Pete’s 1972 Datsun 240Z - what a long strange trip its been…

I need to pull the brake/clutch cylinders and paint that corner.  I need to rotate the car to get under the dash.  I also need the right wrenches for those brake lines.  

I have 2 radiators- has anyone ever pressure tested a radiator at home with a bike pump and capped ends or do I just spend $300 and buy a new one?  Do radiator shops still fix radiators?  LOL 

https://www.rexradiator.com/locations/chicago-radiator-repair/

Am I the only guy that works on parts in hotel rooms?
 

Datsun240ZGuy said:

I need to pull the brake/clutch cylinders and paint that corner.  I need to rotate the car to get under the dash.  I also need the right wrenches for those brake lines.  

I have 2 radiators- has anyone ever pressure tested a radiator at home with a bike pump and capped ends or do I just spend $300 and buy a new one?  Do radiator shops still fix radiators?  LOL 

Yes. I have. Turned plugs on the wood lathe to fit into my radiator hoses. Drilled a hole in one for a schrader valve, added 15psi, submerged in a kiddie pool.

Ebay radiator was 125 and here in a couple days.....

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Explain the headlight plugs.  One is soft rubber and one is rock hard plastic - both sides too.   Can't plug in hard plastic ones 

send eBay radiator link and review

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

You ever get parts from Nissan?  Anything in their system still?

My brother is the Z car guy. I'll do my best to remember to ask him tonight. I'm just a general purpose hot rodder.

Datsun240ZGuy said:

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Explain the headlight plugs.  One is soft rubber and one is rock hard plastic - both sides too.   Can't plug in hard plastic ones 

send eBay radiator link and review

 

Since this one is the headlight

The rubber bootie one is for the front turn signal

I can slide the rubber boot back and easily connect it.  That's not my issue. 

My issue is on the headlights black plastic cover - it's rock hard and the connector doesn't easily slide in and it won't slide back as it's kinda fused to the wires.  Kinda odd. 

I thought this was going to happen last Christmas break!  Hot & humid day I picked. 
 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

You're still faster than AC and I.

Install engine, break bolt in motor mount.....always one step back....(order new motor mount or remove, drill out, tap and put back in)

All hooked up - bought a battery today.  

1. No melted fuses, yet.

2. No smoking wires, yet.

3. Some electrical items not working.  Reading the schematic has been a challenge. 

4. Still need to clean gas tank, lines, brakes, bleed clutch, body, interior, floors........

If you're still looking after those connectors, I bought a kit full of them from Vintage Connections, and redid my whole harness ('71 240Z) from scratch, using the original as a pattern.

https://www.vintageconnections.com/

I bought Summit's clone of the Painless harness, and found it lacking, so it's mostly just a salvage source of copper wires now.

I also upgraded the light circuit with relays, since I'm running Hella E-codes (and also there's a fuel pump relay there).

In reply to Jehannum :

That's nice - maybe a little above my skill set.....LOL

Datsun240ZGuy said:

In reply to Jehannum :

That's nice - maybe a little above my skill set.....LOL

The connectors are identical to stock though, so if you're looking to replace them in place without redoing the whole harness, it's doable.

Big fan of more fuses and more relays in our old cars. These guys make the job so much easier

I was all excited to say how I had added relays and fuses with a bus bar to the light circuit of my friend's 240 and then a post or two later...

Nicely done. It takes a lot of current away from the headlight switch and the lights will be brighter. Depending upon where you mount it, it becomes much easier to access and troubleshoot.

I had the timing on the oil pump/distributor wrong but I reset it and finally got it running today.  

My wife of almost 38 years thinks it's funny to ask me if I got a "chub" when it started.  

No comment. 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Awesome!

Thats AWESOME!!!

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Awesome!

Thanks!

Ran nice for 30 minutes last night - adjusted carbs then - RUH ROH!

Some coolant seepage near the new water pump and something near the carb coolant warming lines.

Some motor oil near the back of the engine?  Crank seal not right?

Life is always two steps forward and one step back.... gas tank coming out before I pull the transmission .