So, i've ordered almost all the parts for the suspension rebuild now.
What's next? Should be time to start with the body.. i found a great bodyshop now which has
some experience with Z-restaurations, but think i need to save some more money first..
Decided to start with the body on my own therefore
1) Rear end with different taillight panels welded in from the outside:


And from the inside (where you still can see the originale big hole )


cutted out the center pieces, using my dremel-tool:


after, view from the inside:

There's still plenty to cut, but because i don't have any new taillights i decided to wait before i cut out more, so i have something to compare for right fitment.

2) Thought i would be able to also get the "new" fender mirrors refurbished, so i started with a disassembly...
Before:


Upper-end disassembled:


Lower end disassembled:


Quite rusty inside.. will definitly get a sandblast and a powdercoat in black satin too..


Broke that mirror class that was fine on the other one (but needed a replacement anyway..)


And here we have all disassembled. Will try to get em refurbished, and have to figure out how they're mounted to the fenders, and where i can get those rubber bits and plastic parts from. probably i'll buy one of those cheap replica kits from japan and use the parts i need.

Today i went to a few specialists and ordered some cu stom parts for my z. like mirror glass and small springs for refurbishing the mirrors, etc.
But the fun part was opening a little package from energysuspensionparts.com today that contained the complete Energy suspension Master bushing set + swaybar bushings + Rear transmission mount crossmember bushings. So every damn bushing on this car will get an polyurethane replacement soon

If the weather is ok, ill try to fix some electrical problems on my daily EJ9 tomorrow, make a photoshooting with my RHD EK9 and probably take a clooser look at the weird floorpans in the Zed and maybe i can pick up the parts from the powdercoating-company too

Hell yeah, today seems to be christmas for my old Fairlady
This is what it looks when you've been picking up parts a complete afternoon:


So first we got some anti-seize (or copper-lube as we call it here..)


then i got some custom-cutted mirror glass for the mirrors. They're not bent like the originals, but they where so cheap i thought i buy them and look for some bent ones another day.. fit perfectly


Then i had to pick up a package at the postal office which contained a set of brand new Tokico HP blue dampers (yay). and i'm happy new nut's are included


And now the most important stuff: All the parts back from the sandblasting, de-greasing and powdercoating (RAL9005, Satin black)

well you dont have to get bored the next few days

_________________
Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

It looks nice. I’m looking forward to do the same. Thanks for giving me the motivation to go in the cold. Is the front crossmember missing?
How are you progressing with the springs? Have you made your choice?

_________________
1973 euro 240Z

you're welcome, mitx

Well yeah, this was only the first load, will also get the front crossmember, transmission, Differential, rack&-pinion housing, driveshafts etc a sandblast and powdercoat, but need to get this prepared first. thought i work with this now first otherwise i have too many single pieces in this puzzle

Edit: I think i'll make my desicion on the springs when im coming closer to the assembly. need other parts now which are more important or rare. so i'll decide on the springs later but i think i'll go for those eibach springs and get them painted in a different colour..

Since i started at a new workplace this week i've been busy getting into my new job there, so the Z was a bit on it's own. anyway, decided i've to get some stuff done today:
1) got this Motor Klassik Magazine from René - thanks a lot mate!! (Edition 5/2011)


2) Always thought something's wrong with my floorpans. they don't look genuine and well, it felt like there was something "hollow" so i decided to invastigate a bit and cut a little piece out to see what's underneath:

Seems like i have three layers of floorpans with the genuine one really rusty inbetween two newer layers of sheet metal (with are quite rusty inside too...) need to cut 'em out and go back to one original style pan...

3) removed the transmission crossmember from the transmission:


And than removed the transmission rubber insulator...


... which was quite fucked up.


and at the and disassembled the two pieces from the crossmember, which also will get a sandblast and powdercoat


Also a little package from some well known japanese Z-car specialist is on the way here

After i mentioned in earlier post that something's wrong with the floorpans (which seemed to be custom made) i investigated a bit more today:
1) i figured out that only new custom made floorpans have been welded on top of the original floorpans (and same on the outside..) so the original rotten floorpans have just been "sandwiched" between two new layers of metal..
Welds:


so i cut the old ugly (that dude wasn't a good welder...) welds with the dremel tool:


And hammered a bit:


And thats what i found underneath:

original floorpans, but totally rusted. the "new" floorpans totally rusted on the inside as well.. (at least i found some original structure here )

a bit more removed:


Jupp... some ugly rusty holes in the front foot space:


Car will definitly get a set of OEM replica floorpans, frame rails, etc.. wonder why anyone does stuff like this cheap rust-hiding job..???! well have a bit more to do, this is a really time-consuming job. but it's worth it and fun to get it back to original shape

First thing that came to mind when I saw that picture of the floor being pulled back was this




Pulled that floor back like a can of sardines.

_________________
http://www.HistoricJ.com

@ Norcal: Yeah i thought the same when i "rolled" the metal off, was acutally the only way to get it out there..

Got some new parts from japan again
1) Some http://www.kyoei-ind.co.jp/sangyo/ (Japan, of course..) extended wheel studs:
12mm x 1,25 threads, 10mm Extended. 30mm "knurl". The red one in the picture is a genuine one, for comparison:


2) Got some nice adjustable tension rods from http://www.rockyauto.co.jp/ Japan + a nice rocky auto towel for decorating my garage (they also have a racing version without bushings, but those seemed a bit too hardcore...)


and here compared to the old genuine tension rods:

Continued with those fake-floorpans today and removed the small seamwelds on the door-side.


Finally got that damn thing out


Some more holes:


Well - looked a bit better after i vacuumed it


Started on the codriver side with the same procedure:


Oh and also started a little test, to see if some acetone can remove old paint from screws if i let it soak over night

you are probably looking for this picture:

I can't believe they did this to the floorpans.

_________________
1973 euro 240Z

thanks mitx! great picture now i only need to know how the mirror is assambled with the fender - but im sure i'll find out thanks!!

Been following your thread for a while, love your details and pictures. Your floorboard reminds me of mine. The Drivers floorboard started rusting so to fix it the previous owner put fiberglass over it.

thanks mate, i'll try to keep this way
fiberglasss? seriously? man this sucks wonder why people do things like this...

because fiberglass cant rust, thats easy..

_________________
Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

the story contiunes... today i worked on the codrivers-side fake-floorpan:


And that's how it ended up. a bit less rust than the drivers side...


But definitly needs a replacement:


than i decided to investigate a bit on what seemed to be another extra-metal layer on the outside.. you see that horizonatal line? this is where another extra metal layer is welded on the outside and surrounds the whole floor area on both sides... it was hidden behind that massive layer of bondo...

I decided to leave it as the whole floorpan area well be cut anyway and it maybe gives the car a bit extra strength until it's in the bodyshop

then i tried to get the paint of the test screw after it soaked about 60h in that acetone. but im not happy with the result. will either buy paint stripper or some brake-fluid to get the job done:


And of course had to install the rocky auto towel


Also got in touch with a guy who has some parts for my project - more on that within the next few weeks

hi nils,
i have a new contact,he has some datsun replacement sheets in his barn,maybe there is also something interesting for you in it,i will let you know.i will go there in approx. 3 weeks.before i go to australia.cheers

I dont know how your japanese is but i cant make anything from that website but i do like ti have a set of them extended wheelstuds.

_________________
Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

hi stev, yeah that sounds great. looking for some stuff, let me know when you're back. phoned with Ruedi Schnueringer today - nice guy. and he told me he allready knew me from you - haha. community is small here in switzerland
so enjoy your days in australia. bring home an RX-3 for me please, they got enough