New 240Z owner in Sydney

[Al_240Zee]

Hi guys,

Picked up a 73' 240Z a couple of months ago from Canberra. Looking to restore to former glory. Have taken out the seats and trim so far. Looks reasonably solid. Have ordered some floors and rails from @kfvintagejdm, waiting for them to be delivered. 

Hope to meet some of you in person sometime. 

Cheers, 

Al

[gav240z]

Nice, good original car. Good starting point.

[GregTas]

Welcome. Yes looks like a nice solid car.

The floors must be worse than they look in the photos to be replacing them.

Edited August 14, 2020 by GregTas

[Al_240Zee]

20 hours ago, gav240z said:

Nice, good original car. Good starting point.

Thanks Gav

[Al_240Zee]

19 hours ago, GregTas said:

Welcome. Yes looks like a nice solid car.

The floors must be worse than they look in the photos to be replacing them.

Thanks Greg. 

The insulation on the floors is hiding the dents. Underside of floors and the rails have dents. Figured it would be easier to replace.

[GregTas]

Always nice to keep a car with original metal if possible.

Perhaps get someone to fix up the dents? Or if needed cut out bad bits and just replace them.

There is a bit of work in cutting out the complete floors and rails and replacing them. It is possible to just remove floors without rails. Once floor is out the dents in rails could be tapped out from the top side and their insides can be inspected, treated and sealed to lengthen their life.

Worth thinking about before chopping them out.

Edited August 15, 2020 by GregTas

[gav240z]

+1 to what Greg said. Cutting out entire floors is much more work. I would only do it if they are completely fubar.

Hammer and dolly and 2x4 piece of wood could fix the dings/dents.

[GregTas]

Fubar floors. And even then I was able to just replace back half of floor. 

[daretobedifferent]

Based on the damage you've described, first try knocking out the dents on the floor and then just replace the rail itself.

If your floors are rust free but just dented, definitely no need to replace the metal

Edited August 16, 2020 by daretobedifferent

[PeterAllen]

Agree 100% with the previous comments regarding just knock the dents out of the floor.

You can also make cover rails to go over the crushed ones. 

Remember there will be sealer sprayed underneath and sound-proofing, plus carpet on the floor.

Too many folks dig themselves into deep holes with these project and it leads to some despair and project delays.

[AndBir]

My preference would be to cut out the bottom of the rail leaving the (generally) undamaged sides in place. Then treat any rust, apply primer/undercoat and paint and then weld in a new bottom section. Should come up looking like new.

[Al_240Zee]

Thanks for all the replies @GregTas, @gav240z, @daretobedifferent, @PeterAllen, @AndBir, much appreciated. 

Will look to retain as much as possible. 

If you can recommend anyone for bodywork / welding in Sydney, please let me know.