My Datsun 280Z "Rustoration"

[Captain Obvious]

Thanks for the additional info Matt.

I think I'd pay $900 for someone to strip my 280. In the off season.

Good luck with the project!!

[HaZmatt]

Some more misc. metal work pics

Rear bumper bracket holes were filled in

[EuroDat]

Thats a really nice job you are doing HaZmatt. Its going to a great looking Zed when you're finished.

Here is a thread on the 240Z bumper conversion. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/body-paint-s30/48611-fitting-240z-bumpers-valences-280z.htm

I made mine reversable for now, but will probably go the way Tamo did in post #8 & #11. The photo's in those two posts show whats needed to fit the bumpers correctly.

You wont be able to use the 240Z valance panels because the crossmember drops down to low in the 280Z for the larger radiator. The easiest way to correct this is to fit a Xeon Airdam or retain the original valance with 280Z grill/indicators and modify the lower grill to fill the gap under the bumper.

Looking forward to watching your progress.

Chas

[HaZmatt]

Thats a really nice job you are doing HaZmatt. Its going to a great looking Zed when you're finished.

Here is a thread on the 240Z bumper conversion. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/body-paint-s30/48611-fitting-240z-bumpers-valences-280z.htm

I made mine reversable for now, but will probably go the way Tamo did in post #8 & #11. The photo's in those two posts show whats needed to fit the bumpers correctly.

You wont be able to use the 240Z valance panels because the crossmember drops down to low in the 280Z for the larger radiator. The easiest way to correct this is to fit a Xeon Airdam or retain the original valance with 280Z grill/indicators and modify the lower grill to fill the gap under the bumper.

Looking forward to watching your progress.

Chas

Thanks Eurodat!

I think im going to go the Xenon airdam route. I just need to source a grill and turn signal lights.

[HaZmatt]

Started disassembling the suspension to send out to get powder coated.

Also sent these parts out to be yellow zinc plated

[mjr45]

Excellent work Haz, I used a lot of Eastwood stuff when I redid my Z, their rust inhibitor products are really very good. I also used their sound deadening material and it made a world of difference. Can't wait to see the finished product. If you need it, I have a Zedd findings frame rail you can have, but maybe a little to late for this.

Edited May 10, 2014 by mjr45

[Jeff G 78]

Wow, great job HaZmatt! I love seeing lots of before and after pics. You are going to have a beautiful and rust-free Z when you are done.

[Jeff G 78]

Here is a thread on the 240Z bumper conversion. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/body-paint-s30/48611-fitting-240z-bumpers-valences-280z.htm

Hey Chas, your link doesn't work for me. It just takes me to the forum home page. I plan on doing the 240 bumper mod on my '78 so I'd like to see the best methods.

[HaZmatt]

Excellent work Haz, I used a lot of Eastwood stuff when I redid my Z, their rust inhibitor products are really very good. I also used their sound deadening material and it made a world of difference. Can't wait to see the finished product. If you need it, I have a Zedd findings frame rail you can have, but maybe a little to late for this.

Hey thanks, I really like their stuff too. I'll have to try out their sound deadening material.

Wow, great job HaZmatt! I love seeing lots of before and after pics. You are going to have a beautiful and rust-free Z when you are done.

Thanks Jeff! I appreciate the support.

[HaZmatt]

My dash was in need of some love so I followed the dash repair techniques on this forum and I think it came out really good. Not perfect but 100X better than it was. I ended up spending about $100 on materials and a good week or 2 of working on it here and there.

Heres the materials I used. Plus I used Great Stuff expanding foam and Duplicolor Truck bed coating for the final coat.

Used the Great stuff expanding foam to fill in the cracks that were split open.

Then I used the bondo bumper repair to fill in the holes

Coat #2

Then applied the SEM glaze putty. This required 4-5 coats of applying then sanding.

Then primed with SEM flexible primer

I used the SEM texture coating to get a decent texture

Then sprayed with 2 coats of Duplicolor truck bed coating.

I thought it turned out pretty good. I cleaned up my dash support.

Then installed my new Fairlady emblem

What do you guys think?

[hr369]

What do you guys think?

a tad more gloss i think would look better. more paint on it would smooth that texture out a little more too. excellent progress. i really like that fairlady emblem

Edited May 11, 2014 by hr369

[Oiluj]

Great work! Really wish I could weld like that. I wouldn't trust my welds to hold a banana...

The dash repair looks good as well.