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It is a head scratcher. We were meticulous about the right bolts going into the right spots, but they wouldn't hold torque and several popped back out. The bolts appear to be 10 x 1.5, but there is damage to the threads in the block. I purchased the bolts from someone who gets favorable reviews on these forums, so I'd rather not say his name without knowing for certain what happened. We are stripping it down to the block and send it to an engine shop to have it inspected and retapped, if necessary.

Wow, thank you so much for such a nice compliment. I really appreciate it. I've had so much fun working on this car and I can't wait to get it rolling. I did have a big setback yesterday when I tried to start the engine. I either received the wrong sized bolts for the head, or the threads on the block were tapped with a wrong size tap when the block was cleaned. In any event, the head started leaking coolant around the perimeter and all of the bolts were loose and not able to be torqued down without popping back up. Not good, but not the end of the world. I am trying to keep it all in perspective, but I do have to pull the block out and send it to a new machine shop to figure out a solution. I'll keep working on the interior, in the meantime.

The gas tank is in. If only the valve cover was ready, we could fire it up for the first time in about 16 months.

A few more engine pics, plus a new sticker for the toolbox. Gas tank goes in tomorrow and we should be able to fire it up, if the valve cover gets back from the coating shop.

I'll take a look when I get back to the shop. I purchased them from Rob Fuller at Z Car Garage in San Jose, Cali. He said that he had the magic offset for 225's, so I'm hoping that I don't have any rubbing issues. Good to know that the valance can be adjusted if need be. Thank you for the compliments! This is really getting to be fun.

Well, I sold the first set of Panasports and bought a new set with a little different offset to allow for 225's that won't rub.

Thanks. I'm not sure if it is a passenger door mirror, or not. I bought it from Nissan of Chesapeake. It sits a little differently than the drivers door, so it's probably not.

Engine and tranny back in. Fun stuff!

A couple of more pics. I've never been so excited about a windshield.

A few pics from the last four weeks. I had a hard time getting the new stainless brake a fuel lines in, but should have that done tomorrow. Engine goes in shortly thereafter. Interior is underway, as well.

Can anyone tell me if I should install the OEM rear spring spacers (appear to be rubber) when installing new struts. The old struts didn't have spacers on the back struts, but the parts manual calls for them to be used. I'm using basic KYB gas shocks with the Tokiko springs. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not after any hyper-performance ride. Just going to be mostly driving around town.

Fingers crossed that we get all of the suspension on today.

Wow, that is a pristine Z that you have there. Thanks for the tip on the mags. I will check into them.

I should have the suspension and wheels back on this weekend at which point I can bring it home for reassembly. Here are a few pics of the undercarriage whilst at the paint shop. I recently re-wrapped the harnesses and also had all of my fuel/brake lines replaced. I can't wait to get this thing back in my garage and find out if I really know what I'm doing.

That sounds good. I should be available that day. I used Classic Cars of Houston to prep and paint the car. i did a lot of the paint removal, where i could, with a combination of chemical stripper and good old fashioned sandpaper. They prepped, straightened, primed and painted the car. I also removed all of the components, nuts, bolts, interior, etc, with the exception of the suspension, so that it could roll while in the shop. I went way overboard and have spent three times as much as i had planned, but I am glad that I did it. It has been really fun, and, while I am biased, I think that Classic Cars of Houston is one of the top paint shops in our region. Their attention to detail is freaky. I highly recommend them, but start limbering up your pocketbook. Here are a few more pics from the freak show.