chet Posted March 8, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 8, 2009 Hello, I am new here but an old friend to Z cars. Great website with lot's of help - nothing like restoring during the late 70's early 80's- . Yesterday, I brought my 72 240 home from 23 years of commercial storage. Cripes I could have bought the building it stored in for the rent paid! Back then, I replaced every body panel but the roof, floors & frame rails,- the engine, tranny, brakes etc were aok when last shut off. But alas, the corrosion caught up to me making it undriveable. If I remember, it was all of 12k 1984 dollars. The front fenders and valence are fiberglass- whatever became of that company?? I thought they made a pretty good product. Can I replace the rails & floors not using a rotisserie? I'll pull the engine & tranny, remove the front steering/suspension completely, and strip the interior. It just breaks my heart to have to disassemble much more I'd like to leave the fenders on. If so, how can I support the car while doing the rails?? Are Charlie's frame rails slip on or do you remove the originals completely? Maybe do the floors first and support across that while doing the front? How could I raise the car higher once it is stripped? Any advice is appreciated, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinfish Posted March 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 8, 2009 Car looks terrific after 23 years in moth balls!Exterior looks fantastic for a hangar queen; did you change the tires or just add air?Love your license plate!Weather in Wisconsin looks wose than lousy ...... spring is coming?I cannot answer your questions on frame rails but I am sure somebody on this site has the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280~Master Posted March 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 9, 2009 you can replace those items without the rotisserie but it will be harder that way. I know if you talk to geezer he has built one. He has mesurments and info on building it. A little square tubing, 2 engine stands, and some welding and you have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chet Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted March 9, 2009 Thanks, the tires were flat to the rims with sidewall cracking you could stick a finger inside. That was a large reason I left the car alone. Turns out they just needed a refill- . We had to drag it out with a tow strap but after a short distance, something gave (!) and it rolled free. The engine oil is golden, ATF is bright red, there was oil in the upper head hex bolts, 1/2 tankful of gas, oil in the carbs and carb pistons slide freely up & down. Right now, marvel mystery oil is working its way down past the the piston rings. before I attempt to hand turn it over. By luck or otherwise 9 valves were closed and 3 open during the sleep. In a couple of days, I'll get a new battery and try to start it with a small can of gas connected to the fuel pump. The weather is cold & wet. A real drag laying on the ground while connecting the straps & tie downs. Gotta say, it is much better than the deep freeze of a couple of weeks ago.Since it was off the road,I gave up rights to the plate. Now I'll get our blue collectors plate- a 1x fee of 30 bucks or so for lifetime! I am beginning to be inspired again. Zcar,Zcar,Zcar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevef1972z Posted March 9, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 9, 2009 You can replace the floor panels without doing a full frame job on the car. You mentioned that you had to replace the frame rails. Is it the frame rails that are bad, or the floor supports under the floorboard? That makes a huge difference in what you need to do.Floor pans and floor supports can be swapped out with out much drama, I know, I am in the middle of doing it myself. Zed Findings makes a fine product from what I have seen, I am fabbing mine myself as well as the floor supports. The product should work good for you!Good luck on your project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chet Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted March 9, 2009 Thanks 280 Master, I posted a message to him about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chet Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted March 9, 2009 Steve 1972Z, its all of them, front frame rails, floorpans and fpan supports. From what I've seen, Zedds look really nice and I intend on using them. Iam a little concerned about needing more pan in the firewall, but what the heck, its' only metal. Good luck on yours too sounds like you are well on the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arne Posted March 9, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 9, 2009 Chet, you might want to search the archives for some of the repair pictures by a7dz. He's already done everything on his car that you might need to do. Here's an example.http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28644 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevef1972z Posted March 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 9, 2009 OK with more than just the pans, I am not in a position to say much, but it is a unibody car ans will need supported, i learned that the hard way on another project. There are some great posts here on bigger jobs. Good luck, and with Charlies product, you can always use some additional 18 guage to make up for the toe panels etc. Good luck in your tin worm battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorman7
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