C.A.R. Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 When the 240Z was first delivered to me I noticed the gear-stick hole had been cut out (badly) further forward and a later model - Bluebird or 280ZX - gearbox was in the cabin. As we are returning the 240Z to original specification, I needed to find a 71A box and tailshift - no easy feat as most have been scrapped. Fortunately after speaking to Les at Les Collins Racing in Oct '22 about this issue, he went on the hunt for an 71A gearbox & TS on the understanding that he would get the job of rebuilding it. Needless to say he came though! New Nissan Bulk Rings New bearings. New Nissan gaskets & seals Re-machined and improved shifter mechanism Hydro-Jet blasted cases Re-plated fasteners Rebuilt Tailshaft And before anyone asks: Yes, it all cost the GDP of a small African nation. But what a piece of jewellery it is! 240ZBUILTBYME, gav240z and OdinZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240ZBUILTBYME Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 (edited) On 2/23/2024 at 5:29 AM, C.A.R. said: This was all done so we could fit ALL the panels back onto the body shell and turn a MASSIVE corner with the project: Absolutely stunning work as usual! Edited March 16 by 240ZBUILTBYME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 The wiper linkages needed to be rebuilt, so in May '21 these were carefully disassembled but annoyingly one spindle was seized in it's aluminum housing. I carefully heated it up with my OxyAct and quenched it in water, and I was then able to wind the spindle out. Unfortunately I cracked one of the pot-metal bushes, so I'd have to make a new one. The parts were all Hydro Jet blasted, and re electroplated (with all the other parts) ready for reassembly. In September '23, I machined up a new bush in plastic and locktite'd it into position in the alum housing. Then reassembly could begin: (Completed photo missing - TBC) When I was disassembling the wiper arms in '21, I then went though the box's of parts to find the wiper motor and bracket. I couldn't find it, so I searched the box's again. Nothing. I then spoke to the owner in case he had in in Sydney. He looked and reported back that he didn't have it either! Bugger! I'd have to source an early 240Z wiper motor and bracket... 240ZBUILTBYME and gav240z 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 (edited) Onto the suspension. Aug '22: The front engine cross-member had clearly been damaged in the accident - the kink in it was a give-away. However I also noticed that it had inner LCA eccentric eye bolts fitted, presumably to get the camber back to somewhere normal - check out how far it's been slotted! I thought about fixing it, but it wasn't going to be economically viable, so I went through my collection of crap and found one. This was media blasted and painted. (The old one went into the scrap bin). We then moved onto media blasting an de-oxidizing the suspension components. Then they were given a coat of Stain Black as per factory. When we were reassembling the brake components, they all looks very new. I queried Tony (the owner) and he confirmed that the brakes and wheel bearings at all four corners had been recently reco'd. This was good - one less job for us to do. I did think it was strange considering the state of the rest of the vehicle though... The heater box, fresh air duct and fan housing was also given the same treatment: Edited 6 minutes ago by C.A.R. gav240z, 240ZBUILTBYME and OdinZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted April 18 Author Share Posted April 18 The original wiring loom for the Z was an utter dogs breakfast: Dirty, extra wires, soldered joints, cut wires, crimped joiners, broken plugs, broken & burnt(!) pins and... SCOTCH LOCKS!!! Not surprising given the condition of the rest of the vehicle, and obviously there was no way I could fit this to the restored Z... Fortunately I have a friend who builds wiring looms as a side-hussle, although he prefers to build Millspec MoTeC race looms, I pleaded with him to remake the factory loom for the Z. He said yes, on the proviso that he able to acquire the correctly coloured wires and that I order two looms (fine by me) and that I NOT hassle him for it. After some searching, all the correct coloured wires were obtained in the correct gauge, along with new plugs. Mint! I waited over 18 months, but he did deliver with a new body loom, engine bay loom, headlight fly leads and a checked and refurbished dash loom. The original Nissan wiring tag was also able to be saved on the dash loom! Refurbished dash loom: Cost was eye-watering as it's build by hand, but I can now guarantee that there won't be any electrical issues with this Z when it's finished! redrbzed, CBR Jeff, OdinZ and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted April 23 Administrators Share Posted April 23 On 4/18/2024 at 2:49 PM, C.A.R. said: and... SCOTCH LOCKS!!! If there is 1 thing I hate, it's those hideous poorman connectors. I had to remove them in my white 71 as that was how the alarm system was integrated into the car. Ugh... On 4/18/2024 at 2:49 PM, C.A.R. said: Cost was eye-watering as it's build by hand, but I can now guarantee that there won't be any electrical issues with this Z when it's finished! Pretty sure he doesn't want to do another after that also? OdinZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 (edited) Through the restoration of the body I'd also been keeping track of what parts we did and didn't have as I came across them. More concerning, was that I wasn't sure what parts were missing that I didn't know about! Upon discussing this with the Tony, we decided to 'dry build' the Z as I didn't want to be drilling holes and/or scratching the new paint if we find missing items. So that's what we are doing and I'm glad we are! Up on the hoist with the body-shell and we got the brake and fuel hard lines out to install them. The hard line isolators were perished, but a friend of mine has a 3D printer and used the old isolators to recreate new ones of of a material called TPU which is oil, water & UV resistant. From the RH side accident, it appears the fuel hard line was damaged and cut off near the firewall. The rest of the hard line was in good condition and I couldn't be bothered remaking the whole length, so we cut the the pipe back to under the gearbox tunnel, then we set about remaking the front engine bay section with some new bundy pipe of the correct diameter. A sleeve was then turned up, slipped over the join and silver soldered into position. The front brake pipes were also missing, so new ones were make up in Kunifer with new flare nuts. All this will then be replated along with some other items that didn't get done with the first lot of plating. We'll be refurbishing the brake and clutch master cylinders in due course. Next, the painted front components went in, along with a reconditioned steering rack from SW Motorsport. Followed by the rear suspension: Next the new wiring loom was fed thought the body to make sure the terminations were in the correct places (they were): And the natty engine bay inspection light that we refurbished. Edited 2 minutes ago by C.A.R. hmd, 240ZBUILTBYME, CBR Jeff and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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