Some people just can't paint - So I moved on...

I am one of those people.

After repeated attempts to spray a decent clear coat, I have come to the realization that I need to skip it and move on.

I have the entire car sanded and ready for a final clear by a professional.
This paint job has seriously taken a bite out of my summer and I had to take a break from the car because of it.

But moving forward........

I picked up a set of 50mmx13mm extended studs from Touge Factory.

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I like their style. They make a lot of their own parts and they are from Chicago.

Also, I have started refurbishing my wheel hardware.

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As Cassio pointed out via comment on my last post, the wheels are three piece, but were welded together by the factory.

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This means I can take all of the hardware out with little worry.

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This will also allow me to polish up the wheel.

Following Brad's advice, I picked up a 5lb tumbler from Harbor freight. If you toss your rusty nuts in here with the proper abrasive, technically you should be able to remove the rust and get them looking good again.

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Time will tell on that one.

I also was able to mount my fuel lines this past weekend.

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With the help of my lovely girlfriend, I was able to get the feed and return lines mounted up along either side of the transmission tunnel.

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Nice.

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As you can see I also found a couple of spots that need a little wire wheel action and some Zero Rust. :)



Thanks to Brad and Cassio for the help!
I am back in go mode on this build, so thanks to everyone for the motivating comments on facebook and the blog.

Means a lot.

Triples due for a rebuild

Decided to start pulling my triples apart while I am waiting for money to take my block and head to the machine shop.

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I removed all nuts and bolts except for the two on each end of the header so I could remove the intake manifold and not have to worry about my header dropping onto the floor.

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Pulled the header and noticed that the exhaust ports were square, as I had suspected per the Google.

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My MN47 head has round exhaust ports but when I line it all up, it appears that the round exhaust ports actually fit inside the square ports without any (or very little) overlapping/restriction.

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This exhaust port as you can probably tell had a square port exhaust manifold attached from the stock N42 head that shipped with my 1975 280z L28.

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I will do more research to figure out whether or not a little modification will be needed to maximize throughput.

My triples, ready for some love.

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My square port Hooker Super Comp 6-2-1 header.

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Once I got my carburetors on the operating table i pulled the throttle linkage and fuel lines.

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Immediately I noticed corrosion on my #5-6 fuel inlet.

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When I removed the access cover I inspected my floats and they appeared to be in good shape. All of the seals appear to be in tact. I still have to measure and adjust them as I can see that they are not all within spec.

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This is a view from the top. There is quite a bit of sediment inside all three of my carburetors. Definitely in for a rebuild and cleaning of all components.

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External hardware for throttle linkage, fuel inlets, and my filthy venturis.

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Got my work cut out for me.

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Wish me luck lol.

Fuel Delivery

Sitting at work today day-dreaming about how I'm going to feed my triples.

Researching stainless braided lines, hard lines, fittings, Fuel pressure regulators, gauges, and what appears to be some sort of fuel distribution block that works with AN fittings.

SLOBBER.

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New stuff!

Met a fellow ZCCNE member yesterday and picked up a 1975 280z fuel tank. Halfway through 1976 Datsun made the switch to a half sized spare in the rear hatch, so anything newer and I would have had to cut out the tire well.

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This tank will work with my current carb setup, and with the L28ET that I have finally decided to swap in later this year.

I have read that the 75 tank also has the bonus of a little more fuel capacity and better baffling than that of the 73 240z tank.

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A quick benchpress test fit confirmed that she would bolt up with no issues.

John from ZCCNE knows a good tank guy, so this will be in his hands for a cleaning and sealing soon enough.

I have been dying to start collecting parts for the swap.

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So it begins.

Back to work

Finally pulled off the exhaust and cut out that GHETTO fuel line, zip ties and all.

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One less fire hazard.

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Got in my dirt cheap OEM replacement Brake master cylinder from RockAuto.

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And my OEM replacement Re-manufactured Sumitomo 2-piston calipers.

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I know a lot of people go with the 84 Toyota 4Runner brake upgrade because it is a 4-piston set, but just as many people say that the stock brakes were good enough up to approximately 300+ WHP. Since I am absolutely nowhere near that, I decided to see for myself.

I will be running the Sumitomo stockies on slotted and vented rotors with EBC green stuff pads, all new lines and cylinders.

We will see how she does, and make any further modifications and upgrades based on that as a braking performance base-line.

Dropped the tank

Got to drop out my fuel tank this weekend. The fuel system was WAY worse off than I thought.

Hooked up a 7 gal. drain pan from Harbor Freight and pulled the plug.

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That rusty 70's fuel pump has got to go too.

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This thing pissed chunks of who knows what, all over the floor. Ultra rusty and full of junk.

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This little guy was full of rusty brown goodness also. I capped off the fuel delivery line to the mechanical fuel pump and ordered a few of these from my local Advance Auto.

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Really not that difficult to drop. I was expecting to have to deal with more of a fight. My straps and strap bolts are a rusty mess so those will have to be replaced. As will my fuel tank. After I let most of the gas drain/evaporate out, I picked it up and shook it around. TONS and TONS of crap inside. I hit it with a flashlight and the inside of this tank is a total loss.

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Much lighter!

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I also figured out why my fuel level sending unit wasn't working.

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GASP.

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I really wish I could show you how bad the inside of my tank is, but I think the condition of my level sending unit is a fair representation.

Into the darkness...

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