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Heres the pillar emblem. I think I'm going to grind away the "Z" and make a new one. I'm not quite happy with how it came out. the rest of the emblem should work fine. I appreciate all the interest. I'll keep you updated as things start picking up. I'm hoping to start casting within the next 2 or 3 weeks (hopefully) The weather's been quite a roller coaster over here.

At the moment I would like to make plans for selling some. I've been thinking I could sell finished versions as well as "clean up your own" versions for bit cheaper. I'll keep updating as I figure out the plan more.

I have an excel sheet with part numbers, threading, quantities, and sizing for most of the suspension bolts. I'm working on adding torque specs to all of them but if you send me your email I can send you the file. I ordered the complete set (minus a few bolts nissan didn't have) through Courtesy Nissan. Came to like $75 with shipping.

I can probably get a few pics and measurements this weekend if I remember.

I've started working on other emblems. The hatch vents aren't that exciting so I've moved on to the emblems I don't have. (which is most of them minus some poor condition roof emblems) Here are a couple pics of the new molds I'm making for the FairladyZ" emblem and the Roof pillar emblem: Also, If anyone has dimensions for pin locations on the back of the fairlady emblem it would be very much appreciated.

That's the plan. I have enough aluminum to make a bunch, as long as the mold holds up I'll make as many as needed. I'm also hoping to try some copper casting. I think it would be cool to have polished copper emblems (clear coated to prevent corrosion) on the Z. It would also go with the color scheme I'm thinking about doing if it works. Fingers crossed everything works out the way I'm hoping it will. Heres a pic of the pillar emblem mold I worked on today:

I've been bringing as many parts to work as I can so that they can be sand blasted. Here's the total so far: I'm also making usable Emblem molds for my aluminum furnace. I started with the "FairladyZ" emblem as I don't actually own one and they're a bit pricey for me at the moment. I traced an image online and had the bottom 3D printed and laser cut the letters.

+1 for glass cleaner. We even use pledge where I work to lubricate mechanism prototypes and such.

Mega update time: It's been a while so there a few things that have happened since the picture above. I drove the car around well into November. Did a few maintenance things here and there like painting the back: Made a few friends: Then it was into the garage for the winter. She stayed like this for a few weeks: Then this happened: And sadly nothing was touched for a while after that. I've been sandblasting all the pieces I can at work while ordering and waiting for parts when I can. The goal this winter (and likely early summer) will be to spiff up the suspension. Things I've ordered and received so far: MSA sway bar kit lowering springs Tie rod ends Ball joints Front wheel bearings Energy suspension Bushing kit Spindle pins Driverside rocker panel patch lower rear corner patches And $75 worth of misc. Suspension related bolts/hardware. Currently I'm trying to get back up to the garage in Maine so I can remove the old struts and sand blast the strut assemblies at my work in RI. I also need to order paint for the underbody and suspension pieces. I'm debating between SEM Rust Shield, POR 15, and KBS coatings. I have new rear KYB struts but I'd like to find some tokicos or something for all four wheels. I thought my fronts were ok but after removing the front springs I found out they're blown to hell. There's more dampening in a screen door. I also dropped my gas tank. The inside is pretty horrific and I found out the straps were jerryrigged with rivets and thin steel strips. I have a source for a later model S30 gas tank used with the space saver tire. If my tank is not salvageable I may resort to shortening my full spare tire well to fit. Time will tell. Since the last update I've also gotten my hands on a complete E31 engine minus the carbs and flywheel. I believe it sat in a mechanics shop ontop of a metal cabinet for a number of years. The only rust was on the exterior and the inside was pristine aside from the goopy oil and such. I currently have 3 heads, the N42 that's in my car, the E31 head that came with the engine, and an E88 head. I haven't decided which engine combo I want to run in the future but I think I'm going to stick the stock setup for awhile until I can straighten out my goals. Sorry for some of the shitty cell phone pictures, I forgot my camera a lot of the time and just kinda chugged along not thinking about pics. I'll be documenting my progress much more now that I have a stockpile of parts and a lot of work to do. More updates to come.

What sort of paint did you use for those Rear end pieces? I've been looking at various coatings from SEM, POR, KBS and just regular spray paint lately but haven't pulled the trigger yet. It looks great! I'm hoping to do the same relatively soon. Keep up the good work!

Not mine but looks to be a fairly nice Z http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/4328682226.html

There are a few flares out there, It's best to go off and research it yourself but Z force productions makes a very nice looking Wide set: Also Marugen Shoukai Flares are highly praised as seen here: http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/106443-marugen-shoukai-zg-flares-highest-quality-flares-i-know-of/ Back to the Bumper covers: I have some spare fiberglass and resin lying around somewhere. Next time I get a chance I'm going to try my hand at making them. I am curious to hear back about the group buy alternative though.

The aluminum in the "Datsun" emblems shrunk around 1/4 inch in length. Slightly less in my hatch vents as those are shorter. What is aluminide? I've never heard of it before and searching gave me mixed results.

I may have found one locally but I'll let you know if that falls through. Thanks

Hey guys, I need someone to take multiple pictures of their car for me. My plan is to use the 123D Catch software in order to generate a 3D model of a Z that I can then play around with. Requirements for the pictures: -The software is good at recognizing an object but it must stay stationary. I can't have pictures of the same car in different locations. -As many angles as possible would be great. I think around 8 pics at various viewing heights would work out well but the more the merrier. -If someone has a car with an airdam and fender mirrors you get bonus internet points. Thanks

The curved profile of the dome light would likely have lots of striations if it were printed as is. The outer surface could probably be sanded but the inner surface would be more difficult. If you make the inside flat and sand/polish the outside I could see it working. Another option to guarantee an exact replica would be to cast it. Oomoo makes silicon rubber and plastic casting materials and for smaller parts the minimum amount of materials you would need to purchase to get it done would be around $60. (which is a down side of you're only making a couple of that part) I work in a model making department and we clean up printed parts all the time and then cast them once we achieve a desirable finish. The mold can then be reused many times. Also, I've been wanting to find something for the Z that I could print out and then cast in aluminum. I've tried a few things from existing parts like emblems (I think I remember you commenting on my thread Pharaohabq) but unfortunately the aluminum shrinks when cooling and the mounting pins are then in improper positions. I think printing something that accounts for shrinkage would be a great thing to try so I might contact you when it gets a little warmer out. Sorry for the long comment. I hadn't seen this thread in a while and got excited when I had something to say haha. 3D printing is awesome!

http://datsmo.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/dsc08391.jpg Correction, The other blue one I mentioned is also at Star Road: http://datsmo.wordpress.com/

I've seen those on a blue Z as well. It was from a guy who had visited japan and posted a bunch of his pics on facebook. I made a comment asking where they were from but I never got a response. They may be produced by someone you could purchase from but I can't imagine them being that hard to make.

I'm looking for one as well.

I'm assuming all this work so far is going into making a positive mold to then mold a fibre glass shell. Correct me if I'm wrong but eventually he'll have a dash that's just a couple layers of fiberglass and thats it.

I realize the 78' tanks are taller due to the space saver spare tire where as my 75' 280z has the full size spare. I've done some searching and found lots of people putting 280 tanks into 240s but not much regarding 280z interchanging. I dropped my tank earlier today and somehow thought everything was going to be alright when it came time to look inside... I was wrong. The tank was dented extensively from its little cliff dive adventure when I first bought it (I'll let you go searching for the pictures) but it held gas for two years without issue, just a couple (or 12) inline fuel filters to keep the rust at bay. Now that I know what's inside I'm not sure it's worth saving. I have a friend not too far from me who has a 78' tank in good condition that he offered to sell a while back. My plan would be to shorten my spare tire well by cutting a section out and welding it back together like sectioning a strut. My question is if there is any reason this wouldn't work. I would greatly appreciate any input. Thanks

From what I've seen all the 40 year old foam underneath is very brittle. I fear trying to remove all the vinyl would just make the entire thing fall apart. I haven't gotten around to fixing mine so I can't say from experience.

Finally got around to mounting them on the car. right now they are just held on with double sided tape and have been that way for a month or two now.

I found this the other day and just put it together that they are the same brand as the one you guys are talking about. They are 15x10s so they aren't the rims in the original link but they are Bassett. Heres a link explaining what's been done to the car: http://whatmonstersdo.com/blog2/2013/03/04/quick-snap-bens-1977-datsun-280z/ I personally think they look pretty damn good.

240Z or early 260Z in Blazing Saddle towards the end when one of the characters gets into a taxi: