Realistic time estimate on total swap

[jeff1216]

I have a 72 240....body is shot, but it is all there.

I purchased a 1970 that is in great shape but it is gutted.....No dash no wiring harness...no motor....no fuel tank.

How difficult and how much time will it take to swap all parts from one car to another?

Am I getting into a big mess with this project?

[26th-Z]

Jeff, its all a matter of how mechanically inclined you are. And then you are going to need some tools... But there is no magic involved. It's all nuts and bolts - basically. Have a good look at what is going to go where and make a plan of action. As you get things apart, you want to replace items before you re-install them. Engine mounts, for instance. Take your time and plan your moves. The process should be fun and very self rewarding.

[Ed]

If you take your time and enjoy yourself you could strip the 72 in less than two weeks, keep a log book, make drawings and take a lot of pictures during the process. They will all help when it comes time to reassemble.

Once you get to taking things apart you will find that bolts break, gaskets rip, and rubber need replacing. I have been rebuilding my 73 for over a year. I spend atleast 2 hours a day working on this or that. On the weekends I will work maybe 5 hours. Sometimes I will work more and sometimes you need to just take a break. The most important thing is to not get burned out.

If you have the money and you can send the work out then you could do the job in as little as four months. But if you like to do it all yourself and do a good job I would say a couple of years. Or you can get the guys from "Overhauling" to steal your car.

Either way enjoy! :classic:

[Bambikiller240]

I did this swapping everything from a 73 into a 71 shell quite a few years ago. Like 26th-Z says there is no magic involved but it is no small job.

Careful planning and attention to detail during both the disassembly AND assembly are key to making it successful and enjoyable.

As for time, I couldn't give an estimate. It all depends on how skilled you are, what repairs/refreshing of components you do as the process unfolds.

[240znz]

I'm 1/4 way stripping my 71 240z. Please realise that what you are proposing to do is a HUGE undertaking. It takes an enormous amount of time (way more than you think).

As above, take loads of digital pictures and make notes as you go. And ALWAYS put bolts and screws in plastic bags and label them BEFORE you wash up. You'll rarely remember the next day what that screw was off that you found on the floor. Been there.

Good idea to start by pricing up what parts you will need now. Things like all the new rubber that you'll require, new hoses, maybe new panels & also some new suspension bushings or other. I don't want to be a dream killer but it is going to cost $$$, can't help that. These cars are old and new old stuff (does that make sense?) costs $$$.

Count on finding some rust in there also.....it will be hiding in there somewhere.

There is nothing like the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Go for it!!!!

[jeff1216]

You guys are freaking me out.............Last year I pulled the 78 280Z in the garage.

Did a complete SBC transplant and was on the road in 3 weekends.......Is this project that much harder than making a Hybrid???

[seerex]

If you were just switching motors i would say a week or 3 days maybe even with the tank , but what i think will take the most time of the wiring and the dash , just little parts and bolts that break and need to be replaced as mentioned before , I would take lots of pictures and document it all , its amazing how much things look diffrent when off the car, I think alot of it as well is how anal you are about how nice the finish product is , I took two weeks just on carbs and intake , getting parts and polishing , and also like mentioned above it depends on how much free time you have and if you are married or if you have limited space to do the job , good luck

[Bambikiller240]

.......Is this project that much harder than making a Hybrid???

Depends on how far one is going to go in swapping all systems to a different chassis.

I rebuilt the entire suspension, brakes, fuel system, engine, half shafts / driveshaft, heater system, repaired some minor rust, every nut and bolt was cleaned or replaced, and every part was cleaned, and painted; or replaced if necessary. I sent the body out to be painted by a detail oriented body shop. I worked on the car at least one day per weekend, and 1 to 3 hours most weekday evenings. I was on a budget and ordered parts as I went along, sometimes had to wait a bit for certain parts. My project took over 9 months to complete.......and it was a great experience. I'd love to have the time and space to do it again

[abas]

You guys are freaking me out.............Last year I pulled the 78 280Z in the garage.

Did a complete SBC transplant and was on the road in 3 weekends.......Is this project that much harder than making a Hybrid???

Jeff

I'd say that whilst you describe your project as a 72 swap into a 70 car, it is closer to a rebuild of the 70 car using the 72 as a donor car. Stripping the 72 car will probably not take long but it will not be as simple as taking parts off the 72 car and puting them into the 70, unless you want to put worn parts straight onto your 70 car.

The one thing I have found is that a z dismantles and re-assembles quite well in modular chunks, and there is a pretty logical pattern that things have to go back together in. If you are not replacing that many parts it won't take that long to put it all back together again, but you must expect to have some problems along the way though as you are looking at parts/components that are 30+ years old which might not take kindly to being removed from one car to be put on another.

I hope you have plenty of space for storage. A dismantled z takes up a lot of room. Perhaps those jet-skis will have to stay outside for a little while

Hope it helps

Andrew

[Daniel]

Just a thought and it depends on your skills. Would you be better off swapping the good body parts to the 72, instead of moving 72 to 70? At least you have something you can drive every now and then.

[jeff1216]

Undercarage is SHOT on the 72

[biggels_7]

Me and my old man manages to strip my 71 back to bare metal, fabricate new sill pannels, door skins , weld in new floor pans repair the firewall, then paint and overhaul everything but the diff in just on 6 weeks . There was two of us and we had all the tools. It was a lot of work but well worth it!

cheers

Richard