Where should i start with my car?

[BRE-240Z]

Carl gives good advice, as always....but to be fair, Rob said that he wants to preserve it as a family heirloom. In which case, you probably should get a pressure washer pointed at the car and clean it up. Pull the interior, evaluate any rust areas, and then get started on getting the car running. You'll want to replace all fluids (there are plenty of posts on this site that will walk you through draining the tank and getting the car started again).

At that point, you can decide what you want to do with the car and how much expense is going to be involved. Do you want to get the car pretty, or do you just want to drive it? Those are the sort of questions you'll be asking yourself.

Assuming that you want to do an involved refresh, you will probably want to pull the engine and strip the car down for a repaint. New interior, new seals and bushings, upgrade the brakes and safety systems, rebuild the motor...do those things, and that car will last you a long, long time. It will be expensive, but it may be worth it to you. Keep track of what you're spending, do as much as you can yourself, and don't lose patience.

Edited November 26, 2008 by BRE-240Z

[Sailor Bob]

Can't disagree with anyone here. They are all valid opinions (in my opinion )

I think the car needs a cleanup (inside, outside and underneath) to get a good idea where you stand. In the process of cleaning it you will get a really good idea of the actual state of the entire vehicle. That will help you decide if it is worth the time and $$$ investment.

[JonnyRock]

I've got to agree with Carl Beck. This project is going to be a huge undertaking and sacrifice on your part, and it may be a better option for you to buy one of the many Zs available all over your area.

I understand that there's sentimental value here, but this is going to be a pricey redo. The interior will be very expensive to replace, there could be burn-in on our cylinders if fluids weren't drained, and the body looks alright but that rear hatch shows you'll probably have some rust issues.

I recommend buying one off craigslist for $1-3K if you want a good project car. Sure it would be great to fix up an old family car, but this one hasn't been well cared for and could get you in over your head.

If you decide that you really are set on fixing this one, I'd go one of two routes depending on my needs: Do I need it as a working vehicle soon, or can I afford to let it sit while I fix it up. If you need it for a driver, listen to Will (HLS30). If not, listen to five&dime.

Either way, welcome to the club!

[robs240z]

i appreciate all the advice, i have to tell you all though, this is more about this particular car than anything else. anyways, i know its gonna be a lot of work and expense, but i also don't have to do it right now. the car is mine. i'm just getting started and if i can only afford to do one small thing a month, thats what i am doing. i'm starting by pitching everything thats no good, i tore out the interior already, and there actually isnt any rust except for a little bit in certain places, but its all fixable with a little bit of sandpaper, none of it is damaging. the engine, i don't know. i'll see. thanks for the advice, but i'm determined to keep it going with this car. and i'm pretty handy with mechanical things. i've replaced head gaskets and things like that before, so i may not know it all, but i can do it with enough patience and the right advice! thanks!

[Sailor Bob]

Good for you. Enjoy the experience.

[Zs-ondabrain]

You will get all the advice and help you could even need right here at CZCC. This site is loaded with every aspect of Z drivers from "Hey, I bought a rachet set and changed the spark plugs today" to " Well, 10 years ago I started this project and finally took her for a drive".......

I personally started working on cars about 22 years ago and caught the fever. My first Z car is still my daily driver and that was 6 years ago. I've done little things here and there and finally put her in the garage to do a basic rebuild that lasted about 4 months. I redid all the suspension, springs, struts, urethane bushings and a whole lotta paint. Then one year later, I did it again and did all the body work and painted it in the spring.

Check out the 2 Cardomain links below and you'll see that my 74' 260Z is this winters project. I don't plan on spending any more than $4 to $5 grand in total but I can get away with that low of a budget because I DO ALL THE WORK MYSELF!!! I have almost every tool I need in my garage. So you can figure that the $10,000 in tools, used on 3 Z cars so far, with an average $4000 budget per Z works out to be over $7000 per rebuild.

Take your time, do it right, learn as you go, keep the Z in the family. But don't plan on driving her any time real soon. Have fun with it, you'll make a lot of new friends along the way. Just keep us posted and use the "Search" button when-ever possible.

Welcome to the club,

Dave.

[JohnnyO]

Well it sounds like you are going to take the plunge. I have one recomendation that I dont think I have seen yet in this thread: Spend $25.00 and by Wick Humble's How to Restore your Datsun Z-Car. You can get it from Amazon. One of the first things he says is don't throw anything away until you have the "exact" replacement for it. I have been following this rule for the last 2 months as I "collect" parts to restore my baby. Even then, I find it hard to part with the original parts, it's like throwing out a piece of yourself.

He also takes you through the restoration process (minus engine work) step by step. Now the book is dated but so is your vehicle. So, if you can get past the poorly lit photos, some older techniques and some dry humor you will find it an invaluable asset. Then again, if Carl ever writes a book I would ditch the Wick and purchase the Carl.....

Just my opinion.

John

Edited November 27, 2008 by JohnnyO

[Carl Beck]

i appreciate all the advice, i have to tell you all though, this is more about this particular car than anything else. anyways, i know its gonna be a lot of work and expense, but i also don't have to do it right now. the car is mine. i'm just getting started and if i can only afford to do one small thing a month, thats what i am doing.

Hi Rob:

That's your decision. Now print your words out in large print, past them up on your wall - so you can see them every day. If you do that, five years from now you'll understand why it was suggested.

i'm starting by pitching everything thats no good,

That might be your second mistake. As John/Wick and most of us wil tell you - NEVER throw out anything, until the car is completely DONE. Like John said, I have a hard time throwing anything out. If I don't need it later for another refresh/restoration, then it's a pattern or perhaps a picture that someone else will need.

thanks for the advice, but i'm determined to keep it going with this car. and i'm pretty handy with mechanical things. i've replaced head gaskets and things like that before, so i may not know it all, but i can do it with enough patience and the right advice! thanks!

Perhaps two of the most critical attributes that are present in any successful project are determination and patience. Knowledge and experience will follow. For many of us, the pleasure in restoring a classic car is found in the process itself, far more than in having the car done. Stick to it as long as you enjoy the process.

We all wish you the best of luck, and as eveyone has said we'll be more than glad to help. I hope your following this thread.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25483

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited November 27, 2008 by Carl Beck

[78ZCARBLUE]

Welcome to the Club!

I have a 280 and knew that one day to restore it right it would need to come completely apart. I built a 2-car garage and with the help of friends and some thought made a poor mans carriage to flip the car over on and roll it back into the garage to do all of the repair under the car first. I used my 2ton engine lift and 6 friends

to flip the car over with and after replacing the rockers and repairing the frame rails and everything else and using POR 15 on just about everthing and reconditonding all of the suspension-this took 9-months working on it in my spare time I was ready to flip it back over and begin all of the work on top. I would be happy to supply additional information in the process or photos if you would like. If you have a passion for Z cars the process will be long but worth it, and alot of personal satisfaction I believe when you are complete just remember to enjoy the process.

[7277]

That might be your second mistake. As John/Wick and most of us wil tell you - NEVER throw out anything, until the car is completely DONE. Like John said, I have a hard time throwing anything out. If I don't need it later for another refresh/restoration, then it's a pattern or perhaps a picture that someone else will need.

FWIW,

Carl B.

funny how we all differ i on the other hand, locate new or very good condition replacement parts THEN THROW OUT THE OLD immediately. it always keeps my garage clutter free and organized. i also NEVER missed any of the stuff i threw out, and had ZERO regrets. come to think of it,... after i upgraded to an L28, i took the original (blown) 2.4L block to the steel yard that weekend.....anything that was in 'good shape' during my restoration...i sold on eBay. my car is heavily modified from stock and determined from the get-go that i was never going 'revert' back to original....

good luck!

Edited November 27, 2008 by 7277

[hls30.com]

There is a great thread on early Shift boot grommets that demonstrated exactly the point!

If the remnants so many of us kept had been tossed because of the tatters the shift boots were in, we would have had an issue finding something that would work instead of something that is almost indistinguishable!

Will

[7277]

If you start on that car now - it is very likely that three or four years from now - it will be an uncompleted project sold for pennies on the dollar, or sold off for parts.

FWIW,

Carl B.

sad but true

be careful Rob,

carl makes a good point. over the past year i've met FOUR local 'Z guys' who have (had) the BEST INTENTIONS of doing full nut and bolt restorations..... after meeting EACH one in person, they ALL got in over thier heads, spending THOUSANDS of dollars on new parts which are STILL sitting in boxes, and a rusted Z STILL rotting in thier yard....it's very easy to start the project and it get sidelined after a few months...one guy i met is going on 10years, and it still looks as if he bought the car a month ago and just disassembled it...(seriously!)

good luck again, but be careful.

Edited November 27, 2008 by 7277