in car engine rebuild 78 280z progress.

[cycloid]

Hello

sorry to create the extra threads on the same subject. For some reason I was not able to edit my post to resize the pictures.

I will create this final thread and mainly post video updates along with a few pictures.

I will try to post helpful links and information I find along the way here as well.

I have been working on getting my Z back on the road.

There was some bent valves so I decided to do a rebuild and paint up the engine bay.

So far I have prepped the engine bay for paint and I have painted up the block. I am currently saving up to have the head rebuilt at a local machine shop. Also researching to find a good cam for my flat top engine.

I plan on going with a triple carb setup.

Edited May 8, 2012 by cycloid

[tamo3]

Looks good progress and nice looking body paint! What is your estimate timeframe to complete this? Do you mind if I ask for the cost of rebuilt head?

[Jeff G 78]

Is there a reason you didn't pull the engine? It takes half as long to pull the engine and rebuild it on a stand compared to fighting it in the car. It takes almost no time to pull the engine from the car. There is also much less risk of mistakes when reassembling everything and it would have also made the engine bay refresh easier.

Good luck with the rebuild. I just think you are doing it the hard way.

[cycloid]

tamo3 : Thank you. I plan on having this car up and running in about 2-3 months. Most of the time will be spent saving for the triple carb setup.

Jeff G 78: Hello I know this is not the best way to do an engine bay refresh but my budget is pretty small. I dont know anyone around me with a engine hoist and buying one was just not an option for me. I agree the build would be much easier and cleaner had I removed the block. Im just trying to be very cost efficient with this build . If I get into one of those "while im at it" situations this rebuild will end up turning into a restoration and the 2-3 month project will turn into a 6 month+ project. Im deadset on just doing some minor paint work and putting all my money and focus onto the head, cam exhaust and intake.

Ill have it up and running soon tho

[LeonV]

Engine hoist? I dropped mine from the bottom...

[Jeff G 78]

You can rent a hoist from any tool rental place for a few bucks or buy a used one off CL and resell it when you finish for the same amount of money. I see them all the time for $100 - $150 used.

[cycloid]

I have a good friend that will let me use his paint booth and equipment if I want to. I really wasnt planning on it but I think it would really cool to have the engine taken out and have the car painted another color.( maybe white?)

Im still in the early stages so Its not much trouble at all to drop the engine and do a proper paint job. Ill look around craigs list to see if someone can rent me a hoist. Maybe I could try Leons method instead if its not too much trouble. In fact I would prefer dropping the engine from the bottom becuase there is no head on the block.

[LeonV]

Really had to dig for this one: Engine Pull?

Ignore the rest of the thread... ZC.com, enough said.

[cycloid]

Really had to dig for this one: Engine Pull?

Ignore the rest of the thread... ZC.com, enough said.

Thanks for the link. I will probably take out the engine block and paint the car a different color then. The copper brown is okay but Id like something different.

[grantf]

Way back around 1990, My twin brother and I pulled the engine by hand, no engine hoist. I am not saying that it is best but it is possible.

Edited May 10, 2012 by grantf

[cycloid]

Yeh man I lifted a 400 small block out of a 72 impala by hand once. Those blocks are heavy as hell.

Some new updates!!!!

I started working on sanding the body. I am not happy with the paint job or the color so I decided Ill re do it myself. Ive had quite a bit of experience with prep work so this will be a walk thru the park. I havent decided on a color yet. I was thinking kawasaki green.. Maybe orange?

a couple of pics of my neighbors z car. The guy just had the entire engine rebuilt but hes just leaving it sit there for a long time.

and some work in progress shots of the 280

I was almost going to try and remove the engine block from underneath the car without the engine hoist. had a bunch of engine stands and 2.5 ton jack to get it done. I decided not to do it that way.

closeup of the paint job, notice the orange peel effect. I saw a spot near the bottom of the front fender that had some deep scratches, with base coat and clear coat over it. Seemed like the painters really didnt put there all into it or were just being lazy. Had it been my guys I would have fired them.

some more shots of the car. And also picked up an engine hoist. Im going to take out the block today and post some more pictures later.

[cycloid]

Block is out now

Next update Ill have the entire car sanded to bare metal