'75 260Z Finally Mine

[PriceyZed]

Hi everyone just picked up my first Zed. Been dreaming of owning one for years but was never a good time, either didn't have the money or couldn't find one I liked. Until a couple of weeks ago. Found a tidy 2 seater in 110 red with white interior, like nearly all it needs a bit of work, the bloke threw in the rust for free which was generous. But nothing to serious. Here's a list of ideas that I've had for the build:

Brakes: front hilux conversion

Rear R31 skyline conversion

Suspension: Otomoto coil over weld in kit

Cisco front and rear strut braces

Sway bar upgrade (not sure on thickness or brand)

Interior: standard, LED dash light kit, 300zx seats

Body: FIX RUST!!! Weld in chassis rails (stronger), Otomoto flares, front spoiler, rear

spoiler fender mount side mirrors, side window ext. venetians

Motor: Warm L28 with triple side draft carb set up

Trans: S13 5 speed conversion with heavy duty clutch

Diff: R200 with standard gearing and 1.5 way LSD

Wheels: not sure yet...

 

Let me know what you think, feel free to throw in some ideas/ things that you've all come across to watch out for or wish you'd done differently.

Looking forward to it all

[George]

Congrats on the purchase! Always great to see someone fulfil a long standing desire to own one.

[dat240z]

Good work mate. But big thumbs down of 300zx seats. You can do so much better... They scream 80s styling

[PB260Z]

Gidday

 

Congratulations on the purchase, looks really tidy.

That interior looks mint

 

If you want a little piece of advice, get onto the rust before you spend a cent on anything else.

 

Cheers

 

PB.

[datoman]

Grats!

 

good find. look forward to a project thread?  i would be doing many of the same conversions you have listed above. 

of course when i finally get a zed...   

[Linton]

z32 seats are to tall i put them in mine now removed

[benny]

nice project! note on your choice of coilovers, the otomoto weld on type dont really offer any upgrade over replacement springs.

 

If you're wanting proper base height adjustable coils these are not the way to go.

[MATTY]

z32 seats are to tall i put them in mine now removed

 

 

I've got 350Z seats in my zed, fit like a glove i found

[AK]

Congratulation's on the find and the purchase looks like a pretty good one, keeper her dry until get the rust out. cheers ak 

[PriceyZed]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Really looking forward to the build

I've been in two minds about he z32 seats so the input is much appreciated, but still will try and look for ways/ seats that are a little more supportive. The 350z seats would be awesome but cost wise they'd have to be pretty expensive right?

And also yeah I'm going to start with body work, I have my panel beater organised who did my last project and he's also pretty keen to start as well.

Wondering the best place to source weld in panels in Aus? I've seen a few on rare spares but not the ones I need, plus they're expensive! Any ideas?

[MATTY]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Really looking forward to the build

I've been in two minds about he z32 seats so the input is much appreciated, but still will try and look for ways/ seats that are a little more supportive. The 350z seats would be awesome but cost wise they'd have to be pretty expensive right?s?

Dunno I picked mine up off a mate for a carton lol. But the Shouldnt be too dear now for a stock seat people usually throw away

[PB260Z]

Hi,

 

Weld in panels - what do you need? A couple of the guys on here make some of them.

 

Cheers

 

PB

Edited November 10, 2015 by PB260Z

[PriceyZed]

PB260z Sorry its taken me so long to reply, I've totally neglected my own thread.

I need both rails, door skins and the area above the fuel filler.

All panels are pretty easily found on rare spares, the slam panel from rare spares was included in the sale.

Although I cannot find the rear quarter or even just the area above the fuel filler anywhere.

Wondering if I'll have to get someone with a shell to cut it out for me which is hard to find these days.

[gav240z]

PB260z Sorry its taken me so long to reply, I've totally neglected my own thread.

I need both rails, door skins and the area above the fuel filler.

All panels are pretty easily found on rare spares, the slam panel from rare spares was included in the sale.

Although I cannot find the rear quarter or even just the area above the fuel filler anywhere.

Wondering if I'll have to get someone with a shell to cut it out for me which is hard to find these days.

 

Do you really need a rear 1/4 panel? I'd probably repair the 1 you have. Perhaps share a photo of the damage so we can see how much potential work is there.

[PB260Z]

Hi Mate

 

For the panel near the filler try a PM to either:

Scoota G from Street Weapon Restorations, he is Ballarat.

Lurch from Classic Auto Fabrications, Lurch is in Yarragon.

 

Also check out this tread re chassis rails

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/9634-240z-260z-replacement-engine-bay-floor-rails-now-available-sa/?do=findComment&comment=112623

 

 

Cheers

PB

[PriceyZed]

I don't think replacing the whole quarter is necessary, but I'm not expert. I'll post some photos when I get the chance.

I have had a brief chat to Scoota G in the past about rear brake conversions, but wasn't aware he did panel work as well. 

And sorry I've said chassis rails, I meant floor rails. Just PM'd nat0 then to see if he can knock up a pair for me.

 

Thanks for the info guys

[PriceyZed]

This is the worst of the rust. The rest is just a few bubbles under paint so I'll have to wait till its stripped before I know the full extent. Couldn't get any photos of the floor rails but will try another time

[gav240z]

So that area is a little tricky to repair given the curvature of the panel. However I don't think it's worth getting an entire new 1/4 it could be fixed. But you'll need someone with skills to fabricate that section.

 

Bit of a weird spot, they usually rust below the fuel filler not above. The filler neck section is glued to the 1/4 panel there and traps moisture resulting in rust.

 

I am going to do the same repair on my 240z, but you really need to remove the fuel tank before you can do anything about it. For obvious reasons!

[gav240z]

By the way all those rust spots are pretty typical on an S30Z.

[PriceyZed]

Yeah from the other threads that I've seen they are all common points for cancer. The reason it rusted above the fuel filler is because the previous owner covered up the bubbling paint with duct tape. So when the tape for wet everything went down hill. Minimal below the fuel filler though so that's encouraging. the whole car will be stripped hopefully within the next month or two. Hanging panels, doors etc are getting prepped and painted first then the shell. Which will help with time and spacing out the $$$. My plan is to have the body done and partially re-assembled by the end of the year

[CBR Jeff]

Looks like a good starting point but don't be too surprised what you find when you start digging. The places you have rust as Gav said are very typical but it's what you cannot see that some times brings little unwanted treasures of the oxidising stuff.

But don't panic it can all be fixed with time patience and some money.

Jeff.

[PriceyZed]

Thanks Jeff, I've been reading your thread. I wish I was a s handy/ confident to tackle the bodywork by myself but I don't have the skills that thrills like you. So unfortunately the panel beater is going to tackle it for me. Met with him the other night and he's keen to sink his teeth into it.

[PriceyZed]

Picked up these bad boys yesterday also. All fairly close numbers and all jetted alike. Not like the 40mm mikuni fiasco that unfolded in one of the for sale posts. They came with linkages and soft mount gaskets also which helps. Might just need some gaskets and one of the chokes is damaged, God knows how...

[PriceyZed]

Made some progress today.

Thanks largely to the help of my brother in law. We managed to remove the engine, transmission came across some rotten coolant housings. Going to have to sort them out. Also started on the interior, removing the dash and seats. Found the original trans tunnel vinyl hiding under some grotty carpet.

Pictures attached

[jeff43]

And it begins. It looks pretty solid in the engine bay. Hopefully you don't find to many nasty surprises as you go. Good luck and stick with it, you will get there.

 

Cheers Jeff (J2)