OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Thanks guys! The diff came out of Arizona. Bought it from Cody Ethridge. Was sourced through the Datsun Parts and Needs group on Facebook. Fairly boring update in the meantime.Aside from fairing the dash plug, I've been slowly removing/inspecting the new differential.Removing the no longer needed half shaft flanges.Definitely need to order some new seals. Needs a general basic refresh before it can be mounted to the car. Overall condition looks nice though.Destroyed seal - Cause determined.I'll test breakaway torque when it is in the car.Can't wait to clean everything up, and mount the finned cover with all new rubber and fluids. Mmmmm...But I'm getting ahead of myself......'Til then, I need to order some parts.....and continue sanding....ugh - Although the end is very near. I foresee one more spray before the final fair.Then I layup the mold. Then results happen quickly!Fun fun fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Worked for a moment this evening. Prepped the plug for the final spray/fair - no pictures of that, cause by now, we all know what it looks like. haha.A few other odds and ends.Since I am using the Nissan coolant temp sensor now, I finally got around to swapping pigtails in the harness, and calibrating Megasquirt to the OEM sensor.Oil temp sender (and adapter) installed.Last Whaler ride of the year. Always a solemn time.But it is time to make some improvements. The mahogany needs some attention, and I have a few modifications in mind.... So I have spent the last day pulling the boat apart.So this will be a fun winter side project. Not that any of you care, though...boats and such. I digress... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Looking good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share Posted November 19, 2015 Looking good Thanks Kurk! Been busy at the shop, so I've fallen behind with my Z stuff.... That said, I finally made the revised insert for the V2 console. It's got a couple flaws, but for the first one, and being that it is for my car, it will suffice. There's always a learning curve. Laid up Freshly popped Trimmed Mock fit This keeps me emotionally motivated to finish my dash. The plug is close. So so close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supernova_6969 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 small question.. why wasn`t the console made in one piece? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Because it would be physically impossible to have the twill weave pattern behave, while asking it to conform to really tight corners, and spaces. The first console I ever made was one piece. A quick look back as to the quality of that will answer your question. You'll even see that on the FuguZ. Even they didn't make the storage compartment exposed carbon, it's blacked off. I wanted to have the piece be entirely visible carbon. Making the inserts separately allows for more customization, and simpler layups. If that makes sense. Edited November 22, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supernova_6969 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 it totally makes sense. I've read all the posts, but I didn't remember everything. I do remember issues you had with the front insert... I'm with you about the customization. you want to be able to set it up however you want. the tray you just made is really nice, but have you considered making a cover that can serve as a elbow-rest, kindof like the 280zxs? s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 The untrimmed consoles could act in that same way, should one not want an insert. Mounting to the rear of the transmission tunnel becomes slightly more challenging however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Dash plug is done.I'll begin the process of making the mold in the next couple days.And a final weight on the revised console.420 grams.more to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share Posted November 26, 2015 I won't get to finish the mold until, most likely, Friday..... But I applied the "surface coat".next step: lay up about 60oz of fiberglass to the surface coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Did a little cleaning/prepping this evening.Tomorrow I install the new seals and the driveshaft/pinion flange. Then, once I get my rear cover gasket, the diff can go in the car.Then it's on to the axles! I need boots. Edited November 28, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 New sealsInstalledC'mon cover gasket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) Decided to powder coat my finned cover.It was painted, by the previous owner, with some nice high quality paint. I almost left it, but the only way to be certain there aren't any hairline cracks in the aluminum is to clean away any coatings.So I blasted, inspected, and subsequently powder coated the cover its new color - machine gray. The contrast with the black is going to be nice. As I bought it. Stripped.Gray.I can dig it. Edited November 30, 2015 by OldAndyAndTheSea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98blackbell Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Over the top as usual. Keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thanks so much! Trying to do it "right". ....a little composites progress.Hand laid the first couple layers (or "skin coat") of 6oz fiberglass onto the mold's surface coat. Ugh, I HATE hand layup.If you'll recall, a couple months ago I claimed that I would eventually make a classier cover for my distributor.We'll I finally took the time to make that plug. Terrible picture for those that don't remember...Here's the current setup.Blah blahYada yadaA little more work, and it will be ready to mold.A couple more days, then the mold(s) should be done - if all goes well, that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 So I finished the mold today. I hand laid the remaining layers of glass, and used some carbon to beef up key areas.Since it had been longer than 24 hours since I laid the "skin coat" I thoroughly scuffed the surface, in order to promote adhesion. Cured epoxy leaves excess amines on the surface, known as "Blush/Amine blush" - this often leads to failed bonds, if the work surface isn't thoroughly prepped.And awaiting cure..Monday I will see if the mold was a success. Please. Please. Please.Hopefully my time was well spent.Hurry up and wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Just another day in paradise.More of the same.And some cover gasket action!Just need to modify and install the new mount, then it can go in the car. Woot!Then my attention turns to the CVs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 Update: YAAAAS!!!!!!!!Mold turned out beautifully. Pulled so easy. You can compare to the first, flange-less, mold in the background. This is going to be much simpler. Plug survived, unscathed.Applied the release before I left.Sealer on the left (FMS) and the release agent on the right.Some cool stuff is about to happen....hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryant67 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Looks awesome, can't wait to see how the dash turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted December 14, 2015 Author Share Posted December 14, 2015 Looks awesome, can't wait to see how the dash turns out! Thanks! Hopefully will have some result this week. Finally was able to put some time in tonight. It's long overdue. The rear differential is just about ready to install. I just need to decide if I want to do anything in the rear of the car, work wise, before I install it, as it takes up a fair amount of space. Also need to purchase slightly shorter bolts than what are pictured. They are excessive, I just wanted to see if everything would go together correctly. It did. Great! I need to sit down and order the next few parts to keep the project moving forward. With the Holidays and such, I've been neglecting my duties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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