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Maybe those black ones covering up your chrome bumpers?
 
Tell us about the five speed conversion. Any problems? Suggestions? I have a 79 280Zx gearbox in my garage, just waiting.....
 
No, adam, you're not seeing things - they're there!
 
Ah those things - the one in the front was an Air Force Base sticker from Edwards and the back one is AAA - both from the PO. I havent figured out how to get them off yet - any suggestions? As far as the 280 Trans it went in pretty easy with the Rivergate mod kit. But....read the instructions very carefully. So far I am very happy with the conversion but I do not agree with Rivergate suggesting synthetic 70w140 - too **** noisy. I did get some 85w145 Lucas and it cuts the noise very well. Also I put a spring from the throwout bearing arm to the bleed nipple on the cylinder to keep the throwout in the far back position. That helps keep some of the noise down also. Go for ]it!!
 
Jim: Was the gearbox a rebuilt? Was the roller throw out bearing replaced? I am a bit concerned about the noise part. I havent ordered the kit yet, so I dont have the directions, yet.
 
Yes the gearbox was rebuilt- my old gearbox used a carbon type throwout bearing which uses a thick shim on the pressure plate. The new set up uses a bearing type throwout which necessitates the removal of the thick shim but you may still get a little rattle from the throw out forks. I then installed a spring from the throwout arm to the bleed port on the cylinder to keep it in the full back position so the bearing wouldnt keep hitting the pressure plate. Works great now.
 
Jim....simple to remove: just peel off...I'm not being a smart guy, that's all there is to it...then, you'll have to lightly sand your entire bumpers & respray them satin black because the area behind those bumper stickers will be darker than the rest of the bumpers....oh, & contrary to common belief, spraying the bumpers is the easiest thing since Krylon!
 
Do you mean I can paint the bumpers? I did not know that! I think that will be a project for a sunny day.; What kind of primer would be required for the rubber - I mean chemical reactions being what they are and I am going to use acrilic emanel paint.
 
You're going beyond me there - there are guys who've painted the bumpers the same color as the body but I don't know how....what I always do is clean my bumpers with alcohol, softly rub them with 4-out steel wool & spray them with satin black enamel out of a can...got one set that still looks like new & I painted them in 1993! My '74-1/2 rubber bumper GT was painted in 2000 & the bumpers still look new...
 
Jim,
Check in your local high quality auto paint supply store where the body shops buy their paint. I found stuff for painting bumpers there that is designed for it with prep spray, etc. I was using it on my ugly looking steering wheel cowl and it looks great.
 
All great ideas - I tried to peel the stickers off but they have been on so long they actually raised the rubber. It gets to 118 degrees out here in the desert so I think they got burned in. I guess I will try to sand them down - may as well that way I can get them ready to paint. Im going to try it on the back bumper first that way if I screw up it wont take much to fix it. Thanks for the suggestions.
 
Yep, chris, those spray paints are everywhere...just walk into Actio Auto & find different brands on the shelf!
 
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