grimlynsan

[FOUND] Got some brand new DBA Magna discs ($45 each!!!), which are 6 mm thicker so supposedly better at cooling than my current Honda Legend ones. They are at the machine shop now. Mechanic advised me he has shaved off some of the inside of the calipers to make it fit which is not documented in the sticky for hilux conversions but who am I to argue...

Yeah i asked for that and he said 'no it will get done properly'. The last ones lasted a decade. And i got them from a wrecker for $30. So can't really complain. It's finding a machinist and getting it all sorted in a short turn around time that's the issue... Lee

Thanks guys for all for your replies and PMs - I love this forum! PMs sent - there should be enough here to keep me out of trouble... now... to get my brakes sorted... Lee

Guys, it has not been a good week for the Z! I completed the Hilux / 4runner conversion about 10 years ago, using a Honda Legend vented disc which we machined down the outer diameter, increased the inner hub hole size and redrilled the bolt holes to fir the Z hub. These discs are now stuffed according to Mr Mechanic and are too worn to be remachined. Does anyone have any vented discs that have already been modified to fit? If so, please PM ASAP as otherwise I’ll have to buy some new discs and go through the process of having them machined etc. Thanks! Lee

In my disorganised countdown to the upcoming ZCCQ track event I find myself unsurprisingly illprepared with close to zero tread on my rubbers. I am chasing 225/50/15 or taller (50,55,60,65 I don't care). And I need all four. I am not at the pointy end or racing. I don't care if they are cycled out. I just need them to last 1 or more track days and be priced accordingly Additionally I have a set of 17s and am chasing 2x 235/45/17 semi slick. [FOUND] If you have anything please don't bite your tongue - all offers considered cause otherwise I have to spring for new ones or run my road tyres, neither of which I like the sound of.

FOUND thanks Jason.

Can I swing by after work today please?

Anyone (preferably in Brisbane) got one suitable for L28? Turns out mine is dented from my DIY harmonic balancer install. Mechanic not amused with my handiwork either... I am running out of time as usual... trying to get it up and running before the ZCCQ meet next weekend [gulp]. Lee

Thanks Pauly and Jason and those who PM'd me regarding helping out with a balancer on such short notice. I now have a reconditioned one arriving in the post on Tuesday which is just bloody amazing. I LOVE this forum. Such an amazing community. I have learned so much, met cool people and saved nearly as much money through the know-how and advice I read/received here as I would probably have never spent if I hadn't seen them on this forum in the first place! Next step is getting the balancer on. If I can get that done myself I save money having it towed to the mechanics' for a more thorough inspection and fingers crossed nothing else is wrong :-\ Lee

Ha ha thanks Jason but am trying to line something up sooner. You have officially become my backup plan though. Thanks!

Hi all, I went out to Lakeside and nearly broke my lap record (YAY!!!).... BUT... I DID break my harmonic balancer (not so good). When I returned to the pits, there were some very bad noises coming from the engine bay! I am hoping the crank etc is OK but I won't know until I put another balancer on and get it going again. Plus I need the car drivable for the upcoming Z day as advertised in the QLD events forum - I don't have a lot of time... Does anyone have a standard balancer they would part with for a few bob? I went over to grab one from Garage San Maru's South Brisbane Workshop (thanks Jake and Doug) but unfortunately that one there was cracked and I can't use it. Or does anyone have a performance balancer they don't need? I don't have a spare $600+ at the moment for a nice ATI or BHJ unit so am looking for something I can just throw in to test it. Anyone? Lee

Just got home from another awesome outing at lakeside. It was a bit wet but I still got in loads of dry laps. Improved my PB, am now at 1:05.2 and was fortunate to pit with a couple of the lads from Garage San Maru. Always excellent to meet fellow forum members and Z enthusiasts. Yes, as usual, Jake is 2 secs ahead. But I am sure his 350z could be caught by my 260z if it was in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing. Certainly he was impressed when he came for a passenger ride with me which is good praise from someone with a PMC monster (albeit in the garage). Will need a new second hand set of semis before the next one I think. And maybe some brake pads. Can anyone recommend a good performance brake pad to fit 4runner calipers? I remember someone told me many moons ago you could buy a certain year of WRX or RX7 performance pads like greenstuff and they fit, or maybe required minimal machining... thoughts? Oh and my wifee doesnt want me to burn in some crash and I just had a bday so now I have all the gear and no idea!

Well round III is upon us. Have just put my name down for a sprints outing at lakeside on the 15th. Happy birthday to me! Any other zeds wanna join in? There are still some spots left!!!

Pete and other esteemed octogenarians, You don't want to compress it using a zip file, that is a different type of compression for documents and whatnot. What you want is video compression. When you record stuff on your gopro, it is a very high resolution and is a (uncompressed) big file. Using video compression software, you want to compress the file into a smaller format of video file. Then upload that smaller file to youtube. I'm hesitant to recommend a particular piece of software as I don't have a gopro myself so am not sure what file format you are starting with - you need to get the software that is capable of compressing your type of file (although that said gopros are pretty pervasive so imagine most are compatible). I suggest you follow these steps: 1: copy the file from the gopro to your desktop 2: note the file format (This is the 3-4 letters after the file name after the dot. If there is no letters, right-click on it and select 'properties' and you can find it there). 3: go to google and search for "[file type from step 2] compression freeware", "compress [file type from step 2]", or the like. 4: download the software that you find from that search 5: install it 6: open the program you just installed and load your video file from your desktop 7: go to the settings or menu or wherever and select the compression (how much it squashes it/reduces the quality/makes the file teeny weeny) or it may just give you the option to choose an output resolution (such as 1080p 720p 540p etc like on a TV) or you may have to select it by file format. Either way, choose the smallest or second smallest one. If unsure at any point, wikipedia is your friend. 8: press the go button 9: upload your shiny new compressed file in its new file format to youtube and post the link here Good luck Whipper Snapper

It was really well organised - thanks Dave - we had a great time!

I have a 77 with a 15/16 master and booster from 280zx fitted upside down. You just have to bend the hard lines slightly (with your hands) for it to fit. I believe both S1 and S2 280z parts will fit, one upside down, one not. I also have the hilux front and r31 rear and it works a treat.

isn't it the same as putting a gto kit on an older one ? Aside from it being FWD

So, another Saturday has passed and I have done some more work on the Z. I am of course delighted to share with you all the progress made on this most exciting topic! Now the tube has been painted, I tapped it in with a hammer, using some wood to protect it. Then I needed some hose to get the tube to the new catch can so off to Repco I went. Here's the issue, the crankcase breather tube is 24mm and largest hose you can get is much smaller than that, not to mention the fact that the input for the catch can is really small. So after staring at everything available for quite some time, I managed to assemble: an AU Ford radiator hose (fits over the 24mm breather tube and has 2 bends which were useful in getting the best alignment). 1m heater hose 3cm of slightly larger heater hose (small slice I got for free, need it to step up from the 1/2" adaptor to the 24mm rad hose) 1/2 to 1/4 inch brass adaptor clamps Picture 1 shows the parts lined up. Picture 2 shows the rad hose with a 80 degree bend on the tube with the adaptor fitting. After some fiddling I got this all to fit alright, but my idea of putting the filter on the catch can is not possible because the filter fouls on the hose! [Picture 3]. So I am still not finished. I'd like to connect the breather on the tappet cover to the same can, using the other connection, but then there is nowhere for the air to escape. So I'm thinking I will drill a hole in the top of the catch can and then use one of the spare fittings that came with it, weld it in there somehow [Pic 4] and then put the filter on that. Then I will be sorted! All I need is some way to weld aluminium and it should one day look like the final Pic 5!

I don't know... Looks kinda artful to me...

Last weekend I managed to get the new crankcase breather tube sorted. I know for most people, the crankcase breather tube is one of the most important components to consider in your Datsun restoration, and it is for you that I provide this account of progress so far. I gave it a wee sand with an old file I had and some sanding blocks I had left over from sanding a wall. Then I whacked on some machinery paint I had left over from etch priming my front door frame on the house. And now it looks the business! If only the other engine bay bits looked so nice! Lee

These are amazing pics guys. Thanks to all who are posting. So great to see these period photos for the first time. Please keep them coming. That first one would look so good hung in my hallway... Now to convince the Mrs...

In no way questioning PMC but for reference I got my info here http://www.enginebasics.com/Engine%20Basics%20Root%20Folder/Crankcase%20Ventilation.html Something to do with ring seals from memory. I don't profess to understand how it works.

Remember I was saying it had to do with pressure and stuff.

FOUND. Thanks Jason! Although it is a bit shabby... will have to paint it red

Yes, by none other than Brisbane Northside's best Datsun specialist! Exactly! I best get me a tacho. BAck to the topic at hand, if I had never built an engine before (well, I haven't!), and I was going to give it a crack, I wouldn't use all my good bits, I'd save them for the second attempt when I (thought I) knew what I was doing or realised that going to a professional was a better idea!