In preparation for loading the engine back in the car, I did some work on the engine bay. Most of the unnecessary holes were filled, seams covered with POR-15 seam sealer, and a fresh coat of flat black covered the metal. I considered shooting it with the body color, but that would have necessitated fender […]

During the course of getting everyone settled in at the new house, furnishing it, setting up my new garage, having a shed built, putting in landscaping, getting the kids into a new school, the car projects sat idle for quite some time. After a few months, even though there was still a ton of non-car […]

About two weeks after getting the Z home from the paint shop, our family life changed significantly. The next three months was spent packing up our house and moving across town. The Z restoration was once again put on hold, and everything I’d removed and set aside was now being stuffed in boxes and bags, […]

If you haven’t noticed by now, this project was done somewhat backwards – Ordinarily, I’d tear the car down, and restore it in order (engine, drivetrain, suspension, body, paint, interior). But I really needed to be motivated, and I just couldn’t wait to see her in her new paint color. Speaking of paint, I’ve done […]

The more I learned about the 240Z, the more I thought I’d like to do a full-scale restoration, while keeping budget in mind and not “over-restoring” it. I wanted a driver, not a concours-ready trailer queen.

Putting all my attention back on the engine after a break, the fuel rail, new injectors, and throttle body could be installed. The SR TB simply had too much “stuff” on it, and since we have no need for the coolant passages or cruise control, a KA throttle body was chosen for refurbishment and installation. […]

With the worst of the funk removed, another month was spent restoring or replacing the engine externals. Too often, I see swaps where the extent of the cosmetic refurbishment is a painted valve cover. Boring. Thankfully, we have the capability to powder coat here at Datsun Ranch, and plating services are relatively inexpensive ($125 for […]

Having decided to pull the L20b and not look back, the next order of business was to decide what powerplant to replace it with. I’d grown weary of fiddling with the carbs and linkages, and besides, I want to drive this car, not tinker with it (we have plenty of other original Datsuns to fiddle […]