Joe's 1972 240Z adventure. // 16 JUN 21 - 13 Jul 24 // 3 years 27 days build

[A to Z]

08-06-2023 UPDATE.  CLEANING!  Before cleaning, I re-attached my rear spoiler, and used 3M double sided tape to help the 2 bolts that hold it on.  Then it began.....I washed the car, then washed the engine, then cleaned up and put the interior back in.  Tiring work....PICS

[57GMC]

On 8/6/2023 at 8:47 PM, A to Z said:

08-06-2023 UPDATE.  CLEANING!  Before cleaning, I re-attached my rear spoiler, and used 3M double sided tape to help the 2 bolts that hold it on.  Then it began.....I washed the car, then washed the engine, then cleaned up and put the interior back in.  Tiring work....PICS

Sweet..............

[A to Z]

thanks

[A to Z]

08-12-2023 UPDATE:  Finishing things up, little by little.  My dash cap had a lot of overspray, and wiping with alcohol wasn't doing a thing, so I masked it off, and wiped it a couple times with a clean rag and alcohol, and sprayed it with SEM Landau Back interior paint.  Then I masked and sprayed the console and shift boot as well, as the little white dots were everywhere, including my rear strut covers, so I painted and reinstalled them.  After that I went ahead and drilled out the holes for the 1/4" thick steel plates that go under where my rollbar holes are to help support the rollbar and cinched them down.  I then went ahead and poured some octane boost into the fuel to deal with the 88 octane issue and my high compression engine, and then also went ahead and isntalled a new set of NGK BPR8ES plugs, which are 2 heat ranges colder to help with detonation.  I went ahead and gapped them at .031 which should give me reliable spark.  I capped off the vacuum advance for the engine, as the engine just has too much compression to deal with ANY added timing.  Lastly, I started the install of my Carter fuel pump and filter.  I removed the old pump, and got the new pump about 90% done.  Tomorrow God willing, I will install a one way check valve right after the pump going to the engine.  This will make it so that there is less waiting for the pump to deliver fuel to the carburetors.  Progress is being made, and completion is very near.  Pics

[A to Z]

08-13-2023 UPDATE.  Fuel pump in, odds and ends.  I finished the carter fuel pump install, and she really pushes the fuel!  A lot quiter than the K&N pump i had was.  Then I went ahead and repainted the fuel tank where some white overspray had gotten on there....now it looks so much better from the rear!  After the install, I tried to get her to start...plenty of fuel but no spark....so I will have to look into that I suppose.  I then spent some time ust putting all the little things back together, and tightening things down, etc.  I took a few pics. 

[A to Z]

08-19-2023 UPDATE.  I installed a new coil and a new ballast.  Tried to start, no start.  Disconnected the coil wire and held it to head and cranked....nice big spark....check fuel flow, good fuel flow, so I am wondering if a bad ballast can make a coil go bad, can it make an electric distributor go bad?  I have a spare distributor, I will try that next.  After that I began the process of getting the stainless trim into my windshield weatherstripping.  To get it to fit I had to trim off the wings on both sides, which actually still leaves a bit for the rubber to hold on to on both sides, PLUS I ran a bead of pure silicone clear caulk in their as well.  I ran out of trim, so I had to stop on that for now, and then jumped on the Windshield Wiper motor.  It is a conversion to a modern Honda Wiper Motor.  I bought it on eBay as a kit as it is already converted, and came with a rubber cover over the motor as well as a schematic on how to modify the bracket to work.  So after I took everything out of the cowl and vacuumed it out, I went ahead and modified the bracket and painted it black, then mounted the new wiper motor to it and installed it..  The Arms that connect to it are rusted firm against the ends, so I will have to try PB blaster, heat, or replace them.  I deleted the windshield wiper fluid tank and motor, so this will be set up so if I needed the wiper in an emergency to get home, I could use them....or just leave the wiper blades off until I am forced legally to put them on.  Not sure which way I want to go on that.  My Kameari sticker arrived and it is under the hood as well.  PICS:   

Edited August 20, 2023 by A to Z

[A to Z]

08-20-2023 UPDATE.  Busy day!  I went ahead and started on the engine for a bit....verified I have spark to the dizzy....no spark to the plug....So I swapped out the dizzy and tried again....NOW I have spark to the dizzy.  I went ahead and pulled the plugs again to verify gap at .031 got it all together....still wouldn't start.  I sprayed some starting fluid in the carbs and it started on it !!......so even though I have fuel flow to the carbs, the carbs are plugged somehow  so I will have to figure that out.  So anyway, I went ahead and got my fire extinguisher remounted, and cleaned the windows inside and out.  I sanded down the inner lip on the quarter windows,  then I taped it off and sprayed it gloss black.  The paint in that area was NOT good, so this is a "fix".  Once hardened, I will use some 2000 grit to smooth up the line.  I also went ahead and lubed up my brake and clutch pins on the pedals, and got the pedal stopper in so I can fine tune pedal height.  Small steps forward today.

[A to Z]

08-26-2023 UPDATE.  Carbs and stuff.  I started with taking the carb tops off and the float tops off and the banjo fuel pipe and cleaning out all the filters and blew the jet out, and then reassembled.  Still, no start. Checked my fuel gauge, still beween 1/4 and 1/2 tank....hmmm....   Went back and started palying with the fuel pump and filter.....is the filter clogged?  I went ahead and took it apart, then ran to the parts store and got a new fuel filter, this time a clear one from WIX, and a couple hose clamps.  I must have assembled it every way possible, to include crossing the wires to get the pump to run backwards, nothing.  Then I thought.....MAYBE my fuel gauge is lying to me?......I went down and got a gallon of 91 octane and poured it in....turned on the pump it started filling up, and the car started!  It sure didn't want to...... must have been clearing out excess fuel in the cylinders or smoething, got a pop and a bang and flames out the throat of one SU ....then started idling!  Running REALLY well on one SU, the front one and the back appeared to not be doing anything....yet it was firing on all cylinders....weird.  At any rate, it runs AND my fuel gauge is not to be trusted.  So after that, I took a break from that, and jumped on the windshield wiper project.  The spare set of linkage I bought came in, and I took the cordless drill with wire wheel attachment and got the rust off.  Then I sprayed it down with engine degreaser, and wiped it down with a rag.  Grabbed my Lucas White Lithium grease and greased the joints up and re-insinstalled.  So, now it is all hooked up, and now have to get power back to it.  Hoping it is just a blown fuse, we shall see!    Becasue I have a cowl panel with no vents, the areas will receive no water, the wipers are there for emergencies sake and possible future issues with the car being deemed "legal"...not sure, but the thought came to mind, so I decided to be prudent.   My back carb has a bad leak at the bango fitting, the old crush washers don't want to do their part anymore.....I wonder if that could be the cause for a weak performacne from that rear carb?  Time for some new crush washers and then hopefully synch the carbs, set the timing and voila!  I DID notice that my colder plugs eliminated the pinging!  2 steps colder on the plugs with the gap closed to .031 seems to have done the trick!  The puzzle continues!  Pics:

 

[A to Z]

UPDATE:  All video.  this site doesn't like to load them....below is a link:

 

(1) Facebook

 

(1) Facebook

 

(1) Facebook

Edited September 3, 2023 by A to Z
Jesus is Lord

[A to Z]

09-02-2023 UPDATE:  I installed the AEM "UEGO" wideband air to fuel ratio (A/F) gauge to start off.  I had to do some light sanding to get it into the pod I bought on eBay.......works good.  I then got the car started and drove it to the gas station.....carbs were out of sync, but otherwise great!  I topped it off with 91 and it started leaking out of the fuel sensor hole.  So I drove it home, jacked it up and got a bucket under the leak.  It's always something huh? :)  I went ahead and synched the carbs again and used the UEGO to get the mixture ok at idle.....10-11.0 to 1 at 800-900 rpm, good enough for now.  I then put the air clener and everything back on, and started on the remaining windshield trim.  Got dark and called it a day.  PICS and a link to video's below.

 

Videos: Click "Facebook" link below

 

Facebook

 

(1) Facebook

 

(1) Facebook

 

 

Edited September 3, 2023 by A to Z
Jesus is Lord

[A to Z]

09-03-2023 UPDATE.  I installed the remaining pieces of my windshield trim and have some duct tape holding them tight overnight while the pure silicone caulk dries up.  Then I used gorilla glue, water and clamps to glue on the parts of both doors weatherstripping that has always ben a problem.  Problem solved.   I then started on the building of a plate with 2 switches I have...one will be to turn the Wideband on and off...the other will be there if I need it down the road.  I painted it, and everything was well, then the paint got screwed up, so I will have to unfortunately redo that small piece....then find a good place under the dash ( to the left of the steering column preferrably).   I then decided to go ahead and jump on the fuel rail project.  I cut the hard lines next to the firewall and started putting the rail together.  I put off the piece from the old rail, the return line, that is necked down to a very small orifice to keep the fuel pressure correct....well I cut that off, cleaned it up, and added it to the return line I have for the rail.  My rail is set up so that the feed and return lines will be at the back of the engine to give everything a real clean look.  A piece of the old rail on the front of the head is still in place holding the sprak plug wires until I figure out a good way to tackle that job.  I ordered an NOS fuel tank sensor and arm setup, along with a new spin on retaining ring and a new O ring.  That should cure the leak AND give me a fuel gauge that reads correctly.  The setup I have is way off.  Progress continues.  Pics below. Cheers!  

 

[YoBrother]

Wow, looking great and nice to see you have it running and tuning it.

[A to Z]

thanks.  Its been a long journey. Tired.

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by A to Z
Jesus is Lord

[A to Z]

09-09-2023 UPDATE. Replaced my fuel tank sending unit with an NOS one, as well as a new O ring and lock washer I got from the Z car depot. No way to do this without getting gas everywhere. I had to mop up and put the towels in the sun to dry out, get the gas on the floor evaporated, and go in and wash up and change my T shirt. The gas even left a nice mark on the blacktop outside my garage bay! Anyway, I also went ahead and finished the fuel hose routing for the new fuel rail. Started it up, and went and fill it up to check the gause......Fuel gague works correctly! So that's good. I got some hose and ran the carburetor breather hoses to the air cleaner, and then I also went ahead and finished polishing the hood. It glistens now like the rest. I opened up and inspected my new fuse box from MSA "The Z Store". Looks like a nice piece. Soon, I will install and then see what wires I need to re-run and eliminate the problematic ones. I went ahead and bought some new tailughts, the Euro model ones with the orange lense in the bottom, and new front ones in clear with amber bulbs. I think I will have my tailight surround wrapped in carbon fiber. PICS:

Edited September 10, 2023 by A to Z
Jesus is Lord

[A to Z]

09-10-2023 UPDATE.  Well, it looks like all the mechanical stuff is under control (finally).....other that beautifucation, electrical is what is left.  The new Fuse box I ordered from MSA "The Z Store" arrived, and I took the time to get out my multimeter and record they way it is wired...what goes where, and ensured it is ready to go....no shorts.  I then got it all installed, and began a check of what works and what doesn't.  Most is working, but Some isn't.... so...more reading and figuring it out.  Seems like my rebuilt hazard switch I bought a year or so ago is no good (no hazard lights flashing), and other things that aren't working may be a result of it being bad since apparently a lot of things are wired through it.  I also installed the round switch I got for turning the AEM A/F Ratio gauge on and off.  Works good.  PICS:

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by A to Z

[A to Z]

09-16-2023 UPDATE: Lighting work.  I went ahead and removed the original tailights, looked them over and set them aside and unpacked the new Euro style tailights I bought.  They are made in Taiwan, not China, thankfully.  The tailights didn't come with bulbs, so I took the old ones out, and boy were they corroded (see pic).  This corrosion causes increased resistance in a circuit, pushing voltage down and amps up, which is what burns stuff up on these old Z's....so if you haven't done so, get some fine steel wool and spend an afternoon cleaning up your bulbs and sockets (disconnect battery first)  . Also of note is that the bulbs are the original Toico branded bulbs.  I noticed that although they state these tailights are plug and play, for my car, they are not.  I went ahead and marked each wire as it was colored on the original tailights, then cut off the ends.  I will wire them in myself.  This will be okay as I have to change the wiring a bit anyway, as I don't want the amber to come on with the brakes.  I also went ahead and unpacked my clear front turn signals, which DID come with amber bulbs.  I had to take a rat tail file and slot the rear holes a tad to get them on, otherwise easy work.  Before I installed the tailights, I went ahead and put a bead of pure silicone caulk on the mating surface, and a couple of daylight holes I saw after tightening them down got a bit of caulk as well to keep exhaust fumes out.  I ended up the day installing my 5 remaining round toggle switches into the console cover that fits over the fuse box.  The center one's hole is a tad bit big, I put caulk behind it tonight to dry and tomorrow  I am going to put a thin line of super glue, sprinkle some sand on it, brush it off, and mask and paint the cover with SEM Landau Black paint....once done the little bit that you see in the pic will be gone.  Last pic is closing it all up for the night.  God willing more work on the wiring tomorrow.  PICS: 

[A to Z]

09-17-2023 UPDATE. All about LIGHTING.  Today was about getting everything working.  I only have the horn and wipers left....everything else is working now!  I wired up the tailights, and found that even with a new reverse switch, the backup lights weren't happenin'......so I pulled a wire and put the backup lights on one of my toggle switches! I was finally able to close up the interior in the back and call that completed.  Having installed my new hazard switch, I now have almost everything done.  Hazards will not flash.....I realized the emergency flasher module must be bad.....so now I know what I need! My gauges are all bright from the LED bulbs I put in when the dash was out forever ago.....that darn clock still looks green....I need to go through the glove box and with a small screwdriver push the green filter out of the way....I mentioned about fixing the switch spot on my console with a swipe of caulk and some dirt.....then brush it away....below is a pic of it.   I then took a small paintbrush and sprayed some of my SEM Landau Black into the cap and the carefully painted over the repair.   I then took some time to have a few beers and just look it all over and take some pics......for 2 + years it has been go,go,go....and it was good to relax, look it over and get a new perspective.  The darn thing is really almost done.  It has almost killed me.  I have put so much of "me" into it, I can't imagine ever selling it.  Cheers!  Pics below:

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by A to Z

[jhm]

On 9/17/2023 at 1:02 AM, A to Z said:

Also of note is that the bulbs are the original Toico branded bulbs.

 

Looking good, Joe.  Will you be converting all the exterior lighting bulbs to LED (like you did in the dash)?  I can PM you specific part numbers for each lens, if you'd like.  Although there's a ton of choices out there, I think the Sylvania brand of automotive LED bulbs are some of the best available after chatting with a couple of "industry experts".

[A to Z]

sure!  Thanks!

 

[A to Z]

09-23-2023 UPDATE:  Ok, so I went ahead and cleaned up the tail, sanded, dealt with a tad of rust, and got a fresh coat of paint on there.  Then I installed the Tailight surround pieces that I had vinyl wrapped to look like carbon fiber.  Then I spent time trying to get my wipers to work.  I have the new Honda Wiper conversion, but the wiring isn't working.  I may decide to just re-run the wiring for that.  Small steps!