Project Theseus

[Noll]

Seems like Rota RKRs are sold out everywhere in Canada till next spring, so am considering going with a set of Kyushas in the same specs (15x8 +0). I'm thinking I'd paint them a dark gunmetal grey or possibly a two-tone. Thoughts? I've always liked 5-spoke wheels, and I feel like these would fit a Z well with the right colour.

[Noll]

Started today with the plan to get the last two stuck trans mount bolts out, and ended up pulling the engine and trans completely. Definitely a good job to have done.






Hopefully the weather warms up enough for me to wash the grime off so I don't have to wait till the spring to do so. I also snapped an exhaust stud while trying to hook up the chain for the hoist, so the header will need to come off to replace that.




So much room for activities:




Battery tray area, below the strut tower, and the front frame rail section are the main offenders here:




Other side is not as bad; just the one hole to patch, as well as the section near the firewall I already cut out:








All in all, a great milestone to have completed. Going to order some brake bits soon as I may as well replace everything that needs to come off for me to change the lug studs while I'm at it. More welding soon too once I have a tarp or similar rigged up to keep grinding dust localized to this half of the garage.

[zedfoot]

If you are keeping the rear drums, I have complete assemblies in excellent condition. Just need new shoes.

[Noll]

If you are keeping the rear drums, I have complete assemblies in excellent condition. Just need new shoes.

That's good to know! I'm going to be keeping them, but will be swapping to a set of the late 280z backing plates that have the more conventional style wheel cylinders. Not sure how much crosses over between the earlier/late drum stuff, but if it does I'm definitely interested!

[zedfoot]

My wheel cylinders have been reduilt with brass sleeves.

[vvise]

Nice job getting the motor out. Just noticed you don't have a lower valence on the car, do you need one? I've got the original 3-piece one from my 280 kicking around in my garage I would let it go for cheap if it helps your project.

fetch?photoid=52601.jpg

There's more pictures here dont worry about the asking price in the post.

https://www.ontariozcar.com/ozc/activity/forum/forums/buy-sell/52173-assorted-280z-parts-for-sale?p=52597#post52597

[Noll]

zedfoot - good to know! I had already purchased the backing plates off a guy in the USA, so I suppose I'll decide which route to go once they arrive.

vvise - Thanks! First engine pull, and it went pretty straightforward overall. Appreciate the offer! I've planned stuff around having a 240z one (plan is to get from the same guy who sold me the new hatch) as I have 240z turn signals, grille, etc, but if I change plans I'll let you know!



Does anyone know any good source for inexpensive 225/50/15 rubber in Ontario? From the research I've done it looks like I'll need to go for a set of Kumho Ectsas' off US ebay (ship to us border and pick up), but if anyone has a lead on anything local I'm all ears. Just need 2, as I already have the same size Falkens for the rear. Toyo RA-1's etc are rather pricey, and r888's would be odd to have on only one end of the car, but seem to be the only real local options I can find.

[Noll]

Got the rear seat mounts all cleaned up and welded in today.



and started the process of finally getting the dogleg patch done on the quarter.

[Noll]

So, to try to reduce the amount of stuff leaning against/around the car, I decided to work on my new hatch today.


Bottom lip needed a bit of work:




Mmm, crunchy.




Fixed the lower layer:




Top layer welded in:




And cleaned up. Not perfect, but decent.




Same deal on the other end; bottom layer was intact though.






Filled in all the old holes too. Probably putting a spoiler over top this, but may as well make it nice anyway.




The new hatch was off an earlier car, and didn't have the gas strut mounts on both sides. Easy fix after cutting it off the old hatch.






And on! Surprisingly, the hinge phillips bolts undid by hand, I was expecting them to really suck.




Also started on merging all of my rear valences into one good one. May still try to buy another complete one, we'll see

[Noll]

Just got a great deal on some coilover parts, so that's good! Now just to get camber plates, shorter inserts, and make some mounts for the threaded sleeves.

[Noll]

Alright, the driver's side floor is finally 100% finished! Just some grinding to clean it all up and then on to the few remaining things on this side of the car. not 100% the OEM floor shape at the front curve, but it's strong and will do the job fine.










Next up:




Parts add up pretty fast:

[zedfoot]

How many rolls of welding wire have you melted?

[Noll]

How many rolls of welding wire have you melted?

I actually think I'm still on the 2nd one. Granted, it is a massive roll, but still. I should probably check to make sure I'm not running low.

[Noll]

Carried on where I left off last time by fixing the front kick panel that the cowl drain goes through and the other bits around it that needed work.

Took a little, but got the curve right.




Welded in, and template for the kick panel in progress. Shoutout to cereal boxes.




To metal, and welded in. Once I get to the bodywork stage I'll clean the hole out a little with a flap wheel on my die grinder.






Ground down the welds on the floor/inside, and got the clutch footrest in.



I'll deal with that rust under the inner wing at some point in the future; possibly when I have the car on its side so I don't have to weld the outer panel back on from below.

[Noll]

Well, my wheels have finally arrived! Can't wait to get this thing done. Stepped back and just stood there grinning for a minute once it was on.

Going to get tires on tomorrow so I can see how much I need to lower for my desired rideheight. Still need to decide if I want to paint the wheels, but the clear finish is growing on me.



It's sitting at slight positive camber currently, so once I get camber plates on, roll the fender lips, and possibly do a a degree or two of neg camber it should all fit perfectly.