Just bought our first Z (240Z)

peter_s

Club Member
That's looking fantastic!

That BRE front spoiler on the 240Z front is to me the best looking front you can have. I want my car to look like that! Well done
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Looks as always like your doing a Stirling job, hopefully we’ll all have time to enjoy our cars a little over the summer and maybe even get to meet up again. I’m looking forward to see what your doing with the engine.

Sorry also to hear you’ve not been well but glad your in a better place now.......Couldn’t of chosen a better time to enjoy some Carpentry as there seems to be plenty of work for tradespeople at the minute.

Many thanks dude, it would be great to see people again, all being well I'll be at Bicester Heritage on Sunday 6th June. Haha yeah that project has escalated a little, all in good time though ;)

Appreciate it, thankfully it's been transformative in a good way. It's just something I wish to openly acknowledge as I know there are others out there with their own struggles who don't feel that they can talk about it. Hahaha you're spot on, we're flat out! We've made two kitchens, utility, living room units, study and a media unit and several sash windows this month alone and installing it all next month.

That's looking fantastic!

That BRE front spoiler on the 240Z front is to me the best looking front you can have. I want my car to look like that! Well done

Thanks Peter, will be very glad to have it back on the road again.

I'm flattered, thank you :D Assuming I really like the look then I may even look to swap over to the vented one at some point with cooling ducting to my front brakes but we'll see. There's always the next modification....
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Looking to my fuel system it was recommended that we move onto an electric fuel pump to keep up with our future feeling demands. Having shopped around I decided to go with a Facet Posi Flow fuel pump which is controlled through a Fuel pressure regulator in the engine bay for a number of reasons. It goes up to 7 psi which is more than adequate, it is encased in a plastic shroud to insulate and dampen it, facets latest generation of tech and is also their quietest pump. Having now tested it I can confirm its pretty quiet, you can just hear it running in the cabin with the engine off however once started you'd have no idea it was there.

IMG_4152 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Having dropped the tank it was clear the underside needed a good scrub before being coated in Dinatrol, good news was no nasty surprises at the back though!

IMG_4155 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

It's fair to say I'm fairly happy with the new coverage:

IMG_4335 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

With the tank out it was time to do some damage assessment, I'd known of some surface rust for years and the tank straps were looking pretty manky however now I could get my teeth into it. Much to my pleasant surprise it's in incredible condition for its age, there was even factory markings still visible. Not taking any chances though it was going back to bare metal before being treated and resprayed. Looking inside the tank and the metal also looked fantastic, with only a couple of rust dots so I've left the tank inside bare as is.

IMG_4163 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4161 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4215 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4171 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4221 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Treated and reacting to dinatrol Rc900 to seal the metal before painting:
IMG_4241 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

A long while later after a lot of faffing I was however left with this ready to go back into the car:

IMG_4713 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4711 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Next, attention was turned to the back of the car and onto the breather apparatus. It's fair to say these areas of the car hadn't been opened up in a very long time! They were covered in fine dust which took an age to clean out. Also plenty of spots of surface rust to be treated as I went.

IMG_4186 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Captive nuts located with thanks to AliK and I have knocked up a simple bracket with rubber vibration damping attachments ready for the fuel pump itself:

IMG_4363 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Up front the stock fuel filter was disposed of and mechanical fuel pump removed, in their place I've now blanked off the fuel pump and elected to use some Ali sheet to support the fuel pressure regulator. It's not the most sightly install however it is solid and without drilling further holes into the engine bay seems to do the job. There certainly seems to be a lot going on in this corner with fuel lines, headlight relays, thermostat controls and rad pipework all getting in the way.

IMG_4370 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4528 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4530 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Continuing to catch up the next instalment will be the fuel pump install, wiring, fuel tank install, sound deadening and speakers. The car is now however back on the ground and very close to finally doing some road testing!
 

tyroguru

Club Member
Fantastic job on the fuel tank Mark - looking lovely! Did you use any specific chemicals to strip the paint off the tank or was it just good old elbow grease and strip discs (that type of thing)? Also, what did you paint it with? I might well do mine if I want a break from current activities.

Also, what have you done about the tank straps? I know a few people sell replacements - have you gone for that option?
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Looks great! What's the flow rate of the pump?
I wish my fuel tank was that nice looking.

Thanks, I was very relieved when I saw inside. Re the fuel pump, it suggests 26 gallons an hour in the write up:

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/facet-posi-flow-electric-fuel-pump-kit-4-6-psi-60106-fep06sv

Fantastic job on the fuel tank Mark - looking lovely! Did you use any specific chemicals to strip the paint off the tank or was it just good old elbow grease and strip discs (that type of thing)? Also, what did you paint it with? I might well do mine if I want a break from current activities.

Also, what have you done about the tank straps? I know a few people sell replacements - have you gone for that option?

Thanks Jon, I should have however I don't like disposing of chemicals so I just used wire wheels in a cordless drill. I've painted it with Etch primer and Simonz Satin Black Tough paint (same as on the bike). Not sure how well it'll stand up in the long term but we'll see, I've had good results before. POR15 could also be a good shout though...

I've gone with Pro Alloys offering as they're stainless steel and available from the UK for £130 delivered. They certainly seem to do the job and look good, I actually have brand new a spare pair if they're of any interest next time I see you.

Mark, the more I see of your car the more I think it was a great purchase.

Thanks Rob, that certainly means a lot coming from someone of your experience with these cars! It's not perfect but there's a lot that's right and it'll always be a drivers car first.
 

IbanezDan51

Well-Known Forum User
Great work Mark, looks great under there.

Looks like its possibly had a rear quarter repair panel at some point in her life? Was that when you got it?
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Looking good!

Can you connect engine vacuum to that regulator?

I don't believe so, there only appears to be an inlet and outlet for fuel.

Great work Mark, looks great under there.

Looks like its possibly had a rear quarter repair panel at some point in her life? Was that when you got it?

Thanks Dan, you do have beady eyes and are correct. There are welding tell tales on the inside of both rear quarters. She's had repair panels to both rear arches and some welding around the battery area (that I know of). This was all done by previous owners in the USA long before my ownership. Showing how long ago it must have been, I have 6x4 prints and negatives of the original photos showing the bodywork restoration work done in the US. I've taken some photos of a few of the photos showing the metal work done if you're interested. I've got loads more photos and in them you can see where some other repairs were done and filler was used :puke:I'm sure the experts will be along to critique EXTRA;)

IMG_5169 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5168 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5170 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5171 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

I've got quite a few original manuals and some paperwork for the car and even managed to track down the previous owner before the seller by writing to him via snail mail. I found his address on a number of old invoices for the car, where he clearly invested a lot of money and cared about it a lot. Months later he responded to my letter totally out of the blue after I'd given top all hope, he still lived at the same address.

It turns out that he bought his wife the car pictured below, and enjoyed her car so much that he bought my car so that he had his own. They owned them together for a number of years before the cars were sold separately. He did confirm that he bought my car from a gentleman in Kansas, but sadly that's where the trail goes dead...

IMG_5172 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Brad's wifes 240Z
1973 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Brad's/My 240Z in period
DSC00135 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
 
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IbanezDan51

Well-Known Forum User
Looks fantastic mate and they did a lovely job of the work. The weld looks very neat. Only give away for me was the interior shot you took of the fuel inlet side. Its a really nice car Mark and when mine gets done (sometime this century :D) it will be great to get them together.
 

peter_s

Club Member
Yeah, I think the repairs look great!


Just a note regarding the regulator and vacuum. IF you ever feel the car hesitating when opening the throttle fast, you can change to a regulator with vacuum control. The extra control helps the regulator keep the pressure up when the pressure changes quickly. I don't think you'll have problems with carbs though, it's just a heads up if you feel the car hesitating.
 

tyroguru

Club Member
I love it that you've got all this background and history Mark! Mine arrived like an unwanted refugee. Someone should probably start the equivalent of a family history search site for these cars :) . Boom! Money making idea right there :rofl: .
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Yeah, I think the repairs look great!


Just a note regarding the regulator and vacuum. IF you ever feel the car hesitating when opening the throttle fast, you can change to a regulator with vacuum control. The extra control helps the regulator keep the pressure up when the pressure changes quickly. I don't think you'll have problems with carbs though, it's just a heads up if you feel the car hesitating.

With SU type carbs that can happen if the dashpot oil-level is low or the oil is too 'thin'.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Thank you all, I really appreciate the feedback!

Looks fantastic mate and they did a lovely job of the work. The weld looks very neat. Only give away for me was the interior shot you took of the fuel inlet side. Its a really nice car Mark and when mine gets done (sometime this century :D) it will be great to get them together.

Absolutely, with everything removed from inside the rear quarters the welds are very obvious internally. Only external giveaway is the lack of factory spot welds. Thanks, hahahaha I'd absolutely love that.

Except for that inspection light ...

Hahaha thanks Mike, trust me when I say I've been 'investing' in more 'functional' areas. Maybe one day it'll get a cosmetic refresh, but it still works!

Yeah, I think the repairs look great!

Just a note regarding the regulator and vacuum. IF you ever feel the car hesitating when opening the throttle fast, you can change to a regulator with vacuum control. The extra control helps the regulator keep the pressure up when the pressure changes quickly. I don't think you'll have problems with carbs though, it's just a heads up if you feel the car hesitating.

Thanks for the advice Peter, I'll certainly keep that in mind. I still need to road test the car and rev the engine out to see if 3psi is sufficient pressure. I'm also going to have to dial it up to keep up with the new engines performance and intake too no doubt!

I love it that you've got all this background and history Mark! Mine arrived like an unwanted refugee. Someone should probably start the equivalent of a family history search site for these cars :) . Boom! Money making idea right there :rofl: .

Thanks Jon, I love the stories behind cars like these. Maybe one day someone will look back over the time when I was the custodian of the car and talk of the adventures I had across Europe... Hahaha I'd subscribe!
 
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Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Next phase of the job, I've mounted up the fuel pump at 45 degrees via some rubber grommets to add additional damping not that its meant to be needed. Having cut off the OEM bullet connectors from the spare wiring we found under the car, we worked out that one was an earth and another the intended power wire by Nissan. Having added my own connections we're tapped in and all hooked up. Using the wiring diagrams we managed to locate the other end of the power wire in the wires bundle under the dash, along with an ignition live.

My dad being the wiz he is with electrics devised a setup so that we've added a fused power supply directly from the battery to a relay which is then controlled by a kill switch. Having hooked up the ignition live and power wire kindly left in place by Nissan we have a fully working and protected circuit.

IMG_5134 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5136 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5140 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Back to the mechanical bits and it was time to fit up the Alloy Pro fuel tank straps and our newly refurbed fuel tank. I need to give a big shout out to Paul S at this point as I was very grateful of his old thread to assist with my fuel tank breather system delete. Having stripped out the whole system we've blocked off the additional breather pipes and simplified with new bio fuel hoses. Having to work around the rear fuel filler neck breather pipe given the complex forming that Nissan did to the OEM pipe, I wish I'd just bought a new replacement from the states but have come up with a DIY fix.

IMG_4820 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4720 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Much cursing and swearing, many jubilee clips, lifting, and connections made and we were fully fitted up in place. Thankfully the posiflow fuel pump allows you to mount a fuel filter directly onto it so there's no additional brackets needed. With the car in the air it was also time to clean up the suspension and recoat with ACF50 for additional protection, its clear that all of my fun using the car has meant the car is looking less new than it once was.

IMG_4874 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Back up top and with all of the rear interior panels out it was perfect timing to add sound deadening material to remove some more resonance from the cabin. Thankfully that's most areas of the interior now done and I'm sure will be great for longer trips.

IMG_5079 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5080 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Not that we use them often but looking at the state of the OEM factory speakers their day had certainly been and gone, and desperately needed replacement. New speakers bolted up and it was clear that issues went further and one speaker wasn't doing anything, tracing the wiring and it was no surprise to see why. Some 'repairs' performed by some people stagger me, connections cut and bullet connectors crimped in and we're got a fully functioning loop back up.

IMG_4733 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_4735 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Here's how the underside is now looking

IMG_4832 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

IMG_5067 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

While we're working on a new engine for the car we've also decided that the gearbox needs doing too having developed some whines, rattles and grinding syncro's from all of my tail happy fun. We've got a couple of spare S14 boxes so are having one rebuilt to go in at the same time as the new engine. Overnight parts from Japan (ok three weeks later ) we've got looks of OEM bits to go in and spruce up the donor.

IMG_4941 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr

Another update to follow shortly with some other details, sadly road testing has yet to happen fully due to an unexpected issue today which has slowed me down. It's painfully close now though!
 
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