Ross T's 'mercury' 240z

[AussieZed]

Hi all,

 

Since I have actually started work on my 240z I thought I had better start a new build thread.

 

The history.... I bought a 260z and partially restored it over a couple of years, but had a yearning for a 2 seater. I did find one in NSW (for $500) and bought it back to Melbourne, but it was beyond my abilities (NASTY rust) and I flicked it on to another club member.

 

Then, about a year ago, I saw a 240z shell with matching numbers engine on eBay ... I bid, and was lucky enough to get it. So a quick journey from Melbourne to Adelaide and back put it in my garage.

 

The car is a 1972, and was garnet blasted a number of years ago, so has a lot of surface rust. The actual structural rust is pretty minimal - some damage to the passenger floorpan and firewall, with rust extending into the chassis rail. There are some minor issues in the rear quarter and in the front clip.

 

Easter 2012, I finally got around to starting work on the car. Sanded the main panels back and did a rust treatment before sanding again.

 

Got to love the line of that rear fender.....

[handsandwhich]

So it was blasted and left without any protection at all?

 

I like the optional K9 rear spoiler (the last pic)

[AussieZed]

The K9 was certainly a spoiler - underfoot every time I turned to do something!!

 

And yes, rather than my 240z being HUGE, that is a particularly short spaniel....

[AussieZed]

Because the car had been left without any protection for so long, I am being particularly thorough with the rust treatment. I am using the Motospray rust converter and 'primer' (which is why the car looks purple in the pic) ... sanded the car back, applied a coat of the converter, sanded it back again, and repeat. I am also using a Dycraft rust converter that comes in a rattle can... blasting it into all of the little corners which are inaccessible in any other way. I've found with previous restos that it gets into box sections really well, and was ideal for the 'seam' on the inner side of the roof skin on the zed.

 

Later today I will sand back the converter again and then apply the etch primer/sealer. I'm going with a black primer because I want my top coat to look darker and 'deeper'.

 

 

[AussieZed]

It's been a while.... concentrating on two jobs - rebuilding the engine and doing up the dash

 

The motor is the matching numbers L24 out of my car, so it is a keeper.

 

Broke down the motor over the last few weeks. Actually it looks ok. The bores look reasonably clean and the head gasket was in ok condition. The crank looks fine.

 

Two cracked rings (#2 and #4).

 

The head has been reconditioned (skimmed, L28 valves fitted to my L24 head, mild porting) and is ready to go.

 

The bores will get honed next and then we are ready for reassembly.

 

[AussieZed]

The dash is also going to need some work... left outside for a prolonged period and pretty cracked up.

 

I could have got it reskinned but decided to give it a go... my plan is to use the methods lots of other people have posted on, but to try the spray on rubberised sound deadener as a top coat ... the texture seems ok and the colour is about right.

 

So far I have stripped the dash down, filled the major cracks with expandable foam, trimmed that back, capped the foam with a layer of spray on putty and put a thin layer of body filler over the top. I have also reinforced the inner slide of some parts of the dash - it seems like they flex too much and might contribute to it cracking again.

[AussieZed]

Unexpectedly relocated to Canberra, so the project is on hold for a while. I at last have a good garage and workshop.... and my car is in storage in Melbourne  )-:

[Zedman240®]

I hope you can switch that situation soon... you need to be together!

[AussieZed]

The old girl is finally in my garage (yes garage, in Melb I only had a carport), so it seems like the resto is back on ...

 

And no, that isn't my work vehicle towing the car trailer.... I don't know what you possibly could mean.....

 

One pic of her going into storage and another of her in Yea, on the way here (Canberra).

[AussieZed]

A while ago I looked for a swap for the 240z... And got an almost running 2+2 in return. A couple of years later... Panel work is done, paint 90%, mechanical done... Reassembly time...

[DreamZproject]

Holy crap, thread necro! But seriously. Looks super sweet! This is one pf my favourite buses I've seen. What colour did you go for?

[andyk_79]

thread necro

This genuinely made me laugh in a public place

[AussieZed]

I know!! This thread is older than some members!! The colour is a 350z colour boringly called Platinum Silver. The bonnet is still in the first coat but will get the big orange GT stripes too...

[PB260Z]

Hi

 

Looking good. What is the feature on the roof ?

 

Cheers

 

PB

[AussieZed]

Subtle aerodynamic enhancement.

[CBR Jeff]

Hi

 

Looking good. What is the feature on the roof ?

 

Cheers

 

PB

 

Looks like thats what held it together

 

Jeff

[AussieZed]

Ow. Rude.

[AussieZed]

Birthday presents installed... Rota-RBs 215/60/15 front 225/50/16 rear

[AussieZed]

Paint is complete .... just minor touches to go....

[Sirpent]

Great work, car looks sensational 

congrats

[jeff43]

Nice job, looks great, I do like stripes on Zeds!!!! Time to enjoy!!!! 

[AussieZed]

This car is now up for sale ... so I can finance my other build!! A few more pics of the 99% finished car...