A to Z

10-17-2026 More ATLAS 5 banger work today. I went ahead and installed the new starter, and water pump. Cleaned up the bolts to make it look nice when assembled, water pump pulley on and then I got the crank pulley cleaned up and painted. I got the new alternator mounted on a handmade bracket using 1/4" aluminum plate.....doesn't look real good right now, as my Angle grinder died, so I will go back and clean up the bracket so it looks better but real progress on it today. The nuts used as spacers will be filed up and made to look better also. PICS:

10-11-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE. CLUTCH AND BRAKE BLEEDING. So, I drug out my Motive Power Bleeder, and hooked it all up and filled it with DOT 5 fluid to "charge" the new brake system, which is all dry. I started with the clutch, which went VERY fast, and It's crazy how stiff the clutch pressure plate is! Then I went to the brakes. It's pretty involved when everything is new, and compeltely dry. So, after playing around for quite a while with it, I then settled on doing it all one step at a time......a bled the master cylinder out with it's drains, both cylinders, then started the process....using the 15 psi, I was able to get the rear brakes bled out, and the passenger front wheel.....but then found the driver's front wouldnt drain unless I pumped the brake pedal AND used the pressure, so something is wrong. I can push the pedal to the floor. not completely dead, pedaled but still...... After getting chat GPT to help me, I went through the line from the brake caliper back step by step and found that no fluid was coming out of the factory port. So, I will have to get a T fitting and go off the port for the passenger front wheel and then it will be like the rear brakes are, both off the rear brake port. VERY close, but challenging. Dot 5, I love the stuff.....it doesn't eat paint, doesn't hold water like dot 3 or 4 does, and for regular street driving will work fine. PICS:

10-10-2026. I finished cleaning the block and then painted it silver with engine enamel. Then I pulled the valvecover off, and did an initial cleaning on it. PICS:

Added an Atlas Z badge to the cover plate on the passenger foot plate. Funny....it looks crooked in the pic, and but straight in person. (shrug). You can tell the foot plate needs to be cleaned.

10-08-2026. I got the driver's side cleaned tonight. The oil pan and valve cover will be cleaned off the engine. One step closer to paint!

10-07-2026. I had a few moments today, So I took some measurements to get started on the DMZ intake DIY kit. Because of the intake, the original alternator location won't work, So I will make my own bracket and move it down to about the halfway mark. Plate steel or plate aluminum, M10X1.5 all thread screwed in to the threaded holes there, and start drilling holes and get it on there, and then slot holes as necessary to get belt alignment just right. PICS:

10-04-2026. I took some time today, and went ahead and removed the wiring harness, the intake manifold and some other parts bolted to the block. The stuff still attached, all the bolts are now broken loose and will be easy to deal with as we go. The parts I removed either got tossed, or put into a pile.....I then cleaned them up and took a couple quick pics. Engine looks a lot smaller once you get all the "junk" off! PICS

10-04-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: Well, I found out the hard way that my water methanol container had a crack in it. I ended up having to get a replacement container and a new braided line from it to the pump. I smothered the thread in pipe dope and assembled it. Then I got the whole deal back together. After that I began the install of a gas vapor filter, I went with the 8 inch long version. Just need some hose and that will be done. I spent the rest of the day on other projects. PICS.

Some of the parts I have gotten for the 3700 engine project so far.

I went ahead and worked on the 3700 today. I removed the balance shafts, and used the Badlands Industries delete kit. I then cleaned up and re-sealed the rear plate, installed the flex plate with a few bolts in case I want to do a compression test later, and then got it on the engine stand. Int he pics you will see the 4 speed automatic trans for it, a lockup unit GM "4L60e", that I will rebuild with all the tough parts and probably a 3000 RPM stall, unsure at this point. PICS:

A week or two ago, I began an engine and transmission project, thinking there may yet be another rip snorter in my future. Maybe a B210 or maybe a Roadster? I bought a ATLAS 5 cylinder engine, it's a 3.7, or 3700 cc inline 5. lengthwise about the same as a 2000 roadster engine, but yes it is taller. Like my 4200 it is all aluminum, 4 valves per cylinder, dohc, with VVTi on the exhaust cam. I additionally got a 4 speed automatic for it, a GM "4L60e", that is a lock up setup, where there isn't a lot of slush and stuff. I have already gotten some parts for the 3700, and I will post updates on here.

09-27-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: Another day of catching up on small items. I went ahead and set up the front end for to do the alignment maybe next week....then I went to the back of the car, tightened down the bolts for the differential, checked the rear brake adjustment, and then finished wiring in the engine sensors to the gauges. I installed a couple emblems on the hood corner and on the decklid above the lock area. I cut a plate and painted it and fit it over the spot on the passenger floor plate to hide the mounting bolts, I will put an atlas Z emblem on there later. I mounted the fire extinguisher to the driver's side foot plate and set it in there for now, I installed the rubber strips I got to cover the window slot at the top of each door, and as you can se from the pics, they need a bit more work on them to finish that but got the ball rolling. I filled the water methanol tank only to find it has a crack and needs to be replaced, so that is added to the list. I spent yesterday on my 240Z, so today was a day to try and get more little nagging things done. PICS:

09-20-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: I spent most of the day going around fixing connections and getting lights that weren't working.....working. I managed to get it about 99% done. I then cut up and modified the 16X16X4" deep aluminum cake pan I bought to work as a cover for the electrical, and once fitted, I painted it gloss black and added some clear coats. In the pics the wires behind it can be seen....because I have to zip tie them back up after doing my splice repairs, but it fits well. Lastly I started on the 3 gauge sensors in the engine compartment that need to be lengthened to work. I also tried to start the engine.....have plenty of fuel there, so more tracing of wires to find out what is keeping it from starting. PICS

09-19-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: I had to replace the O ring around the thermostat, so I got that fixed and got the antifreeze poured back in. Then I did some preliminary electrical checks. a few little things not quite working, so I have to work my way through connections, but 90% is working!! Charging the battery back up to 100% and will try for a start tomorrow hopefully. Then I worked on installing my rear polycarbonate wear "window". I had to trim here and there, and then by trial and error had to keep playing with it and modding here and there but got in finished. in the pics, you can see the small pieces of rubber I installed as a cushion for the window. I got the rubber from Amazon....I can provide a link if you want, jsut ask. God willing I can get out there tomorrow and do some more. PICS

What's the cubes on your windsor V8? Manual trans? I hope this car hits the street as well as the track!

windows are SWEET!

09-14-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: So I managed to get all of the wiring inside the car done today! Located the OBD II port right on the side of the center console, Ran a thick #4 wire to the alternator power. All the little things that just add up and take a long time. I have the cover for the panel, now I can just cut and fab it, and the big remaining part of the build is done. 3 gauge sensor wires in the engine bay need to be lengthened and installed and but the interior portion is done. I will be fashioning a beautification plate to go over the bolts holding the passenger floor down that didn't come out looking right. PICS:

Oh....I didn't read that. Glad you said something! Did you get yours from the same place? I didn't know you were doing that. That is cool.

09-13-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE. Only one pic......just a day of finishing up the wiring, about 90% done. Very time consuming. PIC.

09-08-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: My rear hatch "glass" (polycarbonate) ordered from Plastics4Performance in England arrived today. As I have mentioned I had them use their template for Ferrari 458 rear window vents. Why? I like the look. Great for flow through ventilation. This is an open air Z anyway. No side windows, and mostly stripped out. I got the 3mm thick one, so thin, and VERY light. It looks cloudy as I haven't peeled off the protective layer of plastic yet. Now, as they told me, some sanding and fitting will be necessary, but I am happy to report it made it across the pond and to my garage! PICS:

09-06-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: Ok, so I mounted my electric panel into the car and began wiring it up. The garage is SO HOT. I had to go inside and get a fan to blow in there on me (see pic). going pretty well! about 75% done. PICS

09-05-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: Today was a light day for the car, with a few odds and ends, and getting ready to re-install the electric "panelboard" and begin tying all the wires in. Poured the antifreeze into the engine, I decided to use the DEX COOL as recommended by GM for their engines....A.I. also states it is better than regular old green antifreeze, so I went that route. I painted the cap on the radiator and put a Z sticker I had made for it, began the touch up on the hood, which....once hard, will be sanded with 2000 grit and polished smooth. I painted a couple Atlas Z brackets I had made earlier, and will install them in a day or so, and the last piece I needed for the panelboard, the batt power tie in arrived. Hopefully, I will separate the wires and begin wiring the car in tomorrow. PICS CompareCar Insurance

08-30-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: Started the day with putting some cut leather on the upholstery sections that needed to be covered. Amazing my new seat covers, have managed to have a worn spot....but it's all better now. Working in tight quarters these things happen.:) Then I went ahead and bolted the seats down in then vacuumed it all up and installed the hidden toggle switch to turn on so the car will start, my theft deterrent, and wired in the brake light switch....just running the wires over to the passenger footwell.... labeled, so I can start on that soon. I finally managed to get the last piece of the end links on the steering rack off, and then wire wheeled them down really clean, and used anti-seize and installed the Moog end links for now...I will have to adjust when I am ready to align the front wheels, but for now, a lot of progress made! The whole car is about 75% done already and it's only been a year! PICS:

09-29-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: I mounted the plate I made to cover the hole on the side of the head with some stainless bolts I got, then I mounted up both front brake calipers, tied in the brake lines and zip tied the excess up. Then I went ahead and pulled the TC rods out, cleaned them up and painted them with some rustoleum gloss black, and wire wheeled up the washer plates and installed my new Urethane bushings. I normally would have gone with rubber, but the polys were half the price, so I will use them. While under there, I pulled out the cut off pieces that were the original sway bar end links, and installed the new ones I have had waiting. They are all rubber. Then I moved on to the drive shaft. Because of my trans layout, the factory e~brake tube going across the tunnel had to be cut out. This is fine, as the way I use the car I don't need it, and I can leave it in gear when parked. I suppose at a later date I could fashion up a cable to what is left on there to tie it back in.....I left a piece of the pipe about 1/2 long sticking out for just that. I then mounted up the drive shaft and got the bolts cinched down correctly. Then the problematic part of the day, the end links on the steering rack. Well they just didn't want to come off! It is obvious they haven't ever been adjusted, so I got one off and the other is soaking in PB Blaster! I have the end links I got from Z Car Depot ready to go, they are from MOOG. While under the car, I looked up and saw a world of polished piping so I took a pic! :D PICS:

08-25-2026 ATLAS Z UPDATE: I had a few minutes this morning, so I went ahead and prepped my new front brake calipers, by mounting the brake pads in and getting them ready for install. I got the calipers and pads from Z Car Depot.