Racer Z Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 Alright! A chance to vent to someone who cares! Probably! Lost a small socket down in the block while taking my camshaft off and broke head bolt #14 after removing the others by hand. It's my first ever engine rebuild, and it's just going swell. What was meant to be a head gasket change is becoming a complete teardown. Someone just freakin' shoot me. Those things happen even to the most experienced. Instead of being pissed and frustrated, turn it (your view) around into a learning experience. "I learned so much! " is way better than, "I made all these mistakes " We all make mistakes. Some of us learn from our mistakes. I keep on learning. Sometimes I learn the same thing, again and again. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor_280ZX Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 @ Racer Z: You're definitely right, it's like playing music.. it ain't a race or a contest. This engine's getting rebuilt, whether it likes it or not. I did check under the frame for the first time yesterday (didn't feel safe climbing under there until it was lifted properly), and found that it was undercoated, and the bit where the undercoat was worn off showed zero rust. That was a little surprising since it was owned in Michigan for most of its life. So that was a major win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrel Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Not mine, but helped put a 5 spd and 2.8 into a 240. The engine came with a 4 spd. So took the to collar and bearing from the 4 spd and put in the 5 spd. Should have worked right? Could be we didn't bleed the clutch enough, but had no bubbles. I guess we will bleed again, if that doesn't work I guess we will pull the trans. At least the engine starts up and runs smoothly. Except the plug wires are moved over one spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer Z Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share Posted April 14, 2013 Took some loose tires and rims to the tire shop to have them mounted and balanced in preparation for an event in May. In May we're going to Chuckwalla for a two day road race event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omgtofu Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 started my zg flare install today. didnt make it too far before a migrane set in though I painted the engine bay white the other day and removed the sound deadening from the rear the day before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickiewicked240z Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Just picked this up from my friend Juan. He makes these custom aluminum spark plug wire holder and the custom msd wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer Z Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Did the final prep for an upcoming road racing event at Chuckwalla in a few weeks. Changed the oil/filter Lubed the four lube points Checked the under-carriage for loose nuts/bolts Washed it in & out Bled the brake for the purpose of getting fresh fluid into the slave cylinders After that the best thing happened. We sold an engine block and some other stuff. I needed the cash and we needed the space in the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddydonuts Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Did the Toyota S12+8 front brake conversion today...stock rotors, very easy upgrade. 1973 240Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeboyx Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I think I broke my passenger side exterior door handle. Now I can't get in my car through any of the doors. blegh.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I set up a buying appointment to add another 240Z to my corral! Muahahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duragg Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 I'm in heavy upgrade mode still with a road-race event comin up at Inde Motorsports Ranch, Wilcox, AZ. Yesterday: ZX dizzy with MSD-6AL and r100 wires Todays plan; Hawk cermic front and Pfield R4 back and new Hawk bleu juice Coilover springs to 450f and 425r (.8 each corner weight) Need to make sure it will make the trailer approach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zex Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Time to replace that pesky heater core, at least I don't have the center dash installed anymore!! I might even try to plumb in some air flow to the dash vents via the floor pull vents using some spare shop vac hose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 LC-1 Wideband is in the mail. Tossed my thermostat and gaskets on the car. not much on the Z, today, But I did manage put the cab back on the frame to the '69 Ford F100 Ranger I'm putting together. So it wasn't too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Cussed my car out for 2 days now. Came home from a Z gathering Saturday night to find out my brake lights weren't working (for who knows how long). I've been trouble-shooting the past 2 days and managed to get one brake light to work. Turn signals and hazards work though. Reverse lights worked Saturday night and did not work Sunday. I'll figure it out but am most likely going to wire up my tail lights to function like the Euro lights (brake and turn signals separate) to avoid having the brakes run through the combo switch though they'll still have to run through the hazard switch. Those things happen even to the most experienced. Instead of being pissed and frustrated, turn it (your view) around into a learning experience. "I learned so much! " We all make mistakes. Some of us learn from our mistakes. I keep on learning. Sometimes I learn the same thing, again and again. LOL Exactly. I installed my rebuilt engine and transmission into my car one time and saw that I forgot to install the rear main seal while the engine was out. I was even telling myself the day before, all night long, and the morning of the install not to forget the rear main seal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xnke Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Got covered in foam and bondo dust, getting closer to getting the plug made for the new hood bubble/vent for the Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickiewicked240z Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Cussed my car out for 2 days now. Came home from a Z gathering Saturday night to find out my brake lights weren't working (for who knows how long). I've been trouble-shooting the past 2 days and managed to get one brake light to work. Turn signals and hazards work though. Reverse lights worked Saturday night and did not work Sunday. I'll figure it out but am most likely going to wire up my tail lights to function like the Euro lights (brake and turn signals separate) to avoid having the brakes run through the combo switch though they'll still have to run through the hazard switch. Exactly. I installed my rebuilt engine and transmission into my car one time and saw that I forgot to install the rear main seal while the engine was out. I was even telling myself the day before, all night long, and the morning of the install not to forget the rear main seal! I saw your car at the Inland Empire Datsun meet it looks awesome... Good to see more Z's coming to the meet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Removed rear bumper. I noticed the side of the bumper mount area is flat on my '75 280z. Is it unique to '75 - '76 model only??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I saw your car at the Inland Empire Datsun meet it looks awesome... Good to see more Z's coming to the meet. Thanks. I go there periodically, but it was over 5 onths since I was there last I believe. Everytime I want to go something comes up on that Saturday that cannot be post-poned for whatever reason.....or so my wife says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 (edited) My sexy beast is out from hibernation , washed/ waxed/ new tires and ready for fair weather fun, and getting her ready for the East Coast 510/DATSUN meet at Summit Point race track WV in May Edited April 28, 2013 by PLATA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrel Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Brushed the snow off, AGAIN. 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.