KSRosser

Wanted to report back on the dash. Since it was completed there have been some small cracks forming. But it looks much better that before. And, a dash cap would work in the future if needed.

More progress. Had to exchange engines because the “parts car” engine was blowing smoke. Hopefully it’s a broken ring. Bought 16" MSA wheels and gave the car a much needed bath. Bought seat cushions and covers from Interior Innovations (very good craftsmanship and good to work with), and changed out the suspension bushings.

This is an OEM color 611 Wine Red Metallic.

It’s been awhile, but since the car has been covered with a gallon of sprayable fill, sanded, sanded some more, sanded again, then painted and coated.

First step was to dremel the loose pieces out and roughen every edge. Then filled with expanding foam which was later cut. Then sanded down the area and filled with polyester fill (same stuff used on the car). Then more sanding and covered with U-POL flexible plastic filler (mainly used for bumpers). Then more sanding and shaping. Then came the plastic adhesion promoter and the SEM Texture. Then more sanding as every imperfection was noticeable. Little areas were filled with glazing putty (not shown). Then more sanding and SEM Texture. There were several iterations of this last step prior to painting with SEM Trim Paint. I am very pleased with the results and shocked how well it turned out. Time will tell if the effort was worth it!

I was inspired by other posts restoring their dash and decided to try it myself. Since the windshield was removed it was easier to restore in place! The products used are shown, what’s missing from the photo is plastic adhesion promoter used just before applying the texture.

Finished both doors!

Doors were hammered! A little welding and some USC Metal Filler later. Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

More progress, more history uncovered. The car has been at least four colors, originally gold, teal, red, and then white. I’m planning metallic wine. There’s bondo in places it didn’t belong and not done right in others. Amazingly very little rust! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6583526717.html?lang=en&cc=us 1978 federal z in California from Colorado. Too much rust for me, but maybe someone else can fix her up. Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Making progress removing the multiple layers of paint. The original color was gold found in the interior underside of storage lids. At some point the car was stripped and painted fire engine red, then painted white. Kleen Strip Aircraft Paint remover works well, I have a can of Eastwood coming soon, we'll see if that makes a difference. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Nice! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

It's an N42 block. I have had a Craigslist notification set up for an 82-83 manual turbo for a couple years now. I've passed up some decent buys cause it would cost more to move than the cost of the car! I thought the body was hammered but it looks more like one dent and a horrible paint job. The top of this car looks like it has multiple layers of different paint colors, cracked, chipped, and covered. The duct tape will have to go! I'd put a fiberglass bumper on it, but I've have road debris hit my steel bumper and I was thankful it was steel. Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

The head stamp is N42, but the engine block (L28) has a high number 435691. Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

[quote Definitely an artifact, the crank angle sensor is not installed. It's using the distributor. Makes sense the PO likely used an engine transmission from a newer car. When I get back home I'll check the motor stamps again. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Bought this car for $600 for parts thinking the body was hammered. It sat as a yard ornament while I worked on another project. Pulled it into the garage yesterday and started fiddling. First, went to drain the tank and found it was empty (just a few drips). Then the fuel pump wouldn't turn. A whack with a rubber mallet solved that. Then, it turned over, but the injectors weren't triggering. Opened up the 280-Z Fuel Injection book and went though every circuit (why not, save the frustration for later). Traced it down to the distributor trigger and went through that circuit. Not sure which wire was the issue, just cleaned them all. Then it started! I assume the engine was replaced with a Japan import cause it has a crank trigger assembly (I already had one of those). This was a great find that will take some time to fix up. There's bizarre wiring bypasses. For instance the headlights and parking lamps are run by a toggle in the side of the console. PO also ran a wire from the battery, along side the hood cowling and under the dash to bypass a dead power wire. Otherwise, the car's in better condition than my daily driver. Very little rust, decent carpet, heck the AC works! Then there's the 79-83 five speed. My daughter is excited, that's where it's going. And, I get to keep my daily driver! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Looking like a used car lot here. I'm pulling in the garage the parts car (white one) I bought for $600. Except for the dent above the rear wheel it's in much better condition than I originally thought. The original color was wine red metallic (at least that's what the engine bay and under carpets looks like) they painted over the paint sticker. I'm going to start with draining all fluids (gas is nasty), and spend some quality time in my service manual learning about California emissions. All three cars here are 1976, but my daily driver is a federal car: no EGR, catalytic converter, etc. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Sweet! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

The ECM needs to know the engine is turning to fire the injectors. You may have a loose connection at the distributor. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

It's supposed to be silver, but over the years whatever grey, silver, etc. paint I could find to cover bald spots was used. I get razed all the time, "when you going to paint that?" I used to say it's urban camouflage, but I'm starting to accept I'm cheap and lazy. The interior, where I spend most of my time, is very nice. Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Installed TEX Classic door mirrors M68991 (left) and M68890 (right with concave). Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

And, the driver's side window rolls up! Sent from my iPad using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Me, "honey I need $800," wife, "what for?" Me, "there's a z I can use for parts." Wife, "sure." I love it when she understands my needs! So I tell the kid I wouldn't pay more than $600 for a parts car and he took it! 1976 California car (EGR, etc.), body is hammered, but it comes with six new injectors, a rebuilt air flow meter, and a five speed from a zx! Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

Good idea, perhaps electric door locks are next? Totally keyless? I rebuilt my seats with heaters. It makes a world of difference six months out of the year. Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile