Happy to see more progress on this project. I can only imagine how much fun this Zeason is going to be for you.
Again, what did you decide to do for mufflers?

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1970 240Z

2.5 inch down pipes back to the end of the transmission, into one 3 inch pipe following exit to the stock left rear location. Flow master muffler at the end. Will have to be fabricated of course.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Looking great John, that Z is going to fly!

Jay

I think you're right, Jay. It will pass everything on the highway but a gas station.

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1970 240Z

Project 530Z update: Driveshaft issue solved!

The beefy new aluminum three row radiator and dual electric fans have been installed. The kit supplied to install the twin electric fans was, IMO, garbage. I didn’t feel that the “zip” rods supplied were strong enough to hold up over time after being exposed to heat and vibration, resulting in the electric fans coming lose possibly damaging the radiator or engine. SO, I improvised. Instead I used much heavier gauge zip ties with rubber washers to snug them down onto the spring mounted fan housing. Much more secure and I never have to worry about the fans falling off.

I was having an issue with the new driveshaft being fabricated. It seems that when Nissan mass produced the 300zx driveshaft, they staked the u-joints into place instead of using REPLACEABLE joints. Of course that is good for them as when a joint goes bad, an ENTIRE driveshaft needs to be purchased at a cool $900. I am not going to use old joints as I wil be putting much more power through them. So, will I be forced to buy a $900 driveshaft only to have it cut up for my needs? I’d rather not.

Enter Tyler from Cook Bros. Truck parts. A true “car guy”, Tyler was able to scour his parts suppliers and come up with a compatible transmission yoke and is making the driveshaft from scratch! Hopefully it’ll be done within a week or so and the drivetrain will be complete.

Getting there! Stay tuned.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Did they recommend you mount them as "pullers" rather than as "pushers"? Because most pumps (a fan is just an air pump) push better then they pull, I've heard of better results mounting them ahead of the radiator than behind it.

No matter; those fit right in there and look neat, AND the electrical connections are handier there than they might be ahead of the radiator support.

I've actually seen dual electric Volvo fans mounted one behind and one ahead of the radiator, each on a different half, which also worked well (it wasn't a Datsun).

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1970 240Z

LS engines are big even compared with other V8s. It's interesting to note how neatly and well it seems to be fitting. Looks like a great setup, you guys are really doing a great job on this build.

Curious, did you use rubber or plastic washers in between the aluminum rad and the radiator support when you installed it. I did when I installed the Champion radiator in my Z, again because I'd read that having the two in direct contact could shorten the life of the radiator significantly. I don't know if that's true or not but the insulating spacers were too easy a solution to make me think much more about it, mine were homemade from some scrap material I had in the garage.

Jay

Jay, yes I heard the same thing about insulating the metal on metal of the radiator mount. I’m not so sure how accurate that is but I did use plastic washers to separate the metal to metal contact with the bolts.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Love those great pics JT!

While Jay was talking abut rubber or plastic isolators for the radiator, I thought of something I did on my Z to help protect the wiring routed to the front of the car for horns, turn signals and headlights. I used small diameter (maybe 1/4 or 3/8 inch) rubber fuel line or vacuum hoses slit lengthwise to "line" the openings in the front of the car to help protect the wiring harnesses from being cut or damaged. This works particularly well in the lower front corners where the light harnesses are routed in front of the car from the fender wells. I just have a problem leaving wiring crossing over sharp edges of sheet metal.

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner

That's a really good idea John.
You might be a lot smarter than you look!

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1970 240Z

That's a great idea John.

Project 530Z update:

I just had to share this work of art for this update. Tyler over at Cook Bros. custom fabricated this gorgeous driveshaft for the project, matching a compatible transmission yoke and differential flange with heavy duty Spicer u-joints and a balanced tube. It’s almost too pretty to put under the car! This bad boy will be able to handle the V8 power with ease.

Next up, pal Russell DiLiberto is trying his hand this weekend with the custom engine wire harness that will finally bring power to the ignition and fuel injection. Then fuel lines, finish up the header install on the passenger side and.....

Getting closer! Stay tunedl

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Nice shaft John!

Looking at your last picture, I am assuming that the left side of the "shaft end" of the yoke is not cracked correct? It is probably just the casting and lighting but it still made me look closer.

There's a bunch of us here that can't wait to see and hear this beast fire up!

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner

I can't believe someone gave our buddy the shaft and we're applauding it.

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1970 240Z

We are going to need a video posted of this thing so we can hear it running, and if you feel like lighting the tires up in sure none of us would mind that either.

Nice work on the driveshaft. Will you be painting that before you install it?

Jay