Dudeboy

I could not decide between the sawzall, dremel or 4.5 inch angle grinder. So, looking at how the front stock mounting location can be removed I picked up a couple of 4.5 inch metal cutting blades for the angle grinder at Home Depot. There 2 different kinds and I bought two of each $1.88 and $2.67. I have photos coming of parts and before/after photos. Over the next couple of days I need to go over my plan for reinforcing the floor.

Crayz, I am re-doing my seat location and mounting this week in my 77 280. First, I have Corbeau Forza seat and corbeau universal 2.5 inch sliders. I plan on cutting the front stock seat mount out weld in some metal to reinforce the floor and attach seats to floor. There is longer story behind my seat problems, but plan it out and measure before you cut. I am 6 ft. and have a roll-bar now, and my 1st plan of attack is remove the front stock mount. What model seats are they? Also, John pose another concern of mine, what route is safer to reinforce floor for bolting the seats ?

One more thing, Corbeau provides instructions that states fabrication may be needed. It is not difficult, just tedious and planning is essential-- you want to be comfortable. A quick scan of the gallery and the 240 and 260 has the front mount bar and two brackets on the rear floor.

Good morning, I have personally and guys I know have dealt with Corbeau seats for awhile. I have never seen a seat slider bracket for the late? 1977-1978 Datsun Z. I have Forza fixed backed seats I purchase about 5-6 years ago, and I discovered this issue dealing with the vendor. We know are cars better than they do, and the bracket that was specified for my application (1977) was not a simple bolt on. I modified the bracket to bolt into the stock front mount, but I was never happy with the seat height. I am re-installing the seats, I purchase the 2.5 inch universal bracket and I will be removing the stock mount hump. Additionally, I will weld in some tabs on the floor plan to bolt the seats down to the floor. If you have take into consideration your height, a roll-bar if you have one and what universal slider to go with. Your height options are flush, 2.5 inches and think the next was 3-5 inches adjustable. You have to decide if you want to remove the front hump as well. Measure and take everything into consideration before your start cutting away. Do the 240, 260 and early 280's have the front mount hump?

Thank you to everyone. I am being a bit selfish and just heading to the garage to get things done. Will be buying tires, batteries and start on flares..I watch a car show, and a recurring theme that is not part of the show is that the guys restoring cars pass away before they can finish them. I have found motivation.

Good evening, Michael it is lack of time only, I can see my weekends drifting away. What's happening Mike ! I had a pattern of 7-9 hour days on the weekend working on the Z, but I had not considered to just go to garage do what I can as time permits. Also, the few shops that do decent hot-rod work are busy. There is a good chance my car would be sitting in a shop's garage and I am not going down that path. Ironically, I cancelled participation in a conference this weekend, and I will be working on the Z !

It has been a while since I posted, but I log in just see what is going on the Z world. But, I am at a crossroads with my 6-7 year Z project. I am debating having a hot-rod shop finish the Z, and do a once over and trouble shoot anything that comes up on the first start up and drive. Additionally, to have the bodywork competed and painted. The background information; I just completed my MBA graduate coursework, in 3 weeks I will be starting Six Sigma certification classes, career change, teenagers with extracurricular activities and my counseling/mentoring activities – I am just not finding the time !!! I tell myself I will get to this or that on the Z this weekend, but the weekend come and go and nothing is done. So, what remains: Buy battery and tires, install seats, zg flares, add transmission fluid, coolant, tighten every nut and bolt, trouble shoot any electric gremlins and bodywork/paint. It is small stuff, but stuff I have not got to!! Most quit and sale the project at this point, but selling the Z is not option. Too much knuckle blood, sweat and dreams of the first drive is why I will never sale it. What would you do?

The Jags That Run touch on retrofitting the stock shifter into G.M. Automatics. Someone with the manual within reach can specify if the 4L60E was one of the transmission. But, I went with a B & M Quicksilver and it was a very easy install.

Good evening all, It is good to see guys completing cars, new projects being started and a few making changes. I am still at it, at a snails pace, but squeeze garage time as the schedule permits. But, I have installed the Silvermine brakes, Wolfcreek CV axles, brakes are bled and carpet back in. Next, add anti-freeze, re-test electric, buy battery and tires and install ZG flares. When I get close to installing the ZG flares, any Hybridz Georgians who have installed them, please come on out to Hiram and give me some instruction. I have a small MIg welder and the supplies to get it done, and I will pick up some seam sealer and body shop supplies. Food, beverages and pay for your gas !!!!

It has been done. Look up member Corzette. Go here: If you have the resources go for it. I am doing LS swap ( TRYING TO FINISH !!!!) If I had the time and MONEY a stroked 383 with downdraft webers or mikuni carbs would have been my preferred engine. They now have TBI for LS engines I think Corzette bought the car with 396 already in it .

Congratulations !!!! I will be calling !!!!

RB240zDET, I really need some more eyes and and some extra hands to make sure I am not missing something. I want to invite any of local guys out to Hiram as soon as I get my school schedule and I can BBQ and plan something out. destruck, Thanks --By the way, I am from San Diego !!! Spring Valley-Mount Miguel Matador !!! I did not realize it when I started that it would take so long --I am keeping in mind this is a hobby, and one of those things middle age man do as part of the bucket life. I got all the rear studs in, and confusion on my part as far as the disc brakes and Edan at Silvermine Motors got me straightened out. So, I will have a discussion with the wife and kids see if I can work on the car after work this week. I couple guys on the forum posted the ARP 7708 12-1.50 wheel studs as option for longer studs and I purchased some. Tools for stud install- 1. 2 ft x 1 inch steel pipe, 19 mm deep socket, pack of steel washers (12 so you can stack them) , I bought 4 -12 x1.50 RH wheel nuts from Autozone, anti-sieze for the studs, liquid wrench- Breaker bar and/or ratchet both will slide into the pipe for more leverage and a crowbar to keep the stub from turning. If you have the stubs axles out and access to a press it would be easier, but if you do not I talk to a mechanic buddy of mine and he has a stud spacer bearing that works like the washers and saves labor time and an expensive repair bill for replacing broken wheel studs.

I have been on this forum 8 years and "working" on the Z swap for about 6 years. As I am getting close to finishing, I am taking on another challenge in three weeks --Grad school for the next year and a half. So, outside of work, family time, and working out I am trying to squeeze in any garage time and working on the Z that I can. After a day with my wife and kids, I figured I swing by my dad's garage install my rear wheel studs and install the rear brakes I purchased from Edan at Silvermine Motors. I made an assumption about the disc size !! BRAIN FART !! assume front were rears and rears were front !!! I called Edan and sent him e-mail and he emailed and called me back today. I feel like a complete idiot !!! I do not hoot and holler when I buy stuff for the Z and run into a issue, I just call or email customer service. Working on this car I have learned a lot, and patience has been important, but more than that recognizing great customer service. Edan called today and did not have to, so if any you are upgrading your brakes and/or need any of the products Edan--Silvermine provides, he gets an A+ for customer service.

Wow !!! It is going on 6 years !! I am still at it. I installed Wolf Creek CV Axles last weekend, and this weekend I will install Ethan's Silvermine Stage 3 & 4 Rear Disc conversion and front brakes, new front bearings and ARP Longer Wheel studs. I will post pictures this weekend. Next on the menu is ordering tires and mounting rims, put them on the car, so I can measure we're to cut so i can install the Wider ZG Flares. Getting closer !!!!

VenomousType, I need to talk to you and the guys at garagezero. I may want you guys to finish my Z, -between school, work, family and working on the house can not find time !!! I will be contacting your shop.

I have been impressed with your dedication and getting it done. I have never stripped a car down to metal ( and some rust !!) and start all over, but I know how to work on anything mechanical, so I said what the hell --I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I do not know about you, but when I talked to the guys in the neighborhood and the co-workers, they think swapping a another engine into a Datsun is the coolest thing ever. You are doing a great job, so I will be asking you questions about the brake stuff, so be ready !!!

Like you, the wiring part worried me but, I jumped right in and re-wired the my whole car. I bought books on wiring a hot-rod and research all over the net. For me learning how relays work was the big picture, and then how do they work with a LS PCM and electric fans. Check this out on relays http://www.alanhorvath.com/54chevy/understanding_relays.php, and also go to the Painless wiring web page, and in the product manuals they have diagrams for the relays they sell. Also, go to hotrodlane.cc, and they also have some fan diagrams on there LS1 Tech install page. Do you have a wiring diagram from the wait4meperformance modified harness ? also will you have air conditioning ? I do not have air conditioning so my Taurus fan is wired for low speed and my car IF I EVER GET IT ON THE RODE ! will be a weekend car show cruiser, maybe a few runs at the drag strip. I hope this helps.

The Factory Five warehouse is located in a quiet industrial area, but I was excited to finally get there and go for a tour. If I did not have the Z, the Daytona 65 Coupe would be on the list, but the wife has gave me the OK to build or buy a Cobra kit next year. But, I have to finish the Z first. I will be reading your build on this project, you are going to enjoy the finish product.

By the way I am from San Diego, Ca -to be exact Spring Valley.

The Factory Five warehouse is located in a quiet industrial area, but I was excited to finally get there and go for a tour. If I did not have the Z, the Daytona 65 Coupe would be on the list, but the wife has gave me the OK to build or buy a Cobra kit next year. But, I have to finish the Z first. I will be reading your build on this project, you are going to enjoy the finish product.

Congratulations, !!!! But, I was close!!!! I was taking a tour when they were getting your order together

If we are CORRECT Put, your build thread in members other projects. Building one of these is on my Bucket list.