Hi, I thought i'd start a build thread as a log of the journey with my import Z.

Afetr a horrible accident in my previous car i borrowed a budget amount for a run around, but as i was missing my previous pride and joy i was browsing piston heads to see what i could save for. As many people will understand the feeling when you click on to a site and see the car you've always dreamed of owning going for the same price you would puut done on a shitter. I was very sceptical but took the gamble. The car only had 43990 on the clock when i bought it with a few niggles. I got a history of previous mot's (some japanese so have no idea what they say lol) and was told the previous owner had it sitting for three years and decided to move so sold the car (last taxed 2011). At this point my brain was juggling do i go for it or not knowing that if it has been sitting that long theres gonna be a few teething problems. I made the jump enjoyed it for a little and decided to park it up enjoy my holiday and then slowly work on her once i recovered from the financial shock of the crash and the need for a new toy.

The engine bay is clean as a wistle and the rest can be improved lol. I got it on a set of lifts and checked out the underside. The underside has a lot of rust but also looks solid. Whilst i was underneath i buffed down the majority of the underside and undersealed what i could just to protect her a little.

As my luck usually goes when i put money into a car ... another thing breaks.

My list of work to start includes:

fixing the drivers door as it now doesn't want to open

check vibration at n/r

check rear brakes (rust has not worn off from the disc where it has the fronts)

all service and maintenance items

treat rust on skirt to prevent it spreading

then... all the fun bits, changing and repairing bits for new/improved parts and keeping on top of the maintenance.

My smart phone broke in the crash so waiting for the pennys to repair it (not in any rush as using a temp phone) so pictures will be scarce at the beginning of the thread

once i'm back from holiday in a couple of weeks i will subscribe

Its been a while and money has been tight so the z has taken the back burner. I have however got ideas on what I want to do and also know what needs to be done. It has a damp smell from the previous owner. I have tried salt and also smellies and air freshners/odour eliminators. They have helped a bit but I think the smeel has got into all of the fabrics. My next trick will be coffee beans as I have been advised from a colleague and if that doesn't work a fragrance bomb. Does anybody know of any tricks for a problem like this?

You need to find where the 'damp' is coming from and isolate it. I'd then rent out a Rug-Doctor (with attachment), take the front seats out and clean the carpets and seats thoroughly if it's that bad.

 

Fragrance bombs will only mask it. :)

Edited October 27, 201411 yr by Funkysi

Thanks. I was considering ripping anytbing unnecessary out and refittinv fresh stucf at a later date. I am hopefully gonna get work done on the z now. Tbere is a aful lot to do haha but thats the fun of a project

Does it smell musty or like a strange curry smell?

It's most likely your targas leaking if it smells damp.

Did we find out the date of build? Just that seems to have been in question thought the thread. Check on the seatbelts and as so said, maybe some pictures of the interior.

 

I was once told by someone at the dvla that with imports, if they aren't given the date, they always put it as a specific date, can't remember if it was in 98 or not

Sorry took so long. Was working on the z the otherday and remembered what you said. The seatbelts state its 98

I bought a 94 she'll to rebuild my car it had been sat around for 5or 6 years, paint faded on it but no rust anywhere, so I'm with so on this sounds wrong to me.

i bought a 94 shell and that has also sat for 5 years. Both sills were gone and my left suspension tower had to be cut out.

Hi Si

 

Does Jan's Count as one of those ?

 

Tony

I've been busy stripping bits of the car when I got a cance. The front plate and brackets off as so.eone fittex a horrid one, the battery is out as knackered and also I noticed when romoving the old number plate brackets that something was hanging down in the engine bay. I ripped the whole air filter and box out of the car and noticed there was a palstic plate attached to it. It was that that was broken. It runs under tbe filter box to the fan l. Can anybody tell me what that plate idls for? Is it just to channel the airflow to the fan/rad?

Been a very long time since I started. I finally have got myself in a position to get this thread and the build going. Finally got her running and in a state I can use her. I managed to save the battery and refitted it. I also bought a powerbank to jump start the car if ever I get caught out again. I have also been inspecting the car for jobs that need doing too.

I recently got my door working thanks to tbe help of my colleague. He repaired tge catch mechanism for me. I have currently got another latch and all the relevant linkages on order to fully repair my current lock and also to have spares incase the door fails to open/close again.

I'll make sure Ikeep the updates coming

Today I received the door parts I've been waiting for. I fitted a new clip to the key lock linkage so finally I can lock the door from outside the car Haha.

The linkages to the solenoid however differ slightly so with the tools I had on me I couldn't do anymore. Thats a job for tomorrow When I finish work and then I may have a fully functioning drivers door.

When are we going to get detailed photos of this car!?

As I do work I will be sure to photograph it. my profile pic is my only one atm.

Just get out there with your camera or phone and take some photos of the whole car!!! :)

Si you seem to know your stuff about model years etc, out of interest what series is my 1996 going to be?

Hi Chris, this link might help you, http://www.300zx.org.uk/mod_comp_0.htm

Hi Chris, this link might help you, http://www.300zx.org.uk/mod_comp_0.htm

 

Thanks Paul, a series 4 then I believe.

Just get out there with your camera or phone and take some photos of the whole car!!! :)

 

I will straight after its bath haha

I will straight after its bath haha

 

six months later and still no pics of this (maybe mythical???) car!!!!!:innocent:

Must be some kind of record I think:lol:

Thanks Paul, a series 4 then I believe.

 

Yes looks like it Chris,

This week I have been trying to get my door working. I have fixed my linkages. The catch and the exterior lock. I found the fuse that had blown for my interior light and changed that too.

My electrics for tbe central locking however have packed up so I need to find the fused connector for that too.

I have bid on a blue interior as wanna keep a couple of bits from it but not the whole in your face blue which the kit appears to be.

heres some pics of when I was working on her after work the other week.

Looks a clean car from those pics

Yeah it does! Where's the rust then!?