Car; Check, next step?

[Robstar]

Well I've managed to secure a 260z from a friendly bloke, Paul, here in perth. The car is in good condition, everything is pretty much stock as well. L26 engine in there, needs a carb rebuild to get it going properly. Should be in my garage by Feb and ready to work on!!

 

But I'm lost as where to begin, from what I've dicussed with Paul, the engine in it is still pretty good to go for another year or so I reckon and I wouldn't mind the idea of getting comfortable with the machine before I go ahead and do something drastic like ripping the engine out and putting something else in there. So I think for now I'd like to keep the original engine in there, but perhaps clean it up a little.

 

I also want to eliminate all rust, literally, the idea (with the help of some good mates) was to tear the car down to the bone and fix up any rust inside and give it a spanking new paint job, but is there something I should be paying attention too first? Is it alot more complicated than it seems.

 

No doubt some of the guys around here have stripped their cars down, etc. I'll let the thread take it from here, BTW don't be afraid to get technical on me, I'd prefer it that way.

[Add]

Hiya,

 

Congrats on the 260z. Well if you have it roadworthy, have some fun and drive it for a bit first. Once you start stripping her back to metal and cutting out rust its going to take a little before you finish. That all depends on your rust situation ofcourse. This will also give you the chance to modify suspension ect while you have it in parts. Good luck!

 

Later Add

[fufu]

Hi,

 

congratulations on the purchase, may it bring you much joy and happiness as it does to most of the members. Of course that being said... i must shed some light. In order to get to the happiness stage, for most of us, is to go through some sadness that is the rust repair.

 

You can check out my project in the "members project journal" section.

 

Currently stripping back a 240Z and get it rust repaired and new coat of paint.

 

I'm fairly non-mechanical minded, i do things with computers not cars  . I found the car to be very easy to strip and reassemble. I'm sure it'll be quite easy for you to get into it. However if you need that little bit of guidance then give the forum a post theres plenty of helpful people who can shed some light. Else invest in book called "How to restore your Datsun Z-car" sells for about $35, can be found on eBay.

 

It shows you how to break everything down into tiny parts. Also shows common rust areas. But I'm sure if you did a search on this forum theres plenty of information on common rust areas.

 

To prevent the rust have a search on POR-15 or Rust bullet. But there are pro's and con's which have been discussed in my project journal.

 

I have to agree with Add, if you car is in a usable state, enjoy it while you can because a lot of headaches will follow when you start opening that can of worms. I mean literally. But that also being said, it's also a lot harder now to find parts for Z's so don't leave it too late otherwise it'll be harder and longer to get the restoration part done.

 

Oh and create a journal post when you get started and take lots of photos.

 

Keep us posted

 

Cheers,

Fu

[Mr Camouflage]

^^^ what they said.  Enjoy it for a while. I bought a 240z stripped it down to a bare shell right away, then got too busy with work to do anything to it.4 years later its still a stripped shell.

[Robstar]

After pondering a bit, I'm not in any rush to get behind the wheel and give it a drive at it's current state. Basically, I don't have many obligations to anything as I'm still a student and never went too crazy with my CC. So every penny I earn for the next 2+ years will be poured straight into the Z.

 

I've also decided what engine is going to be going in it, the VH45DE. As spon as the baby gets into the garage, me and about four or five mates are going to strip it down and prep it for such an engine, thank god for the 240/260'z engine bay size! Hahaha. I'll post some pictures in the future when the car is in the garage and stripped, it does need a bit of work in there.

 

Doing it right the first time. (Been reading every thread on this forum haha)

[Mr Camouflage]

Take lots of photos for reference, so you know how to put it all back together.

[Robstar]

I was thinking it might be a good idea buying those car manuals for it, don't they show exactly how the car went together in the first place?