toolman Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I was not planning to work on my 71 Datsun until I retired but my friend want to buy the Chevy 350 engine from it. So last Sunday, I pulled it out. My Z car was left in my home garage for about 34 years! I made this conversion back in 1983 but other projects came along. So then, I decided to do a complete restoration when I retire. It is two more years till retirement but it is time to start on the restoration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackzpeed Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Welcome back to the addiction. Good luck with your build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 Thanks for the Good Luck!! No matter how well you plan something, luck can play an important part!! I am planning the completely strip out the Z and build a rotisserie to make it easier to do the floor panels. Stripping all of the factory undercoating also will easier than working under the car. My original choice of replacement motor was a Chevrolet small block 400 bored out .030 over with forged pistons with longer 5.6 con rods. balanced and Chevy Fast Burn aluminum heads. This motor was never run and was just sitting on a engine stand. I decided to sell this motor and purchase a new Chevrolet LS-3 crate motor instead. The LS3 will weigh about a 100 lbs less and be a even better platform for future endeavors. So I'll sell the 408 motor. I already found a T-56 speed transmission from a !ROC Camaro. My friend at the local machine shop save me a cracked LS block to use to mock up mounts. I'll pick it tomorrow. I have a R200 differential in the car and might run with it for awhile before upgrading that too. Please give me any suggestions to my build as I am sure I will run across some problem that I didn't plan for. Thank You in advance. Sunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackzpeed Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Check out the current options for mounts etc.... you may be pleased with what is out there. I used the CX racing stuff and I'm happy. I would love to see someone use the HOKE performance mounts in a build log.... they look really promising. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greeko Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Agreed, I am quite happy with my cx racing products for the money! V8s are fun..but I think a boosted inline 6 like a 2JZ will be a blast to install and run!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 Starting to strip down the car to check how the corrosion is. Sunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 window cowling-no rust left lower door post-rust but repairable engine compartment right side lower inner front fender-rust but repairable cowling panel-no rust left lower hatch panel-rust but repairable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 More pics Made part shelve to store the parts during the build as I have only a two car garage. The shelve is made of 3/4" plywood 48" X 43" supported by 2" X 4" boards anchor bolted to cement wall. Top shelve will hold hood, fenders, doors, hatch, and etc. Below the shelve the front and rear suspension parts will go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 hatch hinge-no rust right lower hatch rust but repairable left lower hatch-rust but repairable right side floor board and sub frame-rust but repairable hatch hinges-no rust right lower inner ender-rust but repairable right side seat-repairable but might repace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolman Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) Overall the body is not too bad and repairable. On the right side rocker panel might have be replaced on further inspection. I might even cut the firewall and move it back 4" to 5" for better weight distribution. Also might install square tubing into the frame rails and extend the rails to the rear cross member. Checking out Hoke and other mount guys. I wanted to try out a new method of repairing my cracked dashboard but it was too far gone, Anybody make replacements? Sunny Edited February 2, 2017 by toolman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.