2009 240Z build

A forum for owners of S30 and S130 Datsun Z's... 240Z, 260Z, 280Z and 280ZX!
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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
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1970 240Z
1972 510

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A quick update

Working on the seats. I ended up choosing an old school type of seat that should give me better support than the original, but still look period. I ordered from Brian at Z car custom. These are soooooooooo comfy.



Originals weigh 24 lbs, these are 15 lbs.

Had to fab up seat adjuster. Original only had position lock on one side. Now I got both locked.







Sits in ther nice



I think it should be dropped 1 more inch to be perfect.



Problem is...It is sitting all they way down on the seat support already. Guess I'll have to make some adjustments.


SharolMac
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Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:21 pm

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My boys I am so proud, love ya

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heliochrome85
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Car: 2006 G35 Sport Coupe Athens Blue/Slate with Sport and Premium Packages--SOLD

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EPIC THREAD.

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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I decided to drop the seat supports by 1 inch in the front and 3/4 inch in the back. I am 6'1" and I figured I could squeek out a little more room above my head and what the heck, I can always shim the car seat up if needed.

I gained the extra room by cutting the top off the front support with a cut wheel (I had already welded it in place) and sawing off the rear supports before they are installed.



This is seat track secured to supports and tack welding in place. Notice little black spacers. They are removed later, I just used them to get some room. Those little spacers are handy as hell and I ended up using the spin on nuts as well. They were original equipment installed and I'm going to keep them for the new stuff too.



Drivers side installed.



Went down to Jeggs to get second pair of seat tracks. I had not modded this one yet. See cable I like the push/pull rod better.



seat track installed











I am glad I took a little extra time to get the seat "just right".

The headrest are coming soon and that should be it for the seats. I ordered the seats from Brian at Z Car Customs. He has been helping me out on a couple other parts as well .

http://www.zccjdm.com/

I also noticed a few little brown spots appearing on the floor. I need to get it sealed and protected soon.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

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evildky
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I do like their sparrow tail spoiler but they ain't cheap!

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160Z
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She's coming along nicely. You sure are doing a great job.

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gordom
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:09 am

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Hey, thanks for the Father's Day wish (and the phone call). Can't take much credit for your unwavering "to do it right" regardless of time and effort required, but I'm sure delighted you DO have it. The project is proceeding very nicely - I'm very proud. <D>p.s. Good job on the quality updates too

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boro drift
Posts: 2316
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:26 pm
Car: '87 Supra, '92 240 with SR20 and '98 12 valve Cummins

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Seats look nice and low. Great job Gordon!

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SHIFT_Z
Posts: 1629
Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:00 pm
Car: On 4's
2019 Subaru WRX 6MT
Former:
2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT
2006 Nissan Altima SE-R 6MT
1988 Nissan 300ZX 2+2
1985 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
1986 Nissan 300ZX Slicktop
On 2's
2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS

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Gordon- you have e-mail.

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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I have been having trouble with my elbow over the past few months and finally had the surgery to clean it out on Thursday. I am supposed to take it easy on it and no heavy lifting, and keep it heavily wrapped. That was the plan, anyway...

Front end is all the way out.



I was really worried about the floors and frames being exposed and starting to get flash rust so I acid etched the floors and frames. This preps the surface for the paint.



Then sprayed on some primer to protect the surface. All good Top and bottom all done, I will seam seal later.



I started on the front struts. I'm going with coil-over shocks. I purchased everything from Ground Control Systems. A certain "mod" with lots of experience pointed my in the right direction. I called them and they sent me everything I should need. There are several articles on this mod already posted, so I will just post a few pictures and skim over it real fast.

I removed the old strut



Stock one looks like this



Unscrew cap and...slide out shock absorber



Yuck!



Cut and remove old spring perch and about 1.5" of the old strut length.



Weld together and add the new spring perch..



...and you end up with this.



and do it all over and you have a set...



I need to get some paint for them tomorrow. I also started on the cross-member. It needs to be cleaned up too...



That's it for now...


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RustspecS13
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Car: '74 260z and '88 300zx turbo

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Wow looking good! Id be itching to drive it, but all the fabrication must be fun.

Did you get sealer primer? Because regular primer is still porous and will rust through.

~Alex

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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RustspecS13 wrote:Wow looking good! Id be itching to drive it, but all the fabrication must be fun.

Did you get sealer primer? Because regular primer is still porous and will rust through.

~Alex
Thanks alex, I can't wait to drive it, I'm having way too much fun, have no idea what you are talking about as far as the sealer primer. I treated the frame and rails with a acid bath that will treat all exposed surfaces and prevent rusting. I washed the crap out of it and then wiped down and blow dried all the surfaces, and then hit it with self etching primer, a light coating. Everything should be good for the next few months.

Made a little progress today...

Got the front struts painted and assembled





Started working on the camber plates....

Adjustable camber plate goes here and lets me adjust camber...sounds simple...right?



But it needs to go on the bottom side of the tower....makes sense...



transposed markes on where to drill and cut...



Drilled...



Cut...piece of cake. Need to leave a little "slop". Everything should move smoothly.



Attach strut



Lot's of room...



One down...three to go...



I do not like the fasteners holding the plate down and I'm going to see what other options I have.

That's it for today...

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playero_loko
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Car: 1991 240sx
Location: Nasville, TN
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awesoe build bro... lots of TLC going into this ride!!!

Kalypso
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wow... this is looking tough

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breadbox
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Car: Red 89 240sx,Black 89 Koop, White 84 720 4x4KC
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This looks like a truely enjoyable build. This thing is gonna be amazing.

The suspension looks brand new.

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marlin29311
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Wow this thing is looking awesome!

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RustspecS13
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Oh yea I forgot to mention, you should have me align that beast when you get it running.

Of course its company policy to test drive the cars before/after to make sure we did our job right.

~Alex

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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RustspecS13 wrote:Oh yea I forgot to mention, you should have me align that beast when you get it running.

Of course its company policy to test drive the cars before/after to make sure we did our job right.

~Alex
sounds fare to me!

I got the left camber plate in today.



I am starting to put the front end together...



somehow...things got bigger...not quite sure how...



I have been putting the front end together with poly bushings. Getting lots of "squeaking". Any suggestions?....

Things are starting to come together.

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nissan_star
Posts: 531
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:18 pm
Car: 2000 maxima se and 1993 240sx vert (5sp!!!)

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gmac708 wrote:somehow...things got bigger...not quite sure how...



I have been putting the front end together with poly bushings. Getting lots of "squeaking". Any suggestions?....
First off, maxoderm?

Second off, which is not far from first off , LUBE LUBE LUBE do not skimp on the grease!

I assume you already knew that, and about the grease too.

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Logan76
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Holy crap Gordon, its been awhile since I've checked up on your thread, things are comming along very nicely.

c-dawg
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Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:18 pm

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wow, freakin awesome!!

i wish i had the time/money/know-how to do this, too!

looks like it's gonna be a hell of a car! awesome!!

mikeith
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Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 4:13 am
Car: 73 240z

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c-dawg wrote:wow, freakin awesome!!

i wish i had the time/money/know-how to do this, too!

looks like it's gonna be a hell of a car! awesome!!
know-how is the easy part for my its those other two that are keeping my project at hault for now

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sebazztard
Posts: 2585
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:44 pm
Car: 1992 Nissan 240sx rb25det project. 2000 Honda Accord LX DD. 1992 Nissan 300zx NA.

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same brother, i have 1 day a week to work on mine, 6 other days devoted to work and gf. great work so far gmac, i wouldnt expect anything less from you.

kelloggman
Posts: 141
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:41 pm
Car: 73 240z

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haha your makin me want to tear mine down and rebuild

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GRNMACHINE
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WoW-Incredible Work!! Try Awesome. Looking forward to more pics and updates.

hbpignosePA
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Car: 90 240sx hatch (Jackstand Queen), 78 Datsun 280z (RIP), 89 cressida (Sold) 86 200sx hatch (sold) 83 280zx turbo (parts car)
90 volvo 240 (sold)
80 mx32 cressida (new daily)
Location: Amish Country Pa

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i love this thread

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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Crazy past few weeks. I had to go out of town for a few days, and get the kids 240SX ready for sale. We have a deposit on it and it is going to a real good home.



Sorry to see it go....

....any way, back to the Z!

I had to replace the lower ball joints. This required changing the steering knuckles as well. Prior to 7-70 had smaller balljoints and they probably had reason for the upgrade. Here is picture of smaller balljoints and smaller (hole diameter) steering knuckles.



I finally got around to getting the RB pan and covers on. I had a real ruff time finding a few of the grommets and rubber bushings. So far, Z car customs has been about the best finding all the hard to find stuff. A little powder-coating for "bling".



The front end is together.



Got the headrests on.

Hope to get a bunch done tomorrow

Gord




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bundy26
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WOW

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IanS
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Wow, that glittery maroon/red looks freakin awesome. I wish I had money.

Selling the S14 huh.

Now you've got me interested in whats in store for Cam now. I smell another project.

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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FlatBlackIan wrote:Wow, that glittery maroon/red looks freakin awesome. I wish I had money.

Selling the S14 huh.

Now you've got me interested in whats in store for Cam now. I smell another project.
The color is Candy apple red, and Cameron now has a 92 S13 coup plus a few extra dollars left over from the insurance money.


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