resurrecting a 1977 280Z

[MM569457]

Minor setback: brakes are being a bugger.

 

im guessing I didn’t tighten the brake lines to the BMC so it leaked into the engine bay. I’ll have to repaint. Not a big issue.

as for the bleeding, I’ll have a mechanic friend come over with his tools to help bleed the brakes… this car is DRY. 
 

moving onto installing portions of the interior. I have door panel assemblies coming in for the driver door. I’ll need to repair the passenger door handle, the linkage is broke and I’ll need to hunt down the part.

 

I did find a bra lol

[MM569457]

Focused on installing the interior door panels today. Parts came in! The door panels needed a bit of TLC so I used plastic glue to secure the peeling leather trim.

 

I tried to tape the interior trim due to peeling chrome…. But wasn’t working with the masking tape. I soft sanded the chrome trim down and hand painted the chrome silver. I think it came out ok.

 

 Passenger door handle is broken. Waiting for a new handle and lock to come in to do the repair. I’ll do some more research to see if the linkage is salvageable.

Edited April 10, 2022 by MM569457
Error

[MM569457]

Took the time and used Vice grips to help remove the exhaust. I’m keeping these two clamp/connectors  so I can put the new exhaust onto the car.

[MM569457]

Had a mechanic friend stop by yesterday to help with the brakes. Brake hoses, which I didn’t swap out, were trashed. We ended up replacing them and we were able to bleed the brakes.

in addtion, the clutch slave cylinder was installed while I turned my back. I advised my friend “you don’t know what you are getting into” but he figured it out once the cursing started.

so now I’ll focus on lubing the locks on the car, then onto assembling  the engine, clutch, and transmission

Edited April 17, 2022 by MM569457

[MM569457]

Quick review of what’s been accomplished so far from when I started on this 280Z:

• Remove and clean fuel tank-Completed
• remove rear end/install R200-Completed
• new fuel filter/fuel pump-Completed
• New fuel line (possibly)-Rubber parts/Completed
• new tires/wheels-Completed
• brake job-Completed

To Do:

• bushings- (heard I need to replace and not necessary)
• drop in Rebello w/5 speed transmission

additional to do not anticipated:

• Repair passenger door handle
• install new motor mounts
• repair locks
• fresh paint
• install HVAC
• minor odds/ends
• new exhaust
• new radiator

I still have the old OEM radiator… debating if I want to keep it and pair it with the rebello.

I guess it be that way sometimes.

 

Edited April 18, 2022 by MM569457

[MM569457]

Tried to repair the lock cylinders. Removed the driver door panel and trim to work on it. It’s trashed. The uninstalled passenger cylinder was functional.

 

in a move of genius I reversed the latches and installed the functional cylinder on the drivers door.

Additionally installed the new handle for the passenger door with the seized cylinder.  It ideal reinstalling the seized cylinder but whatever. It be like that sometimes.

[MM569457]

The job gave us a family day today so we can have a 4 day weekend for Memorial Day. Took today removing the EFI cables.

 

relatively easy, I did use a door clip remove to disconnect electric connections and fuses. Made short work of it. EFI is now removed and I’m ready to work on assembling the engine, transmission, and clutch. 
 

clutch slave cylinder was installed last weekend.

[MM569457]

Ok guys I need some guidance. I’m about to mate the transmission, clutch, flywheel, and engine together. From what I gather I will need to purchase;

 

*new engine mount insulators
*engine mounts
*bolts to add transmission to engine

Not sure if I need bolts for clutch or additional parts. Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[siteunseen]

Check to make sure the motor mounts seat down correctly. There's some that don't let the peg line up and drop down into the hole.

I used a rope and a wooden handle to fit up the gear shift hole to help pull the transmission up from inside the car. When I got it up where I wanted it I tied the handle down onto the tunnel inside the cabin to hold it in place. This picture may help...

[MM569457]

Ok I’ll keep that in mind. May need a new flywheel. 

This one is a used aluminum flywheel. It does have a replaceable friction plate.. I’ll need to see where I can find one.

Edited June 3, 2022 by MM569457

[siteunseen]

2 hours ago, MM569457 said:

Ok I’ll keep that in mind. May need a new flywheel. 

This one is a used aluminum flywheel. It does have a replaceable friction plate.. I’ll need to see where I can find one.

That looks like you could have it resurfaced? My machinest measured the depth around the friction disc's screw holes and said there was enough for a light cut. Hopefully your's is too. Well maybe you could just get some shorter screws.

Looks pretty shallow on some???

 

[siteunseen]

I wonder if it's possible to flip it over and use the other side? It may be fresh and useable?