it that was in one of the Japanese Magazines I buy occassionally (not Vintage Auto, something Lightning (haven't read in a while)).......if you give me some time I should be able to translate it for you (although with work, I may just translate the important stuff rather than word for word). The project runs for multiple issues and is quite interesting, it meant to be a hoot to drive. Huw

hmmm.....well driving down the gippy highway and my passenger mirror (which had been coming loose/on the way out) decided that it would let go (just the mirror part, not the amount)....original 240Z US issue mirror (so US Drver side...useless as a mirror...angles wrong) which I had installed to plug the two holes that the previous owner put in my passenger door......anyone have any suggestions as to where to source? Huw

Thanks Guys.....have months for the hunt and still working on the budget. Happy with unit's so long as have secure parking.....hoping (but possibly not realistically) to be close'ish to the beach, as I have grown up by the sea and tend to run and swim a fair bit.

Very off topic but..... I have just got my first proper job.....good firm etc...but it is in Sydney....where I have never lived, nor have any of my family or friends.... so the question is: Where is a good place to live? (that's affordable but nice (do they go together?)) travelling to the CBD for work.....but (ideally) want a garage/secure parking for the Zed as would be a shame to leave in Melbourne. Looking at renting. Huw

Well......no luck with Repco etc.....looks like it Wrecker or Brighton Nissan time..... should have checked the plugs before I drained it.......borrowing cars to get round!

Well...looking over my service records...noticed that my g/box oil has not been changed in a ......well......very long time (reg. 3 years ago after rebuilt and ....) Anyway, decided to change today and got it all drained etc uneventfully....only to discover that some clown (not me!) had rounded the filler plug pretty well.....anyway, wondering what my odds are at Repco tomorrow? (or will i need to wait for wrecker/nissan to open on Monday?) Does anyone know where to get replacements? or of a lonely unloved zed parked down a quiet street........(j/k)

I would get new ones.....stupidly I did both....got them zinced and any that were not in the best nick were replaced.... putting the old ones back was a pain and the new clean ones look a lot better than replated ones. They are also far less hassle etc etc etc.....

For the record.....in most states of Australia (definitely Victoria) it is illegal for a law firm to use that type of charging (contingency fee)....and can get you struck off the roll. You cannot take a percentage of an award from the court (not in so many words anyway....) as you are no longer charging for your work but the award itself (if that makes sense - ethically dubious). That form of fee is very popular in the states and the foundation of many class actions (and class action firms!) but illegal in Australia.....what they can do is have a 'boost provision' in which they charge what are essentially kicked up fees for their workupon success. So in essence, No win - No fee is possible but very highly regulated. Can have a 'boost' but not a 'cut' Mind you, if it not a law firm footing the bill it not a problem and would be nice to see the banks get a bit of their own medicine. It appears from this that the basis of the agreement is that a large institution (IMF) funds the action and pays the lawyers but take the higher cut of the award (as the major sponsor of the action). As a poor student it always felt like I was getting robbed (which I was) when hit by those fees on the weeks that their was no money in my account (blame the Zed!) Sorry if off-topic...just thought the fee issue worth clarifying.

Couple of years back down on Wickham Road in Victoria saw a council van (parking inspector) with the plates: SHT ... (don't remember the number).....couldn't think of a more apt description for a meter maid....but was too busy laughing to take a photo.

I would have to disagree with the comment that they are not useable as daily drivers.... I fixed mine up when I was 18 ('finished' it at 21(?))...full rotisserie job etc (had a spare car...but still cost a bucket) Anyway.....I have driven it every day (that I have been in the country) since then.....and it has been as reliable as clockwork. (at least once the little problems to do with me having done the mechanics were sorted out!). It only smells of gas when you drive with the Window's open...and even then, I recently went through it again and you hardly notice it. The wipers are poor....but they can be upgraded....mine are stock but I have not had a problem in heavy rain.....the biggest problem I have had in the rain is rear wheel drive and a heavy foot (otherwise called stupidity). Some people say the steering is heavy, but in a stock 240Z/260 that has the suspension sorted and is not running ridiculous tyres, you should not have a problem. I have never had vapour lock in the Zed in Melbourne.....no extra fans/cooling....but it all works. Really depends on whether you want to drive a 30 year old car everyday....if you accept that it will be a 30 year old car...then you will not have aproblem....you can 'upgrade' bits (radio, stereo a/c interior etc but iy will never have a 'new car' feel) Having said that....I have been in Japan and London driving rent a car for the last month and a half and will kill to drive my Zed again!! The Zed in Okinawa is quite a nice one (the photo posted above)

Not sure if I can help with recommendations up that way....but I would suggest taking the time to relax outside of town (especially if you can get a nice car). Once you are out of the big smoke, Japan is very pretty (I am there now and have lived here for a couple of years (although I am only visiting now)). I hated Tokyo initially, but loved the smaller towns/cities.....now am equally fond of Tokyo (having worked there) but it is always nice to get out. Kyushu　(九州） is fantastic and has some nice roads but is a bit of a hike and I don't know many places for Zed pilgrimage (only one or two workshops)......although....it does have Nakasu (中州）...home to Japan's third largest (?) girly bar district....... (which, girly bars aside, is a lot of fun and has some NICE restaurants and bars (as well as some not so 'nice' ones)) Also, it is a lot more fun if you can b/s your way in Japanese. The rail pass is also a convenient way to do the 'main' sights very quickly, but you do miss out on the country drives etc. (p.s. January will be cold) Huw

not telling :-).... nah, two of my favourite local (ish) dashes in Victoria are: short stretch but the dash between Cape Patterson and Inverloch on the Coast road through the Bunarong (excuse the spellling) reserve is fun.....although have to choose your time if doing in a 'spirited' fashion as there are quite a few blind corners (and cyclists/surfers/divers/wombats are increasingly appearing on the road..they are a paint to clean off and leave nasty dents). Otherwise, one stretch of the Leongatha/kongwak (excuse the spelling) road is not bad either..... huw

This looks like it would be a fun idea...... http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?/topic/79806-rt260-bmw-m-powered/page__st__60

Depends on work, I will be trying to make it too. Huw