Project Candy Begins (rb25det 240z)

[Wally]

Be prepared for some reconstructive surgery under the slam panel. Have a look at my Project Dixie thread for what I fabricated to deal with that issue. You’ll likely need the same (and the slam panel on my car was not as badly rusted as what you’ve pictured).

I had expected the worst. That's why I'm removing the slam panel now so the blaster can get in all the gaps there and I'll repair what's nessessary.

It's good to see yours cut apart so I work out now what I'll need to do.

 

[Rushingphil]

For a more detailed look:

Post 1653 on page 83 in
What did you do to your Z this week?
In, Anything and everything (general)

Wish I hadn't have looked to be honest!

 

[richiep]

For a more detailed look:

Post 1653 on page 83 in
What did you do to your Z this week?
In, Anything and everything (general)

Wish I hadn't have looked to be honest!

Thanks for that! The Project Dixie thread shows the resolution to the situation rather than what it looked like before I started cleaning it up.

Basically any external spot welded seam or overlap in a Z shell threatens to contain surface rust - even inland CA cars like mine. The slam panel is a messy area in particular because once the slam panel itself becomes penetrated, the rot spreads underneath.

Wait until you see what I’m dealing with now I started on the LH dogleg...

 

[Wally]

For a more detailed look:

Post 1653 on page 83 in
What did you do to your Z this week?
In, Anything and everything (general)

Wish I hadn't have looked to be honest!

I'm definitely glad I'm removing that panel before blasting now.

 

[Rushingphil]

Thanks for that! The Project Dixie thread shows the resolution to the situation rather than what it looked like before I started cleaning it up.

Basically any external spot welded seam or overlap in a Z shell threatens to contain surface rust - even inland CA cars like mine. The slam panel is a messy area in particular because once the slam panel itself becomes penetrated, the rot spreads underneath.

Wait until you see what I’m dealing with now I started on the LH dogleg...

Looking forward to that!

 

[Wally]

Be prepared for some reconstructive surgery under the slam panel. Have a look at my Project Dixie thread for what I fabricated to deal with that issue. You’ll likely need the same (and the slam panel on my car was not as badly rusted as what you’ve pictured).

You were definitely right about under the slam panel. Two sections have rusted through and require patching.

 

[richiep]

You were definitely right about under the slam panel. Two sections have rusted through and require patching.

Yep! You’ll need to fabricate replacement sections like I did to eliminate the problem.

 

[Pondo]

Got a feeling I will have this problem on one side of my slam panel.....if not both sides!

 

[Wally]

Another 5hrs spent on the car today. Easily the worst job I've done so far, scraping old crusty seals from around the door frames.

The seals themselves weren't too bad but the glued vinyl was horrendous. I spent ages scraping it off with a Stanley and a scraper. Thankfully that job is off the list.

I managed to borrow a set of dollies so this week I'll be stripping the suspension and then it will be off to the blasters.

 

[Rushingphil]

Another 5hrs spent on the car today. Easily the worst job I've done so far, scraping old crusty seals from around the door frames.

The seals themselves weren't too bad but the glued vinyl was horrendous. I spent ages scraping it off with a Stanley and a scraper. Thankfully that job is off the list.

I managed to borrow a set of dollies so this week I'll be stripping the suspension and then it will be off to the blasters.

Sounds fun!

 

[Wally]

Sounds fun!

Not in the slightest. Was ready to give up and start on something more interesting but I'm glad a persevered.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Wow, they should just pull off!

 

[Wally]

Wow, they should just pull off!

I wish. The only one that just pulled off was the seal above the windscreen on the roof lining. I wish they were all like that.

 

[AliK]

Well now that looks like fun you didn’t want to have ! Well done for persevering. Shame about the windscreen but at least you can buy those new at a reasonable price. If it had been the rear you really would have cried.

I’ve found that drenching old rubber with olive oil overnight tends to soften it up a little. Not sure how well that would work on yours given how solid they are but worth a try. Also olive oil works wonders for making vinyl nicely black. It seems the stuff is porous and sucks it in.

Following with interest!

 

[Wally]

Well now that looks like fun you didn’t want to have ! Well done for persevering. Shame about the windscreen but at least you can buy those new at a reasonable price. If it had been the rear you really would have cried.

I’ve found that drenching old rubber with olive oil overnight tends to soften it up a little. Not sure how well that would work on yours given how solid they are but worth a try. Also olive oil works wonders for making vinyl nicely black. It seems the stuff is porous and sucks it in.

Following with interest!

I'll definitely be remembering that trick when it comes to fitting any that are stiff.

 

[Wally]

Finally got the car in a state where it can go to the media blasters. Booked in for the end of next week and transport sorted. I can wait as that will be a big hurdle out of the way. Just need to finish off a few jobs and get it on a dolly.

Today's fun job is removing all the sound deadening and hoovering out the shell. It's not going too bad so far. Didn't have the fore thought of ordering dry ice so I'm using ice packs. They definitely help a little.

The rear has come out OK. Now to start the transmission tunnel.

 

[Wally]

Transmission tunnel was a nightmare although I'm 90% done with the sound deadening after today. Ended up resorting to a heat gun as chiselling was getting me nowhere. Residual tar comes off really nicely with throttle body cleaner. Still a bit of work to go with it though.

 

[Wally]

Nice surprise when I got home. The V5 came through. Although I've been given a W reg rather than J as it should have for the age of the car which is 10 years earlier.

 

[Wally]

Another day spent playing with the 240. I managed to finish off removing the last bits of sound deadening. I so glad that's now over as it's tedious job. After heating and scraping it off I was left with loads of tar and crap which looked horrendous and I wasn't sure the blasters would get it off. I ended up soaking it in throttle body cleaner for 10min, scrubbing it with a wire brush and wiping it down.

From this

To this

I'm really happy with how it's turned out. I wanted to have all the suspension off today and the car sat on the dollies but unfortunately my jack wouldn't lift high enough. All for the want of an extra 6inches [emoji1787]

Hopefully I can beg, borrow or steal a jack with more lift tomorrow.

 

[Wally]

Managed to borrow a jack yesterday that lifted the car high enough unfortunately work got in the way last night. Managed to get all the suspension off tonight and the car is on stilts ready fir the blasters on Thursday. Couple of small jobs to do before she goes. Remove brake and fuel lines from the transmission tunnel and a couple of odd hoses from the rear. Can't wait until she goes to the blasters so I can have a proper tidy up.