New to Zcar

[Metalhorse]

Hey there. I have been thinking about reviving my '76 260Z 2+2, which has been sitting in the shed for around 5 years. Over that time I've taken parts off and done a bit of paint stripping (to reveal copious amounts of bog and rust), but the process has been slow and I never labelled the bits or kept the bolts and nuts in any kind of order. Hence, I'm a little apprehensive about picking it up and trying to put things back together. I have very limited mechanical knowledge, but I'm thinking of rebuilding an engine (I have three L26 engines, all of which have been sitting around for 5 years or more) and re-assembling the car to help me learn.

 

I also have a 'parts zed' (don't cringe, it was in shocking condition when I got it and the shell is pretty much beyond help). My basic idea is that I'd like to strip it down, labelling and storing all the salvageable bits and pieces as I go, so that re-assembling my original zed will be a little less daunting. I have a Haynes repair manual, which has some pretty detailed diagrams & photos of engine components, suspension bits, interior etc., so I'm happy that I'm off to a good start.

 

I was thinking of making it all the more difficult by making a few changes... air conditioning, power steering, and possibly power windows. I haven't looked into the logistics of any of these additions yet, but I'm sure they would be bound to cause me more than a few headaches. Advice from anyone with experience performing any of these mods would be much appreciated. For now, I will wander the forum and read old threads in search of knowledge.

 

Thanks!

[benny]

Welcome to the forums. There are a few guys doing power window and power steering conversions. Have a look around in the Build thread section of the forum!!

[Sirpent]

Welcome,

 

And don't cringe at the prospct of rebuilding a Zed, just make sure you have patience, time and a deep pocket, all is possible.

 

Regarding your break down of the parts car, very easy way to keep everything in order is to take sheets of cardboard, as you strip down a door for instance, poke each bolt into it and clear tape over the top of nut bolt anything for that matter, make notes next to each telling you where it came from, and thenmark the card passanger door, or hatch or bonnet, guard etc, then wrap them in cling wrap, you will never go wrong this way.

 

On the topic of your upgrades, yes many or us are doing them, Peter Mc has a great set up with a BMW rack which I'm looking at copying.

 

I am doing the air-con upgrade (Non gen) and also a power window upgrade shortly, also non gen.

 

Many others have also done some fantastic work but names escape me now.

 

Have a surf through the build pages as Benny suggested and good luck.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

 

[Brabham]

Welcome.

 

If you have the space, the best option is to keep the parts car complete so that you can use it as a reference for the one you are restoring, there is no better guide than a complete zed to copy off, has helped me numerous times. Whereabouts are you in Sydney? One of us may be nearby and be able have a look at it and give you our thoughts.

 

Cheers and good luck with the build.