Thomo's 260

[Thomo260]

Thought I would start a bit of a rundown on what I have got and what I am doing with the Z. After having about 12 1600's and various other cars I have finally seen the light and bought a 260Z 2+2, not the most preferred model I know but hey you got to start somewhere. I still love my 1600's and my over hording of parts will probably see me with another one day.

 

I bought the car from a local dealer with no reg as I planned on doing a bit of work to it anyway but with the Grampians run coming up I have hurried along to get it roadworthy and rego'ed then I can worry about other things over winter.

The car was purchased from the car yard that I bought it from about 11yrs ago and the old bloke (late 60's) that owned it decided to trade it back in as he couldn't get in and out of it anymore.

 

So far all I have done set the valve clearence, bead blast the rocker cover tune the SU's up a bit with the help of Mark (scootag), change engine/gearbox/diff oils & filter and get some rust fixed up around the RH side bonnet hinge and replace heater hoses. The main problem I had was every time I touched a heater pipe, something broke. So I had a plumber mate make a new one out of copper, it runs around behind the head to the manifold.

Plans are to remove all the suspension, blast and respray in Gunmetal. Remove engine to detail engine and bay. Clean up the interior abit and would love to get a new dash done as current one has had a new skin stuck over the top half. And enjoy driving it every other day.

 

It goes in for the first RWC check today, not expecting to pass as I have left a few obvious things like back tyres and castor bushes, only to help the guys out so they don't have to look to hard  

 

Cheers peoples.

Thomo

[Thomo260]

Couple more pics.

EDIT: Just won these rims on evilBay. Hope they fit OK 15x7 Riken's.

[RBZ 260]

nice car. very clean interior expecialy for light coloured.

 

the rims should look good. i had similar ones on my tX5 years ago.

 

as long as offset i sok should be ok.

[620Z]

Well done Thomo. Sounds like it's coming along well. I am looking forward to seeing it at the Grampians.

[C.A.R.]

Good stuff Thomo!

Needs a front air dam/spoiler ASAP

[stevo_gj]

Needs a front air dam/spoiler ASAP

 

in your opinion! 

 

I reckon it will look great with/without one 

[Thomo260]

Got the results back for the RWC and a few minor things need doing, no big dramas EXCEPT. The vent control dosn't switch to demist the windsreen. I have had a quick look and man, it is a mine field under there. I can't see where the control lever/cable is to actuate it. There is one airline with a screw in it, but i have no idea where it goes but it's from a T piece on the one of the lines going up to the actuator. Can someone give me any ideas? BTW it has A/C so space is very limited.

Cheers.

[stevo_gj]

Got the results back for the RWC and a few minor things need doing, no big dramas EXCEPT. The vent control dosn't switch to demist the windsreen. I have had a quick look and man, it is a mine field under there. I can't see where the control lever/cable is to actuate it. There is one airline with a screw in it, but i have no idea where it goes or where it's from. Can someone give me any ideas? BTW it has A/C so space is very limited.

Cheers.

 

I have exactly the same problem, I can't switch to windscreen demist either. If you end up fixing it a couple photos would be a great help to me

 

Good luck!

 

Steve

[Thomo260]

Thinking it could be electrical as something has to tell the vaccuum when to work. Maybe

[Zedman240®]

Has your zed got the vacuum operated controls? If so, check/renew all the hoses under there! Especialy at the ends where they all split. Older zeds had the cable operated ones which were easy to sort out. All you had to do was straighten all the cables and clip them on again! Do you have that big vacuum resevoir under the bonnet? Near the fusible links? Just have to check all of the connections for leaks.

[Thomo260]

Yeah this is vacuum operated with the tank on the RH side strut tower. I have checked all lines and all have good seals. There is vacuum to the tank and the tank is holding vacuum well. But it seems to be these solenoids with wires attached that are stopping it from going to the dash. This is going to be a headache for sure.

 

I have fixed everything else for the RWC. Balljoints, caster rod bushes, uni's on the LH half shaft and various other little odd jobs so this is all i need to sort out.

[Thomo260]

Went out to the shed yesterday morning and had a good look at the car (didn't do anything, just looked) and have decided that it is just not right and I don't want to risk doing any major damage by rushing it. So I have made an executive decision and the engine is coming out tomorrow. Someone has stuffed around with the timing at some stage and there is only one way to be sure. So I will fit a new timing chain kit and a clutch kit while it's out.

This will most likely put me out for the Grampians run but with Murphy's Law I dont fancy getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. At least now I can polish up the engine bay and paint the block and sump and have a good general tidy up. Pics to come, cause I know we all like photo's.

Should get Vlad The Installer to document the job

[FuzzyDropbear]

Good to see your Z progressing well Thomo. I second the requirement for Vlad to make a return to the big screen  He'd make a great documentary out of it. 

 

Painted engine and a cleaned up engine bay will make it look like a million bucks. Can't wait to see it on the road around the 'rat.

[Thomo260]

Got a bit done this weekend. Engine out and gave the block a bit of a clean. Removed the front cross member and attached bits to take to work tomorrow and give them a blast ready for paint.

[Thomo260]

Crossmember blasted and painted.

[luvemfast]

Looks pretty

Why not replace all the bushes while you have it all out? 

 

[Thomo260]

All rubber and joints have been done, except  lower c/arm and rack mount. They are good already. I have shimed the rack mount rubbers just to make it even more tight.

[C.A.R.]

Looks good Thomo

While your at it, pack the Radius Rod out with some thick washers to gain some more castor...

[Thomo260]

Looks good Thomo

While your at it, pack the Radius Rod out with some thick washers to gain some more castor...

 

Funny thing you say that Lurch, as it was already done. Bonus

Also ordered these while I was at it. Got to be easier with the engine out than later on.

[Scoota G]

Great work ... just need a set of Triplets now 

[Thomo260]

Got the engine fitted on the weekend and all went well. The old timming chain must have been streched bad and never adjusted as you couldn't get more than 2deg advance at 1000rpm. Now she purrs along at 850 with 8deg adv. Just abit loud as I havn't hooked up the extractors into the exhaust yet, thats been done Tues. morning.

[Thomo260]

Well the car finally got rego last Friday  But had to wait for today to get a decent photo as it has rained every day since

Now that I can take it for a decent drive I am able to pick up a few little bugs here and there, but all is good.

[C.A.R.]

Excellent mate!

Did you get all the vacuum controls working correctly?

[Thomo260]

Yes, vac controls all work. When i went for a spin today I found the rear carb was over filling and pouring out. I have swapped with another spare I had and it seems ok for now. Only other prob is it shows plenty of voltage on the gauge but it is not charging the battery. I hate electrics. With a passion.

[Scoota G]

Hey buddy i've a spare reconditioned alternator if you wish to use it for a test.