Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Well I got the engine running well, replaced a bunch of parts (see my garage). I verified the tranny as having good syncros and no bad gears. Now as I look I notice the melted wiring headed on the harness to the back of the car, and when lifting up the carpet to see where it goes I notice the rust and a few holes straight through. There is apparently more rust than I thought, some parts of the underbody crunch and flake when pushed. So I need an opinion, do I try to salvage, or part out and hope I can get enough money for a cheap car to drive till I can find another s130 someday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Daily driver? You would need to provide more pics for a better opinion. Just drive as is as long as the seat isn't falling out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I have been driving it, just not sure ill ever have the money to restore it the way it needs to be done. Also my recent discovery showed me a nice crack in the center frame rail, so I am kinda weary of driving it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I have been driving it, just not sure ill ever have the money to restore it the way it needs to be done. Also my recent discovery showed me a nice crack in the center frame rail, so I am kinda weary of driving it A crack?! Rust is one thing, but a crack is totally different. That's a BAD sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 How bad of a sign? I have only ever worked on engines and interiors (still kinda new to body and frame work). I had a friend of mine say something about just welding some steel sheet over it but I wasnt sure if that would be viable. Its a fairly sizeable crack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Needs pics. From what I know, a crack is usually the result of stress/fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Harmon Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Post some pics. I am working on an 81 turbo car and getting ready to replace passenger side frame rail and part of the floor on both sides.It depends on what your capabilities are or how deep your pockets are.But without seeing the extent of the damage its hard to tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 (edited) heres the link to the album http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v610/levikalland/Underbody/ the wiring photos are also in there Edited October 30, 2010 by Natulv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Where's the crack? Help us out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 my first 280zx had little to no frame, but the shock tower popped through the hood before anything else happened. Sounds like you still have a lot more metal left than Mine did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 Apparently I either didnt photograph it or it was a figment of my imagination. I cant seem to find it again. So I guess my first order of business is to find a wiring harness I guess. Rather confused as to how the crack is unfindable now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I guess I only thought it was a crack. sure looked like one last night >.< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Harmon Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 These cars have a pretty thick undercoating on them. To see what you really have it has to be removed. I would scrape suspect areas before you spend money else where.Just my personal opinion.Without a good vessel to live in or on the rest is useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 thanks for the advice, I will probably get to scraping that off tonight. Whats the best scource for ordering new foot pans and frame rails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvin280zxt Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Id check at napa or something if not look online Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Do not drink and post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Harmon Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) So far the options are.Zedd findings if you have to replace both pans and both rails.Find a shell with what you need and cut what sections you need out or move your mechanicals to the doner.Last but not least fabricate what you need.Gonna be next to impossible for now to get direct replacement rails due to all of the contours the ZX pans have.For the most part the Zedd findings pans are flat as far as the attachment points for the rails.But they do look like well built pieces and are thicker than stock.Based on your pictures the drivers side looks to just need a panel made for the footwell and installed.The passenger side looks to have classic jack crush.It also looks like it is split in the side.This rail see's the most damage also due to being under the battery tray.They are prone to rust out.This is my biggest problem with my car.I am missing 20 inches of rail and have a tennis ball sized hole in the firewall area and a softball sized hole under the battery box so far.I have not been able to do a good cleaning and check as to the severity of the damage.I am going to fabricate what I need for the floors and firewall and probably have a frame rail made and custom fit. Edited November 1, 2010 by Ernest Harmon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 Awesome. Thanks much for the reply! I have a friend of mine taking the car into his shop so I can get under it (the suspension is worn a bit so it sits 2 inches lower than stock right now). I will post more pics and update Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natulv Posted November 10, 2010 Author Share Posted November 10, 2010 Have one more question. Does anyone have any experience with ordering rails or pans from these guys, and if so were they worth the price? http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/SBC1B10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Harmon Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 The company is well known.A photo of the product would be nice if for nothing but comparison.They may tell you who makes them just have to call and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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