Oh hey, it's almost been a month already

"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
10/15/2020 at 10:35 • Filed to: None

Last time I took the time to write something on here, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and was waiting for it to arrive. In the meantime, it was finally delivered, and also partially disassembled.

But first, the delivery:
The car was scheduled to be picked up on the morning of September 22nd by a Spanish transporter and be taken to my place in the evening on the same day. After a while of no news, I got a message that the transporter was stuck on the border because he had do do a Covid test to enter France. They could have foressen that and take the test early, but ok.
They rescheduled the pick-up to the 23rd, 9:30AM, no news after that. I finally got a message from the seller at 12, telling me they just left with the car. Slightly late, but hey, at least I won’t have to get off work early. No news on progress, but I figured they should arrive around 7-8PM (6 hour drive by car).
At around 9PM, I got a message that they would arrive at 11:50PM, oh god, what happened? Anyway, I rested a bit, trying not to fall asleep. At 11:30, another message, they were stopped by customs, and are now on their way. they should arrive at 1AM. Around 12:5 0, I get a shared GPS location. 40 minutes away...

They finally arrived at 1:30AM and started unloading. I looked for the papers in the car, no papers. The transporter started looking in the van, his colleague put on the ramps to get the car off the trailer. I get into the car, they push me down, until the car stops with a loud scary noise. The Z had landed on it’s belly.
They detached the trailer for more clearance, the car got down,and the guy finally found the papers. The customs had taken them out of the car to check them and gave them to the guy.
Anyway, I had the car, I had the papers, time to go to bed. That’s when the guy asked for the remaining pay, I assumed I’d pay online, but no, cash, and now. They were friendly and apologetic about all the mishaps, so I drove to the bank with them in the middle of the night, gave them the money, and got a 50€ discount for the trouble. Yay?
I went to bed at 2:30 and got up 3 hours later to go to work.

Stuck

That weekend, i had it running a bit, changed the fuel in the tank, had it running a bit more, checked the ignition system, got an electric shock (that’ll need sorting). The engin idles smoothly, but stumbles when reving it. That will need some work, but first, the rust is more important.

But carbon fiber bits are importanter :)

Since then, I put it on a lift and started removing everything that was in the way for rust repairs. For a quick list of what’s to be done: a lot.

Subframe out

The left frame rail

The right frame rail

The left rocker panel

The left quarter panel

The right quarter panel

The left sway bar mounting point

The right engine mounting point

The floor boards looked pretty solid, but at some point, somebody put a thick layer of fiberglass on it, which was suspicious.

I got rid of it. This took a lot of time, effort, and swearing
Pro tip: to separate fiberglas from sheet metal, wedge a flat crowbar in there and hit it with a hammer. Also: wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection.

The floors need work, but it wasn’t too bad after all

I also stripped mos t of the interior to avoid burning the car down during rust repairs

DISCUSSION (18)

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 10:49

Awesome!

Of all the cars pre-Z32, I think the 260z 2+2 is the best looking. Sue me.

You might have had an easier time pulling the fiberglass off if you threw dry ice on it first. Might be worthwhile to keep that one in mind if you ever buy another rusty car with suspicious repairs.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 10:52

Wow looks like you have your work cut out for you. It’s crazy to think that I junked two 240Z cars in the past that were less rusty than that. At the time frame rail replacement was not anything I was willing to do.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 11:01

You say the rust isn’t terrible but that looks pretty bad to me. It’s not quite dash-doorhandle-and-bondo bad but that’s not a task for the faint of heart. I wish you good luck in sorting all the perforated bodywork.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
10/15/2020 at 11:30

I’m calling my lawyer right now. What’s your address for legal residence ?

KnowsAboutCars > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 11:33

Looks at the rust. That’s a Nissan/Datsun alright.

Also, can I have your workspace pretty please?

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
10/15/2020 at 12:03

I su re hope I'll never have to do that kind of work ever again

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/15/2020 at 12:07

When I was looking for a VW bus a few years ago, m y dad told me he scrapped them b y the dozen back then. Then again, reducing numbers is what makes them interesting.

Z cars are are quite rare this side of the pond, too, so saving a basket case can be worth it

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
10/15/2020 at 12:13

I see it as a worst of what I had on the Pajero (frame and floors), Bel Air (floor) and 505 (quarter panels).

It sure is an adventure, but Datsuns are quite rare here

ClassicDatsunDebate > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 12:15

I like your optimism !

Once you get the body sorted, the lowest lying fruit for trouble free Grand Touring will be going to an electronic ignition and getting rid of those square-shoulder SU’s. They’re hot garbage.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > KnowsAboutCars
10/15/2020 at 12:15

My dad used to have a garage, it's closed now, but the tools are still there

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > ClassicDatsunDebate
10/15/2020 at 12:19

I have already bought 2 used Weber 40 DCOEs to sort that out once the body is done. I still need a third one and the manifold though

E90M3 > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 12:20

I saw a US-spec R129 when I was in Munich back in 2013. I was wondering why someone would reimport one. This is the reason.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/15/2020 at 12:28

Kinja'd!!!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 12:39

Old Datsuns that aren’t rusted out are rare everywhere. I see old Zs around but with much less frequency than your contemporary muscle cars. Anything pre-Nissan name change is noteworthy but Zs are the only Datsuns that still have any sort of presence on the roads.

Of course I also live in a place that gets like 2 inches of snow a year if we’re lucky so infamously rust prone Datsuns tend to be in a little better shape. Water seepage in particular will still rust holes in metal though.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/15/2020 at 13:41

Good luck, I’ve seen much worse get restored in the US, usually those are 240Z’s. The 260, and a 2+2 is quite a rare thing these days.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
10/16/2020 at 00:21

Well the dog legs have a few layers, they basically rust from the inside because they had no drainage. I did both sides right away. Nissan makes the outer body piece to this day.

Kinja'd!!!

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/16/2020 at 04:03

I would have gone with a 240z, but as I get to drive my mr2 suite rarely with the kid, I think one 2 seater is enough

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
10/16/2020 at 04:04

Oh, thanks for the detail on that one! That's vert helpful!