JSM Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I'm thinking about tackling my wrecked 73 240z. Both frame rails are bent and possibly the entire body is tweeked a little, I haven't confirmed this yet. I'm ruling out doing a tube front end for now. I may be able to get my hands on an early 74 w/ a good front clip. How would I go about grafting the two cars together? Will it be straight? (I know dependent on my skills) Is it worth the effort? (I'm hoping to get the 74 for $75.00) Where would I make the cuts to ensure it will be strong? Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Might be wise to take your car to a frame shop and see just how bad the damage is! Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Yes, its possible the frame shop can straighten what you have now, I'd look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palosfv3 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Not a job for the inexpierienced with welding and frame repair. It really doesnt make much sense to repair if you have a good donor shell. If you really need to know go to www.i-car.com site and search for unibody sectioning. It should list general info that is applicable to most cars. Front body sectioning is a non recommended repair procedure as far as todays manufacturors go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 No good donor shell. To much rust in too many other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 As I recall, your windshield broke, which usually means your windshield frame is out of shape, which, to me, means your car is not fixable. Personally, I'd strip it, keep what's good, junk what's not, and just get another shell. It'll be less time and money in the long run, and probably drive better too. I've never heard of a wrecked car driving the same as it did beforehand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jknc90 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 If its the silver one in your sig pic, it'll probably just buff out. But seriously, I agree with rtubo 930, starting with a clean shell would probably be cheaper and end with better results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240z!!! Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 you could go with a tube chassis which is the best way to go about doing something like that.....which you've already opted out....other than that its either send it to the frame shop or try your luck....just make sure you put reinforcement bars everywhere so the car don't crinkle up like an accordion if you ever wreck it again...or go with a donor car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hi Jeff, I have to disagree with most on this subject. The z car unibody is a very simple disign and can be hacked and modified with great success. I rebuilt the entire front frame on my 240 with 3" .120 square tubing, not because I had to but because I wanted the extra safety and stiffness with a 7mgte turbo going in. It has made a huge improvement in the way the car feels. If you have a welder,chop saw and hand grinder you can fix that car yourself. You have another z car to take measurments from to know what your starting with. I think you can do it with the help of some people on this site. Good luck Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I have seen a Z, that was, well, two Zs welded together, the seam was iirc in the middle right under the seats, or maybe it was in front of the seats... It was on a friends Z and it seamed strong enough, not something I would want to do though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 Thanks guys. Maybe I'll mess with it to improve on my welding skills then. Appreciate all the feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palosfv3 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hi Jeff, I have to disagree with most on this subject. The z car unibody is a very simple disign and can be hacked and modified with great success. I rebuilt the entire front frame on my 240 with 3" .120 square tubing, not because I had to but because I wanted the extra safety and stiffness with a 7mgte turbo going in. It has made a huge improvement in the way the car feels. If you have a welder,chop saw and hand grinder you can fix that car yourself. You have another z car to take measurments from to know what your starting with. I think you can do it with the help of some people on this site. Good luck Karl Doing a front or rear clip on an old unibody design such as an S30 has been done many times over the years . What is important to get right is the type of cuts through the windshield pillars and making sure that the inner rocker reinforcement is cut in the correct location and welded correctly. The floor pan cut should not be in line with the inner rocker or outer rocker cuts . Making cuts in a straight line through a pillar or rocker puts the load straight through the weld joint. Windshield pillars should use an offset lap joint. Rocker and floor pan cut should also be staggered. I thought the info would still be on the I-car site but a search showed they removed this information as it is old tech. If you need this info PM me and I can forward the info I have here at the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.