Got It Done!

[stevef1972z]

Just thought I would update everyone that I finally finished getting my 72 back together. If you remember, floor, framerails, frame up to the T/C Mount, inner and outer inside fender were rusted into nothing. I bent and replaced everything, minus one Bad Dog Frame Rail that I used as a template.

All told I guess there is around 80 hours including stripping the undercoat, cutting out all the bad metal, bending up and fabbing all the new and then getting it all into place. I used a full 4x4ft sheet of 18ga to build it all. I have not primed and undercoated yet. I am going to put a few miles in it and make sure every weld holds and there is no buckling or any other issues. The first few miles were wonderful, even without the sound deadener and the carpet et al.

I figure about ten more hours to 100% complete, but for now it runs and was on the road for Fathers Day.

I would like to thank everyone for the advice and ideas, without those who helped and provided photos this Z would have been crushed.

I am glad I did it, but I dont think I would do another one!!!

Thanks agin everyone!!!

[Arne]

That is really great news, Steve! Sound to me like you've done a great job, and your 240Z is once again road-worthy. Fantastic!

[Zak's Z]

Nice to hear. It must be a great feeling to finally get it on the road after all that work.

[stevef1972z]

Thank you both.

One propane canister, two scrappers, two four inch grinding wheels, three 4 inch abrasive wheels for the grinder, two abrasive wheels for the drill, three drill grinding stones conical (for those hard to reach places), 10 cut off wheels for air cut off tool, one hammer for the air nibbler (great tool), 3 cans brake clean, 30 inch sheet metal press, 8 sheet metal screws to hold in place (removed and hole welded), one 4x4ft sheet of 18ga, 1 and 1/3 spool of welding wire, assorted hand tools, two bottles of advil and a lot of sweat.

Add in the time and you see why the shops charge so much for this job. I think if you total it all up I came out lower than having it all done, minus the time part, as I fabbed up everything myself versus buying replacements or farming the work out. If I had it to do over, I would have stripped the car down to a shell and worked it over, it was a lot of overhead work on my back on a creeper in a one car garage. This is a lot more work than hanging quarter panels or rockers. I am proud of the work, but at the same time I am really glad the major work is now done.

I know a lot more about how these cars are made now! I am no joking about the help from the board without it I would have had a real mess on my hands!!!

[=Enigma=]

Congrats. I know how hard it was just getting the undercoating off of the floor pans and wheel wells so I can only imagine the added fun in grinding, cutting, bending and welding in some new frame rails. The T/C box adds even more fun...

Let's see some pics when you're all rested up.

[stevef1972z]

Going to load them soon, been out driving it today!