280Z Full Restore in 5 months, hopefully.

[CG240Z]

Figured I'd share this 280 build for anyone interested. I had a 240 build thread going on awhile ago, but that project has currently gone on hiatus and the cars sitting in my enclosed trailer in the back yard. It's going to require more work than I can give it right now.

I found a good price on a 1978 280Z original owner, hopefully it will be a straight forward restoration, I decided to pick it up and start another project. This time I'm on a time line, I'll be moving to California at the end of the year and won't have the garage space to do any major work on it. This being said, the time crunch is on!

This is the picture of me taking her home. Bought it from the original owner and it has been sitting in his garage since 1995.

Decided to see if the engine would run after sitting for almost 10 year. Changed the wires, oil, plugs, etc. basic tune up stuff. End up having to the fuel pump and she fired right up. The engine has some crusty vacuum hoses, which could explain why she didn't want to idle.

Also had to clear this out, looks like someone decided to keep their food there.

So I got the engine running, it's still going to get a full rebuild, I was just curious if it ran.

I was going to originally have the whole car soda blasted to save time, but I had some paint stripper laying around so I decided to try it out. I put a few coats on and the paint started coming off like butter. So instead of spending the $800 to get it blasted, I'm going to go this route with some sand blasting if needed.

The fenders are going to need patches welded on in the bottom, typical Datsun rust. Also the doors are going to need some work. The driver's door has some bondo that I'm going to grind off and see what's behind it. Still have a lot of body work to do.

[CG240Z]

Pulled the engine so I can get the engine bay blasted and looking sharp.

It started raining on me, so I had to stop blasting. As soon as I get some free time, I'll finish that up.

An engine hoist makes it easy to get underneath the car to do some blasting. After I get some more progress on the body work I'm going to drop the front and rear suspension, blast it, and have it all powder coated.

Doors off so I can start working on them. I won't be able to do much this week, but next weekend I hope to have some primer on, so I can continue on the body work.

[blkprlz]

Squirrels are notorious for stashing their nuts in the engine bay

[madkaw]

You sure have pinned yourself into a corner. Don't know your abilities but 5 months is unrealistic for some shops, let alone one person . I wish you luck and watch with interest.

[240260280z]

The body does not look too bad!

[CG240Z]

You sure have pinned yourself into a corner. Don't know your abilities but 5 months is unrealistic for some shops, let alone one person . I wish you luck and watch with interest.

I know 5 months is a huge time crunch, but so far I feel like I'm on schedule. Although we all know that could change in a heartbeat. My dad is helping me and also any friends I can gather up. The body really isn't that bad, so that alleviates a lot of work. Worse case scenario, if I can get paint and engine done before I move, I can do interior in California.

Edited August 5, 2013 by CG240Z

[madkaw]

It's those unexpected things that kill the schedule .

I guess your having the engine rebuilt by someone else or are you doing that also.

The bodywork usually is the time killer, so it helps the car is pretty solid

[CG240Z]

It's those unexpected things that kill the schedule .

I guess your having the engine rebuilt by someone else or are you doing that also.

The bodywork usually is the time killer, so it helps the car is pretty solid

I'm rebuilding the engine myself, it's a simple motor. Of course the machine work I'll have to take somewhere. Hopefully it will just need some honing, valve job, and check the head. I'm tearing the engine down this weekend.

[Stanley]

What paint stripper did you use? It worked great.

I'm just hoping to get anything done in the next 5 months.

[mjr45]

5 months, WOW, that'll be a butt load of work in that time frame, I wish you the best, mine has been 2 years doing a "refresh."

[CG240Z]

What paint stripper did you use? It worked great.

I'm just hoping to get anything done in the next 5 months.

This is what I have been using. It takes a few coats, but you just put it on, wait for it to bubble, then scrap it off. Definitely wear gloves, it burns a little when you get it on the skin. That's how you know it's good. I got it at either Hope Depot or Lowes.

[CG240Z]

Body parts everywhere! I am in the thick of it for sure. Making great forward momentum though.