My first classic (part-refurb) '78 280z, LHD, auto, Ex-California

[Jason McIvor]

Got quite a bit done in the sun and a little in the garage
Whole centre console taken apart and prepped for respray
Fairly sizeable crack in the centre console and a missing screw-hole both partially fixed with fibreglass.
Filling and finishing before painting

Also started under coat on centre console drawer - plastic slide lid and metal frame/box (frame and box were original/bad grey paint so will respray both black
Wiper arms and wiper blades also undercoat
And the auto gear indicator - which was a mess, all four corners cracked and all the screw holes cracked. All glued, sandpapered and undercoat

Good weather - good progress
Another good day expected today - the black spray will look so good (I hope)

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Very common faults. Those armrest lids are not able to support weight which inevitably gets put on them.

They don't make cars like they used to ha ha.

 

[Jason McIvor]

Folks

Quick update on progress - photos attached

Centre console : fibreglass actually broke off the main split, combination of heat ?! and forces at that particular point. So having a think about what to do next ? Any ideas ? Somehow I've got to stabilise the split, resand/prepare the fibreglass area, re-apply more fibreglass (I can't think of an alternative), insert Epoxy Putty into the split ? etc - not even sure that will be strong enough
Also, I heat-gunned the plastic of the centre console and I have to say it has turned out great. I have to do a full respray of the console but I was surprised how well the heat-gun treatment worked.
Centre console Penny Drawer, Wiper arms, wiper blades, rear view mirror, armrest latch and autobox indicator all resprayed, awaiting delivery of lacquer to complete these parts

Bosses/screw holes/fixings : 3D printed a couple of lengths of new boss fixing and got some Epoxy Putty to do some "tests" and see how best to go about fixing the multiple broken parts

Pink Low Poly : for a bit of fun I printed a 240z low-poly model for my wife - she wasn't impressed (not the first time she has been "gifted" big lumps of plastic)

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Folks

Quick update on progress - photos attached

Centre console : fibreglass actually broke off the main split, combination of heat ?! and forces at that particular point. So having a think about what to do next ? Any ideas ? Somehow I've got to stabilise the split, resand/prepare the fibreglass area, re-apply more fibreglass (I can't think of an alternative), insert Epoxy Putty into the split ? etc - not even sure that will be strong enough
Also, I heat-gunned the plastic of the centre console and I have to say it has turned out great. I have to do a full respray of the console but I was surprised how well the heat-gun treatment worked.
Centre console Penny Drawer, Wiper arms, wiper blades, rear view mirror, armrest latch and autobox indicator all resprayed, awaiting delivery of lacquer to complete these parts

Bosses/screw holes/fixings : 3D printed a couple of lengths of new boss fixing and got some Epoxy Putty to do some "tests" and see how best to go about fixing the multiple broken parts

Pink Low Poly : for a bit of fun I printed a 240z low-poly model for my wife - she wasn't impressed (not the first time she has been "gifted" big lumps of plastic)

I would strap across the split with aluminium underneath and countersink pop rivets from above then disguise it as much as possible (black Duck tape?). Or do something similar to a plastic bumper repair by 'stitching' it with small black cable ties and recessing them. You need to make it mechanically strong before you do the cosmetic stuff. If it broke from new it shows that it gets stress.

 

[RawlinSTR]

R.E. The repair of the crack, I came across this thread a while back which you might be able to use to disguise whatever method you use for strengthening the crack.

 

[Jason McIvor]

I would strap across the split with aluminium underneath and countersink pop rivets from above then disguise it as much as possible (black Duck tape?). Or do something similar to a plastic bumper repair by 'stitching' it with small black cable ties and recessing them. You need to make it mechanically strong before you do the cosmetic stuff. If it broke from new it shows that it gets stress.

Cable ties is a superb idea !
I'll have a think about how best to do the stitching and let you know how I get on

 

[Jason McIvor]

Fellas
Garage is asking me to try and track down an "oil pressure switch" for the 280
Anyone know a good place (pref UK) to source this ? I've read some bits but do not want to trust myself and by the wrong thing

I found this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/13366028...U78cUPCrAT9b6jsUg4t6p-8HsVCoNbTBoCP0YQAvD_BwE

And this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233773177554?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

Both very different looking - to an amateur - so I'm confused

 

[Jason McIvor]

R.E. The repair of the crack, I came across this thread a while back which you might be able to use to disguise whatever method you use for strengthening the crack.

Hey, that's superb and in a very similar place to the crack in my centre console also - I will get some as backup to the cable ties plan and give it a go
Thanks

 

[jonbills]

Fellas
Garage is asking me to try and track down an "oil pressure switch" for the 280
Anyone know a good place (pref UK) to source this ? I've read some bits but do not want to trust myself and by the wrong thing

I found this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/13366028...U78cUPCrAT9b6jsUg4t6p-8HsVCoNbTBoCP0YQAvD_BwE

And this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233773177554?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

Both very different looking - to an amateur - so I'm confused

I think they are both probably equivalent. Neither is a switch IMO, they're oil pressure senders.
I believe there was a variant of the 280 that has a combined switch and sender, but not my car, so I could be wrong.

 

[jonbills]

I think they are both probably equivalent. Neither is a switch IMO, they're oil pressure senders.
I believe there was a variant of the 280 that has a combined switch and sender, but not my car, so I could be wrong.

Oh, actually the first with 2 pins may be the one with combined switch and sender.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I fitted one with a switch too. It was 280ZX .

I installed an oil warning light too. Why not if you need to change the sender.

 

[Jason McIvor]

Ok, thanks guys
I will speak to the garage tomorrow and ask them if they are good with the sender and switch version and get it ordered

 

[Turn & Burn]

Oh, actually the first with 2 pins may be the one with combined switch and sender.

As stated the 2 bladed version is both a switch and sender, easy to check which you need by having a look at yours. The 2 bladed is late 280z (I think) and 280zx. They work and read the same if you just connect a single blade, I’ve tested both back to back against a new single pin version, bought from here (Uk seller). My old one worked but leaked.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacem...-/113700471786?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

As for plastic repair how about these of AliExpress … (nothing to lose at that price).

 

[Jason McIvor]

As stated the 2 bladed version is both a switch and sender, easy to check which you need by having a look at yours. The 2 bladed is late 280z (I think) and 280zx. They work and read the same if you just connect a single blade, I’ve tested both back to back against a new single pin version, bought from here (Uk seller). My old one worked but leaked.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacem...-/113700471786?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

As for plastic repair how about these of AliExpress … (nothing to lose at that price).

Thanks so much for the info

The plastic tool is a great shout - like you said, at that price it's worth picking up and trying out

 

[Mark N]

The two-bladed oil pressure sender also triggers the fuel system relays.

 

[Jason McIvor]

R.E. The repair of the crack, I came across this thread a while back which you might be able to use to disguise whatever method you use for strengthening the crack.

Hey, just used that Q-Bond stuff you referred me to
OMG that stuff is mad, so easy to use, so quick to make a very very strong bond !! It has worked as treat

 

[RawlinSTR]

Hey, just used that Q-Bond stuff you referred me to
OMG that stuff is mad, so easy to use, so quick to make a very very strong bond !! It has worked as treat

Glad it worked out, I'll be buying some to repair some cracks in my centre console as well!

 

[Jason McIvor]

Folks
Wondering if anyone knows the name/spec of these screws and where best to pick them up
I am missing about 4 of them
They are used for the underside of the armrest - about 13/14 of them are needed in total

13.4mm long and 3mm wide
You can see there is a cut into them at the bottom 4mm

 

[SacCyclone]

hey Jason, the armrest on the center console is a aftermarket part probably manufactured by Amco...they made a lot of accessory bits for Zeds and others. The screws are probably something that came from Amco's parts bin rather than Datsun's.

 

[Jason McIvor]

hey Jason, the armrest on the center console is a aftermarket part probably manufactured by Amco...they made a lot of accessory bits for Zeds and others. The screws are probably something that came from Amco's parts bin rather than Datsun's.

Ok, great info
thanks, I will have a look