1974.5 260Z ATLAS build

[A to Z]

Today I began making my own alternator relocation bracket.

 

 

[A to Z]

My valve cover, intake and motor mounts are done. Valve cover and intake are at J&S Polishing now.

[A to Z]

260Z Rust Repair Day.  I had "The Floor Pan Man" from Denver come over and got all the rust cut out and welded up.  In the process of doing that we found damage and THICK Bondo in the rusty area behind the passenger rear wheel.  Through sheer luck the Klassic Fab Vintage JDM patch panel was high.....high enough to remove all the thick bondo, and the rust.  Once removed, we found a vertical welded section that the original body man had made to straighten everything out.  So, Corey was able to cut that open again, and get it all straightened out correctly AND replace the inner panel that was rotted away also.  While he was doing that I tore drivers door window and mechanism out, and replaced it with a refurbished part from Adam Sylvester at Datsun Rescue.  The window had been held up with duct tape for over 10 years, and getting that "goo" off the window frame took quite a long time with steel wool....the glass I was able to use a razor blade to get it 90% done.....more will have to be done later.....but the PITA job I was dreading is now finished.  When the bondo was found, I took my angle grinder and flap wheel and started looking for other areas it might be hiding.....luckily their isn't any.....but the thick paint on the car is in such a condition, that I need to use the flap wheel to remove it all, and then step it out with finer and finer paper to remedy it.  I also put the glaze on the places needed in the engine compartment....doesn't look good.  Why?  Because the Dolphin Glaze I decided to use is "self leveling"....on vertical surfaces it "self levels" it's self down the panels!  Not a biggie, it will sand smooth, but I don't want any more self leveling glaze!  LONG DAY!  Pics.

[A to Z]

I went ahead and snagged the wheels I really wanted for my 260Z. I will make the factory flares work, mod a tad in the rear but I decided instead of making the wheels fit the car, get what I want and then mod the car a tad to make them work. 18X8 0 offset for the front, and 16X9 -15 offset for the rear. Tires will be 205/55R16 in the front, and 225/50R16 in the rear. So, Gunmetal grey ROTA V's.

[A to Z]

11-01-2025. 260Z work. I got the engine compartment sanded down after the glaze and then cleaned up the crossmember and rack with cleaning solution "g@s" and a toothbrush, and then steel wool, etc. Then I vacuumed out the cowl and primed it with rustoleum rust primerand top coated it with gloss black paint, then painted the engine bay with filler primer. Once dry I will use some spot putty I picked up on the areas that need it, hand sand it smooth and filler primer over that. Once it is good, then I will progress to color and then clear. Busy day! Pics:

[FastFloridian]

Looks good, you’re making some fast progress.

[A to Z]

thanks.  God willing I will continue to.  I got very lucky, buying a car looked over due to the rough paint, but clean....rails, doors everything clean no rust.  2 spots int he floors and a couple other spots, that's it.  Still love my 240Z best, but this is a nice home for my ATLAS engine.

[A to Z]

Got the title transferred.  all legit now

 

[A to Z]

11-03-2025- VIN verification day.  Trailered it to the dealer to get the VIN verification done.  You can see some of the work that has been done, as far as rust repair.

[A to Z]

11-04-2025.  I did a little bit of spot putty work this morning, have a few spots a couple thick coats of filler primer then went ahead and painted the engine compartment and cleared it.  Yep, the work isn't very good.......I did what I could.  PICS.

[A to Z]

Today I cleaned up the motor mounts and alternator bracket and gave them a coat of paint.  I also drilled out the holes in the motor mount pads on the crossmember and painted the visible spots.  Lastly the wheels came in....16x8 in the front, 16X9 -15 in the rear.  Tires are 205/55R16 and 225/50R16. have to slot a couple holes ont he alternator bracket still and a couple holes on the motor mounts needs some time with a burr bit but almost ready to drop the engine into the Z.

[jhm]

That's one clean-looking shell....she's coming along nicely!!  👍👍

 

Have you made the upper portion of the radiator core support bolt-in?  Done that with my last couple cars and it makes engine pulls sooooo much easier!  As long as you have a decent front strut tower brace; there's very little stress on that section of the shell, IME.

[A to Z]

On 11/6/2025 at 4:52 PM, jhm said:

That's one clean-looking shell....she's coming along nicely!!  👍👍

 

Have you made the upper portion of the radiator core support bolt-in?  Done that with my last couple cars and it makes engine pulls sooooo much easier!  As long as you have a decent front strut tower brace; there's very little stress on that section of the shell, IME.

THANKS!  Well, that is my intent.  as it is hollow, I will fit a spacer inside for the grade 8 bolt to go through on both sides, so 4 total.  I may have to get inventive as far as a strut tower brace, the 4200 doesn't leave room for that!I I am planning on making a thick aluminum plate that goes across the top of the entire radiator support and have it polished for looks.

[A to Z]

Some of my stuff at Ortiz Aluminum Polish Specialist. Still in the process of being finished:

[jhm]

13 hours ago, A to Z said:

I am planning on making a thick aluminum plate that goes across the top of the entire radiator support and have it polished for looks.

 

Nice.  The strut brace may not be really necessary; it sounds like you'll be making the upper rad core support stronger than original.  👍👍

[A to Z]

11-08-2025.  VERY busy day.  running around trying to finish all the little things keeping me from being able to drop the 4.2 into the Z.  Then I dropped it in.  Feels great to have gotten it done, at least this far.  I also was able to do some old paint removal.....the paint on this car is SO THICK.........anyway, pics.