In a moment of boredom my dad and I said, "stuff it bet we can get the coupe running!"

Now the car hasn't been run in the nearly 10 years or so the previous owner had it, so I had my doubts. There were masses of custom crap wiring everywhere, dust and debris, not to mention half a mud hornet nest on the block.

So we started by a general tidy up and cut out the crap wiring. Then off came the air filter and checked out what we had. The manifold was held on by only 2 bolts! The exhaust header was in the boot and all the fuel and vac lines had been cut!!! Pretty wizz poor effort that.

Borrowing from Wile E Coyote's school of acme engineering we adapted what we could. This wasn't meant to be long term (I'll pull the engine for a full rebuild) but was just a case of can we do it?

Headers went on, now 5 bolts holding it all on. Had to make a fuel line from the pump to carb using the return line. Made an ignition switch from the coil to the battery out of the junk wiring we removed. Made another wire to the starter to jump start that. And borrowed a zed alternator adjustment bracket and put that in instead of the lump of wood holding the belt tension. Couple more little things and we're ready.....now where's that battery?? Didn't come with one, perhaps tomorrow then.

Today we had another go, with battery this time, so we hooked it all up. Pulled the plugs to turn her over on the starter to move the oil around (it was still full). Also checked spark which we definitely had (got zapped, again :roll: )

All seemed good, quick final check. Rigged up a tin can as a fuel tank (tank is out) and this is the result!

240k hardtop first turnover - YouTube

Helps when you connect a ignition switch to actually flick it on :oops:

Round 2

240k hardtop It's Alive!!! - YouTube

All seemed good so far. We've come this far, why not get her really going. In order to do that needed to fill the radiator.. So we pushed her outside since I didn't want to pull the bottom rad hose inside the garage.

Dropped the bottom hose, which still had rusty water, and flushed it out a bit before reconnecting. The battery we were using wasn't that healthy so we had to use the black wagon to jump it but here goes

240k hardtop outside - YouTube

Now needed another hand so I had to put the phone down this time.

240k hardtop running - YouTube

Sorry for the crap video.....

Now it's only running headers, with air leaks literally everywhere....but she runs!! Got warm and the thermostat even opened before the tin can emptied. So not a bad exercise in acme engineering.

Got to thank my dad for the assist on this. His old datsun racing trickery coming to the fore on this

That's probably all for this year with the holidays about to kick off. Hope to get some minor bodywork done early on next year and finish my bumper assemblies off.

Merry Christmas and stay safe on the holidays!

Congrats starting the engine. At least you know what you have before you start your rebuild. Now you'll be able to sign up as a mechanic for Bathurst next year.

Mery (not too hot) christmas and good luck restoring in 2014.

Chas

First post back from Christmas...and not too much to report.

But i have finally locked in what sort of build i am going for, engine wise, and I've decided on an RB26DETT running a RB25DET gearbox.

I have to comply with ADR's (Australian Design Rules) in order to get it engineered so I'm going through the process of getting those.

Goal is to have the turbos top mounted and still run Aircon and an IC (should be tight, but managable) in the small gap prior to the radiator.

I'll also try to retain the duel exhaust tips to give it a sleeper look. A GTR replica with the perfomance of...well, a GTR!!

I've also locked in the paint scheme and will post a picture shortly.

In the process of ordering a front windscreen and a few other things like dash badges etc. but things are happening slowly.

Stay tuned.

Here it is!!!

A little bit more inspiration. I'll keep the chrome trim, with the black bonnet, mirrors, flares, wheels and rear wing

Doooooo it!!!!!

It's locked in. Got some drawings already of how I want things. Hope the chrome trim will look good on it

GTRs only came in Red White and Silver

I know . Problem is everyone seems to have silver or white....and Kent blackmailed me into not having Red, so.......

...i wanted to be original and stand out from the crowd!!. Should looks the goods.

I'm refraining from doing it purple with glitter flakes through the paint because Adrian shotgunned it first

Edited March 12, 201410 yr by 240k Style

ohh I was thinking the same colour for when I do mine! I rekon it will look great! yours will be done well before mine so I cant wait to see it!

Ok so I've slowly dragged my feet this year. Had a lot on at home with the young fella. But I've started to sand back the areas of the body that cause me concern.

It's actually looking quite good so far. Although using an orbital sander because my compressor blew up isn't fun. More dollars to replace that. And delay buying more parts

But since I've come to the realisation I want to get my hands dirty and weld up what I need to on this car I decided to get serious with her.

All the interior is out bar the dash and the door glass. This is helping me to find out what will need replacing with new metal. Although it seems the previous owner loves using a rust proof tar a lot. That's going to be bloody annoying.

I've got a GTR fiberglass grill coming along with a few other bits and pieces so hanging out for those

But a massive positive is a company in Sydney are offering to make new rust repair panels for these cars if they can get their hands on a good car. Luckily a good friend has one in Sydney!! Score. So there is a chance that soon I can buy new rust repair sections to weld in, saving me huge headaches, and hours of frustration, poorly attempting to fabricate new ones.

And then my dad sends me these

Now I'm back to square one on colour. The red is amazing.....

That's all for now, just rapt to be doing work on the Kenmeri again

Don't make me go and get the horses head out of the freezer...

Awwwww you've been saving that for little ol me??? Mate that car is literally perfect in my eyes....hard to resist.

On a side note. Airmail from Japan arrived today...