What Did You Do On Your Z Today?

[GongZ]

It's a headlight flasher switch, aka as a passing switch.

 

More info here;

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/topic/11855-high-beam-flasher-operation-help/

[PB260Z]

Hi

 

Spent a few hours working in the Bus today, knocked over a couple of those jobs that I have been meaning to do for months.

- Sorted out the ducting for the A/C and ventilation, replaced the split hoses and secured those that were loose.

- Swapped the very noisy fan for a Kia Sportage unit. This fan is heaps quieter. I am not convinced it is moving any additional air though.

 

Than went for a run up the "Old Pac Hwy" and grabbed a beer at the Anglers Rest.

 

All in all a good day.

[OdinZ]

Hi

 

Spent a few hours working in the Bus today, knocked over a couple of those jobs that I have been meaning to do for months.

- Sorted out the ducting for the A/C and ventilation, replaced the split hoses and secured those that were loose.

- Swapped the very noisy fan for a Kia Sportage unit. This fan is heaps quieter. I am not convinced it is moving any additional air though.

 

Than went for a run up the "Old Pac Hwy" and grabbed a beer at the Anglers Rest.

 

All in all a good day.

Hey PB, what did you replace the vent/A/C hoses with? ive got my dash out at the moment, and all of the hoses are old & hard, with the "foam" disintegrating.

[gav240z]

I have been busy with the other toy (RX-7) doing a full cooling system overhaul and coolant flush / burp..

https://photos.app.goo.gl/C2a8lvx74ijg1IqF2

 

I have been putting this job off for ages, but when I went down for the Christmas BBQ last year, I drove my RX-7 to Peter's place before we drove the 2+2 to Melbourne. I noticed the car was leaking coolant, and decided it was time to do something about it.

 

I had originally intended to spend 1 or 2 days on this max over the Easter Break..but things never to go plan.

 

1. I switched out the Y-pipe, early FDs have a plastic cross over pipe that over time can flex/crack and cause a boost leak. Mine was fine, but I had bought the later Y-pipe ages ago and decided now was as good time as any to replace it, but it's a pain in the butt to reach the nuts that secure it in the engine bay, as you can see the twin turbo rotary engine bay is very compact! Finally got that replaced and cleaned up the grease and crap that had accumulated around the area over the years, since it's impossible to clean well with it on the car.

 

2. I discovered the cause of a slow coolant leak, the turbo coolant lines had red crap all over them (dried red coolant).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4zmUm8UaJQh8VPxi2

 

1 of the rubber hoses was weeping coolant onto the line. So glad to find it and fix it with a new hose and clamps.

 

3. I replaced the water pump (old 1 was fine, but starting to make a little noise in the bearing) and the thermostat which had slightly torn rubber. I also replaced the plastic AST (Air Separation Tank) which are known to explode and drop your coolant everywhere leading to overheating and cooking your coolant seals in a rotary. The replacement is an alloy tank with uprated pressure cap which helps keep the system temps down. I upgraded to a Koyo radiator when I still owned the car in Ireland years ago when the original radiator shat itself and split a plastic end tank. The early FD RX-7's are known for cooling system being marginally adequate in stock form, so upgrading to a better Koyo is well worth it.

 

4. Unfortunately to get to some of the trickier coolant hoses you need to remove the UIM (Upper Intake manifold) and under it is a mess of hoses for the twin turbo set up. Known affectionately as the rats nest. I took many reference photos to make sure I put it all back as it was. Unfortunately the previous person who removed the intake elbow used the wrong nuts on the threads and cross-threaded it, so I had to cut it off with the dremel and then fix the studs and replace the nuts etc.. I cleaned up the UIM with a wire brush-although ideally would water blast or polish it completely.

 

5. Noticed the rear turbo oil drain line was weeping oil, replaced gaskets (hopefully that fixes it).

 

6. Unfortunately the car was discovered to be unregistered (probably my fault) I had paid Green Slip, Got Pink Slip and my insurance is paid, but I must have forgotten to pay registration and it lapsed. So now I have to get a blue slip again. Hopefully she passes and I can re-register easily and be able to drive it. I haven't even been able to test drive it and make sure the twin turbo's are working after I messed with all those hoses.

 

6. Next job is to replace the brakes with upgraded RZ/Spirit R/RS size brakes (bigger discs) the calipers are off being powdercoated red and I'll use a seal kit when I get them back... Should improve stopping power and eliminate brake fade - although I have never noticed it with the standard smaller brakes, I figured if I'm going to rebuild the whole brake system may as well go with the upgraded brakes.

 

7. I also have an upgraded intercooler I want to fix (in stock location), which will keep intake temps down.. tempted to upgrade exhaust system and remap for 300+HP but that will need to wait I think and I should really fix the aircon first.

 

Looking forward to taking it on a drive day with some S30Z's (since my S30Z's are not ready yet).. 

[PB260Z]

Hey PB, what did you replace the vent/A/C hoses with? ive got my dash out at the moment, and all of the hoses are old & hard, with the "foam" disintegrating.

Hi

 

I can't remember exactly who I got in from, but it was online about 12 montgs ago.

Just did a google search for XXmm flexible ducting hose and went from there.

Secured it with hose clamps (dodgy but it works)

 

Cheers

 

PB

[gav240z]

Drilling out spot welds is such a chore.. was messing with my early hatch over the weekend. Preparing to separate frame and skin.

[RAP260]

Replaced my awful, noisey, pulsating Facet fuel pump, for a beautiful smooth sounding.. Well.. Facet fuel pump.. Lol.

 

The new pump is a 2 to 3 psi model, designed for my new HS6's ( which doesn't pulsate). This way I can ditch the fuel pressure regulator ( because the other pump was running around 6 psi).

 

Even cleaner engine bay coming up

Edited April 29, 2018 by RAP260

[RAP260]

Finally got my choke working again... Yea.

 

The bracket setup works a treat.

 

Because I'm running HS6's, I took a different approach. Used braided line, instead of solid core, as the HS6's have a return spring. Plus I only need one line, as I have fitted a linkage between the two carbs.

 

Having the choke not hold its position isn't an issue, as I never drive my car on choke.

[gilltech]

Finally got around to bleeding my brakes, no particular dramas. I've been working through the brakes over past months, with new master, new rotors, new rear cylinders, and new flexible lines. I've also replaced several of the short hard lines and reworked others to replace all of the tube nuts which had got rounded off and suffered attack from vice-grips. No leaks, but system yet to be tested.

Now on to the clutch hydraulics.....

 

PS one tiny weep found, nipped it up tighter and re-bled that line so now should be good, fingers crossed.

 

But clutch slave cylinder not cooperating; new post with query on pushrod length.

Edited May 5, 2018 by gilltech

[GregTas]

Got my seats in the car today. It's now got of a lot of the interior in it and so it's starting to look like a car.

 

Might not look much, but Sept last year it was just a body needing new floors. Now it has floors,seats, carpet and even a dash.

 

Seats were both stuffed and needed repairs. Neither of the seats were from the car one was a 240 seat, the other 260 and no rails on them. On the 240 seat I had to weld a new set of spikes on the bottom of it because they were so rusty they snapped off when trying to bend them back to pin the cover on.

 

Quiet pleased with how they turned out. My first seat reupholster.

 

 

 

 

 

[gav240z]

What seat foam did you use? Did you patch up the old or use all new?

[Ponyo240z]

Good job, seats came up nice

 

Got my seats in the car today. It's now got of a lot of the interior in it and so it's starting to look like a car.

 

Might not look much, but Sept last year it was just a body needing new floors. Now it has floors,seats, carpet and even a dash.

 

Seats were both stuffed and needed repairs. Neither of the seats were from the car one was a 240 seat, the other 260 and no rails on them. On the 240 seat I had to weld a new set of spikes on the bottom of it because they were so rusty they snapped off when trying to bend them back to pin the cover on.

 

Quiet pleased with how they turned out. My first seat reupholster.

 

[GregTas]

What seat foam did you use? Did you patch up the old or use all new?

 

I just went to Clark rubber and picked a thickness that looked ok to replace the horse hair back. It was about 25 mm I think. I also put a bit of the same on the sides (10mm) because I was concerned it might not pull tight there. With the exception of the horse hair bit i left all the original foam there.

 

Good job, seats came up nice

 

Thanks.

 

I bought these covers. US company, but covers made in Pakistan and posted staright from there. I was quiet impressed with the workmanship. They were also foam lined.

 

http://interior-innovations.com/index.php/welcome/product_detail/42

[Riceburner]

Good job Greg, what did they sting you for shipping?

[GregTas]

Thanks.

 

I think when I bought them about 6 months back the covers were $190 US and postage was about $85 US and the total cost for me was about $340-350 AUD.

[RAP260]

Attached my throttle cable directly to the pedal mechanism.

 

Wow.. Its actually too smooth and light. Going to take some getting used to.

 

Just no pleasing some people I suppose.. Lol.

Edited May 13, 2018 by RAP260

[gav240z]

Finally attached new rubbers to my rear bumper off #150 but going on #10552 for now. I got these strips from Lindsay at Zshop who was kind enough to donate them after I helped him source some early Ashtrays.

 

They are 2+2 in length so need about 2 inches chopped off. You will need to figure out a way to attach the threaded metal bracket for the hole at the end where the overrides are. I tried windscreen sealant (since it hardens like rubber) but not sure if it's longevity.

 

Also they didn't come with the nuts but I found some suitable ones at Bunnings M5 nuts.

 

I tried to cut the rubber to accommodate the metal brackets using a Stanley knife / razor but it wasn't that effective. Much better to use a Dremel tool with cut off wheel and that burnt through it fast and smoked like burning tyres. ?

 

Lindsay sells these relatively cheap around $40-$50 which is quite good and apart from missing the part no cast on the rear of them I can't tell the difference between these and OEM.

[RAP260]

I spent far too much time staring, at the now, rusty throttle balance bar supplied with my HS6 conversion kit. Sorry, this is just a rant post, but why supply a mild steel rod with a $1000 conversion kit?

 

The second rod in the picture is a $10 Stainless steel piece I bought of ebay. Which they didn't supply for the chokes....

 

Annoyed I'll have to remove the carbs, and reset all the linkages. Bloody first world problems.... Lol

[Kuba]

Finally got to change my wheels and tyres, soo much better than the old tyres! 

Now I have wheels to sell, I wouldn't think they are worth much but maybe the old spare is?

[PB260Z]

Hi Kuba

The Z looks fantastic with those wheels, great improvement.

Cheers

PB

[gav240z]

Wheels would look even better in black!

 

[Kuba]

I'll paint the car black! Maybe, one day

[MikeZ]

Replaced the heater control and fast idle vacuum lines yesterday and did an oil change this afternoon, finally settled into the new house enough to sneak some Datsun time in. 

I might fit my Xenon front spoiler next, then send it off for paint. 

Body colour or black though? I'm leaning towards body colour and keeping the bumper chrome. 

[AndBir]

23 minutes ago, Mike260 said:

 I'm leaning towards body colour and keeping the bumper chrome.

I think a survey would show 95% of people would recommend this ^^^^

[RAP260]

29 minutes ago, AndBir said:

I think a survey would show 95% of people would recommend this ^^^^

Yea, after much consideration I fall into this category. The more I look at my car, light metallic blue 305, the more I love it. And the chrome...... Mmmmm.... Yea baby 

Rob