While the block is at the shop...

[ksbeta]

Thought I'd lay into a few steering wheels that have been lying around. The one on the '71 needed to be restored, so I figured if I was buying the supplies and investing the time, I might as well do all three. Hope to have them all done within a week or two.

[ZohanIsBack]

Good deal! Looks like you have plenty of spare steering wheels! I heard these are actually a special type of compressed wood composite? Kinda of like particle board with plastic or something? I have no idea, just curious if that is true. Good luck with the restore!

P.S. What are you doing with the block in the shop? Just a rebuild? More?

[ksbeta]

Break in the cold weather allowed for Stain & Polyurethane

[rcb280z]

ksbeta, are you selling these? I think one would look good in my 280 :-)

I have always wanted one but usually can't touch them due to price.

More info on the block in the shop.

[ksbeta]

More details and photos on the block are here: https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-zcar-discussion/40249-hls30-01222-project-2.html

But in short, just doing a stock rebuild. Bored out .40 to try and eliminate pits in one cylinder, and ultimately ended up putting a sleeve in it. It's about done, ready to go back in. Will update that thread when it happens.

One of those wheels will go back in my '71, and the other two will likely end up on eBay, yes. Trying to find ways of funding these builds without dipping into my 401k is a constant challenge.

[Carl Beck]

I heard these are actually a special type of compressed wood composite? Kinda of like particle board with plastic or something? I have no idea, just curious if that is true.

Yes - that is true. They are a wood fiber and epoxy composition. They can be stripped, sanded and re-stained/re-finished.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[ninjazombiemaster]

More details and photos on the block are here: https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-zcar-discussion/40249-hls30-01222-project-2.html

But in short, just doing a stock rebuild. Bored out .40 to try and eliminate pits in one cylinder, and ultimately ended up putting a sleeve in it. It's about done, ready to go back in. Will update that thread when it happens.

One of those wheels will go back in my '71, and the other two will likely end up on eBay, yes. Trying to find ways of funding these builds without dipping into my 401k is a constant challenge.

The PO wrapped mine in leather, old fashioned wrapping, spiraled around it and tired. Looks rather nice in my opinion, and can be seen in my very first post ever.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-zcar-discussion/46994-introducing-my-73-240z.html

No idea what kind of shape it is in underneath, since I don't want to have to re-wrap it!

But anyway, they are looking nice!

[ksbeta]

Thanks very much. I think that leather wrap has a nice period-correct feel to it (not that I was around during that period, so take that as you will). The restoration route isn't too bad, should your leather ever wear out. The re-stained wheel really seem to do wonders to make my car's interior seem new again.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Thanks very much. I think that leather wrap has a nice period-correct feel to it (not that I was around during that period, so take that as you will). The restoration route isn't too bad, should your leather ever wear out. The re-stained wheel really seem to do wonders to make my car's interior seem new again.

Thanks! Remember to post some pictures of it all back together.

[ksbeta]

The sanding and stain moved quickly, but I kept running into issues with the paint. Never could quite get it where I was happy with it. Many months later, I finally finished these things. Just in time - motivation for sanding steering wheels is low during the summer.

[Six_Shooter]

The PO wrapped mine in leather, old fashioned wrapping, spiraled around it and tired. Looks rather nice in my opinion, and can be seen in my very first post ever.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/open-zcar-discussion/46994-introducing-my-73-240z.html

No idea what kind of shape it is in underneath, since I don't want to have to re-wrap it!

But anyway, they are looking nice!

My car, also a '73 had a leather or vinyl wrap on the steering wheel when I bought it. I have since replaced the wheel with a Momo, but still have that original wheel stored away. It's not like yours, more like a leather wrap, and then stitched on the inside. I thought it was factory until another Z friend pointed out that it wasn't.

[ksbeta]

One ended up on a 280z locally. He's restoring the horn-pad as well to match.