UofA_ZCar Posted December 6, 2010 Author Share Posted December 6, 2010 I swapped out the other three springs with the Tokico 280Z springs. On all 4 corners the car stands 1/2 inch higher with the 280Z springs compared to the Tokico 240Z springs. I removed the transmission, driveshaft, and exhaust in preparation for cleaning the undercoating off the trans tunnel, frame rails, and floor boards. I started needle gunning again (good times... note the sarcasm) and found a few rust spots. It is more than I'd like to have to deal with but nothing to complain about give the level of rust I have seen in some of the other build threads. Once I finish the trans tunnel I plan to put new hard fuel/brake lines in and then start putting the back half of the car together (there is no gas tank or third member right now). I've read old threads on fuel delivery for hours and figure give my planned turbo set up I'll have to weld a sump into my fuel tank. I haven't welded in years so I plan to get a buddy of mine to give me a lesson or two and then I'm going to see if I can fab the gas tank up myself. Any tips on fabricating the gas tank sump or running new hard lines would be greatly appreciate as I haven't done either before....... but that's half the fun right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 For the fuel lines, I believe you can run high pressure soft line. You can also go to Nevada All Hose on craig and get some SS braided line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 For the fuel lines, I believe you can run high pressure soft line. You can also go to Nevada All Hose on craig and get some SS braided line. From all the reading and people I've talked to locally it seems you are best off running as much hard line as you can. I'm planning to try and make an exact copy of the stock hard lines using stainless lines. I'll just buy the bending and flaring tool and do it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zip Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 seems we made similar design choices ... good work. I got a bead blasting cabinet from HF and glass bead much of my pieces prior to powdercoating. I also use a tumbler to polish pieces like bolts prior to sending a batch off to be plated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 I got a bead blasting cabinet from HF and glass bead much of my pieces prior to powdercoating. I also use a tumbler to polish pieces like bolts prior to sending a batch off to be plated. Nice move, That's what I should have done. I hate waiting for the parts to get back from sand blasting. While I continue to needle gun I did receive a few things in the mail! Both are in preparation for the engine phase of my build. Pallnet fuel rail from a guy on Zcar.com Polyurethane motor mounts from McKinney Motorsports (I must say this is an absolutely gorgeous product) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zip Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I swapped out the other three springs with the Tokico 280Z springs. On all 4 corners the car stands 1/2 inch higher with the 280Z springs compared to the Tokico 240Z springs. I removed the transmission, driveshaft, and exhaust in preparation for cleaning the undercoating off the trans tunnel, frame rails, and floor boards. I started needle gunning again (good times... note the sarcasm) and found a few rust spots. It is more than I'd like to have to deal with but nothing to complain about give the level of rust I have seen in some of the other build threads. Once I finish the trans tunnel I plan to put new hard fuel/brake lines in and then start putting the back half of the car together (there is no gas tank or third member right now). I've read old threads on fuel delivery for hours and figure give my planned turbo set up I'll have to weld a sump into my fuel tank. I haven't welded in years so I plan to get a buddy of mine to give me a lesson or two and then I'm going to see if I can fab the gas tank up myself. Any tips on fabricating the gas tank sump or running new hard lines would be greatly appreciate as I haven't done either before....... but that's half the fun right. I took the Tokico HD springs and cut 1/2 a loop to drop it to stock ride height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 I took the Tokico HD springs and cut 1/2 a loop to drop it to stock ride height. Did you clip the front and the back? So by clipping a 1/2 coil what is your ride height (ground to frame rails)? In regards to you other post I got the polyurethane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zip Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 John Coffey has a write-up on this. I'll look for it. Anyway, I had 240Z HD springs from AZ Z Car and he ran out of the rear ones, so I got the 280Z ones which we know are 1/2 or so too high, so I followed John's advice, cut off 1/2 a coil and it worked. The key was I wanted linear rate springs and I wanted stock 240Z ride height because I'd done the progressive lowering springs before and the ride was just too harsh for a street car (at least for me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 Took a few months break from working on the Z but I'm back at it. Almost have the transmission tunnel and floor pans totally stripped. Just ordered the Bad Dog frame rails and will be adding those to the mix before I start putting stiff back together. My plans for the next few months: Finish stripping the tunnel Get the frame rails welded on Paint the underside with RustBullet New hard fuel lines Modded 240 tank or that fancy custom aluminum gas tank I saw posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 Pulled the hard lines out of the transmission tunnel and almost have it completely stripped. Hopefully will have it completely done about the time that my bad dog frame rails show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 Finally finished stripping the transmission tunnel, now I am just waiting on the Bad Dog frame rails I ordered on April 16th. While I'm waiting I played around with some graphic ideas....... I'm thinking 370Z pearl white on the whole car and the taped sections in a copper-ish color. I blame my playing around with the tape on watching too many old episodes of "Over Haulin" on Netflicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegnaZetr0 Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 looking good man, keep at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 There were a few nooks and crannies I couldn't get to in the transmission tunnel with the wire wheel, so I decided to have it sand blasted....... and I figured if it is already going to the sandblaster why not do the engine bay and floorboards at the same time. So I spent friday afternoon pulling the engine and seats. Tuesday it gets sandblasted and then thursday the frame rails get welded on. Then a weekend full of painting for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 This week I painted the engine bay, had the BD frame rails welded on (I need to learn to weld), and applied seam sealer to the frame rails. I hope to get them covered in RustBullet tomorrow. Man I can't wait to be done with chassis prep so I can start putting in the fun stuff! At the sand blaster: (http://www.astripcenter.com/) All and all it went well but that crap gets everywhere. In retrospect I would have stripped the car completely and had him do the whole unibody at once. Bad Dog frame rails: I was very impressed with John (I believe that was his name), who sells these frame rails. We had some shipping issues and he was very helpful in getting it all straightened out. They took a little more work to get to fit on there then I though it would, and there were some gaps in the rear sections when it was all said and done. I think it is likely a result of trying to weld a new piece on a 40 year old car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 I've been on a bit of a hiatus with the Z due to other obligations, but I'm back at it now. Over the last few weeks I have been putting new brake line, clutch line, and fuel lines in. I have to say this is not my cup of tea but after I run the return fuel line I will be done! I also changed out the brake master cylinder for the larger one from a 280ZX and put in a Wilwood proportioning valve.... this seemed like a good idea since I want to convert to disk brakes in the back. I have not decided if I will go vented rotors in the front yet. Then the plan will be: -Finish up/install sumped gas tank -Run braided lines with AN fittings to the fuel tank -Install the LSD and CV halfshafts -Then FNALLY put the motor in and start learning about Mega Squirt..... Bottom one is from the 280zx New hard lines Does anyone know were I can get the rubber pieces that hold the hard lines into the bracket (top left of the last picture)? I checked Home Depo and Ace for something that would work but came up empty handed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Both fuel feed and return lines are done now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 Spent a few hours today finishing up the hard lines and installing the new hardline insulators. Free time to work on the Z has been very limited lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VKLR Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Keep at it, it's gonna be sweet when you get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thanks for the encouragement VKLR! Finally to a point where I get to put stuff back on the Z! Had the sump welded on my gas tank at BTB (www.btbprod.com) and then had the Gas Tank Renu sealer done at Mac’s Radiator Service in Bellflower California (562) 920-1871. I used this sump: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CEE-4041/ I also installed all new vapor lines from the tank. Now I am just waiting on Jerryb to get another run of SS gas tank straps going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofA_ZCar Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 things are really starting to come together! Spent today modifying things to install the 1987 300zx LSD I bought a few months ago. I installed the RT diff mount and Burleigh's steel brace that clears the finned covert. I haven't decided if I will us a different poly bushing on the RT mount in conjunction with the OEM rubber mount in an attempt to keep the stock pinion angle or not. Doesn't seem like people have issue's just running the RT mount, so I'll probably just leave it as is. The steel brace install was straight forward and easy, the only issue I had was that the bends on the brace were no true. There was a small twist to the bar which lead to some additional tweaking on the install, but in the end it all worked out. 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.