MEGACAB

CLEAN SLATE

The Z is back from sand blasting. They did a good job and sure didn't take very long. They did the car and all the panels. Even got the car up on rack and blasted all the underside and suspension. 

STACKED

Carbs are pretty much all ready to go, and these are the velocity stacks I ended up ordering. Came all the way from Hungary, yet they were still a fraction of the cost of anything in the states. 

I was at first looking at much more expensive units but these actually resemble the ones I've seen on cars built decades ago, so that sold me. Saving money also wasn't a bad thing.

GOT THE CALL!

The sand blast shop called to let me know the Z is ready to be picked up. I'll have some pics up as soon it's back at my place. 

To try and keep from posting with out any pictures here is the new alternator that came in today and the new adjuster arm. I went ahead and got an alternator for a 280zx. They are 60 amp as appose to 40-50 amp units that come on early Z's.

 

MURDERCYCLE

Been working on my buddy Gabe's dohc CB750. He's been very patient with me but I'm finnaly going in a direction with it that I think he'll be real happy. Here it is as of today.

 

THESE WHEELS....MAYBE

But 15's

 examples: 

HATE WORKING BACKWARDS!

There is probably nothing I hate more than working backwards due to a mistake. I guess that's how you learn. So note to self; Don't put the oil pan on before you install the crank pulley, cause that woodruff key will come out and it will fall into the pan. Yet not far enough to fish it out!

 

OEM

Many times if you know what you're looking for you can find OEM Nissan parts for less than aftermarket. 

  I know it's hard to tell but the new parts are on the right...

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

Fedex dropped off a refrigerator size box with some goods from MSA. 

 

\/ Click \/

WORK

Having this sitting in the shop should keep me motivated. And my redline soft mount kit for the carbs came in.

 

The soft mount kit provides reduction in both vibration and heat to the carbs.

ENGINE FASTNERS

Been waiting on these for a while, but very much worth the wait. They are from MMS & Accessories, it includes the external bolts for the entire engine all in stainless steel. Even includes the exhaust and intake manifold studs. The kit comes in individually packaged and labeled baggies for easy installation. 

 I'll update as soon as I get the engine all bolted up.

ONE LEFT

PRIORITIES

If I had to choose to buy a sport bike as of today. I probably wouldn't think twice to say a Ducati 748. Wiki info

 Now I'm sure that you read the word Ducati and you just assumed this thing come with a heavy price tag. Who wouldn't? These Italian pieces of artwork share more than just their red paint with their four wheel cousin, Ferrari, these two share a long and dominant history in the motor sport world.

WEBERS

With the car gone for a little while, I got to work on getting the carbs all cleaned up and rebuilt. I think the biggest lesson on rebuilding anything is what you learn by taking it apart. I didn't take any pictures of this process as it's self explanatory. As you take them apart keep everything from one carb separate from the others, staying organized is key.

Find a shop that has a sonic cleaner, this works far better than just soaking it. (make sure they keep your parts separate) 

 Here are all the internal parts in their separate bags. Spray some wd-40 in the bag and work it into all the parts.

Before you start get this book, even if you don't run Webers there's plenty you can learn from this literature. Also needed is a quality rebuild kit (got mine from pegasus racing) and all the tools you used to take the carbs apart. I also got new bearing for the throttle shaft.

Get organized! lay out all your parts so they are easy to find as you put things back together. Also take the extra time to give all the jets and other fuel passages a good extra cleaning.

Do your reading before you start and take your time, clean carbs makes a world of difference down the road.

Battle of Gettysburg

Today was a memorable day for this whole Datsun project.

 

How it goes...

I finished my school semester this past Friday. So now with a little more time I should be getting more done with the projects. As luck would have it though 4 out of the 5 packages I ordered are on back order or delayed some how. I have the remaining parts for the engine and carbs coming in, also ordered the flares, air dam, wing, and bumpers for the car.

If things go as planned, I'll be dropping of the shell and body panels to get sand blasted today.

Can't sleep

I couldn't sleep today and came across these photos.

 

 This 1996 Cherokee was my first car, six years ago. My old man picked it up for $800 bucks and it looked far from this. It was bone stock, beat up and constantly had issues, but I loved the thing. What I have taken in knowledge from owning it changed my life.

Trial and Error

Still trying to figure out a velocity stack set up for the webers...

10th Annual Spring Fling Ride

The Motorcycle Shop ( yes that's really they're name) put on the 10th annual spring fling ride. Usually open only to scooters and mopeds they extended the invitation this year to classic motorcycles. 

 

Motivation is key...

PS. I'm thinking more and more about not running fender mirrors.

Coming full circle; ITB miata build

Over a year ago I took ownership of a raggedy '91 Miata. I got it up and running with a simple turbo set up and had a blast with it. With other projects in mind, I soon had the little guy up for sale.