280z project

[Nik]

Thought I would start a thread about my 280z. I haven't tried to start it yet. I'm planning to change the fuel hoses, sort the tank out and get all the welding done first.

I have just dropped the tank. The petrol was a lime green colour, which I read somewhere could be down to different types of fuel inside? It didn't smell that bad and the tank looks to be in quite nice condition, there is a dent that could do with being knocked out (I won't try that myself). I have put some pictures below. I am thinking I might take it to Arrow Radiators and use there RE-NU service, has anyone here used them before?

I noticed that the low fuel sensor on the fuel sending unit is damaged. I don't really want to pay the £150 for one off ebay, is there anything that can be done? Is it possible to remove this and live without the low fuel bulb working, whilst keeping the gauge working?

 

[Nik]

Thought I would upload a few more photos. Going to be replacing the floors, just need to practise welding first (brought myself a Clarke mig welder), still deciding if I should buy the pre-made floors, or get a local metal shop to make something up. Theres also the battery area and firewall that need some attention (plus dog leg/sill and spare tire well). I've put a K&N filter in place of the stock intake box, and have put a 240 steering wheel on. Finally got all those 280 bumper shocks off, so will put a small bumper on front, but think i'll leave the back without. Eventually I would like to put webbers, coil overs and a z-story exhaust on it. I'm going to keep the paint as is, I like that it's the original paint, even if it is a bit worn in some places.

Planning to change it over to RHD at some point, just need to find a steering rack amongst other bits, have collected a RHD dash+loom, pedal box and linkage and RHD accelerator pedal already.

 

[SeanDezart]

Must be the first 280Z RHD conversion that I know about.

 

[chrisvega]

John Palmer has done one, he brought it to LMC remember ?
Red car with auto box and Soarer twin turbo engine ?
I was sat on the left hand side on the way to circuit one day and definitely was no steering wheel on my side

 

[Makesy]

Thought I would start a thread about my 280z. I haven't tried to start it yet. I'm planning to change the fuel hoses, sort the tank out and get all the welding done first.

I have just dropped the tank. The petrol was a lime green colour, which I read somewhere could be down to different types of fuel inside? It didn't smell that bad and the tank looks to be in quite nice condition, there is a dent that could do with being knocked out (I won't try that myself). I have put some pictures below. I am thinking I might take it to Arrow Radiators and use there RE-NU service, has anyone here used them before?

I noticed that the low fuel sensor on the fuel sending unit is damaged. I don't really want to pay the £150 for one off ebay, is there anything that can be done? Is it possible to remove this and live without the low fuel bulb working, whilst keeping the gauge working?

My tank has been RE-NU'd. I used Hartlepool Radiators who seem to have done a great job.

My tank is from a 280z and had the 280z sender attached, which I have since remove. Whilst the sender itself is past its best (some of the reading wires are loose and catch the arm as it swings), the low fuel sensor seems to still be intact.

I'd be happy to part with it if you're in need of it.

 

[SeanDezart]

John Palmer has done one, he brought it to LMC remember ?
Red car with auto box and Soarer twin turbo engine ?
I was sat on the left hand side on the way to circuit one day and definitely was no steering wheel on my side

Ah, the one we cannibalised for Rob Crofton ?

 

[chrisvega]

That's the one

 

[Robbie J]

you could modify an RHD Subaru STI steering rack and add power assistance. Racks available from £50 and you can get electronic pumps

 

[Nik]

My tank has been RE-NU'd. I used Hartlepool Radiators who seem to have done a great job.

My tank is from a 280z and had the 280z sender attached, which I have since remove. Whilst the sender itself is past its best (some of the reading wires are loose and catch the arm as it swings), the low fuel sensor seems to still be intact.

I'd be happy to part with it if you're in need of it.

Thanks for the recommendation, think I'll go ahead with the ReNu. Yes definitely interested in the sender, sending a PM now.

you could modify an RHD Subaru STI steering rack and add power assistance. Racks available from £50 and you can get electronic pumps

Ok, didn't realise they went for that cheap, think I'll do a bit of research on it.

 

[Robbie J]

Thanks for the recommendation, think I'll go ahead with the ReNu. Yes definitely interested in the sender, sending a PM now.



Ok, didn't realise they went for that cheap, think I'll do a bit of research on it.

On further reading if you take off a bit each end (like 15mm and retap) and add the toyota parts you can have the exact length as the original, we will know once my second car gets here and we take it apart

 

[Nik]

Whilst waiting for the new floors to arrive I have had a go at restoring the 240z steering wheel I picked up and I resprayed the louvres. Turns out spray painting (with cans) is a lot harder than I thought, eventually I would like to pick up an air compressor and redo the louvres properly. They look a bit better in person, but when the light shines on them you can see that it was a DIY job.

 

[peter_s]

Fantastic! Looking forward following this thread!

 

[Nik]

So life and another car got in the way and my 280 has pretty much sat untouched in the garage for the past few years. I gave up on the idea that I would be able to repair it myself and took it to an expert. Andy at Auto Panel Solutions has done an outstanding job repairing it. Plan is to hopefully get it moving this summer. Here are some before and after pictures which Andy took:
Andy put in some custom seat mounts which I will use to put some Classic Cobra seats on.

 

[candy red]

So life and another car got in the way and my 280 has pretty much sat untouched in the garage for the past few years. I gave up on the idea that I would be able to repair it myself and took it to an expert. Andy at Auto Panel Solutions has done an outstanding job repairing it. Plan is to hopefully get it moving this summer. Here are some before and after pictures which Andy took:
Andy put in some custom seat mounts which I will use to put some Classic Cobra seats on.

That’s funny you posted this as I’ve been and seen Andy today and picked up a bonnet had a look round your car while I was there he certainly does a great job also working on this 260 had quite a lot of panels off Andy but only ever spoken to him over the phone was really good to finally meet him really nice guy would definitely recommend him to anyone needing bodywork doing who can’t do it themselves.
A

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Does he do 510 Datsuns?

 

[candy red]

Does he do 510 Datsuns?

He might well do it’s all only bent metal stuck together with hot metal glue