ksechler

Nice work. Looks almost new.

Never mind! I found it. Funny it was in a box I have looked in twice. Third time was the charm.

Here's the link but I was really hoping someone could just tell me the size. http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/111395-280-fuel-tank-drain-plug/

Can anyone tell me what the size is for the drain plug on a '76 280z? The service manual doesn't give it. I found this size at hybridz (M16.4 - 1.33) but I'm not sure I trust it.

All: Thanks for the comments. I managed to shoot two coats of etching primer last night after work. This will help with flaw detection before switching to a high build primer. I also picked my engine up from Eiji last Saturday. Freaking awesome!

Here are a couple of pictures of my motor. It is a Datsun Spirit STR stage III. I can't wait to get this project done.

I haven't posted in a while. I'm still plugging away. I have been working on the final assembly, and leveling the panels. I want to make sure everything is good before I paint this thing. My motor is almost done. Eiji (of Datsun Spirit) will be bench running it next weekend. I need to make sure I have a home for it.

Yep, it makes noise too. I sat down to take a break and have a beer one evening after putting it on the hood. I could hear the paint popping as it bubbled up. It will also rust the metal if you leave it on. You need to score the paint, apply the stripper, drink a beer, remove the paint and stripper and then wipe with paint thinner. It's a same day treatment...

"...there aren't any women in it." Why bother?

33 inches. I spent 3 1/2 hours clearing snow and I'm not even half way dug out.

Right now there's a Kubota tractor in my garage next to my 280z. I'm in MD with 2-3 feet of snow predicted. I think I'll need the front end loader to clear the snow tomorrow.

I did not bead blast. I used a wire brush and chemically cleaned it.

No, its Eastwood ceramic caliper paint. I may be somewhat against the grain, but I don't like POR15. I've experienced too many adhesion issues.

I bought an Eastwood rotisserie for $1200 and sold it when done for $800 two years later. So my cost to use was $400. Not too bad. You might give this approach some thought. The reason I decided to go commercial was safety. I didn't want to get crushed. I used the bumper mounts, but they are high and will lead to the car being bottom heavy. It does work ok but is not ideal.

Thanks for the reply. I was starting to feel like I was talking to myself. :-)

I also took a break and painted the front calipers. Here are some pics.

I've been away for a little while...well I've still been lurking. I'm making progress on the fender flares. A lot of filling sanding, filling, sanding, etc. I think I finally have the shape about how I want it. There's still some detail work but this was more or less what I was after...

Looks like getting the seat belt redone could be pretty easy. I found this almost immediately: http://www.safetyrestore.com/seat-belt-repair-service/11-seat-belt-webbing-replacement.html

Haha! I did the same thing.

Thanks. I like the garden hose idea. Should be about the right size.

I'm jealous of your rapid progress. I had nothing but trouble blasting. My compressor just couldn't keep up and it was an exercise in frustration. I'm glad to be done with it!

I'm still woking on the fender flares. I have to admit the holidays and a bit of car apathy slowed me down some. I have fiberglassed the front flares and am doing the final bit of blending. I'm struggling a little getting a good line where the flare meets the body. If anyone can suggest some good techniques I'd be grateful. I want a good consistent radius both where the flare meets the body and around the wheel that is free of high and low spots, but I haven't found a good blocking method yet. I don't like my round durablock very much and because it rigid it can't create a consistent radius on a round flare.

Yes, several. The body work is far from finished. I've done the "gross" filling. I still have a lot of detail work to do. Too many imperfections to list. The goal in this phase was to get everything about right and under an etching primer. I have a grey high build primer that will go on before the color coat. I'm sure there are still some low spots and a lot of scratches and other minor blemishes to fix. I'm not completely satisfied with the panel alignment either. I can live without a perfect 5mm gap, but some panels are still higher or lower than their neighbors. That I want to fix. I'll tell you all this sanding is breaking my back. I woke up this morning and my left hip is sore as hell because I spent too long sitting on the floor working on the flares. I've made a couple of milestones, though. No more rust repairs - they're done. No more paint stripping - it's done. Finishing the flares is the next goal and then perfecting the front valence and bumper fit. After that I don't know. I might jam it out at that point. The motor's being built so I'm trying to get a home ready for it. Still so much to do...

Merry Christmas!

I also finished up the hood and got it under a coat of primer.