PeterAllen

David - the driveshaft from my Holden donor car was the same as the BMW's two-piece except it had a second jurid (guibo) in lieu of the CV. Because a shaft has to operate perpendicular to the flange if a rubber coupling is used you will have to ensure the centreline of the shaft passed through the CV itself, not the diff flange, i.e. you will need to calculate the thickness of the RT coupling, etc. If you haven't made your shaft as yet I would be thinking seriously of following Wayne's suggestion.

David - is the CV mounted to the floorpan/transmission tunnel and a further shaft then attached to the diff?

David - In case you haven't already done so, it would be advisable to also mount the laser on the diff and point it at the gearbox. While it is most unlikely that the diff is pointing too high (though it could be with the bigger gearbox casing) it could save you work if that is the situation.

Yes, agreed… the same way you need to rotate the flange the target is on to ensure it is concentric. As well as affixing the pointer and target the plasticine also facilitates the adjustment. Also, it is important to remember that before you shut the shed for the night to remove the tape you wrapped around the pointer to keep the 'on' button pressed - don't ask how I know this!

Dave - I am running the same prop shaft concept with Jurid couplings (rubber couplings are one of those items that seem to adopt the manufacturer's name). I received advice from a very reputable automotive engineer (PM me to discuss) and he advised "...about one degree compound angle across each coupling is absolutely fine, I'd get nervous at 4 degrees". I haven't run mine yet but I was very fortunate to have the engine offset 25mm which matched the pinion offset on the diff. I just used cheap laser pointers from Tandy and made up circular targets. With a bit of plasticine I could centre and hold the pointer and target. Of course you have to do it from both directions. I left the gearbox and diff nose mounts 'til last so that I could fine tune the alignment.

Dave – From where you’re located it would be interesting to observe the social/cultural differences in the responses to Hurricane Katrina and the Qld Floods. Qld has more volunteers than they know what to do with yet a daughter of mine was in New Orleans a few months ago and tells me wrecked cars are still scattered around the streets. Apparently Australian ‘mateship’ and the egalitarian culture are considered unique by US standards.

As Tim states - There is only one LSx engine mount supplier http://www.brokenkitty.com/zcar/zcar.htm It cost a bit but money well spent in my opinion. Only thing, don't bother with the gearbox mount, make your own. The sump is off the LS2 engine (see difference between 5.7ltr and 6.0ltr sumps). There is a wealth of information on HydridZ. If you haven't got a budget of at least $10k don't even start. Tim - looks like tyres will be your biggest running cost!

Sir Jack - Come and join us at the 'Vehicle Restoration' course at TAFE and you will get that 4mm of bog down to 0.4mm. http://www.sit.nsw.edu.au/courses/search.php?cid=16047&area=courses&Media_Index_ID=169

I'm trying to keep it in-period, i.e.1962 Carello/Lucas lights. I have the stop/park and indicator lights. I would be most interested in any photos you have, thank you. A very good point - back to Plan A.

Renault made an RE40 back in 1983 but they were not fitted with windscreen washers.

Thanks - The ADRs are all over the place with this project. The shell retains the Datsun ADRs, but the LS1 has to ADRs from when it was manufactured and the 250 GTO body has its own unique ADRs. I might just hang a stop light from the roof cross-member near the interior light rather than attach it to the hatch glass.

My engineer has 'recommended' a high mounted stop light although my 3/72 S30 didn't come with one. There are a few areas where I'm pushing the limits on regulations so I might go along with this 'recommendation'. I'm not finding it easy to locate an 'in period' (i.e. non-LED) light that can be mounted on the glass at the top of the hatch. Does anyone know when they were first factory fitted to Zeds, i.e which model? Thanks. Oh... does anyone have one in good nick?

Peter - Sorry I missed this post earlier but that is terrific how you have created that enclosure to prevent escaping cold air. Also, my panels forward of the radiator surround and the surround itself look like fried bacon, you've given me some ideas on how to kill two birds with one stone - thanks

When I was welding the rails I was very keen to ensure they wouldn't rust again (too soon). I did a lot of research into rust inhibitors and weld-thru primers, etc, and in the end I threw everything at it. One product that gave me a bit of confidence was Ferguson's Knockout Rust. A good part was that it melted at welding temperatures but it did not disturb the welding process, i.e. you can weld right through it.

Tim - I failed Chemistry 101 (didn't enrol actually) so I don't know the chemistry behind it but I recently tried to clean up some aluminium component with spray on Oven Cleaner and it tuned them a horrible gunmetal colour. I subsequently read on the web never to used oven cleaner. I think you should stick to what you used - they look great. Best wishes to all for the new year.

No, but I think they are all available on backorder. I do have the 2005 issue featuring a 240Z and I think there is a feature article in another issue on a 260Z but I'm not certain.

I'm running out of space and my copies of Australian Classic Car have to go. About 30+ magazines from 2005 - 2009. Free. Pick up only, Sutherland Shire, Sydney.

Dave - I may not have been very clear and a bit off the topic but I meant shipping British cars from OZ to the US. I don't know if the RHD is an issue as they seem to get a premium price in the US where registration laws seem a bit more lax than down here. After some consideration I think the margins on individual cars would not provide a great return compared to other investments currently available in the market.

Tim You've got a computer controlled Chev in your Datsun... I don't think the tinting, nor a Vintage Air system, would be out of place. You do however need to ensure the car is not too comfortable or your wife and kids will be wanting to travel in it!

Wow, it didn't take long for the Oprah effect to work… Your self-effacing humour will have you fitting in really well. That's an interesting comment you make about the price of English (we use the term ‘Pommie’) cars in the US as they sell for next to nothing down here. Members are often asking question about importing cars but I wonder if anyone here in Oz has considered exporting British cars as a money making venture. Look at some of the past sales at Shannons to see the low sale price. http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/past/

'You ain't seen nothing yet'. Wait until you see the V12 being built right here in Oz. (Don't ask as I can't tell) Michelle's BMW V12 has had the chassis (unibody) stretched 100mm just forward of the firewall to both accommodate the engine and give the car the same wheelbase as a real GTO. The transmission tunnel is huge and the heat generated makes the cabin feel like an oven. To do that in Oz these days would make it an ICV and the cost would be prohibitive, though I was told of a V12 Jag 240Z in Qld some years ago.

Not really, although I'm thinking maybe a 'menage a trois' where we as a couple consummate our relationship with the rear tyres. I think she is probably a 'woman of the world' judging by the state she was in when I took her away from her previous partner - more a pimp than a partner considering her condition at the time - but we are more Barry Manilow these days than Barry White.

HS30 10763 and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary tomorrow. I looked up the symbol for a 5th and found it was wood so I got her something special. We have a platonic relationship and our initial admiring looks gradually turned to physical touching and even some heavy petting at times, particularly when I was fixing a few spots on her bottom. Well… last Tuesday I final got to press the button that got her motor running. Let me tell you it was quite a emotional moment in our relationship. Back to the wood -I have given her beautiful Nardi wheel to perfectly set off the gorgeous shape of her Italian body. Good things come to those who wait. Thanks to all who have provided relationship counselling over the years - particularly Tim and Mick, and thanks to Michelangelo for inspiring the photo.

Welcome - from a fellow 'Shire boy'.

Do you have the bottle as well as the pump?