280Z Restomod Progress

[dmoralesbello]

29 minutes ago, ISPKI said:

Your build is an inspiration to us all. I was wondering if you have seen the fuse blocks made by Blue Sea Systems? Reason I mention it is that I had used a fuse block similar to the one you are using and found that the prongs that hold the large blade fuses tend to loosen over time, especially when they get warm. This ended up causing a severe electrical issue and stranding me several times in my 77 280z a number of years back. I ended up replacing my cheap fuse block with their safety hub block seen here:

 

https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/16/Fuse_Blocks

 

Although expensive (for a fuse block), it is much more attractive and about 100x more secure and air tight.

I can't thank you enough for not only taking the time to compliment my build but also for your fantastic suggestion. I've felt uneasy about the vulnerability to water that my current set up has. I definitely can't drive in the rain and have to take precautions when washing the car. I checked the link you supplied but can't find an obvious replacement box for the maxi fuses. Which unit did you use? Do you have any pics of your set up? I truly appreciate your help. Thank you. 

Dave

[ISPKI]

This is the one that I purchased, I believe it was around 140$:

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/iBEyADFAo1Gsuo6m8

 

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of it in my Z as I have it completely torn down for full restoration. Here is a picture of it in another vehicle. Definitely a bit larger than the maxi fuse blocks, but I fell it is absolutely worth finding the space for it. I can say that with my car completely coated in dust and welding soot and other grit, the inside of the fuse hub is completely dry and spotless.

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/Lzc6ncMfDwFfrZYL7

 

It does not use Maxi fuses. Rather, it uses much higher amperage rated MiDi or AMI fuses plus an array of ATC or ATO fuses. Blue Sea Systems builds oceanic equipment so they tend to prefer MiDi fuses which carry much higher amp ratings (30-200) and are bolted down via stainless steel lugs rather than spring clips. You can see that these are many times superior to Maxi fuses and readily available at most auto parts stores for only a couple dollars. The fuse chamber is sealed with an O ring in the lid. it also stores replacement fuses and the tool to pull ATC fuses inside the chamber as well as a tag so you can write which fuse does what.

[dmoralesbello]

Excellent info. I will go on their site and find the unit that best suits my needs which is basically to substitute the original fusible links with a more current and safe alternative. Thanks again. 

[dmoralesbello]

I've been running my Maxifuse 4 circuit fuse block for a few months (replacement for the old fusible link set up) and all the electricals are working well. My worry has been the fact that the set up is definitely not water resistant (much less water proof) which could be a huge problem if I get caught in rain or simply carelessly wash my car. I like the fact that it's a simple 4 circuit system with readily available fuses so I found a way to put it inside a Husky brand (Home Depot) WATERPROOF 6" small parts box ( measures exactly 6"x6"x2") made of hard clear plastic. It looks like acrylic but I'm not sure. I pulled out all the partitions, opened 4 holes (one in each angled corner) and fit them with rubber grommets for all the input and output cables. Fixed the fuse block inside with rivnuts placed on the bottom of the case (as well as the sound system fuse holder) and attached the set up back again in place of the old fusible link holders. Oh yeah, and I covered up the inverted "husky" logo with a spare 3D printed 280Z logo I had laying around. All the electricals tested well. I will run this for a while to test the durability of the clear plastic but I think it'll fare very well considering the fuse block itself was exposed to the heat of the engine bay for months without issue and this plastic seems very similar to that. I'll report long term findings if any. Pics below.

Edited October 7, 2019 by dmoralesbello

[SleeperZ]

Cool idea!

[dmoralesbello]

I was committed to updating the information pertaining the amp rating for the Maxifuses I used in the fuse block that replaced the fusible links OEM set-up

so here's the update.

I have been running this set-up (pics below) for a couple of months without issues. The consensus was to decrease the amp rating of the fuses used as much as was logically possible to test how well they protected each circuit. I've made a point of driving with as much electrical draw as possible with the AC, headlights, sound system, turn signals when necessary, hazard lights and horn when possible. The only system I haven't used simultaneously is the windshield wipers/washer because I don't take the car out in the rain. 

The circuits have been identified on the decal on the inside of the case cover.

Despite the information on the Atlantic Z page regarding amp ratings for the different color fusible links, my current  (no pun intended) set-up is much lower and, as stated previously, seems to be working well. 

Circuit 1 (ACC): 50 amps,  Circuit 2 (IGN): 30 amps,  Circuit 3 (H.L.) 25 amps,  Circuit 4 (IGN) 20 amps

[Jboogsthethug]

That looks awesome, well made considering it was not the intended application! A lot of awesome little details throughout your thread, you definitely take time for each little thing.

[dmoralesbello]

A fellow member at the Classic Z forum turned me on to these very cool Katakana logos for the Zs. They apparently read "Fairlady Z" but I just really like the look of these instead of the standard "280 Z" logos.

 

[chiefmd]

How much and where can you purchase it?

[dmoralesbello]

They're $50 each plus shipping from DPAN GT. They have their own site but I got them through Ebay. Look for "DPAN GT Fairlady Z Katakana Badge Emblem 240Z 280Z 280ZX 300Z 350Z 370Z JDM S30". 

Edited February 23, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[dmoralesbello]

On 10/9/2018 at 5:43 PM, dmoralesbello said:

Realized that with the new fuse block setup the hood vent right above it will allow water (rain or otherwise) to come into contact with the electricals which are not as water resistant as the old fusible link arrangement. I decided to mirror the shape of the driver side hood vent liner to place under the passenger side vent. I modified it somewhat so that hot air outflow isn't restricted too much but will still prevent water from dripping directly onto the fuse block. So far I've completed the cardboard template. I will transfer that onto sheet metal soon and then paint.

 

I finally got around to finishing this drip tray for the passenger side hood vent. I was fortunate to locate a used driver side drip tray on Ebay and flattened it out, reversed the form and drain slots before prepping and painting to match. The new slot configurations are mirror image of the driver side drip tray and will still allow hot air to exit the engine bay and water to drip away from the fuse block... and still looks "factory" !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[dmoralesbello]

I hope everyone is safe at home in these terrible times.

With  very little else to do I decided to entertain changing the original 42 year old plastic fuel injector plugs and and rubber boots, which were literally disintegrating. I received a set of new plugs and boots from the p.o. with 6" pigtails attached but I didn't want the harness to look altered so I cut down the pigtails to 1.5" and placed the solder points so they would be hidden under the new boots, very close to the plugs themselves. Labeled the harness as well to prevent confusion, cleaned up the male contacts, and polished the screws. I also applied dielectric grease to the female contacts before reassembly. Started and ran the engine and all looks good!

Tip: make sure you label the wire that lies more forward in the plug before cutting them. That way you will make sure to reassemble that wire in the same position in the new plugs. Everything else is very straight forward although time consuming.

BTW, I first tried using the original connectors inside the old plugs (which were in excellent shape) but they didn't fit inside the new plugs. Had it worked I would have saved hours of work and not had to solder anything at all.

Old plugs and boots:

New plugs, boots and refreshed harness without visible solder bulges:

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[Chickenwing]

These boots are nicer than the ones I installed. My old pins didn’t fit either, but the kit came with new pins and crimping was pretty straight forward. Post up your supplier on these!

[dmoralesbello]

I'm sorry to say I don't know the supplier of the boots and plugs I installed. I received these from the previous owner of the car 6 years ago and he had them for a couple of years previous to that so they might not even be available currently. 

Edited June 4, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[dmoralesbello]

I had forgotten to post this great artwork by Tito Gonzalez that I received late last week. I love it.

 

[dmoralesbello]

After installing new fuel injector plugs and boots the number 3 cylinder injector started to act up and wouldn't fire consistently. I was lucky to source a NOS set of Bosch injectors from Motor Man Fuel Injection Parts at a great price so instead of waiting for other 42 year old injectors to eventually fail, I opted to replace all 6 injectors once I lifted the fuel rail. After a minor adjustment to the AFM the engine runs very smoothly and with plenty of power once again.

 

 

[dmoralesbello]

Fuel reserve warning light stopped working a while back so (after confirming continuity of the yellow/blue wire from the sender to the light) I changed the sender and the issue has been resolved. I used a replacement unit from @zcardepot.com which is of excellent quality, has the exact same factory connections and cost $78  (compared to the unit offered by MSA at $200 plus you need to splice in a different connector!!!).

I made a wrench out of 2" PVC pipe to turn the lock ring very easily, which makes the whole job a breeze. With a Dremel, I made 4 slots on the inside edge of one end of a 6" section of straight pipe to coincide with the 4 crests that jut out from the top of the lock ring. A 90 degree elbow at the other end of the pipe makes for easy turning.

I also cleaned up and painted the edges of the access port with bed liner, and replaced the weatherstripping foam on the inside of the cover.

Pics below.

Edited May 30, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[Zetsaz]

I envy how clean your car is. I love the focus on the small details that make it as drivable and practical as it was when new!

 

That's honestly eventually my goal. I'm a lot farther into the modded world, but still a standard L28, and hopefully once it's painted my only goals will be updating hardware and rubbers back to form and making it a car I'd be happy to use any day of the week. 

[dmoralesbello]

On 5/30/2020 at 11:58 PM, Zetsaz said:

I envy how clean your car is. I love the focus on the small details that make it as drivable and practical as it was when new!

 

That's honestly eventually my goal. I'm a lot farther into the modded world, but still a standard L28, and hopefully once it's painted my only goals will be updating hardware and rubbers back to form and making it a car I'd be happy to use any day of the week. 

Good to hear from you again! Thanks for the nice comment. I started doing all the smaller details once the big stuff was done (body and paint, steering, suspension, A/C, etc...) but I feel I'm getting to the finish line with my Z. It's very satisfying to see the car as I imagined it 6 years ago, but at the same time I regret not having additional projects to complete on it. My Z has kept me sane during this darn pandemic and I love it now even more! I'm sure maintenance issues will always come up and that'll keep me busy. I'm also looking forward to some local car shows as soon as "social distancing" rules allow. I hope you continue to enjoy your Z just as much and keep posting pics of your progress. 

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by dmoralesbello

[gerrud]

On 2/23/2020 at 2:10 AM, dmoralesbello said:

A fellow member at the Classic Z forum turned me on to these very cool Katakana logos for the Zs. They apparently read "Fairlady Z" but I just really like the look of these instead of the standard "280 Z" logos.

 

 

Looks cool. It adds character to your car.