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HybridZ

Restoration my 280Z 1978


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I began my projet winter 2009

 

My goals are:

1- Restore the body

2- Upgrade brakes

3- Upgrade suspension

4- And my dream: RB25 or RB26

 

Here, the pictures when I bought the car two years ago:

IMGP1681p2.jpg

 

First, I changed the spoiler:

spoiler_01pp.jpg

 

The floor after 32 years and two winters in the "salt Quebecois":

 

IMGP48764.jpg

 

Second step "sandblast":

 

IMGP4873.jpg

IMGP4874.jpg

IMGP4881.jpg

IMGP4882.jpg

 

Third step, Debossing and repair metal:

 

IMGP4895.jpg

IMGP4894p.jpg

IMGP4899p.jpg

IMGP4900p.jpg

 

Next, primer:

 

IMGP4912.jpg

IMGP4913.jpg

IMGP4914.jpg

IMGP4916.jpg

 

Next, paint:

 

IMGP4943cp.jpg

IMGP4946cp.jpg

IMGP4948cp.jpg

IMGP4945cp.jpg

IMGP4953cp.jpg

IMGP4954cp.jpg

IMGP4955cp.jpg

 

Next, reassemble:

 

IMGP5001p.jpg

IMGP4999p.jpg

IMGP5000p.jpg

IMGP4996p.jpg

IMGP4997p.jpg

IMGP4995p.jpg

IMGP5004p.jpg

 

To be continued

 

 

 

Jack

 

 

___________________________

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Summer 2010

 

I installed my rear bumper

It is a 240Z one. Like the bracket was there, two small holes at the good place and there:

 

IMGP5156p.jpg

 

 

I still have to install the front bumper which is also the type 240Z... But for it, I don't have bracket. It need to improvise.

 

Here the equation:

 

Image1.jpg

 

Finally, I used parts from a canvas garage who broke during big wind during winter.

 

See the picture:

 

IMGP5160_pa.jpg

 

Some cotting, some holes and fiberglass... and here is the working:

 

IMGP5158p-1.jpg

 

IMGP5153p.jpg

 

IMGP5154p.jpg

 

So, finally, bumper ready for installation:

 

IMGP5163p.jpg

 

All fit perfectly!

 

IMGP5166pp.jpg

IMGP5164p.jpg

 

Outside finally finished!.

 

Next step: inside.

 

Jack,

 

_______________________________

Edited by Jack_280Z
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The floor is restored and and now I use the engine instead of my feet :)

 

Looks great. What's the plan for the brakes?

 

Thanks,

For front, I bought "four pistons caliper 4X4 Toyota" for standard rotors (not wide).

 

IMGP5592p.jpg

 

For the rear, I bought a braket for use 280ZX 82-83 caliper.

 

IMGP5595p.jpg

 

Now I look for the rotors. I want that will not rust! With slot and drilled.

But for the moment I found nothing.

 

If you need brand new Nissan NOS, NIB black door panels for that car drop me a PM, I got a set. Do you plan to drop it down a little? I got ST springs too that can do the job.

 

Yes I want to drop it.

Do you have pictures before-after with ST spring? I don't know this brand "ST".

I look for shocks and springs.

I look for illumina from Tokico; and maybe Eibach as spring.

But I don't know if it is a good choice...

Tokico have a kit with Tokico HP and their spring "designed" for 280Z and give drop about .5" à 1.5". Is it good?

As you can see, I have many question about that.

 

Jack,

 

 

_______________

Edited by Jack_280Z
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After to rebuilt my "Fred Flintstone floor boards" I isolated it.

 

I bought these two products for soundproofing

ultimate.jpgvcomp.jpg

 

I put the first one on the floor.

And the second one backwards (don't have picture).

 

IMGP5176p.jpg

 

It is amazing as result...

 

After all the inside parts back, I exchanged the 280Z wheel for the 240Z one.

 

Before:

 

Volan_1.jpg

 

After:

 

Volan_2.jpg

 

 

And finally I changed my old school Mag for new one:

 

konrewgmang.jpg

 

 

Jack,

 

 

 

____________________

Edited by Jack_280Z
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  • 4 weeks later...

That is the update of my brakes:

 

Caliper Toyota 4X4 in front.

Calipeur 280ZX 82-83 in rear.

Black stainless hoses.

 

As I don't like rust, I will paint:

 

So, The new oily parts:

 

11IMGP5639rp.jpg

 

It's beautiful new. Too bad it rust!

So I'll paint with this product:

 

11IMGP5643rpp.jpg

 

After two hours of work;

Tinner in cleaning Spree (supplied in kit);

Additional cleaning with alcohol;

Painting;

 

The result:

 

11IMGP5647rp.jpg

 

I am happy with the result.

The painting and Tinner have a very strong smell; After two hours, It began to be the time I finish... because my head started to turn!

 

Jack,

Edited by Jack_280Z
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To mount the rear 240 bumper, you used part of the 280 mount?

 

No,

I removed original 280Z supports.

On the 240Z bumper than I found, the original 240Z mount was there.

So, I just made two holes on the bracket on the 240Z bumper for fit with threaded holes already on the 280Z... and find metric bolts!

 

If you don't have the bracket, you can find it here: www.thezstore.com

 

 

Jack!

Edited by Jack_280Z
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Yes I want to drop it.

Do you have pictures before-after with ST spring? I don't know this brand "ST".

I look for shocks and springs.

I look for illumina from Tokico; and maybe Eibach as spring.

But I don't know if it is a good choice...

Tokico have a kit with Tokico HP and their spring "designed" for 280Z and give drop about .5" à 1.5". Is it good?

As you can see, I have many question about that.

 

Jack,

 

The Suspension Techniques (ST) springs drop the car about 1.5 and still give it a nice ride. I put a set on my 78 over 15 years ago and they still work great. I like them because they did not cause a harsh ride. They are run with Tokico shocks.

 

As for the door panels; they are awesome and for a 76 and above car. Like I said they are most likely the last set of new original door panels left.

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Montezuma, Thank for your reply. For the moment I used many money for the brakes and the suspension. The panels are more for my other project 280Z; But, for the moment this project is in standby.

 

Today I received the last parts for my brakes --> The rotors:

 

IMGP5650p.jpg

 

And at the beginnig of the week, I bought my suspension --> Kit "Ground Control":

 

6020_dp.jpg

 

 

With Tokiko illumina (MR-2 in front and 280Z back).

 

I will cut my strut.

I know, many "fun" will come!... especially with the spindle pin...

 

Now, I wait the end of winter

 

Jack!

 

______

Edited by Jack_280Z
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  • 1 month later...

Finally, this week, I received my kit "Ground Control " with Tokico Illumina.

 

 

pIMGP5730.jpg

 

Here is true that I look forward the spring come!

 

For now, it need the warm come back ... and the snow leaves.

 

Yes, yes, under this snowbank, there my 280Z donor:

 

pIMGP57241.jpg

pIMGP57261.jpg

 

(pictures taken this weekend)

 

Jack!

_____________________

Edited by Jack_280Z
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  • 4 weeks later...

The temperature is finally beautiful :)

 

So I started changing my suspension and my brakes: :2thumbs:

 

I finally began to dismantle at 11h00am and at 13:30 the four spindles were released, Yes!:

 

ppIMGP5746.jpg

ppIMGP5748.jpg

pIMGP5751.jpg

pIMGP5749.jpg

 

Then I completely disassembled: Front and rear breaks, cut unnecessary parts, remove springs and exit inserts from struts.

 

Of course, before I start, I tried to think of everything.

But there are always unexpected thing with the Datsun!

That is: To remove the "nuts" for exit the inserts of struts, I made a tool in stainless with a laser cutter which I have access. So the tool has 6 sections spaced at 55mm ... But after discussion with Tony (280Z_ "Vader"), I learn that the new Tokico nuts are spaced 50.8mm (2 inches) ... Ok, so I made a tool for nuts of 50.8mm.

These are the Tools and nuts:

 

ppIMGP5754.jpg

 

There are nice! square holes 1/2 is to insert a ratchet 1/2 ". They work wonderfully!

 

But, but, but... On the rear struts!!

The insert was Macpherson and Macpherson use an other type of nut... here the look of their nuts:

 

pIMGP5755-1.jpg

 

Naughty difference! Why always complicate things ...

Well, I improvised to unscrew them ?%$/$%.

Anyway

7:30 p.m. Here is the "family Struts" ready to be cut:

 

pIMGP5753-1.jpg

 

They are a beautiful family :).

Tomorrow I will cut my struts.

 

After they will be welded and painted.

Once they return from the painting, I will rebuilt them with new springs and breaks!

 

 

Jack!

Edited by Jack_280Z
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  • 2 weeks later...

Here the "struts family" welded and painted:

 

apIMGP5765.jpg

 

 

Tonight, I started to rebuilt. I do both rear struts:

 

 

apIMGP5766.jpg

 

I am very happy with the look.

Tomorrow I'll do the front.

 

 

Jack!

 

 

___________________

Edited by Jack_280Z
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