RemieGino14 Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 So I'm gonna keep this short and simple since I don't know alot of terms yet as to I'm am still learning, but getting alot down so far. Basically my project is to rebuild and overhaul my father's '78 Datsun 280z thats been sitting in the back yard for years. Since I'm going to school for this, I've decided for this to be my project car. Basically I'm looking for to ripping apart the engine and transmission, getting the whole thing cleaned out with brand new or close to new parts, and up and running like it was when it first came out. This process will take a while, but the learning experience is gonna be fun...I just know it. I will SLOWLY update at where I am at with this though. First step, tow it to my new house I'm currently living in. Heres some pictures I took of it a while back: - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoov100 Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 That is indeed a project. I would be more worried about rust then the mechanical condition of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldlion Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Nice airdam. Saves you from having to buy that. Hope you can weld. It's going to a be a great experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Decided to go outside and take some pictures of some obvious rust spots to see if the body has some bad rust cancer. Any opinions? - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meph Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 hatches and doors can be replaced cheap, check your floors and frame frails, engine bay rails, wheel arches, from the looks of it, it might have big issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19762802+2 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I'm going to guess there are going to be big problems under the cowl panel(piece with slots between hood and windshield.) and in the Battery tray area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 I'll look into ripping the interior apart tomorrow when I get back from class. Just finished Basic Engines, moving onto brakes now. - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sticky280zx Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 interior is not where you need to be looking, JACK the car up, check areas that people already mentioned and dont waste time stripping it down if theres obviously nothing to build on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 (edited) Me and my buddies ripped the seats, took a bunch of stuff off, and are trying to get it ready to have the engine out. Unofrtunately...well I'll let the pictures tell you the story. Btw, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the driver side, but yes, there is a big hole in that area. EDIT: Nevermind, found it. We were also amused to find this, but couldn't figure out what it is, and what it does but some of my buddies say it looks like a air metering valve. Me being just a student, don't know much maybe some of you guys could shed a light if you can. It'd be great. - RemieGino14 - Edited August 26, 2010 by RemieGino14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19762802+2 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 That rust is not that bad I have seen a lot worse, also that "thingy" is the AFM or Air Flow Meter. I suggest you finish your class before you start anything major on your car or you study a lot about Z's because you will need the info down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 Oh I already finished Basic Engines, which is why I wanted to get into the engine are start tearing it down and seeing what I'm looking at. Yeah, I've been trying to research on this model, but I can't seem to find some specific information I would need, otherwise I would treat it like any other OHC straight 6 engine would be like. Taper, Out of Round that beast, just to put my studies into use. [: - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 So we were taking off the grill, the green bumper, and the radiator, didn't even know there was fluid in there. It was all...basically water....orange water. Tried taking off the water neck, actually it was all corroded. So I'm guessing I'm gonna need a new water neck. I'll take pictures when I actually get the dash out...which I'm currently having a problem with right now. Lol. - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldlion Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Sounds like water mixed with rust/corrosion. Not a good sign for the engine and radiator. Not to be discouraging but so far you've got two very big strikes. 1. Quite a bit of rust in areas that are a pain to fix, and 2. Quite of bit of work to the engine(not that bad because you can get pretty good engines on the board for reasonable prices). I hate window seal rust. I've used some metal based fillers in those areas but personally have never had much luck in getting them perfect enough to seal real well. IF you're up for a very big project though I say go for it, bring her back from near death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLSHLE Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I can see that the learning has begun. It looks like alot of Zs do before the are brought back from the edge. (or pushed over) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted August 31, 2010 Author Share Posted August 31, 2010 Sounds like water mixed with rust/corrosion. Not a good sign for the engine and radiator. Not to be discouraging but so far you've got two very big strikes. 1. Quite a bit of rust in areas that are a pain to fix, and 2. Quite of bit of work to the engine(not that bad because you can get pretty good engines on the board for reasonable prices). I hate window seal rust. I've used some metal based fillers in those areas but personally have never had much luck in getting them perfect enough to seal real well. IF you're up for a very big project though I say go for it, bring her back from near death. I'm actually heading to that type of plan, just gonna bring her back from the dead. I'll post up the pictures tomorrow of an update of this ferocious beast of just trying to strip it. Lol. - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhartig Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 It looks like a great project car, and as with most projects it will come down to time/money/skill as to how well it will come out at the end. Since all three of those are usually not in good supply when you are a student be prepared for some frustrations over the course of the project. In any event you will uncover just about everything any other car will throw at you, and there is a great amount of material on various websites to add to what you will be learning in school. The only caution I would raise is to give the car a really good once over after you have it stripped. If it is too good or too bad you may not want to use it as a learning project. Some review on the internet will help you make the decision, and posting more pictures here will give you good feedback. Some typical areas to address are frame rails and floor pans. Search out pricing for parts and develop a plan for replacing those areas if needed, and I suspect they will be. If you can undertake those repairs you probably have a workable project car. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 I'm really having trouble deciding what to do first. If I work on the body, I can restore the shell to a workable project car instead of worrying about looking for another shell. Downfall is that I lose time and don't get to the engine yet. If I work on the engine, I can finally apply my skills on what I've learned within 3 weeks. Downfall is that, whats the point on working on a engine and no shell to put it in. Especially in my area if I were to look for any shell, there isn't gonna be any. Their either gonna be already working, or something else. Well, just waiting for Saturday for an engine stand and a cherry picker...if I'm able to borrow one or buy one. - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srgunz Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 OK. I will say it. Stop now and look for a better starting point. You will need several thousands $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemieGino14 Posted September 2, 2010 Author Share Posted September 2, 2010 Just and update on stripping this dreadful car. Came to only realize, the rust really wasn't that bad. Lawls. Need to keep it on jacks till I can find a replacement tire. The heat blew the tire. - RemieGino14 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplyedmind Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 I'm in upland also I got a spare Tire I could donate to your project Its looking good coming apart. Pm and I'll hook u up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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