New World Datsuns...

Taterhead wrote:

noflers wrote:

Taterhead wrote:The hole in the front fender looks like a cut out for the side marker for a 68-69, although I don't see holes for the early model emblem placement between the tire and sidr mirror.

If you're talking about the holes under the right rear tail light, that is where the "510" emblem that you put on the trunk goes.

I realized that bit about the side marker cutout, but I was thinking it was a JDM/AUS spec fender.

Yeah, I put the 510 on the trunk because it seemed a better fit since the top of the emblem is thicker and tapers don toward the bottom of the emblem. Not sure if they are all like that or if the emblems from that particular Ebay seller are like that...

Yeah I'm not sure about the fender then.

Well, I was thinking a new fender and rear quarter are in the future plans. Cosmetics probably won't happen until next spring, when I'll straighten the body out and start thinking about paint.

Rain has slowed me down lately, but I did get to something awesome. A steering wheel and hub!

My hands really couldn't handle that pencil thin wheel anymore. COMFORT, that's it.




I also got the rest of my wipers together. problem: I'm missing one of the nuts that locks the arm to the stud, cheap alternatives?



In the next month I should have some rear coilovers on, new steering rod links and idler arm bushings/bearings, tires, and BRAKES. Tentative plans anyway... 280ZX brakes are proving hard to come by

I was going to go with a used set of endlinks from Laecaon, but after finding a bent rod on my car, I don't want to take any chances and I'd like something that won't need replacing. I might go with the T3 tie rods, because you know, they're the cheapest at $180.

Anyone heard of Vintage Historics on Ebay? They have a set of tie rods for $155, are they worth it?

I'd just go with stock, unless you are serious about tracking this car.

Heim joints, just say no. 4x4 guys dont like them.

I'd go stock too.

Are you looking for 280ZX stuff for the front or rear?

DRIVEN wrote:I'd go stock too.

Are you looking for 280ZX stuff for the front or rear?

For the front, I've got all the Maxima stuff lined up for the rears.

Maxima might be an option for the front too. They are very similar in size and appearance to ZX. I have a pair set aside for mine.

DMike is using the Maxima stuff on his 710.

Official seal of approval.

DRIVEN wrote:Maxima might be an option for the front too. They are very similar in size and appearance to ZX. I have a pair set aside for mine.

What is required to get them on there? do they do anything to the track width? Shorter, taller? I hadn't heard of this until now. I guess I look around and see what I come up with.

Maxima... Doesn't have the same support as ZX as far as brakes go. ZX pulls each side in like 3/4", Maxima is either none or very minimal.

Not sure about the change in track width. There are plenty of performance pads and rotors available for the Maxima but not likely as many as for ZX. Use what you like, I was just mentioning it as another alternative.

DRIVEN wrote:Not sure about the change in track width. There are plenty of performance pads and rotors available for the Maxima but not likely as many as for ZX. Use what you like, I was just mentioning it as another alternative.

If, like Laecaon said, they won't change the track width or will change it only a little, they seem more attractive. I don't want to run a super wide tire. I'm'm looking at a set of 185/60/14's and I think they fill the wells out nicely.

At this point I really just want good braking abilities. I've got a couple solid leads, but I'm always weakly of "blind" transactions with little protection.

I have ZX struts, and they have tokico illuminas. But it would be sold all together. And for a decent price...

You can run spacers too.

Oh man, I went for a set of tires yesterday. 185/60/14 Maybe it's because I was running a 205/50/15 before, but the new tire seems a bit on the small side.

Really wish I'd gone with at least a 195/60/14






In other news, I spent way too much money yesterday... Ermish rear coilovers, zx struts/brakes, tires.

Love those wheels. You'll get used to the new look with smaller tires.

205/50/15 is over sized any ways. 195/50/15 is correct or 185/60/14.

Are you saying not enough sidewall or it doesn't handle as good? Because I have a tendency to wear out tires without a strong sidewall.

Laecaon wrote:205/50/15 is over sized any ways. 195/50/15 is correct or 185/60/14.

Are you saying not enough sidewall or it doesn't handle as good? Because I have a tendency to wear out tires without a strong sidewall.

It handles fine, just wanting a little more sidewall to fill the fender wells up a bit more. These are DD tires, so I wasn't looking for performance. It's been less than 24 hours, and the car isn't even sitting where I want, so I'll give it some time...

Nothing interesting really. It's raining and I'm probably not doing much to the car today.

Yesterday I installed the passenger side seat bracket. The original brackets were welded on to the seat sliders, terribly. I removed one bracket and I think it can be used still, the other was basically a big log made of weld slag so I ditched it. Someone must have really wanted to drive this at some point. Angle iron was used to space the seat up higher and made them completely unstable. Glad the seats are on their way out, but that means I need seats! Sooo, I need seats that have flat sliders that attach to the bracket with bolts.



I also got to inspecting the body a bit more. I think the rear driver side quarter is all bondo, jeez. The front driver side quarter is banged up a little and the dents are fixable, but the part that surrounds the headlight is too rough to restore I think. So front and rear driver quarter panels need replacing. Next year is when I'll get around to all the body and paint work. I think the rain is here to stay for a while. The hood still needs fixing/replacing. The frame is snapped right in half (center of the frame just below the windshield). It vibrates and causes me to hate it. haha


Notice the fender lip contour:


Notice the lack of a fender lip contour (needs help):


I found out yesterday that the seam of the trunk floor and the rear tail light panel isn't sealed! I cleaned it up and used 3M weather seal gasket maker crap on it. What SHOULD be used to seal all the trunk seams?

At some point I'm going to need to pull the bumper and remover the bolts that were cut from the fenders (on the side of the bumpers)

I'm not sure what the name of it is (seam sealer) but if you read through some of the510keepers threads on Ratsun and you'll see what he uses.
I know he uses a 2 part epoxy from SEMS for panel glue.


If I see it I'll post it here.