pshepard327ci Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 hey, i finally am going to try and start fixing some things on my 70' z before i start my swap, here are some pics of my problem areas. i am planning, on purchasing a mig welder and taking a class on how to begin, then hopefully planning on tackling this job by myself. but i do have some friends who know body but would like little help from them. ive read some posts on different replacement frame rails, that appears to be all that is wrong underneath but who knows when i cut out. and that rust is in two front wheel wells, has anyone dealt with a problem in that area and what is easiest way to repair. thanks peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 ... Well... With that much rust, i am sure that the thing is pretty much dead. I would find a new unibody, and then drop the running gear out of one and throw it into the other... If you don't make any changes to the suspension or any of that stuff, you could swap everything in the course of a week or two.(or less).. If you try to fix a bunch of stuff in the process... it can take an indefinite period of time. ask me how i know this Or you can weld in a full tube frame. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 Well... With that much rust' date=' i am sure that the thing is pretty much dead. I would find a new unibody, and then drop the running gear out of one and throw it into the other... [/quote'] Easy with that kind of talk now you'll scare him to death. I've thrown away a 240 but it was an absolute mess. What I see is rust on the inner fender where it goes behind the frame rail. This probably means that the frame rails are questionable as well. It looks to me as if you will need to do the frame rails and fabricate some sub frame connectors to replace the ones that run under the floor. Check out Pete Paraskas web site here for details on this. Take the class and then take your time as you're doing the repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsumner Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 You guys in Cal.are so spoiled, that rust is'nt very bad at all .I live in Minnesota and let me tell you I know rust. Most cars in the midwest dont last 10 years before the road salt has turned them into swiss cheese. That amount of rust can easily be repaired.with the supply of z cars drying up it makes sense to start saving cars like this. Later, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 Sorry... I just figure that with that much damage, it may be cheaper/easier to pick up a less rusted Z shell. But if you can do the repairs... go for it... ( I am dreading my own rust repair....) A little rust repair often leads to ALOT of rust repair . (maybe I'm just a pessimist) Tsumner: To me that rust looks as though it may pose serious structural integrity problems, especially with a high torque engine. plus I really don't like rust... it drives me nuts knowing that my car has cancer. I also own a 68 chevelle malibu with little rust.. and 57 bel air with no trunk because of rust. I may be spoiled by a less moist climate, but rust is still evil... Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobythevan Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 Just make sure you have a lot of patience and proficiencies if you are going to repair the rust yourself. I am doing my own rust repair, but it looks like it may take a couple years, because I just get demoralized everytime I go out and look at it. My car looked just like that and the front and rear of the rocker panels is also rusted out on both sides of the car. My solution to the problem..... I bought another 240 and stuck a turbo engine in it to drive until I finish the first one. The second car pacifies me until I can get the V8 car finished. I would never make it if I didn't have another car to drive once in a while and get me inspired again. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted June 28, 2003 Share Posted June 28, 2003 Haha, you guys are funny. I consider that a 99% rust free Z!! What a great car to start a project on... (ok, so we don't have much choice up here on the wet coast) Air chisel the covers in the front wheel well off, make some new ones, weld them on... As far as the bent up frame rail, air chisel it off and make some sub-frame connectors as suggested if you are planning on putting down some torque! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted June 28, 2003 Share Posted June 28, 2003 Its the rust that you cant see that you should be worried about! So far it doesnt look too bad but once you start taking off the paint and under coating you will more than likely find more, so be prepared for more rust. Have you looked under your carpet at your floor panels yet? I thought those rusted out pretty easy too? Point is.....prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pshepard327ci Posted June 28, 2003 Author Share Posted June 28, 2003 thanks for all the help... yeah ive looked under carpet and looks pretty clean. that orange color doesnt help when 30 years old but looks pretty solid but we shall see... thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted June 28, 2003 Share Posted June 28, 2003 I have seen a Zcar in some magazine, with more than half the front strut towers and frame rails gone after the shop doing the work cut all the metal back to get to good steel again. They eventually did get the car all back together. Your car is in descent shape from the looks of it, but like said, what you can see is only the beginning. Do it right and the areas you cut out will be stronger than what it was from the factory. good luck Chase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-tom Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I have 71 in garage that you can stand where the battery used to be. With your feet on the ground. After my fairlady z is done Im going to learn to weld and paint using it. Your rust doesnt look to bad at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I just started the rust repair on my Z today. Man I know the whole "demoralized" feeling. When a car is 50% rust =). Its scary but think of it this way: You are basically building a car if you do this. How many people can say they've done that? The skills you're going to pick up are pretty damn cool as well. Welding, extensive metal fab, and god knows what else. Once that baby is all done up and on the road I guarantee it'll be the best feeling in the world.... It won't be easy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Man I dont care how much skill or fun it is...Im not fixing a car that is 50% rust! Waayyyyyyyy to much time and money to fix a car that far gone! If I were you I would look for a better car to start with, but thats just me Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I dont think anyone likes the skill or thinks its fun fixing rust. I hate rust and always will. That car is not a loss yet, and it is repairable. I had rust in the same areas that you do pshepard and fixxed it all without a problem, you just have to be willing to do the work thats necessary. My innerfender area didnt have as many holes as yours, but I felt it did need to be cut out and replace it with fresh metal in the exact same area/section as yours. The pans on my Z had been patched before and were in need of replacment, so I did. Floor pans are expected to be rusted out on a 30 year old car, not to say there arent exceptions. Go out to arizona, texas and such areas with dry climates and you'll find a rust free Z, but most of the time you'll have to grit your teeth and fix the problem area. If you find or have a Z with solid framerails and rockers then your doing ok by me. Expect some cut and weld on a classic car that has been exposed to the weather. My friend was selling a 78 280z without any rust except around the door sill, but he wanted $9000.00 for a bone stock, Rust Free Z. If you come across a Z shell for $500.00 with barely any rust, jump on it, but I think what you got there is useable. Just my .02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Doh, I thought you were talking about Pshepards car 80LT1 , you were speaking of ed73s ordeal with only half a car in front of him. Thats a big undertaking to rebuild half a car and I would agree with LT1 on getting another car. SNAFU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Island Son Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Hey Guys. Just my .02 but i'm starting with nothing, literialy frame rails are gone, floors are gone and there's no interior at all, but it's the only Z around these parts and i just can't let the little thing rot away any more, but for me time is not an issue and the work involved is only that time, i'm looking forward to the process, now mind you if it wasn't for this forum i wouldn't even attempt this, but like someone mentioned above, when it's done i'll be able to say that i built that machine myself, and unlike down south i will have the ONLY Z in this part of the country, and although it's a long way off i am sooooooo looking forward to crusin through my local town in my tweaked 280 Z..... No matter how you deside to proceed Bud, best of luck to you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Just my .02 but i'm starting with nothing, literialy frame rails are gone, floors are gone and there's no interior at all Ok Island Son, I think you should think twice about trying to put that kind of car back together. I think your eyes are bigger than your wallet! Repairing rust like you have will cost "mucho dinero!" Just from what you said I'm picturing a car with a few body panels and the rest of it is see threw! Is that what you have? I think you should take a road trip and find a better Z to start with. You will be miles ahead and you will save a lot of money in the long run. Ask anybody on this site what is the most important thing when starting a conversion like this?....."as rust free as possible donor car" will be the answer. I mean if you really want to fix all that go for it but I hope your pocket book is deep cause rust costs! ........thats just my $.02 Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayZee Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 if you wanted to take a road trip to Winnipeg, my buddy has got a complete running driving 75 280z that is in quite good shape overall that he would probable part with for about $1500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 When it comes to project cars, it's like life. It's not the destination, it's the journey. Take your time and learn asmuch as you can along the way, just follow through with your ambitions. I feel all philosophical all of a sudden. If you are willing to tackle a project like this, then I say, best of luck. If you feel confident in your drive and patience to finish something like this then my hat off to you. I personally would love to take on a project like this. It's almost like building a car from scratch9which I've thought long and hard on), but not nearly as complicated. I recall articles in mags and on the web in which I see guys making whole body panels, from a sheet of flat metal. Wasn't there an MGB once being built and posted on the web that was in far worse condition then this mis-neglected Z. I even remember a midget that was being stretched width wise by about 5-6". Now that would be an undertaking! It has been done before and if there is help out there, here is the place to start. I hope you can keep this Z away from the scrap yard. We all know they are getting harder to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Island Son Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 Thx spotfitz, That's kinda the way i'm looking at it, i can only try, and from there we'll see what happens, if nothing else i'll keep her away from the crusher for a year or too longer... But your right "When it comes to project cars, it's like life. It's not the destination, it's the journey." and it's the journey that i'm looking forward to, and the satisfaction when it's done of saying I DID THAT, and if it sucks i can blame it on my buddies...lol no matter what at this point the car was doomed for sure at least now there is an outside chance she may overcome it all...i may at some point pick up one like the one posted so i have something to drive in the meantime and then do it over next, i started my shop this weekend so i had to put the car on hold but that's fine the shop is for the Z....lol We'll see how thing develop from here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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