New Project - no Fj content!

[rktmanfj]

Just spotted this 240Z video, lol.

Lovers of pristine hardware might want to skip this one.   

Junkyard Turbo Swap! Chevy-Powered 1971 Datsun 240Z Autocross Thrash - Roadkill Ep. 26

[Flynt]

Next update...  chassis gone to body and paint guys.  

Here's some glam shots of the chassis...  really straight and nice starting point, given the propensity of these things to get thrashed by idiots while they're rusting away (there's actually a "Rotsun" car club in SF area running hotted up Datsun rust buckets around in packs).  





Here's the trailer and the chassis/rotisserie inside.  I decided an enclosed trailer would be best...  at least contain the parts (vs yard-sale on the freeway) if something went wrong while moving it on the rotisserie.  Also made taking the other parts up a breeze...  just laid them out on the floor.





Finally, here she is in the metal guy's shop (he does concourse Alfa Romeo's out of this place, so I'm hoping for the best).  Pictured are me, Andy (painter), and Larry (mr metal)...  they estimate early May for return.  



I also sent out most everything for plating, coating, reconditioning, etc.  Engine work is nearly complete and I'll start getting coated parts back within a few weeks...  so time to sort out my storage plan for the "ready to re-assemble" stuff.

Kind of miss the driveway art...  lot's of neighbors stopped in when they'd see me out there fiddling with it.  Some even brought tools over to help me out along the way.  I should have a rusty POS in the driveway at all times probably...  

Frank

PS - moving the chassis got my '72 accessible, so Diane and I took the toys out for a play date last Sunday...  that's her '69 Mustang GT in front.

[TRoy]

BWAHahahahahahaha  i miss you!

tRoy's speculative PhotoShop job from a few years back. Pretty accurate.

[Flynt]

Next update...  chassis gone to body and paint guys.

And now it is back...

After all metal work and primer were on chassis, we test fit fender, doors, hatch, and hood (all had been blasted to bare).  Then Andy (paint guy) removed, took them to finished on inside and primer outside.  Then we fitted again and he sprayed the whole thing together.

Fitting parts...





Fitting again in primer...





Rolling into my garage with the help of potential "Drinks Bitch" Dan (new windows/stucco going on house as well right now...  accidental schedule collision)...







And I'm getting a steady flow of parts back from plating guy now...





I'll start to assemble once the house project is done...  2-3 weeks I think.  Engine is done awaiting dyno tune, suspension and interior stuff should be ready within a month.  Maybe back together by September...

Frank

[Firehawk068]

Awesome pics!
What an amazing transformation so far.............

[fj johnnie]

 I was just thinking about your z project. Glad you updated us.  Looks very nice.

[Flynt]

What's the process you are going to use to rebuild the finish?

Painting process:

1. strip to bare metal,
2. 2-stage epoxy primer, lt gray,
3. black primer and block sand...  repeat,
4. 2 coats single stage tinted primer, matched to finish coat,
5. block sand smooth
6. 2 color coats with wet sanding
7. 2 clear coats with polish,

still to come:

8. wet sanding any remaining defects,
9. full polish, swirl removal, detail and wax before any badges/lights/bumpers/etc go on.

I'm also waxing the underside while on the rotisserie and before putting parts back on.  It is the same paint process on everything inside and out...  It has 2.5 gallons of paint on it and is hopefully fully rust-proof at this point.  What do you think about the name Kermit, or maybe Hulk for this one?

Frank

PS - not insignificant cutting and welding was required as well, especially in battery box area where acid had f'd things up pretty good.  Roof, fenders, and hatch all had rust that needed to be cut out...  and this was a clean one!

[Flynt]

Have put some energy into the z of late.  I have almost all of the parts to put it together, now just time limits my progress.  Here's where she is now:

In garage, still on rotisserie:




A few pics of new parts installed.  Brake and fuel lines, parking brake, rear control arm pivot, mustache bar, electrical harness complete, headliner in, etc...












In addition I have the dash built and on shelf ready to install, the motor/trans is at builder (Rebello racing) tuned and ready to install (243Hp I think), all suspension bits powder coated with fresh hardware and some slightly lower Eibach springs, differential (now LSD) complete, seats, etc cluttering up my garage and house...  Time to move this one along.  Hope to be back on wheels and engine/running/drivable automobile by April or so.  I am getting excited now, so it may speed up a bit.

Frank

[fj johnnie]

 Awesome. Thanks for the updates.

[Pat Conlon]

Very nice Frank....as you start bolting things to the body (adding weight) sooner or later, (I suggest sooner) you will have to take it off the rotisserie, or your doors won't close.

It would be a shame to put a crimp in that beautiful body.

[Flynt]

you will have to take it off the rotisserie...

Yep.  One more thing goes on before I flip it over, transfer to jack stands for a few hours, and then set her down on her wheels.  That's the parking brake handle and I'm mid-stream into the pillar upholstery, so I'll finish that.  Then off the rack.

I'm going to be happy to get off the "R"...   makes me nervous to have the car upside down.

Frank

[Firehawk068]

Frank, that is some mighty fine hardware you have going on under there. 
It's a shame, once it's on the ground, no one will be able to see how pretty it is on the underside.

I have a question about the strap looking thing in the driveshaft tunnel area. Is it to contain the driveshaft in the event of u-joint failure?

[Flynt]

the strap looking thing in the driveshaft tunnel area...

holds down the front of the differential...  The strap is NOS even with the nicks you see.  It is what you got at the time.

Frank

[Capn Ron]

the strap looking thing in the driveshaft tunnel area...

holds down the front of the differential...  The strap is NOS even with the nicks you see.  It is what you got at the time.

Frank

Wow...you mean that was an OEM "anti-wrap" solution from Datsun?

[Firehawk068]

Aaaaah, I see. So the pinion doesn't come close to hitting the floor under hard acceleration.
With 243 horsepower or so, I'm sure you'll need it!

Forgive me, I am not that familiar with the older Z-cars. Are these solid axle cars, or is the diff mounted to the framework, and it uses halfshafts?
From the pics, it looks to be the latter. With the diff cradle mounted solidly between the black bar and the floor of the car, you wouldn't think you would need that strap, unless the mounts had alot of give to them.