Phoenix 240Z Update

[BD240Z]

Here's an update on the 240Z I bought earlier this summer. I've been able to spend a fair amount of time getting to where I'm at, with so much more to go.

I stripped the car down to the metal shell to address any rust issues. I sandblasted the inner floors and the bottom of the car to assure a clean surface to work with. Even with plastic curtains, sand went everywhere in my garage, I'm pretty sure I won't ever do that again! The floors looked pretty good and the amount of welding required was minimal. After grinding the welds, I did the Marine Clean, Metal Ready & Por 15 routine. I applied 3 coats of Por-15 to the inside floors, trans tunnel, firewall, inside of the rocker panels and the bottom of the floors. I used Ti-Coat primer and then sprayed acryllic enamel on top of that. I also sprayed POR into the frame rails. I'm not sure about the coverage, but I wanted to do something.

For sound deadening I used Evercoat's Q-Pads and covered the complete inside of the cabin area. It's like a big jigsaw puzzle, this stuff was really easy to work with, I hope it works well.

At this point I also have the suspension, brakes and engine done. I had the suspension sandblasted and powder-coated so everything looks nice and clean. Most of the components are stock, shocks are KYB.

Brake system is completely new with the exception of the master cylinder and the lines. The MC on there looked pretty good, I took it apart and the cylinder wall was perfect and the rubber was nice and pliable. We'll see how that works out:paranoid:

I had the engine rebuilt by a local shop that I've used before, total cost was $1,300. I had to assemble the head to the block, this helped save a few dollars plus I wanted to be able to say I put some of it together. I got a set of Z Therapy carbs, they sure are nice.

Today was a milestone for me, I was finally able to start the car and perform the initial engine break-in, I was relieved when the car fired right up. I did the 2,000 rpm's for 30 minutes routine to start seating the rings.

I purchased a carpet set, seat covers, seat foam and a firewall insulator from Classic Datsun Really nice stuff, I'm impressed by the quality.

From here I need to finish the body and paint. I have all the panels off the car and will paint it in pieces. After that I'll re-assemble the interior and get the car on the road.

It's been alot of work and I routinely go back and look at the many pictures I took during disassembly that show the original condition of the car, it helps keep me going. My oldest son is 15 and he's helped me most of the time, that aspect of this job has been really enjoyable.

Other updates to follow. My goal is to have car done by the end of the year, wish me luck:)

[1 Bravo 6]

Well now, Bruce,

You HAVE been busy haven't you?.

Double the fun and more rewarding having your son working beside you.

Look forwars to your next update.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[=Enigma=]

Wow! Looking good man. I wish I had that kind of time and motivation......The results are amazing. Did you plate the fasteners yourself or get them professionally done? Also, is that a simple bead blast/clear coat finish on the valve cover or paint?

[tibZ]

That is one of the nicest resto's I have ever seen. (Also my favorite color White.)

Stunning, is all I can say about that engine bay...

Keep the pics coming, You are going to end up with one of the nicest Z's in the country IMO.

[240ZX]

Fantastic job you're doing.......soon it'll be a driver again. Again, very nice.

Tom

[John Coffey]

Wow! Out of the gravel and snakes of Arizona...

[ddezso]

Beautiful. I hope you bring it to the Scottsdale Pavilions Saturday car show when you are done so I can see it. . ...

Also - any chance you can post some of the 'before' pictures in your gallery and some pics of your progress so we can all enjoy?

[mdbrandy]

Wow! Looking good man. I wish I had that kind of time and motivation......The results are amazing. Did you plate the fasteners yourself or get them professionally done? Also, is that a simple bead blast/clear coat finish on the valve cover or paint?

I agree that it looks great! And I, too, am interested in your plating. Especially the emissions parts in the engine bay - they look good! I'm going to rebuild the air injection system on mine, and I have some NOS stuff (injection manifold and check valve), but some of the other parts I have not found, and would like to replate...

Mark

[7T1240]

Wow! Looking good man. I wish I had that kind of time and motivation......

time and motivation...AND Money! As the $$'s add up on my own refreshing project (well before any paint or bodywork) I've contemplated the cost of doing a car right - like this one! I've heard several times that it is less expensive (although not nearly as rewarding, especially for a father/son tandem) to buy someone's completed project after it's done and they have perhaps fallen out of love with it or moved in a different direction.

The work looks great, and yes, the color is beautiful. Okay, enough shameless patronizing - so Bruce, let me just say that if you ever decide to sell...:classic:

BTW, I heard a fun joke about the car hobby the other day - "How do you make a small fortune in collectible automobiles? Start with a large one!

Cheers, Gary S.

[AZ-240z]

Terrific looking job. Congratulations. I saw your car in the desert when it was being offered on ebay and the transformation is spectacular, to say the least. I live in Phoenix and have a 1/71 series 1 car that is very close to original. I would love to see your progress if it would be convenient to drop by some day. What part of the valley do you live in?

Dan

[BD240Z]

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback!

Enigma, I had the plating done by a local shop, it's yellow zinc per the ASTM spec. Good call on the valve cover, I had it sand-blasted and clear coated.

ddezso, I plan on getting involved with the Desert Z Association as soon as I'm on the road. I'm not familiar with the Scottsdale Pavilions Car Show though, can you PM me with the details, thanks. I plan on getting the picture history of the work uploaded here and will probably get that done soon.

MDBrandy, I was LUCKY that my air injection system was complete and functional, otherwise I'd be searching for those parts also. Not all of the air injection parts were plated. I was concerned that the chemicals in the plating baths would make the parts unservicable so I used high temp gold & clear paint. I wish I had had the fuel rail and the air galley tube plated and I'll probably do that sometime in the future.

7T1240, it has been expensive and I figured 10K to get it done so I'll be in under budget. I was lucky that the car was complete and I didn't have to run down too many parts. I don't count my time because it's a labor of loveLOL

AZ-240Z, I live in north/central Phoenix and it would be great to have another Z fan look at the car. I'd like to see your car as well, you rarely see another early Z on the road here. I'll send you a PM with my phone number, maybe we can get together soon.

Bruce

[Arne]

MDBrandy, I was LUCKY that my air injection system was complete and functional, otherwise I'd be searching for those parts also. Not all of the air injection parts were plated. I was concerned that the chemicals in the plating baths would make the parts unservicable so I used high temp gold & clear paint. I wish I had had the fuel rail and the air galley tube plated and I'll probably do that sometime in the future.

Yes, trying to replate the smog stuff would be real difficult. Was there any of the original stencilling left on the parts to try to match?