3 years of sitting... what to do first?

[EverRude]

Oh it's killing me. Now I find a rear wheel cylinder is leaking. I didn't see any leak before. So do I need master or not....gah. If I could buy this stuff local I would simply fix these problems as they pop up. But since I have to wait days for a part, install it, then find and another problem, then wait days for that part........ I really need to disassemble everything to check or I just buy all new stuff. Looking at $600 plus to do all brakes with all new replacement parts exc/hardlines. Screw this. Time to put this thing on jackstands and remove wheels so I can inspect everything properly. May not need rotors and drums. Would save 150 or so there.

[psdenno]

Please refer to post #6 in this thread. Even though life is a journey, we don't always enjoy all sections of the ride.

The good news is that when it's all sorted out, you're going to have a sound and reliable Z that will be a pleasure to drive. Stay strong! Many of us have been there.

Dennis

[EverRude]

It's worth it I know. Just went ahead and basically bought an entirely new brake system. I want to enjoy the ride not worry some critical will fail. But it looks like I'll be working some overtime for this car. To do some upgrades. Heh. Need more money.

Anyone wanna buy a half finished 1970 Mustang fastback project for about 10k? hehe

[Travel'n Man]

Ray -

Dennis is right; some of the joys of preparing for the ride little tougher than others.

If I remember correctly I bought my rebuilt master cylinder from Napa along with other brake parts. Wheel cylinders were are little harder and had to wait a week or so (be sure to check them for proper movement). Pads and so forth were local (that was a few years ago when I battle those issues). I remember beating the hell out of my rear drum - it took me 2 days just to get the drum off the car - ........the joys of preparing for the drive!! (I try not to remember the joys of spending the money!!)

Be sure to research the Nissan part numbers and make buddies with your local Nissan dealer parts manager- tell him what you are working on. My hometown Nissan dealership gives me parts at the body shop rate (and I don't have to pay shipping) and I order on a Monday and it's ready for me to pick up on Wednesday afternoon. Remember - they can not research the number for you - you will need to furnish it to them.

Hang in there and take each curve as it comes.............I've (just like most of us) had endless curves for almost 5 years now and still have a few more to come.

[EverRude]

I appreciate y'alls support and advice. The most trouble I am having is fighting while-i'm-at-it-itis. Did that with my mustang. Drove it for a year after buying. I did a tune up, flushed everything, and complete brakes (sound familiar?). Then after a year I finally decided to fix the severely worn out suspension. Then.... while I was at it I pulled engine to restore engine bay and motor. Within a week the car was a shell and I was building a rotisserie. Its still a shell. Engine bay is beautiful. Undercarriage is immaculate. New stainless brake and fuel lines. Roller bearing control arms...etc. Tons of upgrades. Everything I wanted to start with. But no interior, wiring, engine, trans, glass.... sigh.

I want to avoid that desparately this time around. Afterall I still have a mustang to finish and this I want as a driver. Restoration may come later.

Edited March 17, 2011 by EverRude

[metalmole]

Sounds like you are moving right along, would be sweet if we could see some pictures........

[EverRude]

There's a few more pics in my "Garage" of the car. If you mean pics of the work I'm doing right now it's all basic stuff. Not much to show off. Later when I do rust repairs and body work I'll post alot more.

[EverRude]

Quick update, Had family over for the weekend. So that ruined fridaya nd saturday for working on Z. After they left and I sufficiently recovered from my hangover I got the car up on jack stands and pulled all 4 wheels. rear drums came off easily enough. Interestingly enough drivers drum was different than passengers. Passenger's side was a Century brand cast iron but the drivers was visibly smaller and lighter, original?

All my new parts aside from braided steel lines and wheel cylinders, are Centric. They seem to make good stuff and though I could of saved a few dollars mismatching pieces for best price I wanted to stick with one company for the entire build.

Blasted everything with PB Blaster to get ready for disassembly tommorrow. Still waiting on all the parts to arrive so I got time to let everything soak and maybe I wont have to fight as hard getting everything apart. Not holding my breath though.

So that's the update. Maybe in a week or so this neglected and abused Z will see some time on the road.

Edited March 20, 2011 by EverRude

[EverRude]

Well brakes are disassembled. Ready for cleaning and painting then reassembly. Think I'll make new hard lines at the wheels. The little ones are chewed up the worst. But they're so small I should be able to make my own well enough. 3 of the 4 brake hoses were cracked through rubber sheilding and braiding underneathe one was cut and clearly had been ballooning. The new braided steel hoses look great. Missing those "C" clips that hold the hoses in place on the front lines.

Already replaced points, rotor cap, disto cap, NGK wires and NGK plugs. I had cleaned the old stuff so it would run but I doubt I was getting a really good spark. Should be much better now.

Waiting for Unisyn and Just SU's dvd to complete the tune up.

All goes well by Saturday or Sunday I will have a fairly good little driver Z. Wish me luck.

[EverRude]

Oh forgot to mention forward ujoint on driveshaft has a ton of play. I had heard to clunk when I drove the car to it's current spot for brake work. Guess that's why he gave me 6 new ujoints when I bought car. One was bad and he was going to replace all 6.

Noticed a growl in rearend when I spin it by hand at either rear hub. That normal? I'll see how to drain and refill it.

[bpilati]

don't forget the brakes.

hehehehe, that would be a fine howdy do wouldn't it. Can't stooooopp!!!

[EverRude]

Not going as fast as I'd hoped. One of the old rotors did not wanna let go of its hub. But a chunk of wood, 2 jackstands and a 10lb sledge convinced it otherwise. The second saw what I did to the first and practically fell apart once the bolts were out.

I like the new Centric posi-quiet calipers. They pretty. Coming loaded they simply dropped right in. Easiest calipers and pads I've ever installed.

Made some new hardlines for the wheel. Could not get the exact length needed in a premade line but got close. Installed my new lines in the front. The look pretty good.

Got the feeling the rear drums are gonna kick my butt. Those wheel cylinders look complicated. Seriously? Floating wheel cylinder held in place with opposing c clips? Bleh. And that emergency brake / self adjuster mechanism intergrated in the wheel cylinder. Shoot me now. It's gonna suck.

Oh btw, there's alot of rain predicted for this weekend. I'm working outside on a concrete slab. I had to turn up the speed and ignore my plans to clean, polish and paint while I have pieces apart. So the front hub got a quick clean but not much else. I did take the time to clean the backing plates and dust shield and do a quick repaint with some high temp black paint. Hopefully slow the rust somewhat.

Here's a few pics.

Edited March 25, 2011 by EverRude