Jeff's 240z build

[CBR Jeff]

All MIG welded in. The same process as I used when replacing the outer guards on the rear quarters.

Fit in the patch with a gap all the way around, same width as a cut off disk. Tack it in then gradually fill it in working around letting it cool down as you go. Use a piece of copper as a backing plate to help bridge the gap and dissipate the heat.

 

Jeff

 

[CBR Jeff]

Like this. I have made a selection of handy copper tools from copper pipe, buss bars and sheet.

 

Jeff

 

Edited September 26, 2017 by CBR Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

Managed to spend a few hours in the shed today continuing the work on the bonnet. Concentrated on the front edge that was a real mess. Cut sections out, fabricated and rolled a curve into new sections then welded them in. Its not done yet but its starting to look ok. I'm fairly confident its going to turn out ok.

Before

After

 

Jeff

[HomeBuiltByJeff]

Looks good.

 

Did it need to have that big of an area cut out? From the pictures it only looked like the front few centimetres were bad.

[CBR Jeff]

It’s a bit hard to see in the photos but the problem was that the front edge had been bashed and bogged. So the area was concave rather than domed like the original profile. I have also found that most of the time its easier to replace a larger section than a small one. Particularly when welding it in it helps to stop distortion.

 

Jeff

Edited September 28, 2017 by CBR Jeff

[gav240z]

I hadn't seen this bonnet work until now, I know how much of a pain in the butt it is to repair this panel. So hats off to using a mig of all welding types for that vent hole!

 

I know you spent a lot of time on it, but geez it's tough to find a good bonnet for these cars now!

 

I like your profile tool, what's it called? I made a profile using sheet metal - I should take a photo and post it here for comparison.

[HomeBuiltByJeff]

Results look good. I start tackling my bonnet today, which I will post up the results in tonights video. Fingers crossed.

[CBR Jeff]

I hadn't seen this bonnet work until now, I know how much of a pain in the butt it is to repair this panel. So hats off to using a mig of all welding types for that vent hole!

 

I know you spent a lot of time on it, but geez it's tough to find a good bonnet for these cars now!

 

I like your profile tool, what's it called? I made a profile using sheet metal - I should take a photo and post it here for comparison.

 

Thanks Gav. It has been testing my metal work skills and patience. Still some work needed but its better that what it was and its better than a plastic one. They are very hard to get in good condition and worth saving if possible

I purchased the contour and profile gauges from Hare & Forbs. From memory they were in the wood work section.

I originally got them to help get the rear quarters sorted (not finished yet) but they have been very handy for a few other jobs.

 

Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

Results look good. I start tackling my bonnet today, which I will post up the results in tonights video. Fingers crossed.

 

You will be fine.

Ill watch the results tonight.

 

Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

Its been some time between drinks as they say.

Work, MTB events a small car rally in Coffs Harbour and an elbow operation (miss spent youth) have all taken up way too much time.

Car has been progressing slowly in between.

I finished painting the engine bay and inside. Took it off the rotisserie as its a bit easier to manage getting the rear quarters sorted out. Door are next then I will need to  get panel gaps sorted out and it may get painted over the Christmas period, see how I go. I have also collected a few items that will be needed as she starts to go back together. Picked up a fairly good front bumper off eBay for $100 that was local in Canberra and then swapped a bottle of nice red for the rear bumper.

 

Jeff

 

 

[PeterAllen]

WHAT... a whole bottle? You were had.

[CBR Jeff]

Great to be healthy, have a weekend at home and have time in the shed. I managed to get quite a few jobs done around the house early each day then hit the shed after smoko both days. Hung all of the front components, guards, sugar scoops, valance, fitted the cowel and sat the bonnet on. They all went on come off and then went on again several times. I had a set of aftermarket sugar scoops that looked good but after fitting them and comparing them to the OEM pair I have I decided the final result was worth spending time repairing the original set. The reproductions it turns out are different lengths, not only to each other but to the OEM parts. The reproduction RH side scoop is about 11mm shorther than the OEM one but the LH is about 4mm longer than the OEM.

So the final combination is OEM inner guard spacers, reproduction guards OEM sugar scoops, OEM bonnet, valance and cowel panel. It actually all fits together quite well. The top of both guards at the junction with the sugar scoop in the same place on both sides needn’t a small of work.

Also managed to get a couple of other jobs started.

If I was making a video like HB Jeff I think I would have a good 10 hours of raw footage.

 

Jeff

[AndBir]

How did you find the fitment / panel gaps (esp. with the doors) of the aftermarket guards? 

[HomeBuiltByJeff]

Looking really good.

[CBR Jeff]

How did you find the fitment / panel gaps (esp. with the doors) of the aftermarket guards?

 

Andy I didn’t get to fitting the doors this weekend only managed to bolt on the hinges. I decided I would work from the bonnet leading edge back getting all of these components lined up. I still need to strip the doors, clean then up a repair a bit of rust when I’m doing this I’ll get the door gaps sorted but will hang them before hand to see what I am facing.

 

Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

How did you find the fitment / panel gaps (esp. with the doors) of the aftermarket guards? 

 

Andy

I finished up a bit early today so took the time to fit the doors. Both align quite well but have the same problem.

Lurch was with me or I was with him (?) when I picked up the guards and he said that the reproduction gards "were NQR at the top". So I found out what he was talking about today. Its the alignment at the top of the door with the guard at the curve back to the A pillar (the photo showes it quite well). Its quite a big gap, but will be simple to rectify with some welding and grinding. This is a very small job in comparison to repairing the original gusrds that are very very badly rusted out and have had several attempts by others to repair them. They were welded onto the car at the bottom of the A pillar!!!

 

Jeff

 

 

Edited December 11, 2017 by CBR Jeff

[AndBir]

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the extra info. Good to know what the potential issues are, but as you say a relatively easy fix compared to rust!

I was just trying to establish the cost / benefit of a repo versus panel beating an original ( no indicator hole) rust free guard.

[CBR Jeff]

Spent the day playing with the passengers door. Striped off the paint and found the inevitable rust.

Cut out a couple of small sections. Worst one was front bottom corner. Treated a couple of small sections and will give the inside a coat of primer later this week.

 

Jeff

 

 

[CBR Jeff]

Between eating drinking eating going for a bike ride eating a swim or two a bit more eating a few hours have been spent in the shed. Lots of cricket on the radio and plenty of advice from Rocky. Body work is progressing and it’s almost possible to imagine the end game.

We hope all of your had a merry Christmas.

 

Jeff

[jeff43]

Merry Xmas Jeff. It is definitely a labour of love this Datsun restoration thing, I'm glad you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looking good by the way. I can't wait to hear this one sing with that beautiful engine that you have. 

 

Cheers Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

Happy new year to you all.

While the other Jeff’s have been badly distracted by virtual cars ? I have managed to spend some time in the shed working on a real car. I also had a moment of age related panic today. Known in this house as a “Jeff moment”.

The hatch has been raped up at the back of the shed for ages. It has been given very little thought apart from having to move it occasionally. Yesterday It was unwrapped, glass removed and some paint chemically removed. Today after a bit of mechanical paint removal and a good look over it we discovered it was almost rust free. The hinge mount on one side needed some work as the weld was cracking, there was a couple of very small rust effected areas and some surface rust along the inside of the bottom lip. The internal surface rust could be cleaned up with a wire wheel and some scotch pads. Two small sections were repaired and then the surface rust was treated with some rust converter and can be etch primed tomorrow. All of the new bits were found for mounting and the hatch was fitted back to the body and it looks good.

Progress was slowed somewhat when I could not find the hatch hinges ?. I have all of the parts from the car in plastic containers on a shelf in the shed and was quite annoyed when I could not find the hatch hinges. I went all through the shelf several times, checked in all the other places I may have placed them but could not find them. Wife and daughter came home and said what’s wrong? I explained with some animation and they said let us have a look. I said don’t bother as I have looked all over the place but was now systematically unloading everything, having a bit of a clean up then putting it all back and that I would find them, no problem. Daughter asked what they looked like, she was looking at the manual open on the bench. I showed her and she then asked about the size of them. I showed her the hatch and the rear of the turret section. She said I’ll have a look...... 30 seconds later she was standing at the bench asking if this was them? It was! The plastic box was at one end of the bench ready to be used? Obviously someone had moved it from the shelf to the bench ready to be used and forgotten they had done it ?. Yep a Jeff moment! It’s great getting old ?.

 

Jeff

 

[George]

Sounds like an invaluable assistant.

 

Happy New Year Jeff.

[jeff43]

Happy New Year Jeff. You will be happy to know that I didn't play with my virtual car at all yesterday. If it makes you feel better, I often open the refrigerator door and think to myself - I must be here for a good reason but for the life of me I can't think why and close the door again, just one of my Jeff moments.

[HomeBuiltByJeff]

While the other Jeff’s have been badly distracted by virtual cars I have managed to spend some time in the shed working on a real car. I also had a moment of age related panic today. Known in this house as a “Jeff moment”.

The hatch has been raped up at the back of the shed for ages.

 

We may have been a bit distracted, but doesn't sound anything like what is going on in the back of your shed! 

 

I have also been known to have plenty of 'Jeff moments' 

[CBR Jeff]

Bit of an update after what seemed like and was ages. In short I have been applying body filler and block sanding..........

Still a bit more to go but it’s getting there. Getting the style lines on the rear quarters is a slow process that is well and truly testing my skills, patience and arm strength.

Luckily Kato Kid has some nice photos of his car’s rear quarters posted on his build thread to assist

 

Jeff