jrh001

Hi, Always keep in mind what the car is worth as you put more $$ into it. If you're just after a nice exhaust note, option 3 might be enough. However you do have a leaking exhaust manifold to fix, so maybe it's got to be removed anyway and you could replace it with extractors. Oh... and it might be a good idea to check your insurance - in case they consider it a 'modification'. JH

Had a look at the car today, see pics below. Interior in good condition. Seats have been reupholstered. Car has been professionally resprayed a few years ago. Electric windows and central locking. ~150,000km. Auto. Near new tyres. Panels: Damage drivers-side guard and pillar and roof. Rust in passenger-side guard. Everything else looks excellent. Owner plans to advertise on Car Sales. Mentioned an asking price around $1500. JH

Just happen to have a Gregory's manual for 78/80 Skylines. Here's some info for your mechanic: Valve clearances: Inlet: 0.20mm (cold), 0.25mm (hot) Exhaust: 0.25mm (cold), 0.30mm (hot) It says to "measure clearances between camshaft and rocker arm and NOT between the rocker arm and valve stem". You might need a new gasket if the old one is damaged. JH

Hi, I'd start by investigating where the oil went... How many kms has the engine done? When was the oil level last checked? Serviced regularly? Correct oil? Are there obvious oil leaks from the engine? Oil filter seal OK? Any oil film on the back of the car, above the exhaust? Ask your mechanic friend to do a compression check. Next step - adjust tappets Always a possibility... Good luck - hopefully some real mechanics will chime in soon. JH

Hi Dennis, No it's not a V8. Here's a better pic: Nice rims! JH

Speeding around Sandown - the driver was having a great time. One more pic showing some fairly standard cars: JH

Hi, Went to a track day at Sandown yesterday. Some pics of various cars: Would be perfect for your DR30. JH

Spotted at Sandown this afternoon. spits fire too... JH

Comments on the price ($2000+) anyone? Last sale on eBay was a damaged car for just over a thousand... JH

Hi, Great work! +1 Wasn't interested in this car but unofficial reports on the forum are really useful. Removes some of the risk of buying based on a few photos and a seller's (selective) description. JH

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em=230455148376 No bids yet, below reserve at $600. JH

Front door and guard (passenger side) in good condition for early model R30. Possibly other bits as well. Where's the business located? It'd be nice to know when one turns up and have a chance to remove some parts before the car gets trashed. JohnH

Hi, Just wondering... What kind of factory is it? Do unwanted R30's ever turn up there? JH

Hi Cazz, Nice car, would love to see it some day. Interesting test track you have there... I wonder where it is. JohnH

It looks a bit like this one up for auction at Pickles. JH (Just by the way, here's the list of repairable write offs up for auction after the recent hail storm. 587 cars!)

I thought the hatch would catch your attention, with all those turbo bits and an anniversary badge! JH

Thanks for the replies... it's finally starting to make sense. (BTW e***f won the auction at $580) cheers, JohnH

So the bidding system doesn't display the intervening bids?

Hi, I've been following an eBay auction on a manual R30 (link) It's been sitting below reserve for days after two previous listings with no bids. Same car was listed by a different seller last time. Now all of a sudden, the bid history shows three bids from the same bidder, who has taken the price from $350 to $500. e***f( 0 ) AU $500.00 26-Mar-10 13:17:30 AEDST e***f( 0 ) AU $450.00 26-Mar-10 13:17:18 AEDST e***f( 0 ) AU $400.00 26-Mar-10 13:16:51 AEDST w***e( 0 ) AU $350.00 24-Mar-10 21:13:44 AEDST I'm not bidding so this is just academic. But am I right to assume this is dodgy? JohnH

Thanks for the pics. Did you say auto? You're 'racing' a 3 speed auto MR30? JH

Hi Dennis, Thanks for the detailed first-hand report. Sounds like there's plenty of work awaiting the successful bidder. Hopefully they do their homework before pressing the 'Place Bid' button. JH

Workshop manual is no help - just says 'Nissan genuine strut fluid or equivalent'. Perhaps try an auto store or Nissan. JH

Hi, I went to a local Nissan dealer a few months ago. The computer-based catalog went back as far as R31's and they had to use microfiche to find R30 part numbers. JH

Hi, It's been on eBay a few times now. 'Buy now' price was $17.5K, then $15K, and (as of today) $10K. eBay link Starting price of $10K attracted 0 bids on two listings. Now listed as $8000 but still 'reserve not met'. It's probably not a good comparison but the two PNV Skylines remain unsold after many months at a current price of $8.5K. The last DR30 sale here (correct me if wrong) was D-Limo to Ghostrider at around $4K. Looking at the pics, I'm wondering what this cable, heat shielding cloth and tape (hopefully not duct tape!) is all about. Has anyone here been to see the car? (Dennis perhaps?) JH

Hi Jarryd, Sounds dodgy. It's not that hard to go back to the trading post and search again to find the car. I wouldn't respond to the email at all, at a minimum they're phishing for your email address and other details. I liked this question, 'what is the least amount you'll give the car away for?' cheers, JohnH