So its finally happening after been off the road for well over a year the zed is on Target for its refurbishment.

 

Last year I started with doing all the underbody suspension stuff to make the ride more stable and after that

I decided I wanted to do a full strip down to the bare shell and start from scratch to create a show quality z32.

 

After much bad luck and many thousands of pounds wasted on rotted zeds i'm cracking on with the original plan.

 

So as a quick update i'll post some older picks followed over the next few weeks by an overall progress report.

 

Starting off with how she was when I first purchased her 3 years ago until the state she is now then showing the

strip down and all the bad luck I've had.

 

So here she is as I bought her :

 

 

 

Really beautiful! Althoguh I agree with Steve I think it needs a spoiler. The LWB bum is just a tad long otherwise!

Calm down, calm down !

 

I have a 99 spec spoiler which is sprayed in the same purple as the rest of the zed.

 

It will be fitted shortly and my intentions were to always fit it. :)

Interesting, anyone know what parts exactly to order ?

 

You can use the reverse light switch from either an Xtrail or patrol iirc, one of them. This means you can buy a patten part from euro car parts for about £15. That's what I did, can't remember the exact car. Same is true with the neutral switch I believe.

G.E.T. T.H.O.S.E. W.H.E.E.L.S P.O.W.D.E.R C.O.A.T.E.D N.O.W!!!! :)

 

Car looks fab though Lee! :bow:

naw !!

g.e.t. T.h.o.s.e. W.h.e.e.l.s p.o.w.d.e.r c.o.a.t.e.d n.o.w!!!!

Looks superb mate, well done :D

naw !!

 

 

Yes! Yes! Yes!

 

:)

 

It would really finish that gorgeous car off. A nice glossy anthracite, shadow chrome or silver would make it look so sharp. The current wheel finish makes them look dirty and faded which doesn't compliment all that effort you've put in to making the rest look so damn good!! :)

 

I absolutely love what you've done to that car though, but that really would be the finishing touch. :)

Edited August 25, 201510 yr by Funkysi

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Yes! Yes! Yes!

 

:)

 

It would really finish that gorgeous car off. A nice glossy anthracite, shadow chrome or silver would make it look so sharp. The current wheel finish makes them look dirty and faded which doesn't compliment all that effort you've put in to making the rest look so damn good!! :)

 

I absolutely love what you've done to that car though, but that really would be the finishing touch. :)

 

Agreed !

I think that wheel design is letting your car down mate, I think it's the way the spokes narrow and curve inwards, I just don't think they suit your car (look like a burnt starfish):oops:, I'd change them out for something else, Azev 5 spokes or Volks etc.

Don't shoot me!!!

 

The wheels that Baz had on his car would look BADASS!! Think they were a 7-8 spoke

Edited August 25, 201510 yr by Richie K

Enough with the comments on the wheels !

 

For the moment they are staying more so for the element of having no cash left.

 

And as much as everyone hates them I haven't got any issues with them for now.

That's why I suggested getting them powdercoated. It's not expensive to do. :)

money that I just don't have.

 

i'm barely skimping on at the moment and have taken out some short term loans to get this project complete.

 

Suggestions all good and well but as it stands its not financially viable.

 

That's why I suggested getting them powdercoated. It's not expensive to do. :)

Are we all picking on you? :lol:

 

I actually don't mind the wheels...

So back on track I had a day off today so managed to get some time in on the zed.

 

Fitted my new 99 spec spoiler that I told everyone I had yet somehow know one seemed to believed, lol.

 

 

Fixed my oil leak which turned out to be no more than me fitting the sandwich plate the wrong way.

 

As the engine had fresh oil in it I drained the full lot into a brand new oil pan then after I fixed the

issue we strained the oil back to a oil can and filled her up again.

 

And lastly after a visit from Stewart Gunner he made a suggestion and we solved the erratic idle issue.

 

Turned out the cruise control cable was too tight and was pulling on the throttle so soon as we slackened

that the idle dropped to below 600 and then stalled.

 

So I upped the idle using the valve so it was fairly high and then slacked the cables one more.

 

The engine now runs smoothly and idles at about 800.

 

Many thanks Stewart as the idle has messed with me for over a week now.

Few more pics taken tonight

 

 

 

 

Smooth running engine with no more tappet noises but there is a high pitched noise from

what I think is the belts but can't point it out.

 

Here's a small video of the engine running :

 

[video=youtube_share;5GSWDFGtJSU]

 

My brother suggested it could be a bearing in one of the pulleys !

Oh my, it looks amazing Lee [emoji106] this car is going to break hearts!

That's why I suggested getting them powdercoated. It's not expensive to do. :)

 

To be fair, a decent powdercoat will set you back at least £80 per wheel. Even a cheap job would be around £50 per wheel and that's £200 off a new set of wheels, I wouldn't bother either if I was Lee.

 

Do you think you will change the wheels at some point Lee, what have you got in mind if so?

To be fair, a decent powdercoat will set you back at least £80 per wheel. Even a cheap job would be around £50 per wheel and that's £200 off a new set of wheels

 

I'm just about to get my merc wheels done as they're awful and have only seen 55,000 miles, i know the boss at the powdercoaters and sure he told me £50 a corner but this is mates rates and is seen as a little backhander for him.

 

Also, you have take into account a tyre shop charging to remove the tyres and then re fitting, balancing, etc.

Oh my, it looks amazing Lee [emoji106] this car is going to break hearts!

 

Agreed!

I do plan to change the wheels but those tyres are brand new and have less than 50 miles on them.

 

It will be mid next year and I may upgrade to a big brake set and change the wheels.

So today while changing the engine oil I also noticed this :

 

 

Not so good, the loom to the gearbox rubbed off the exhaust and melted the outer cover.

 

This may explain my reverse light issues but after connecting the cables in the engine bay

they still didn't come on.

 

Is there a fuse for the reverse lights ?

Quote Originally Posted by Joely P View Post

Oh my, it looks amazing Lee this car is going to break hearts!

 

....it's going to snap a fair bit of knicker elastic too. Mine's just gone....

Now that is worrying :(

 

....it's going to snap a fair bit of knicker elastic too. Mine's just gone....

Regarding your video and the high pitched noise...it sounds like the alternator bearing. Mine failed earlier this year and the initial noise was identical.

One of the few design issues with our cars is that the water pipes sit directly above the alternator so if there have been any leaks during the life of the car, the alternator gets an early bath which dries out the bearings.

Hope his helps.

 

Stunning car by the way, top work.