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  • 2 weeks later...

Took the Z out for a drive this morning. The car was feeling great and fast! Took it on some windy back roads and started hearing a lot of clunking from the back. Pulled over and checked the axels because I’m paranoid they are gonna break and they were fine. Then checked the wheels and all the lugs on the driver rear were finger loose... kinda scary. I think we just forgot to tighten them at one point. Got all the lugs torqued to 65 lb/ft and no more clunking 😬 Lessons learned. 

 

took the opportunity to get some pics though!

5CFBF48A-FD25-42B4-AC79-1FA8DE818AB2.jpeg.5042161f299c164c7196272307fd832c.jpeg70322191-9609-4F38-BDA2-8922D4846F26.jpeg.a9bcaa24bbc02cb6340bf91fbb5a7417.jpeg028F8001-417A-45BB-BA12-6727452A27E6.jpeg.84cb103119ebbaa552bebbef1ec9df7f.jpeg

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Spent about 2.5 hours on the side of the interstate today because the engine died out of no where and wouldn't start again. Turned out to be a blown ECU fuse because the wire from the Datsun key that tells the computer to turn on had a bad short somewhere. Couldn't find the short so just ran a new temporary wire to get home. Time to spend 1-2 days redoing the engine harnesses, 1 GM harness for the engine and 1 harness with Datsun stuff. Going to take both harnesses out completely, wrap everything nicely, and use some new weather pack connectors instead of the old Datsun plugs. The original Z harness that runs in the engine bay and has the wire that shorted out was not restored well so this needed to be done anyway. The idea has been to drive the car around as much as possible near by so that we can find and fix these issues :) 

 

 

Edit:

The short wasn’t from the Datsun key which now that I think about it wouldn’t make sense because that’s before the fuse. It was actually from the skip shift solenoid wires melting on the exhaust.

Edited by Whitley_280z_2+2
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1 hour ago, Exposed said:

@Whitley_280z_2+2 great build thread, what weather pack connectors were you planning on using? Im in the process of redoing the electrical in the Z and was planning on using Deutsch connectors. They're a bit pricey though.

Yeah connectors are surprisingly expensive especially Milspec. I wanted to use Delphi stuff but couldn't find any kits with a lot of larger connectors at a reasonable price. I ordered these on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L9XNFGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

 

They're a brand I've never heard of but people in the reviews say they are actually Deutsch so I thought it was worth a try. I can update once they arrive if you're interested.

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Spending some much needed time improving the engine wiring. We had left in all the wires we weren’t using from the LS1 harness and it was time to do it right by depinning the unused stuff from the ECU and removing the unused power wires. 

Before:

5974C646-AD21-4AED-A758-63178F53291D.jpeg.e4933add46b4c28e83064edb605e2447.jpeg
 

After:

4766FE1C-C5E4-45C4-AE5B-03D8340D4047.jpeg.a9b5c9dae37a4cdeb057db6583fc4285.jpegDBDE7571-40DA-4A5F-948C-F96C4D895837.jpeg.a8feef2c06337228d937708cfc9ec87e.jpeg

 

This is what we got rid of... all about weight reduction when you have a 2+2 lol. 
47A27C34-580A-48AF-B88F-A224E81DD074.jpeg.047dbc38c5c73c48557c0c802f53e64b.jpeg

 

 

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I replaced the three main wiring connectors in the passenger footwell with Deutsch weatherpack connectors. The original Z wiring connectors were very sketchy and led to things like lights and blinkers working sporadically. The new connectors fixed those issues. The connectors were not to bad to work with and the only hard part was trying to do all this with the harnesses still in the car.
E79207AB-CF82-42F8-9A39-1799243CF328.jpeg.39ed883ec7906b10e4d7519d9895aa4d.jpeg45BEE6F1-6E96-47EE-90C7-D47BCFB42B59.jpeg.98abc5f3beb6c2ec2a070f425c3dfb04.jpeg

 

After doing all this wiring the engine ran poorly and then eventually got to where it would completely stall/quit on startup. It gave a bad MAF code so replaced that with a nicer unit and all is well. I never know whether this stuff is coincidence or not. 

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12 hours ago, NCchris said:

Nice build! Excellent documentation! I like the look of a 2+2 with a shaved rear. Gonna keep that or add the 240 bumper?

Where are you in NC? I'm in Asheboro.

Chris


Thanks! Yeah the rear will probably stay the same but might add some tow hooks or something where some bolt holes are. I’m in Raleigh/Wake Forest area. I couldn’t find any pictures of your project...do you currently own a Z? 
 

 

Took the car for a quick spin today for the first time since putting in the new MAF sensor and it is noticeably smoother and faster! I guess the stories about cheap aftermarket parts being junk are true :) Hoping to get some drive by shots soon. 

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Why yes, I do own a Z, 74 260 still on rotisserie. Has been an on and off project for several years. During this time I had a 280Z and a 300ZX. Sold both. Loved the 300ZX! Since I am furloughed from work, I have been almost full time on the Z.

Enjoy your build, nice car!

Chris

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22 hours ago, NCchris said:

Why yes, I do own a Z, 74 260 still on rotisserie. Has been an on and off project for several years. During this time I had a 280Z and a 300ZX. Sold both. Loved the 300ZX! Since I am furloughed from work, I have been almost full time on the Z.

Enjoy your build, nice car!

Chris

Nice! Yeah this is a great time to work on cars.

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Found a driveshaft bolt in the driveway yesterday so that needed work. After further inspection, all the driveshaft bolts were loose. The bolts were a little short and had no lock tight. So, we replaced all the driveshaft bolts with these that have a shoulder and nylock nuts. 
 

9569D257-DC8B-4C41-956A-7EC3798E549E.jpeg.8fdb1babac2f49fe796e71a6e9c0b56a.jpeg

 

The high beam switch on the turn signal lever has always been broken so we decided to install a button on the dash in its place. Took the dash out to put in a button that does the same thing. Forgot how complicated things were under the dash. 
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Added a Deutsch connector to all the AC wires to make it cleaner.

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Also finally got an inner shift boot in, which should help a lot with noise and heat.

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Edited by Whitley_280z_2+2
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1 hour ago, NewZed said:

Don't know if you meant propeller shaft or halfshaft (drive shaft), but you can still get the "D" bolts for the propeller shaft, apparently.

 

http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun/Z-1969-1978/power-train/propeller-shaft/2

 

https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts/nissan-bolt~01111-00051.html

 I meant propellor shaft I guess... the one that goes from the transmission to the diff lol. I have a JCI driveshaft/propellor for the LS swap and the flange on it is way to thick for the original bolts otherwise I would definitely still use them. Thanks for the help anyways though! 

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Did some fun stuff today. First, took a shot at a DIY alignment using the string method to get a total of 1/8 inch toe in. I know it’s not the most precise but the car tracks straight so we will just have to see how the tires wear in. 
C6DE3876-B2FE-4A35-9074-2CD8FB3555BB.jpeg.7b1d51f3d8c35f534b369afc5ed402e7.jpeg

 

Gave it the first wash!

4280DEE5-3416-4DCB-9FC4-006E4A67D398.jpeg.252961616f6088afb01453527c66792c.jpeg
 

And went for a drive: 

 

Edited by Whitley_280z_2+2
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Game over... misfire and the dreaded P0300 random/multiple misfire code. Plugged in the intake air temperature for the first time (forgot to do that earlier because the engine only just today threw that code) and thought that would clear up the issue but nope.
 

Time for some serious troubleshooting. Already has all new plugs, plug wires, MAF, O2s so I’m thinking coil, injector, or burnt wire. 

Edited by Whitley_280z_2+2
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Hi, 

I kinda figured you were in the Wake area from the pic of the missionary baptist church and one way lane test track video. Awesome build and good to have more zed fanatics in NC!!

I haven't logged on for a while, but read you build and had to say 'hi & kudos'.

I own a 73 240z. Finally running/driving, currently tuning. I reside in Wake area, but temporally at Troy NC (also car).

 

 

 

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6 hours ago, Datz44 said:

Hi, 

I kinda figured you were in the Wake area from the pic of the missionary baptist church and one way lane test track video. Awesome build and good to have more zed fanatics in NC!!

I haven't logged on for a while, but read you build and had to say 'hi & kudos'.

I own a 73 240z. Finally running/driving, currently tuning. I reside in Wake area, but temporally at Troy NC (also car).

 

 

 


Hey neat! Will try to have the car at a Triangle Z car club meet soon seems like that’s the most active group nearby. Would be neat to see your car. It’s crazy you know that Church... the road that turns off there I think it’s called Rock Spring Church Road is really fun to drive ; ). Thanks for commenting!

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