I hope your balls cost 10K...lol

With everything I've accomplished so far, it's worth way more than that. :tup:

Got some new tools and stuff today. Extra jack stands, some crazy as$ hex sockets, and some other goodies a friend dropped off today. Free.

Nice 260z, what year is it?
I'm also restoring one mines a 1970.

It's a 260 from 74, second half production.

Do you have a pic of your car?

Going to add this to my Xmas list:

The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts: Quick Release Steering Kit & Security System, 70-83 Z/ZX

Decided against the VG30DETT motor. Sounds like it's going to be a huge headache and not worth it.

Now I'm entertaining the idea of the RB25 or KA24E (either with a turbo). However, I heard that the KA engine is so light that the front springs need to be cut and rear camber adjusted because of weight distribution issues.

Well, after weeks of recovering from my shoulder surgery, I decided it was time to tackle the old S30 again. I drained the oil and coolant. WTF is up with the 22mm oil drain plug! LOL

Man, that oil was blacker than black. Coolant smelled like some ancient evil that finally crawled out from the belly of the earth. So now that the fluids are out, we all know what that means. The car isn't going to be starting any time soon. I got rid of the old battery knowing this a few weeks ago.

Next step is to figure out how to take out the wiring and engine bolts so I can lift the engine and put it on an engine stand.

Any and all advice is welcome and greatly appreciated!

Nice car! I have been looking at a blue for my car I am actually leaning towards the 350z blue.

How about a SR20 motor?

I think a lot of people gravitate toward the SR20, which is a good engine. However, I was told that parts are more expensive and sometimes difficult to find. I don't know. I'm still working on the car before I get an engine. Who knows? I might end up rebuilding the L26 and see if I can't do some customized work on it.

The SR20 has picked up in popularity so engine components have picked up in price. :(
I think rebuilding the L26 would be a good idea, might not get as much power as other engines, but gives you that updated classic look. :driving:

I love the look of a clean original engine in the older Z. I even like it when they go crazy and add some components that you'd never see on the old engines.

Local guy who did most of the work himself:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13.../JulyCC023.jpg

RB25 engine:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...40ZRB25005.jpg

I believe this belongs to someone named Brian Scott:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...nScott240z.jpg

Random:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...dy-Z-432-9.jpg

Muahahahaha!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...power_03rw.jpg


:yum:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...2406jpgcw8.jpg

I like that rb25!

This is what I would do. :tup:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...nScott240z.jpg

Yeah, dreamer. I like that a lot. I can see a custom radiator and carbs. I have no clue what brand those are, but I'm sure I can find out sooner or later. I like how everything is so shiny and new. :yum:

New TE37V for old schools cars. Game Over.

I'd love to have an S30 some day and this is what I'd get:

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...ei/three20.jpg

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...sei/three4.jpg

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...sei/three5.jpg

^^ that's a Volk wheel buy the way (the TE37V).

Also as far as expensive that's perspective, but hard to get I don't agree with. In fact I just saw recently that that parts are still so popular in Japan that HKS just re-did and rereleased a few SR items. For example: Cams. I'd go RB25 though since it already has a rear drive trans. RB's sound sexy and are powerful. If you have more budget RB26 with RB25 trans would be awesome.

Damn, those wheels are awesome. Not happening with my budget, but still full of awesomeness.

Yeah, I heard that the SR20 parts have to be ordered from Japan unless you find them used in the States. Bad thing about that is they're probably ruined or not up to snuff.

I just need to read up on all my options or limit them. I think I have too many choices and need to make up my mind.

I agree about the RB25 choice. I'd rather do that and not have to deal with the AWD issue.

RB25 is a good choice.

But I think some of the major Japanese brands like HKS, Greddy, Tomei ect stock in low quantites some SR parts. Their is demand for it since a lot people have swapped that engine into 240's here. Also there are places you can get new replacement parts. Here's a really good place:

Phase 2 Motortrend

If you go under OEM parts you can get stuff like the gasket overhaul kit ect. Same goes for RB stuff.

Thanks for the link and what not. :tup:

Dave,
There is a local guy here that imports some nice motors from Japan.

JDMhookup.com

Ask if they do front clips too. That way you'll get a guage cluster (for that dash you are going to do) and some other stuff you may be able to use. I know you can get clips (car cut at the a-pillar) from Phase 2 but they are here in CA. I have no idea if some places more land locked carry those but it wouln't hurt to ask JDMhookup.com. Possibly they have someone strip a clip of all that stuff before shipping it and you get it all anyway.

Alright, after a few weeks off due to shoulder surgery and what not, I'm back in to the old girl. I was watching SpeedTV this morning and couldn't stand to watch the hot rod shows where they talk about rebuilding a car from the ground up. I decided it was time to get out to the garage, spend some quality time with my oldest son, and enjoy the nice weather we were having.

What did we do? Took out the alternator (tested it - failed), took out a bunch of hoses to try and get some more engine room, tried to take off the oil filter (damn thing is stubborn), took out the spark plugs and wiring, and took off those little hood thingy's (sorry, I don't know what it's called).

On with the pics!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown004.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown005.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown006.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...eakdown007.jpg

whats with the engine light by the brake master cylinder? lol

You have your hands full. good luck

I unbolted that a while back for some reason. It's just kind of shoved there to stay out of things. :D

I'm trying to take off the radiator. Had to go buy some new sockets and came home to find out the set didn't include a 15mm deep socket. Doh!

I also need to get something to take off that oil filter. It's stuck on there pretty well. Whoever had it before probably didn't oil the rubber seal and tightened it too much.

Just stopped by to see if there were any updates :hello:

Speaking of pulling the radiator I saw in a magazine Koyo recently started making an S30 radiator. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya lol.

http://d5otzd52uv6zz.cloudfront.net/...a9ca12-420.jpg

After months of just looking at it and wondering what I should do next to the mess I call my project, I decided to do some easy things to keep me motivated. I took off the exhaust system and broke a few bolts in the process. They were rusted so badly. I just shook my head at how the new/custom exhaust was installed by whoever owned it before me or before that owner. Can I get a *facepalm?* :D I want to put it on a rotisserie so badly and power wash it to death. Obviously, that's not going to happen. I might ruin the car.

Then I took off the big, orange filter box (?) that attaches to the carbs. I have no idea what to call it. It's been a long time since I've worked on a car that didn't have EFI. After unplugging a few hoses here and there, I started on the door panels. Wow, they suck. Such crappy quality. I guess that's because it's 37 years old.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding002.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding001.jpg

This is an exhaust hanger? WTF

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding004.jpg

Is that a manifold? LOL

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding006.jpg

I'm ready to tear this door off and throw it away. Yes, I'm that frustrated.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding009.jpg

Lovely rust and crud under the car that annoys me to no end.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...modding008.jpg

Yeah, I definitely had to walk away from it last night. I was threatening the car gods. So I came up with a game plan that would make me feel better about the project. I decided to do something that would show progress. So this morning, I bought some 80 and 120 grit paper for the orbital. When I wasn't sanding, I was wrenching. There is a ton of rust in the front clip. Also, I think I see bondo but I'm not sure. On with the pics.

This morning, I started prepping the car and the 'shop' area. Yeah, there wasn't much to prepping. Mind you, temps were in the upper 90's and humidity was higher than 50. This is my kind of environment.


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...oreprep004.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...oreprep003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...oreprep007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...oreprep006.jpg

And now the 'after' pics. I spent hours working on sanding, cleaning, sanding, and tinkering with the engine and front clip area. Of course, I was covered in layers of dirt, powdered paint, and sweat. The shower felt so gooooood.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...terprep002.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...terprep003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...terprep001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...terprep004.jpg

Very nice, looks to be a sick project in the making!

Wow, it was hot and humid today! I was dripping wet while barely doing anything in the garage. I did some more sanding today, but I finally decided to take off the front fenders to see what treasures lay beneath. Sure enough, I found evidence of a previous accident and more rust cancer. Dammit. What do you guys think?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders002.jpg

I'm pretty sure the driver's side got the brunt of the damage. The fender was welded on at the point where the headlight housing sits flush with the rest of the fender. It took some doing, but I forced it and got it to break free.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders004.jpg

This triangular part was also welded onto the fender. I'm tempted to rip it off. I see no purpose for that piece.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders005.jpg

And of course, the rust...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...fenders006.jpg