A lost cause?

[mythicfour]

Hey guys, posted over in Zcar too;

Not a new Z owner, but definitely new to this level of project. Well aware of the amount of time/money this resto-mod will take and that's fine with me. I'm using it as a learning experience. Car is in essentially scrap state, but I'll do my best to bring her back regardless.

 

Damage is mostly to the tail light/rear panel, floor pans (missing), and kick panels (rusted through). Trunk/spare tire cutout are totally missing as well, although that can just be fabricated from a sheet of 18-gauge. The frame rails/supports actually look solid, but I'll probably replace absolutely everything I can anyways from the suspension up. Budget is whatever I want it to be. Fenders, doors, and rear hatch are also more than likely a total wash; again. They can be replaced pretty easily. My only question now is how bad is the rust inside the roof? Time will tell.

 

Plan for the car right now is to do an L24-Turbo build; however I've never converted one before and only done carb work. Would like some guidance on where to start for a turbo build. (Fuel injection, etc) Although that is a long, LONG way down the road after extensive body work. She is definitely in for an acid dip to find out what's usable and what's not. 

 

Her interior is totally gutted; only thing we have to work with is gauges and half a dash. Rough work ahead indeed, but I am dedicated to saving this one. Only thing I'm really worried about is the electrical, as I'm unfamiliar with everything required for electronic ignition, and EFI setups in Z's. 

 

More money than sense indeed on this one; but again. Going for it anyway. She seems to be a Series III with an 8/72 build date. 

 

Any support or advice is welcome. (Other than "just scrap it")

Edited March 16 by mythicfour

[jhm]

Wow!  Welcome, and kudos to you for taking on this level of project...it will be extremely rewarding to see it coming back to life.  

 

You might want to check out ClassicZCars.com, as well -- they have a very big restoration community there.  As an example, check out this thread to see some really nice custom structural metal work:  https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/61483-240z-fabbing-new-front-rails/.  There are a couple of good vendors for replacement body panels, or you can fabricate your own.

 

https://www.baddogparts.com/store/

https://kfvintagejdm.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DatsunRescue  (Adam Sylvester is a genius at locating those impossible-to-find used parts for very reasonable prices).

 

If you're not hung up on this project being a "restoration" (vs resto-mod), that'll free up all kinds of options for you.  Example:  rather than replacing that half-dash with an expensive, hard-to-find original dash; build your own custom aluminum dash.

 

Looking forward to seeing this beauty come back to life.  Cheers!

[A to Z]

Congrats.

 

The shell appears to need a "strip and dip" if possible.  If not, then you will have to figure out how you will deal with the level of rust you have.

 

KlassicFab Vintage JDM is the place to get replacement sheetmetal

 

Skillard is a great place for things like a custom dash, etc.

 

If you go on Facebook, there are also many pages that are worthwhile.  If you wish I can name them for you.   "S30 life" is a good place to start

 

The engine has the flat top carburetors which is a 1973-1974 thing.  Either the engine with carbs was swapped in or it came that way.  I would think August is a bit early in the 1972 year to see them, but it is what it is.

 

I personally would make sure the title is free and clear before proceeding very far.

 

[mutantZ]

Who are you sending your car for dipping? I've heard some mixed things regarding weeping of it from the seams. Not trying to poo-poo it, i would've done it myself if it weren't so cost prohibitive at the time.

[calZ]

Metalworks in Eugene, OR is the closest place I have found to you and I (Los Angeles) that has full-car capability. I've only seen good reviews from them. I've seen the stories of weeping and paint being ruined just like you, but it's always "a friend told me he knew a guy" and never any firsthand or even secondhand evidence. 

[A to Z]

the car body after acid is put into a vat of neutralizing solution, the car is completely submerged....hence there is no acid left to weep out.  There simply is no other way to get all the rust out.  The water gets into every single crevice there is.  People talk about bare metal between pieces of metal.......it would be there either way.....these cars were built out of raw steel and THEN painted.  The panels were not individually coated and then assembled.  They didn't do it that way.  The only downside to a dip is the amount of work to completely remove EVERYTHING from the shell....and of course the transport to and from.  Some Z  projects are SO rusty, I can't believe anyone wouldn't want to get all the rust off!

[A to Z]

Looking again at the pics.....if you don't want to dip it, no sense in really even trying to restore it.  It needs it so desperately, you should do it, or just find another Z car IMHO.

[Mayolives]

Let that ship sail!  Find another decent body for a few grand and save yourself a ton of time and money. I've seen many "resto plans" dye on the vine after the joy has passed, months and years go by and the person doing it burns out.  Just my ywo cents!!  Good luck.