Project BLU 260

[PB260Z]

Nice work, they certainly came up well 

[blu260z]

So after stripping back to bare metal and cleaning it was time for some primer. I was recommended  to use valspar AP33 as its a 1k etch but also has high build properties and can be topcoated straight over it. Over a few weekends fighting between warmer weather I finally had it primed and ready for guidecoating and blocking.  Starting with some 320 wet and dry to remove the first guide coat and some 800 wet and dry to remove the second guide coat. Wow do I hate blocking back does that give you a sore arm or what 

 

 

And after blocking and guide coating

 

 

 

Now I plan on leaving the body for a while and moving onto the engine and suspension then when that is all complete paint the car.

Cant wait to get onto something other than bodywork

[GongZ]

Congratulations, it must be great to get past the bodywork stage, and I admire your skills!

 

No BLU will be staying blue  it has the number plates BLU260 but the redoxide looks like its taking over the car

 

Was it '307 Blue Metallic' and will you be trying to match the original colour?

 

I have a 307 Blue 240Z which needs paint, so I am interested to see what kind of paint you end up using and how it turns out.

[AK]

Hi MR BLU Z

I have a Blue 1976 2+2 260, the blue gets addictive after a while.

Your work is inspirational and thanks for sharing method and technique and your trials and tribulations of course.

Great work, keep it up.

Cheers AK

 

 

So after stripping back to bare metal and cleaning it was time for some primer. I was recommended  to use valspar AP33 as its a 1k etch but also has high build properties and can be topcoated straight over it. Over a few weekends fighting between warmer weather I finally had it primed and ready for guidecoating and blocking.  Starting with some 320 wet and dry to remove the first guide coat and some 800 wet and dry to remove the second guide coat. Wow do I hate blocking back does that give you a sore arm or what 

 

 

And after blocking and guide coating

 

 

 

Now I plan on leaving the body for a while and moving onto the engine and suspension then when that is all complete paint the car.

Cant wait to get onto something other than bodywork

[blu260z]

A couple of weeks ago I ripped the engine and gearbox out with the intention of stripping the head down. While its out tidy the engine bay up, give it a good clean and try and hide some of the wiring and also fix the rust under the battery tray. I ordered a HOT little cam to go straight in and it should go nice with the port polish I am working on (pics to come)  here is a couple of progress pictures

 

 

[blu260z]

Congratulations, it must be great to get past the bodywork stage, and I admire your skills!

 

Was it '307 Blue Metallic' and will you be trying to match the original colour?

 

I have a 307 Blue 240Z which needs paint, so I am interested to see what kind of paint you end up using and how it turns out.

 

Thanks ☺ yes its original 307 blue and it will be kept that colour I quite like it.

I have spoken to my paint supplier and he said he shouldn't have an issue matching it as its a fairly basic blue. Its Strange you have a 307 blue 240z as I thought it was only a 260z colour ?  Are you sure its not a 115 or a 903 blue ?

[GongZ]

Very sure. 307 was available on late 240Z's here. As far as I know, 307 blue was not available on US 240Z's, which is why most people think it was only a 260Z and 280Z colour.

 

My car is a 9/73 compliance plated 240Z which has never been repainted (I should say not yet anyway). I bought it from the original owner in 1984 when it had 19,514 miles on the clock and it had never been changed from the way it appeared in Capitol Motors' showroom.

 

The pics show my paint sticker and a general view.

[blu260z]

Very nice Gongz its a really nice colour and car.

[blu260z]

So with all the engine work coming along nicely, I thought I might take a look at the engine bay. What I have is a large battery tray rust issue, because of that battery acid has either stripped the paint or discoloured it. Should I paint it blue again or shoot it all satin black? The reason I am thinking black as it will hide most of the wiring and hoses and make the cleaned engine and freshly painted BLU engine block really show ? What do you guys think ?

Edited August 27, 2015 by blu260z

[Huw]

My 71 was repainted in the 307 blue (originally white with blue interior that previous owner had stick blue shag felt on) back in 07. We made sure it was a colour on the 240z before painting. Although it not quite period correct for a 71.

[GongZ]

It really is a matter of personal choice and the aim of your 'build'. While satin black would help to hide the wiring and hoses, it would also tend to conceal any oil or fluid leaks.

 

I am not a fan of black engine bays, so I vote for blue.

 

[d3c0y]

That is a crappy pic for the satin black engine bay argument. The idea with the satin black is about making the engine the centre piece of the engine bay. Mine is obviously far from finished but gives you a better idea.

 

Edited August 28, 2015 by d3c0y

[blu260z]

Thats a much better pic d3c0y. I like the satin black look especially if the engine is clean and really pops like you said. I think I will take some time to try hide some of the wiring, radiator overflow bottle and charcoal canister etc.

 

Thanks fellas

[d3c0y]

Re-attached up the right way now. 

Yeah there is a lot you can take out of there. I am removing all the fuel lines from the chassis rail and have moved the coil to the block etc. Then you can have specific details like the radiator and the engine bay inspection light that really pop. Best of all I did my engine bay with rattle cans and you can touch up anything you scratch.

[blu260z]

d3c0y do you think you will have any trouble with heat transfer to the coil? Especially sitting near the block ? I am thinking about mounting mine on one of the redundant a/c bolt holes, but I am worry about the heat.

[d3c0y]

That's where i put mine, I don't plan on sitting in traffic too much as my car is just not designed for those conditions. Should be plenty of airflow when moving and it's behind the thermo fans. I'll let you know how it goes.

[blu260z]

Had an RDO today so made the most of the cracking weather and spent the day locked up in the shed ?. I have been working on the engine and engine bay area lately. I decided to go with the satan black enginebay and glad I did, the engine is going to really make a statement in there. So I have been cleaning, removing and degreasing To prep the enginebay for paint. Here is a pic of it so far its all painted just needs everything bolted back in.

 

Now the engine☺ I fully stripped the head and spent about 15hrs total giving it a port polish, wow was that a task you could fall asleep doing that. I re lapped the valves and cleaned up all the cast aluminium parts then sent the head off to get a light skim just to deck it.

 

And here is the almost finished project looking all pretty with trolley I custom made for my engine and gearbox ☺

[PB260Z]

And here is the almost finished project looking all pretty with trolley I custom made for my engine and gearbox ☺

Nice looking stand, way ahead of the battered old shopping trolley bases I use

[Lynton]

An inspirational build, love it Lynton

[Brabham]

I love the "satan black" engine bay. Nice stand too

Edited September 12, 2015 by Brabham

[Geos260]

my engine in a gloss black engine bay

Edited September 13, 2015 by Geos260

[blu260z]

Wow shiny stuff

[blu260z]

Spent some time today bolting up the intake manifold with the lung transplant. Now all you Zed originalists you might want to take a seat, Because I am keeping the 350 holley. I am not chasing the "bling" chrome engine bay look so it will have a ramflo air filter. I also heat wrapped my extractors I do like the look it gives, plus the obvious heat reduction reason. The engine shouldnt be far away from dropping back in as the wiring has been tidied up and the loom put into split conduit tube.

Enjoy the pics fellas

 

 

[blu260z]

Ok guys mannaged to get the engine back in before the long weekend. I was only waiting on a few small things like my clutch fork rubber boot and some stainless steel exhaust flanges from the laser cutters. I am really glad I went with the black engine bay, it has really made the engine the focal point. ☺

 

some nice painting work by the girlfriend

 

Engine bay and engine before and after

 

 

[blu260z]

Hi guys its been trouble in the shed lately. Engine went in perfectly and wiring was ok only small issue is no charge from the alternator I am sure I could work it out. Now the real issue the engine has low vaccum pressure aproximatly 5 in.hg and thats a guess because the gauge is very erratic bouncing between 0-10 I have checked for vaccum leaks and all the other common problems and no luck. Next is to compression test and hopefully that will find an issue. If need be the head will be removed AGAIN, and new guides, seats, and valves will go in. But hopefully it wont get to that.

Wish me luck fellas