Project 630z - V8 powered Z32

[Bantambunny]

Okay update: I finally got some time on the car last night.

I've lifted the back end up on ramps, put some axle stands underneath to hold it in place, removed the wheels and disconnected the tension rods, lower arms and track rod ends.

I've also left the power steering rack draining overnight to make sure i don't make too much of a mess tonight.

So tonight hopefully i should have the second engine mount, transfer the pipes and mountings to the other rack, pop it in place and see what sort of clearance i have. I really hope i've got enough to get the rack past the sump so fingers crossed!

All being well should have all the suspension back in place and power steering reconnected tonight or tomorrow morning then it's onto the mount adapter fabrication.... :headvswal

 

[Bantambunny]

Good news, it's been a long weekend working away on the car but finally found a solution to the ride height versus clearance issue.

I've used a stock 300zx subframe + rack with the new pipes i had made up with the stock zed engine mount and a land rover engine mount on the side that takes the pulling force to start off.

I tried using Keith's spacers and longer bolts but this led to the engine pushing tight against the bulkhead (taller rocker covers and larger distributor) so had to go somewhere inbetween.

Keith's dropped the engine and rack 1"

Rudy's (the one i was using) dropped the rack 3"

So using box steel and some threaded lengths i've manufactured up a 2" drop from stock. This means the lower arms and rack will drop 2" and give me just enough clearance for all the bits and bobs i need.

Finished the brackets last night and back on it tonight to adjust the steering rack bracket to spin it round 20-30 degrees and shorten the steering column slightly. The car will be running negative camber at that point so i'll put the dropping shocks back on again which should bring the wheels roughly back into line.

Once i'm happy with both of those then it's back on to the engine mountings which look relatively easy to make up and fit so i'll get those off to the welders to make up for me after i've cut them out. Luckily i can reuse the chevy plates again to save time then just add a slot in them to access the bolt and get the adapter section welded on top.

So hopefully when this is all done it should be riding standard rack and arms and get rid of that bump steer.

I've taken some photos but haven't had chance to copy them across from facebook yet but more updates later when i've finished the initial changes.

 

[Bantambunny]

Finally after 2 months of trying to get it done i've completed the engine conversion brackets.

I planned to spend all of xmas on it but ended up with swine flu

Just come back from gelscoe motorsport and they've welded my badly cut pieces of crap metal up. I know they look rough but the welds have been done properly which is the main thing and they fit so just to bolt everything in place and i can re-attach the exhaust system and steering again.

Unfortunately the cold weather had taken its toll and two of the brass freeze plugs had blown out so they've got to be driven back in again.

More to follow later today but the other half is ill again so need to take her to the hospital then i'll get back on with it

More to come as it happens today!

 

[Bantambunny]

Okay update for you, all fitted now and everything fits as it did before, a few more things to change before i take it off the ramps but i should be back on the road in the next couple of days

Brackets fitted:

 

[Bantambunny]

Well good news is I did a bit more last night - i'm in the groove now!

Decided before i went to the pub quiz i'd at least get the steering column adjusted to fit - after a little nip and a tuck it slid straight in and worked perfectly.

While that was in place i decided it'd be wise to test the exhaust manifold to check for clearance after the last time when it was a huge problem.

Annoyingly it didn't fit, the engine mount top was in the way so i had to grind part of the retainer off at the back but after doing that it fitted perfectly!

Starter motor just slid in so tonight i'll get the freeze plug back in, manifold bolted back in position and connect up the driver's side. The passenger side has loads of clearance so that won't be a problem. Aim tonight is to get everything bar the distributor and leads back in so tomorrow all i have to do is rebuild that on my lunchbreak tomorrow at work and then fit it and set it up when i get back and take it for a spin.

Fingers crossed the suspension should work!

More to come with some photos tonight

 

[Bantambunny]

Well a quick update, spent all last night in the garage on the car to push a bit further. Thought i'd start with the easiest manifold to get on - the passenger side and unfortunately it wouldn't fit for love nor money

Eventually ended up shuffling the engine on its mounts to get it to a point where the manifold cleared the mount and steering rack. Eventually after 40-50 minutes managed ot get it all to fit and the driver's side too.

Mounted up the rocker cover with the new cable holders and started work on the drivers side to find i couldn't the £40 stainless exhaust manifold bolts! :headvswal

After an hour of looking i eventually found them and got those fitted up.

I hadn't got much more time before bed so decided to get on with the distributor before i put the rocker cover back on and stripped it down to fit the new weights and springs only to snap off the mounting stud for one of the springs

So that's written off the distributor because it's a none replaceable part. I guess it is a 50 year old bit of kit so i'd expect as much!

So i'll have to order a new one but for the price it is for a new hei distributor i might as well pay an extra 200 quid and get a new style dissy and coil.

More to come later on but looks like i'll have to make a panic order later this morning to real steel and hope they can get it up for the weekend

 

[Bantambunny]

All ordered for tomorrow:

Mallory Magnetic Electronic Distributor
Mallory Coil
Mallory Resistor
New Filter base (smaller dissy so i can have a centred air cleaner), stud and filter

£402 *CRIES INTO SLEEVE*

 

[vpulsar]

Good work matey, I've not touched mine apart to fit a rear brace so well done you.



Rob

 

[Bantambunny]

Cheers buddy, worked flat out on it last night and finished the steering/suspension, hooked up the starter motor and did all the niggly jobs i'd need to get done before dropping the car down tonight

All i have ot do now is mount and wire in the new coil and dissy, the air filter and reconnect the plugs and leads and we're ready to rock and roll

Keep your fingers crossed folks!

 

[moggy240]

does this mean you will not be using the metro for drag racing this year then ??

 

[Bantambunny]

I wish i still had it! Finished everything on the V8, went to fill it up with water ready to run and the punchline is:

A CRACKED BLOCK! tada!

So project is officially cancelled for the foreseeable future

RIP 600zx

 

[Bantambunny]

Silver zed is going back on the road until i can get the money together for the V8 so at least i'll be able to drag for the season.

Some piccy's of the crack

 

[Mr.F]

two of the brass freeze plugs had blown out

When I saw you write that my heart sank - I know how sensitive those blocks are to freezing. I kept my mouth shut and hoped for the best...

You have my sympathy and hope you can find a replacement block for not too much money. I'll let you know if I hear of any...

 

[Bantambunny]

Thanks Mike, it had me worried but after putting 15 litres of water in i knew something bad was happening, pulled the dip stick and water so i didn't hold much hope for it.

All i can say is thank god i didn't try and start it without realising!

Lesson learnt, drain the block properly before leaving it in cold weather or put shed loads of antifreeze in.

If you hear of anything let me know mate, especially if it's a 4 bolt main this time.

 

[Throttleton]

Gutted for you.
It's not my car and I'm depressed!
Head up, bash on!!

 

[datsun dave]

Just gutted for you i know how much work you have put it your project

 

[RobZ32]

You’ve gotten way to far to give up so keep the faith mate.

 

[johnymd]

Gutted for you. Hope and block comes up at the right price. Really want to see this going down the strip this year.

 

[Bantambunny]

I won't give up lads don't you worry and I'll be back in the zed in under a week so see you down the pod

 

[Arkwright]

bloody hell Bant my heart bleeds for you. I have really enjoyed you reports on this project. Take abreak, save some pennies and then get down to it again. Don't give up. You deserve success after all the work you've put in to this project.