grantf

here is more progess.... last coat of primer is sprayed. next is wet sanding the whole car. And for the base and clear it looks like I might have scored use of a huge paint booth!!!!

ok so it's been a while since my last progress post so here goes.... the dark grey is ppg epoxy primer, I thought that it would be best over bare metal considering that all of the lower body panels were cut out and new pieces welded in, the lighter primer is 2k sandable primer filler, both sprayed pretty rough but that is not a concern of mine since the whole car will be wet sanded to 600.

I own the same car (78), mail me you're beer and car to Seattle and I will be happy to look at it. in addition to the repair manual you probable should download the FSM (factory service Manual) http://www.xenons30.com/files/FSM/1978%20280z%20FSM.zip this will guide you through tune up precisely and is more detailed regarding the year of you're car. look it over then try asking for more specific problem solving questions.

umm ha, ha ha ha $$$ ha

lots of good sugestions so far but I all way test my stereo with... Rush 2112.

good start!

thanks

way to go Muad'dib

I simply cut out all rust and bent a scrap peice of sheet metal to fit, welded it up, ground it flush and added a thin amount of body filler. I'll see about posting pics...........

I sort of like the set up you have, hmm could one cut stock carpet at the drop down point and lay the remaining forward right behind the seats and use corner trim to hide the cut line?

Sorry I have been away on a motorcycle cross country trip up into Canada for the last five days.... No you need to remove the old metal piece first, I plug welded mine back were the old spot welds were. As for metal treatment I removed as much rust as I could then used rust converter in the hard to reach places, all metal was stripped bare than coated with weld thru primer. after welding seam sealer (out of a caulking tube) was used between the new part and adjoining panels, this was how it was originally installed at the factory. hope this helps clarify.

I spot welded mine on and used seam filler on the underside farely strait forword.

Anyhow like I said I have long legs (no trouble with leg room). so my torso must be average. People with short mans syndrome need not respond. :stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid: Oh and my arse sits firmly in the drivers seat (but if my head where in it somewhere I think discomfort might be an issue). Really though I'll bet you will have little problems being comfortable in any s30.

I have plenty of spare head room in my 78 280z and my old 74 260z was the same, 6'2" but I have long legs.

keep me posted I have just finish replacing the last patch on my 78 today, Yay! I will post more pics in the body work thread. my advise is to take your time, these panels do not fit perfect at first and need finessing. only replace what metal you need ( you do not need to use all of the replacement panel ) I try to retain the original metal as much as possible. A hammer and Dolly are recommended. Are you using a mig welder? (weld in slow stitches to keep warpage to a minimum). hope this helps

I thought that wobble was a natual feature of z's!

Same year as mine. Cheers.

the new piece from msa welded in... over all a really nice fit but the forward edge was a bit shy of matching the original seam so instead of plug welding I resorted to tacks along the edge oh well it will be consealed under the hatch seal anyhow.

So here are pictures of my rear hatch deck....

It's got to be a loose conection somewhere.

hey that looks like my car!

I have a 78 that also gets crappy mpg. I will be waiting to see what you find. My car is slowly in the prosses of being dismantled for paint so it it will be some time before I trouble shoot my poor gas milage. I was thinking about a fuel leak leading to my symtems but I am not shure and at times I get black smoke from my exhaust.

pics?

nice car, interesting colour

and another snag: I want to remove the body panel that resides just front of the rear bumper, I know this area harbores rust. Is it welded in? I want to preseve it any suggestions?