My two swiss S30Z Fairlady Restoration build thread

[JDMjunkies.ch]

About two years ago i was a lucky guy to find a NOS Bride Histrix Seat on Yahoo auctions. Probably the last new one for sale. I bought it and ever since then i was looking for a second one, because only one would suck. A few months ago my Buddy Stef was at my place and we talked about how hard it would be to find a second one. The same evening he saw something about a Histrix for Sale and sent me a screenshot.

I Immediately got in contact with the seller but it wasn't really a seat for sale, but more possibility to get one custom made for my by Bride Japan. A lot of emails back and forth and negotiating, which even including talking to Bride representatives at Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year and finally, yesterday this box showed up at my door..

Inside was a Brand-spaking-new, Order-made only-for-me damn BRIDE Histrix Seat. Oh how happy i am

My girl also liked the fact that there will be a passenger seat for her in the car now too

So at least that task is closed now. Seats - acomplished

[Patcon]

3 hours ago, JDMjunkies.ch said:

My girl also liked the fact that there will be a passenger seat for her in the car now too

From the looks of it, you'll be the passenger...

[JDMjunkies.ch]

21 hours ago, Patcon said:

From the looks of it, you'll be the passenger...

damnit you're right. need to change that asap

[JDMjunkies.ch]

I'm working on a huge post about Z Factory transmissions and options but i decided myself i rather get some physical work done on my transmission. The goal is to check the state of my original FS5C71A factory five-speed (non-US-spec) and then decide if i'll stick with the stock transmission or switch to the FS5W71C transmission from the S14.
So this is how i started on saturday:

 

Decided to give the transmission a little cleanup with some engine cleaner first:

 

Then drain the transmission oil before proceeding to avoid a huge mess in front of my garage:

 

The magnetic Oil drain plug has surely collected a few metal-pieces showing some wear to the transmission:

 

Then the sthifter stick pin had to be removed from the gear-selector rod:

 

Next was to get the flange-connector of. Was quite a bit tricky without air-tools but a trusty hammer, a big ratchet and 30minuts later i was able to remove it without any damage to anything or anyone

 

Next i removed all the bolts to the rear extension cover. Note the smaller bolts on top and bottom and the larger ones on each side.

 

Before proceeding further i thought it might be a smart idea to remove the reverse switch as well:

 

Then i carfulle hammered the rear extension housing off using a wood piece to prevent damage to the housing:

 

So far it looks promising. wasn't able to find any damage on the gears but as soon as i have the clutch bell housing and the front cover removed and all gears are visible i will have a collegue of mine check through all the gearing, synchro rings and so on. Will get the covers repainted and all the seals replaced.
 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

So before i went to vacation i ordered a lot of stuff from japan and elsewere and when i returned two days ago i had a load of boxes and envelopes waiting for me. that's how returning from vacation makes fun So what was inside these boxes and envelopes?
A lot of reading material:

1) Brian Long's Fairlady Roadster to 280ZX book. Probably the most complete Z-book i've come along so far.

2) Original JDM HS30 sports option parts catalogue

3) Original JDM sports option parts catalogue 1979

4) Japanese S30 Fairlady Z Complete book, by "Nostalgic  hero" Magazine.  Basically a small Mook that includes scans of all original japanese catalogues and so on. can be quite handy sometimes.

5) Original JDM Fairlady Z Sales brochure

cool thing is if you unfold it completely and turn it around it's a Poster of a Fairlady Z

6) JDM Service manual for HS30, PS30, and S30

7) Only Z Book (Japanese). Probably similar to 1) but in Japanese, tons of informations about Z's with many spec-tables and so on!

8) then got the JDM Parts list for the S30 on a CD. already have an other one as PDF file but this one is searchable so probably more handy...

9) Now to the non-readable parts Since i decided to go the Subaru-R180 route differential was wondering what adapters i should use. Wolf creek, Beta motorsports or some others. until i figured out that Kameari makes them for the same price with import and the somehow look a bit more appealing and more OEM to me with the darker material used and so on. and then it's Japanese too which i always prefer for personal reasons

10) and since i have a passenger seat now for the Z i also neaded a seatrail, and here it is

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Finally i found some time to go back to work in the garage. unfortunately i wasn't that successfull. My goal was to completely disassemble the main parts of the 5-speed original transmission to check the gears. As you remember i have already removed the rear extension, so i started by removing all the securing bolts from the clutch housing:

Then it was easy to remove:

And off it is:

Next i removed the stopper ring on the main shaft bearing as suggested by the SR311 5-speed transmission manual.

Unfortunately i wasn't able to remove the gear xase for whatever reason. it will move slightly but it's somehow stuck. tried to hammer with a rubber and copper hammer as suggested by the manual but wasn't able to remove it without hammering too hard. any suggestions here? i'm thankful for any useful input
BTW: rear extension is only put back to prevent the gears from damage during work

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Some exciting news! First i was able to finally open up the FS5W71C 5-speed Transmission. Turns out the reason i wasn't able to open it earlier was because had removed the wrong locking spring *lol*. Small part - big problem.
This is the one to remove on the main shaft bearing, not the small one in front of the bearing

Finally disasembled and ready for checking.

My unprofessional first check revealed that it's in quite good condition and no need for a big rebuild, but i will have a professional look over it and definitly will replace a few wear-parts anyway and have the housing repainted.

Even better news - I was able to source a complete NOS (New Old stock!) Rear quarter panel from the Z. It's the US-edition with the cutout for the rear sidemarkers but otherwise exactly what i need. Man i've never seen something like this for sale in the last years and it was a reasonable price too!!

It already arrived at my export agent and will be loaded onto the next sea-freight container to switzerland soon - should arrive here in about 6 weeks

And then i bought this so i have a bit of extra reference and documents probably 50% of the bulletins are about the S30 chassis or L2x Motors

Edited August 22, 2016 by JDMjunkies.ch

[Mark Maras]

 Win! Win! Win!  Trans. does look good. I think you could hold the quarter panel for ransom. What a find. Please share any new-old info you find in the tech bulletins. There's always great trivia hidden in those.

[JDMjunkies.ch]

2 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

 Win! Win! Win!  Trans. does look good. I think you could hold the quarter panel for ransom. What a find. Please share any new-old info you find in the tech bulletins. There's always great trivia hidden in those.

Thanks I have a ton of official documents and the main reason is because of a lot is missing online and i had to source a hardcopy. compared to other cars the Z is very well discussed but very badly documented online. I try to change that. i already made a few knowledge posts on my blog (so far only transmission and differentials), and i'm working hard on a a general fairlady post and another one about factory suspension and a basic knowledge source post which will include a ton of important and less-important documents. mainly officiall nissan stuff. so far i managed to source a lot of documents which are not available online and if i find some time i will scan the Service bulletins too. will probably take another few months but yes, i try to put it all together somewhen

[Patcon]

If you get the TSB's scanned I suggest you download them to the resource area of the site. They will be available and backed up that way

[Namerow]

20 hours ago, JDMjunkies.ch said:

Even better news - I was able to source a complete NOS (New Old stock!) Rear quarter panel from the Z. It's the US-edition with the cutout for the rear sidemarkers but otherwise exactly what i need. Man i've never seen something like this for sale in the last years and it was a reasonable price too!!

Very useful to see how this panel was designed, esp. the joins at the lower rocker/sill and the hatch sill, as well as the inner panel that joins to the hatch floor.  Too bad no one offers these as a re-pop.  Nice find!

[munters]

Hello Nils

This Paper was written for the Original owner of this paper (the handwritten name you took at least off on top of the first page).

He did not publish it but gave the original to me.

I made a pdf and gave it to you without asking him if i am allowd to. (I have to live with that.)

But publishing it and putt your www. JDMJunkies . ch on it without asking me is wrong!

I can not allow you to keep it online without the permission of the original owner.

Thanks

Marcel