RUST and I don't know what to do

[alordzot]

Its been some time but here we go. I picked a 73 Z and towed it home on a trailer. The car had been sitting in a garage stuffed with old clothing and invading mice for 12 years.

I pulled all the plugs and used a little marvel mystery in each cylinder. Hand turned the engine with no problems. I found very little carbon on plugs and nothing else. Tested and cleaned metal fuel lines. Replaced all rubber fuel lines, fuel filters (Yes filters - Tank, electric fuel pump and engine compartment) along with the heat shielding material. I fired it up and it runs really nice. Replaced the master cylinder. Now this is where I need advice.

1. I am debating on if I should rebuild or replace the wheel cylinders. Best pricing I could find was $13 for the rear rebuild kit or $65 each new. Front breaks are replace only. ??? Or so I am told or rebuilt’s for $35. Any advice on what to do? or better buys for the parts.

2. While cleaning out the car I found that I could see day light from just behind the passenger seat. Closer inspecting appears to confirm that the floor pans have rusted through and may need to be replaced. Have not checked the driver’s side. What is the best way to cure this, and is it worth it.

3. Since the car sat so long there is a lot of rust on the frame and and entire under carrage should I take the car down and have the entire bottom sandblasted , painted and sealed?

Thanks all

Alordzot

[zorro]

Rust can only properly be cured one way and that is to have it cut out and replaced with METAL not bog or fibreglass. You retain strength and originality. To help it from coming back the best way is to spray fish oil or a similar anti rust product into every where possible. If u could I would suggest acid bathing your entire vehicle this will destroy all rust but you need a bare shell to do so. Your suggestion of sand blasting is probably the best option if your car is complete. However make sure every part of bare metal is etch primed first. Don't let someone spray body deadner onto bare metal. Body deadner is poreuss and will breath and let water back in under it and start the rusting process again. Etch Primer will seal all the metal, then Body Deaden it. Hope this helps See ya.

[alordzot]

Thanks for the info. I was going to approach it that way unless someone has a better idea.

[St.stephen]

alordzot.....

If you even consider anything other than obtaining a floor kit and doing it right, name your price and I will take the car off your hands!!!!

Honestly, it's time to disassemble the car and get ready to get your hands dirty. If the floors are no longer, than I can guarantee there is other cancer lurking underneath that undercoating up front. Very thoroughly check the frame rails, rad support, toe boards, underneath the battery tray, inner fender wells, and where the compression rod meets the frame rail. These are almost identical rust spots on any Z car. If you find that your car ONLY needs floors, start practicing your cartwheel skills!

[MAX]

Check out www.por15.com for restoration products.

[Rob]

RE wheel cylinders:

Depends of the bore has rusted or not. pull them apart and check. Any pitting on the machined surface inside the bore means chuck em and buy new ones, but if the bores are OK then just buy seals.