DC_Mike Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 (edited) Welp here we go down the rabbit hole! So I purchased this bright yellow 1971 240Z, sight unseen (yeah I know) from a Copart auction, hoping for the best but prepping for the worst. The plan was to take it all the way down to the shell, do any body repair required and like a phoenix from the ashes, bring something special out of it. So I had a 331 with aluminum heads and Edelbrock intake setup for EFI I had built out from a previous project (Locost 7 that never came to be) that is still wrapped in plastic and waiting a home. I want to put a full Apex Engineered suspension in it, as some other neat features as we go along, but first thing first, we have to get it apart. From when I rolled her off the truck I could already see the rusted floor pans, the aircraft turbo charger someone mated to the SU carb, the hugh speak box in the back and the yellow. .. .everywhere. The trunk was rusted shut and so I have my work set out for me. Finally got the trunk open after a day or two and the expected hatch sill damage was there, in addition to a good port of the hatch itself being rusted away Edited August 15, 2019 by DC_Mike Images not working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 Oh god, you bought that one. Best of luck lol. On the bright side, you can only improve it. Should be sick when it's all done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 LMAO, yeah it was definitely an impulse buy. Probably paid more than I should have, BUT it is what it is now, time to bring it back to life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 Going to build a rotisserie? Makes fixing rust on the floor so much easier. If you haven't already seen it, 74_5.0L_Z's car is pretty amazing. I think he's now running a 331 or similar stroker. Bad ass car from front to back. Good for inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1969honda Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) No pictures of the spectacular aircraft turbo setup? Build yourself a rotisserie, while your at it go down the local big rig shop and grab an old air brake S-camshafts and a cheap manual slack adjusters ($10-15). Grab a bushing kit, ~$30 and will come with enough bushings to do two cams, a new tub DOM tube sized for the bushings (can't remember measurement off hand) and then weld whatever attachement plate you desire to the cutoff S-cam and you're set with 22:1 gearing that locks in any position you desire. I got the idea from some engine stands I've seen done this way, I currently have two modified harbor freight stands that I'm waiting to setup once the wife's Yukon is all put back together. (first picture is mine, second was shamelessly stolen from a google search) Edited August 16, 2019 by 1969honda added picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) So I'm really going back and forth about putting it on a rotisserie and doing it all myself (I have basic welding ability and own a TOG, MIG , and Plasma cutter) and sending over to a body shop to have them do the sheetmetal work. Right now I'm probably look at new floors, rockers, and rear deck sill (and the hard to find part underneath it). Have a lead on a used rotisserie local that I could pick up. Any advice one way or the other? I'm gather all the books, YouTube videos, and forum posts I can on rust repair and sheetmetal fabrication, but haven't actually DONE any yet, lol. Edited August 19, 2019 by DC_Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 DIY, start on the bottom or around the spare tire well where nobody will see it. I can't imagine what it would cost to have all that work done at a shop. Thousands for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Yeah it would get really expensive really quick, especially since most shops around here (good ones at least) charge around $130/hr labor for sheet metal work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) So I might be able to pick up a commercial rotisserie for cheaper than normal, 2 questions: 1) This car looks like someone rolled the rear bumper so there are no brackets, should I be able to grind that down to get to the original mounting holes? 2) If there generic mounting hardware or do I likely need to fab something up myself? @1969honda that's a solid idea with the adjuster and s-camshaft, i might have to look into that further. Thanks. Edited August 19, 2019 by DC_Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 1 hour ago, DC_Mike said: 1) This car looks like someone rolled the rear bumper so there are no brackets, should I be able to grind that down to get to the original mounting holes? Taking a look behind the panel to see if it looks like it's been cut up, or just bondo'd over should give you an idea of what will need doing to mount up the bumpers again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 SO pulled out more some panels and trim and found this!! Concerned this is a more than repairable section since it is part of the main support, any comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 Looks like it rotted from the inside of the panel, meaning that's only the tip of the iceberg. I'd do a full inspection of the entire car, but I think there's a good chance you'll be sending that shell to the scrap yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 @rturbo 930 yeah I'm going to finish tearing it down, and maybe use this as practive doing patch panel work in other areas. Then depending what else I find maybe I have just pay a professional to fix the roof and supports, cause it definitely expends over to the A Pillar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted September 11, 2019 Author Share Posted September 11, 2019 Alright, so we're going to try this again. Utilizing the rusted roof car as a parts car now I was able to find a early 260 that I'm going to use as my project base. It is in WAY better shape as some did a attempt a repairing the floors and there are just a few small rust spots here and there that are repairable. So 240 V8 build take 2. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLave Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 I think that is the right call. Going to save you so much time and money in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 Yup, good move. That car wasn't worth fixing, if it was even fixable by a non-professional. I have a car in far better shape than that one, and I expect I'll cut it up eventually. The new shell looks much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC_Mike Posted September 11, 2019 Author Share Posted September 11, 2019 Yeah dont get me wrong this one has a few spots that need repair. I'll need to do a little metal replacement, but it much better than the old one. And just as I say this the car cover gets blown off and it gets rained on, lol. Looks like I got some drying to do tomorrow, sigh. The floor was horribly lap welded back together so I'm thinking I'm going to replace that, I'll get some interior pictures soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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