Nice progress WildmaN!


and +1 about the Zs. The best thing is, for not much money, you can have a car that sticks out from the crowd, and attracts all kinds of attention. Even my 280Z, in its primer grey livery, attracts all kinds of attention (and the chicks dig it ). They just have timeless style.

 

Yeah I know which one you are talking about. It clicks, and also I can a metal piece move when I turn the climate control on. The problem is, there is no such thing as a relay for the blower motor. Besides that, like I said. There is no power from either of the 2 plug areas. (for the blower motor.) Which means that piece that clicks, is called something else. But what?

So for now, I will just get a simple toggle switch, and wire the blower fan directly to the battery. And tackle it later, when I am ready to restore the car. As long as it works, I am good with that. Thanks for the help.

 

Exactly man, they do stick out. In a good way. lol And thanks for the props. I am doing what I can. I am pretty much done for the day. Will try to do more this week coming up. I should be ordering the parts, this coming week.

So how is your new 280z treating you? You got a smoking deal on it. And when it is primer gray. People notice it more, because they know you are making progress with it. I have learned that over the years. Post some pics of your progress on it. When you start doing more work to it. (like start another thread about just that Z) Good luck man.

 

Good point about the primer....I never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. People think the car is a work-in-progress and maybe even has something a little extra under the hood . So far the only parts I've got are Eibach lowering springs and Tokico struts. This is the same basic set-up I got for my 240Z....not only made the car look better/sportier, but made a huge difference in ride and handling.

I haven't bought any parts for the engine yet. To be honest, despite the fact I've owned 3 turbo cars previously, I know very little about turbos themselves. This is a learning experience. I've bought a couple books and also joined the HybridZ website to gain more knowledge on the turbo swap. From what I've picked-up so far, I do know that an intercooler and manual boost controller are on the short list. I'll keep you posted, maybe even start a thread when more progess is being made.

Anyway, this car is fun even the way it is now....and everything works! (well except the clock). A far cry from my 240Z when I got it. I've even been driving it to work on occasion.

Sorry about the thread jack...like I said I'll probably eventually start a thread.

 

Cool man, sounds like you have done some things to it already. I am looking forward to driving a turbo sometime. Anyway, no worries about the thread jacking. It's cool man, looking forward to hearing and seeing your progress. Rock on!

 

Update....The cylinder head is on the car, and torqued to specs. I did take pictures, but will have to wait until tomorrow. I would say two more weekends, and my Z should be running. Woo hoo!! I'll keep you all posted.

 

I just read through the entire thread...

Just awesome man! Keep it up!

 

I just read this entire thread....Wildman, you have a GRIP more patience than I have..lol I need to fix it NOW, and get it running NOW...lol you have done a great job. keep it up!

 

This long thread was actually the first one i ever read on this site. And yes, Wildman, youve got what it takes to get that bad car done, so keep it going! sadly, my transmission is being held hostage until tuesday

 

Okay I'm stuck...I can't get the cam gear on the camshaft. With the chain on the teeth. It is just a little below the pin. That I can't quite get it on, where it needs to go. Please help, with any tips you have. It would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Thank you for reading my long thread. lol Anyway, patience is something. I have learned to have more of. Believe me on that one. As you go along, you will find, that it is the one thing you need a lot of. Or you will get more frustrated. And do things, you will regret.

And thanks for the props. I am doing the best I can. Good luck with you too man. You will get there, patience is the big factor.

 

Wow I feel honored in some way. Thank you for taking the time to read it. And it being the first one. Anyway, I appreciate the props, and confidence. I will get there, Lord willing.

Tuesday is just a couple days away. You can make it man. Just think, you will have a nice almost new transmission. When you get it back. Good luck to you on that.

 

Thank you man, I appreciate that. I am doing the best, that I can. Just doing a little at a time. I am sure, it will be running within a couple weeks or so. Keep checking back. More to come.

 

Okay...I have been brainstorming at work. And came up with an idea to get my cam gear and chain on. I am going to try, and put the cam gear on first. Then kind of put the chain on the teeth. And rotate the engine, until the chain gets back on the gear. What do you think? A bad idea, or do you think it would work? Feedback is welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

Okay..here are the pictures as promised. Just a little late. But better late than never right? Anyway...enjoy, and feel free to comment. And more to come.

 

Here are some more pictures. More to come very soon.

 

I goofed up, and forgot some earlier ones. So here they are.

 

Okay...forget that trick I mentioned previously. Could be a bad idea, and damage my teeth on the cam gear. Or damage my chain. Anyway, I talked to my brother the other day. And he said because of my tensioner, keeping the chain tight. That I would need to pull harder on the chain. That is what he said, he had to do on his Celica. When he put a new cylinder head on it. So I am going to try and put something in one of the holes of the cam gear. And with the chain on it, and in the right place. Try to pull it, and up just enough to get it on the camshaft. I will keep you all posted, as to what happens. Wish me luck.

 

Now I am in a mess. I tryed prying the cam gear on the pin. With a screwdriver, and being careful of course. Anyway then while I was doing that. I tapped on it with the rubber mallet. At first, it looked like it was going to go on there. Then after I noticed, that it wasn't quite lined up with the bolt hole. I started to take it off. And noticed, that the pin was pushed more in. So I did some more investigating. And low and behold, the camshaft got shoved back.

Is there anyway to take the cam towers off. And try to move the cam toward the front? Or do I have to take the head back off? This really sucks, I have been fighting with this for a few days. And now I am in a worse situation. Any tips, advice, is much appreciated. And please no smart *** comments. I really need to figure this out. Thanks in advance.

 

oil up everything and tap gently on the back of the cam tills its pushed forward back into place. you can pull the cam backwards out of the head when its not in the car. the cam gear keeps it from doing that tho.

 

Well the camshaft is back in place. But now I have two more problems. One: is I tightened a cam bearing bolt a little tight. and now it is loose. When I turn it with a ratchet, and give it a little pressure. (which means, I might have to helicoil it) Two: I accidentally dropped the timing chain yesterday. And thought I was allright. So today when I go to pull up on it, to try and get some slack. It moved a few teeth. So now I have to take the front timing cover off. Which I will need to read up on. Who freaking knows, when I will ever get this Z going again. I keep running into obstacles. And with frustration, and tired of screwing up. I feel so helpless.

Anyway, if anybody has input on this. That would be great. Otherwise, going to read my books. And see how the process works. Will keep you all posted, wish me luck. Also pray for me. I am going to need all I can get. Thanks in advance.

 

cam bearing? you mean the cam bearing tower? If so ouch... you might need to pull the top half of that head apart to fix the threads. and the TQ on those bolts is only like 10 ftlbs. Make sure their all snug else the towers might be rocking around slightly and setting the cam towers back down.

As for the timing cover. There is a LOT of little 10mm bolts all over the front of the thing and their easy to miss! I spent 3 hours trying to get my timing cover off the first time sense I missed one buried in grease and another being the oil pump. Some of the water pump bolts hold it on too. I usually pull my radiator and remove the fan when I do a timing cover pull just to make much more room, if thats any help.

 

^ Yeah, cam bearing towers. And the bolt is tight, if I don't try to turn it with a wrench. Hopefully it will be allright. Okay, yeah might as well remove the radiator, and the other things. Thanks for the tips and info. And yes you are a great help. Appreciate it bro'.

 

lol You're welcome.

Oh if you know for sure you got ALL the bolts off and it doesn't want to come off just tap on the top a few times with a rubber mallet and it should pop right off. Age glues those covers on nice and tight.

 

I don't have any advice other than once you've gotten through this ordeal you'll definately have gained some more knowledge about how it all works and the best way to approach it the next time.

You're way ahead of what I've attempted mechanically (I was stoked this winter when I changed out the temperature sensor on my 240Z and got the temp gauge working!). It's the best way to learn - dig in and get your hands dirty! That's advice from a guy that's way behind you.

Keep it up - there is an end and the satisfaction that you accomplished something very challenging and even seemingly impossible to yourself. I'm rooting for ya!