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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.

Love to get together and discuss all things 240z. I'm in the Rice University area and actually own a little cafe, so I'll buy. The car is in the shop until later next week, getting the undercarriage coated and the suspension put back on. I hope to get it home shortly, thereafter to start putting it all back together. I just picked up my differential yesterday and it looks really good. This thing may never start again, but it sure is going to be shiny!

I already have seller's regret about getting rid of the Panasports, but I will probably try to find some slotted mags that are close to original, yet accommodate a 15" or 16" tire. She did have a little DeLoren thing going on for awhile.

The Panasports have been sold. The Centerline mags, plus the tires, are available for $200 if anyone is interested. They tires are very low miles and probably worth that much alone, for what it is worth.

I actually recently purchased some 0 offset 16x7 Panasports with the intention of using them on this rebuild, but the shop that is helping me with the restoration has talked me into showing the car at some autorama events. As such, I'm am going to sell the Panasports. If anyone is in the market, I will knock off $150 from what I paid (I have the receipt). I also have 5 really cool and clean Centerline mags with very low miles on 185 70 14 Toyo Spectrums available for sale. Does anyone know of a good site to advertise these wheels and tires for sale?

Thank you for the note. I've used your page and pictures to help me though the process. Your stable of Z's is amazing. Do you mind telling me what the offset is on your Panasports on the yellow 240z with the 225's?

I did have the entire valve and timing cover ceramic coated. I hope that is okay, now that you raise the question. The shop that is helping me didn't raise any concerns, but I will get his opinion before I fire up the engine in about a month. I understand that the ceramic coating actually helps lower temps, but I don't have any real experience with it, otherwise.

The undercarriage was in remarkably good shape and there was not any floorboard or firewall rust. We patched a very small area of rust on the driver's side front quarter panel, but all of the typical rusty spots were rust free. The undercarriage is being thoroughly cleaned as we speak and will get another coat of the gravel protection that came out of the factory. I have every receipt for parts, tools, shop work, etc, but I doubt that I will ever add it all up. Based on the quick numbers that I can add up in my head, I am an idiot for spending as much as I have spent and it ain't over yet. I must say though, that I have experienced so much joy working on this car that I really don't care about the crazy dollars that it has cost.

I am using Zeddsaver to replate and I has the valve and timing cover ceramic coated.

Thank you very much. I'm happy to share any and all info. Yes, the pistons are the original ones and just needed a good cleaning from the machine shop. I had the block mangafluxed, rehoned the cylinders, gave it a thorough cleaning and then repainted with the original Datsun blue. I replaced the rings with Hastings moly rings. The engine nuts, bolts, bearings and gaskets are OEM (had to use a few non-OEM gaskets). I didn't have to grind the cam or crank (polished only) as they were in really good shape according to the machine shop. The suspension parts are all being sandblasted and painted at the shop that painted the car. I don't remember the brand of paint, but it is a durable low-gloss black with a coat of clear for a little more protection. I wasn't planning on replating all of the nuts and bolts, but this restoration thing is a slippery slope and I am doing a lot more than I had originally planned to do. I also had the carbs and intakes rebuilt by the magicians at Z-Therapy. Also sent the original exhaust manifold off to Jet Hot for cleaning and coating. Here are a few more pics.

Yes, it really was very cool. The guy that owned it lives in Everett, Washington and it was his baby. It was like I was buying his favorite child and I'm thankful that he sold it to me. Hopefully I can preserve it and enjoy it with my kids and then pass it on to someone else in 40 years.