HoustonZ Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Let the madness begin... 3 months ago I found out that a good friend of mine in Dallas was selling a 280z. I didn't think too much of it at the time because I had my heart set on a RX7 (don't flame:twisted:). However after a visit in person, I was absolutely sold on the Z. 2 months go by as we work out the details of payment and transportation. Eventually we decide that I'll fly up and we'll tow it back. This is due to the fact that I'm 17 and do not have my license..... So I finally get it back to Houston, along with the TRUCKLOAD of spare parts that he had for it. There is literally a whole new butterscotch interior, along with seconds for an incredible number of engine parts. Who needs 3 complete extra sets of gauges, or 4 steering wheels? Anyway, I managed to stuff all that stuff into one side of my parents garage. Once I actually get the Z in the garage it was time to strip it down. The dash was the first thing to be removed. It had some massive cracks in it, as most of them do. The goal this week is to get it fiberglassed and repainted. Any tips on what I should use for paint?http://forums.hybridz.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=1123&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1155866120 The engine itself is in good running order except for a few minor details. The intake manifold seal needs replacing. Since I've never taken apart an engine before, this will be an adventure. I've been studying the manual and asking Tom, the previous owner, lots of questions. Any advice from you guys before I attempt this? More to come soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 cool! you have a PM. Good luck and welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zV8 Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 if you fiberglass it, u can bondo over it and use whatever paint you want, or you can get special paint for fiberglass i think. just hit up your local paint store and tell them what your doing. how much did u buy it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 2 grand, inlcluding all the spare parts and the transportation to Houston from Dallas. I even got a spare hood and hatch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Any advice from you guys before I attempt this?quote] Based on the details on one of the photos I'd strongly suggest you wear shoes so you don't hurt yourself when you accidently drop some heavy parts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 Hehehehe. I promise I will before I take apart the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnutthehutt Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Buy a couple books on Zs. This one is good. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931128022/sr=1-1/qid=1155925497/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-2096022-3176616?ie=UTF8&s=books So is this one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1931128049/sr=1-2/qid=1155925497/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-2096022-3176616?ie=UTF8&s=books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Did you really like that "How to Restore Your Datsun" book? I have it, but don't know why I paid someone money for stating the obvious. There is really no useful information in that book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 After 4 hours of sanding, reapplying, sanding, reapplying, I've almost finished the dash. It's coming out very nicely. Hopefully the whole repair will be seamless by the time I'm done with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 19, 2006 Author Share Posted August 19, 2006 I'm halfway through the process of replacing the intake/exhaust manifold seal. In the process I've found that my PCV tubing on the bottom side is bad. Where would I find a replacement for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 Well this would explain something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I'm halfway through the process of replacing the intake/exhaust manifold seal. In the process I've found that my PCV tubing on the bottom side is bad. Where would I find a replacement for this? One good source for parts is http://blackdragonauto.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 you should have seen mine! about 4 exhaust leaks!!! When I pulled my carbs and header it came off in several pieces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 21, 2006 Author Share Posted August 21, 2006 If taking those bolts off was hard, getting them back on is 2x more difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnutthehutt Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Did you really like that "How to Restore Your Datsun" book? I have it' date=' but don't know why I paid someone money for stating the obvious. There is really no useful information in that book.[/quote'] Actually, it came with the car. I didn't know anything about Datsuns when I bought my 280 so it was helpful at first on a few things. Mostly now I just use it for the pictures. When I can't seem to get my head around something, like under the dash I grab the book and see what it's supposed to look like. If it still doesn't work, I come on HZ and search for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 Good news, it actually cranked back up! The seal made a world of difference, the old one must have been leaking everywhere. On to the carpet and painting the dashboard! I've got it in my mind that a bedliner would look decent on the dash. I've seen some pics of blueovalz's homeade dash coated in Autozone bedliner and it looked great. What I'm uncertain about is how it will look on the bondo'd stocker. There really are too many imperfections for a flat black paint, but the thicker consistency of the bedliner should solve that nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Did you really like that "How to Restore Your Datsun" book? I have it' date=' but don't know why I paid someone money for stating the obvious. There is really no useful information in that book.[/quote'] I really enjoyed the book and thought it was good for restoration purposes. also, I found he had some good hints in there. All in all I thought I had my money's worth. I suppose it's from where a person is coming from in his/her build/restoration experience. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 24, 2006 Author Share Posted August 24, 2006 How much smoking is normal after a manifold seal replacement? I got home from work today and ran it for about 5 minutes. I know I spilled some coolant while replacing the thermostat housing gasket, but that should burn off quickly. There is no smoke from the engine compartment, but there is a lot coming from the exhaust. It is grey to almost white, with a faint smell of toasted coolant. What I can't figure out is why it keeps coming from the tailpipe, how is it getting there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 24, 2006 Author Share Posted August 24, 2006 After some panic about head gaskets, I got Tom on the phone. 5 minutes later we had it fixed. Turns out the cold start valve died, shooting coolant in the intake. No more smoke, and a nicely running engine. Seems like a successful night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonZ Posted August 26, 2006 Author Share Posted August 26, 2006 Got the rear cargo area done today. I'm very happy with the way it came out. The panel is hinged in the middle for easy removal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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