Mini Z and other stuff

My lovely wife got me this nice miniature Z so i took few photos with "big brother". I also like to introduce my DIY emission control patent. I couldn't get the air gallery off(that suppose to be the right term) from the exhaust manifold so i just closed it. It doesn't affect drivability in any way, it's just plain ugly :D Someday i'll remove that piece but in order to do that carbs etc. must be drawn out. Added few closeups, Z's are beautiful no matter what angle you shoot them. Oh yes, i have new fuel pump also.

Something to do

Well as i told in previous posts, winter has arrived and driving season is officially over for Z. Now it's THE most dangerous (and fun) driving season as the roads are ultra slippery. That means either you'll drive very carefully or take all the fun you can get! Narrow forest roads are the best place to practice rally driving this time of year, there's little options for you: drive well or hit the tree. Of course no one forces you to do that, but there is lot of young blokes testing their skills on the road.

Anyways, i ordered some parts wich i intend to change soon, before January. Tie rods were little worn out as were rubber boots. I decieded to put "power steering" in to my Z by changing the worn out steering coupler to brand new ABS-plastic one.

Saturday shopping

Naa i just got nothing to do so i shopped few images. Maybe i'll take some photos IF the weather clears someday. Enjoy.

Well here it is! My other Datsun. I use to drive this little car for 3,5 years. It had many problems but mostly they were caused by stupid owner. I didn't know heck about cars back then. It lacked basic maintenance but STILL it keeps running! Again i was amazed how this little Nippon started alive, i just put some high octane gas on tank, added little oil and charged battery. It actually started faster than Z normally!! And it has been standing for years! And it moved too :D Of course the odours were something beyond imagination, it's been on there for almost 5 so.. Still, every electric apparatus worked as should, radio was loud and clear, all the gauges work.. Everything is ok EXCEPT the infamous RUST. Wheel arches are totally busted, i cant even imagine what it looks like under the car (though it has been over sand all the time)

When i got enough time and money, i will sandblast the whole damn thing and rebuild it. Now i just start to dismantle it piece by piece, hoping that someday it is ready.

CLICK IMAGES TO SEE THEM PROPERLY

The matress holder

Few days ago we decieded to clean the garage as it is suited for 2 cars. The other half is full of stuff that we are 1)never going to use 2)use it maybe 2 times a year 3)stuff that nobody knows how to use 4)just plain trash. If someone wants to buy a old school dining table or good'ol cathode ray TV, just call me.

Eventually we got rid of the trahs part and stuffed all the unnecessary crap in the corner. Now there is room to have a disco party! Maybe tommorrow we deciede to clean the THIRD garage. Previous owner was farsighted when he built 3 garages instead of none. Well he was a rally driver so.. Now there is so called "bachelor-box" in the garage. All i need is fridge full of beer

We gotta make room as the little brother is coming home. Not MY little brother but 240z's. Im gonna bring the 150Y home.

Winter hits Finland

Well, driving season for this year is over. We drove almost 600 miles this summer and it was absolutely amazing if all that hellish road noise and exhaust smell is not counted. Im quite sure there is plenty of people with pic of this beauty in their cameras, as we drove in local Historical-cars-convoy and there was masses of people gathered along the route. Maybe someday theyll look into those pics and tell tales to their offspring.
I tought that these cars were becoming rare but i was wrong, actually there is more Z-cars in Finland than ever! Im planning to meet some of them in next spring/summer (as soon as the snow melts!)

Things to do this before final registration/winter:

-Install new windshield wiper washer tank (already purchased but not installed)
-Drop the rear off and change oils
-MAYBE and i really mean MAYBE lift engine off and paint engine bay/engine and do all the "restoration" stuff outside engine.
-Door panels, those hotdamn door panels...
-New seat upholstery. I know one very capable seat restorer who might make his magic on to these old seatz. Of course thats gonna cost SOME....(i better sell our house to fund this project)
-New paint on hood, inspection lids and cowl.
-Change front turn signal wiring. Finnish legistlation wont approve that the turn signals are on all the time, they should work only when turning, so i'll have to figure out a way to do it.

Im driving it!

As you can see, its totally driveable. Only few minor things and i consider making a small road trip :)

Back in business

It's been a while but lot has happened and now is time to focus on Z again!
I decieded to get rid of all smog equipment for better performance. I've had some engine issues as rpms between 1000-3000 seems very hard to upkeep. If i rev like hell, over 4000rpms, engine can handle that. Strange.



some minor problems with these air inject tubes...theyre totally rusted.

Back from the workshop

Ok now floors are welded and waterproof. I took some time and money but now its done. Also rear brakes are ok now. Now just got to get some pressure on brake system and off we go.

BUT with few solved problems came few unsolved. Im losing my mind with door locks, cause they dont work as they should be. Also windshield wiper's not working etc.
Also carpets are missing but for now, i just have to wait till i win at lottery. Im outta money :)

Spring fever rising

Oh boy. Sun is getting higher and higher every day and slight fever is starting to rise.
Things i still need to do:

-Get the floor welded (drivers side)
-Change brake shoes
-Attach front window properly
-Driver side window too (in this i need suggestions!!)
-Door panels on place (i need clips first to do that)
-Scuff plates (on the way from MSA)
-Sill plates (i got them in my home, polishing them when nothing else to do)
-Carpets ( haven't ordered them yet, gotta get more money)
-Attach quarter panels etc.
-Find a proper speaker and install it
-New antenna ( havent found yet..)
-Carburators tune up ( though they seem to be in decent tune, rear one is sucking a bit more than the front one but idles well )

1.4 is scheduled welding and brake shoe replace/bleed. Luckily i got experienced mechanic to do all of those.

It's moving!

As i mentioned before ( or do i?) im in rented garage. There is not much space to move around cause there is 2 other cars and 4 motorcycles. BUT i needed more space in drivers side so i decieded to move Z a bit.

After pumping manually fuel into fuel pump (it was dry as sahara) i started to crank the car. After 5 minutes it started to show some signs of life, first firing up only 1 cylinder (that was thunderous THUMP THUMP THUMP). I hit the pedal to the metal and after few coughs it started to sing the song of 6cylinder. Rear carb float was (and is still) a bit stuck but otherwise a nice and steady idle. Im always amazed that 38year old car starts up so easily. Datsun lasts, as the slogan says in Finnish D's.

I hadn't tighten clutch master cylinder hardline properly so the clutch slipped (and leaked fluid) and for a second i tought my Z had the mind of its own when started to move while clutch engaged! Well i didnt need to do anything cause Z moved itself and after 2 m (wich was the amount i needed it to move) engine stalled! There must be something magical about this car, like in the Herbie bug.

Im anxious to get to the first real test drive and feel the Z!