Hi since I smashed up my beautiful Green 1995 300, I have been driving my older 300 most of the time being my only car, I had to take it off the road yesterday fo some major needed repairs.

 

Lucky I still have the use of my brothers 911, seeing he is still living in Hong Kong.

 

I am so embarrassed at how I have neglected my car, but only doing 1 - 2 thousand miles a year and having a bad back (no excuse really) it is now time to sort everything out before the next MOT.

 

Having sold most of the parts I had collected, I have been getting ready with the long list of parts I now need, how the prices have gone up, can’t really believe it.

 

Started stripping her down yesterday, what a mess.

 

 

The only good thing about so much oil leaking is those areas are rust free.

After wasting 2 days looking for the manifold to turbo gaskets I gave up last week and ordered some more.

 

They arrived in the post this morning, drove down to the garage and managed to get both turbos on, can’t wait till tomorrow.

 

Today I finished the water pipes and a few other bits, got the car under cover and on jack stands. Tomorrow I will get the engine on the hoist replace the rear core plugs, then in it goes.

 

Great progress. Getting closer and closer.

Good stuff

Well just as I thought I was on a roll, I found my power steering high pressure pipe was leaking. Looked up a replacement very expensive, just when I was thinking of putting up a wanted add I remembered years ago while collecting parts I was given a steering rack for free as it had a bent arm, it was still on the subframe. Went round the side of the garage and to my amazement it had the exact pipe still connected and a bag over the pump end.

 

 

Then the next problem.

I had purchased new bolts and studs for the turbo to down pipe, first one I tried snapped off flush, I could not believe my luck, why did I touch it, spent the rest of the day drilling it out, ruining about 7 drill bits and only getting half way in, my friend who was working nights came round at 16:30 with his heavy duty drill bits, 2 hrs later I managed to get it out and put the new stud in and down pipes on before I packed up.

I have had to put the old pipes on as my new down pipes do not match up to the old, neither do the new rear boxes so old back on as well.

 

1 step forward then turn around and leg it backwards! Keep at it Tony [emoji106]

Well finally the engine is back in, took a while being on my own, shame because it was my last day this week, had to get the train home.

Roll on next week, hope I can sort my mums car out before then this public transport sucks, went to pay the bus driver and he said we don’t take money any more.

I do have a problem but will put up a new thread.

 

Well not a lot done in the last few days, just replaced power steering hose thanks to Jimmer having one, getting that installed was so fiddly with the engine in, still trying to get the locating bolt in the pump all the way, wasted so much time.

 

 

I Did manage to get the earth strap bolted down, toque converter bolted up, air con compressor in place.

 

As another few days on the car finishes tomorrow, I have to get the engine started to see if there are any problems. I can not believe how long some of the bolts, clips and other bits have taken me, big hands are a real problem, I do understand why there is not a comprehensive guide to engine removal & install, the list is endless and most items have to go back on in a certain order, as they say if you can’t work out the rest don’t bother, and yes if I had known it could spiral out of control I would have saved up and paid to have it done.

 

The last couple of days have been on my trolly under the car with one hand trying to get all the pipes and clips, wiring back in place so I can start the engine, can’t take pictures of that stuff.

 

Do you think at the factory they made the design of the clips, wiring and bolts so inaccessible for a laugh, you can only use one finger or if your lucky a hand to put the items back in place?

 

Tomorrow I have some cables, fan, radiator hoses, fluids then crank the engine till I have oil pressure with the fuel pump fuse out, then pray it does not go bang.

 

Do you think at the factory they made the design of the clips, wiring and bolts so inaccessible for a laugh, you can only use one finger or if your lucky a hand to put the items back in place?

 

Know you know!

 

Just before I left today I managed to get the car started, no oil leak but still have a misfire, next week I will track it down.

 

I’m sure it’ll be an easy fix Tony. Getting close now [emoji106]

I’m sure it’ll be an easy fix Tony. Getting close now [emoji106]

 

Funny you should say that but after checking it had fuel in that cylinder, then swapping plug and coil pack I pushed the connector on the dead cylinder and hey presto it started running perfectly, idle a bit high but that was expected. It looks like the new coil pack connector has a lose wire in the top of the connector, will order another. No noises from turbos or any leaks, I am amazed. Then my back gave way what luck, I will see if my friend can come over and I can direct him on the parts that need finishing.

Glad to hear it was an easy fix. Careful with your back, take a few days off from wrenching if possible.

Funny you should say that but after checking it had fuel in that cylinder, then swapping plug and coil pack I pushed the connector on the dead cylinder and hey presto it started running perfectly, idle a bit high but that was expected. It looks like the new coil pack connector has a lose wire in the top of the connector, will order another. No noises from turbos or any leaks, I am amazed. Then my back gave way what luck, I will see if my friend can come over and I can direct him on the parts that need finishing.

 

Bitter sweet eh! Take it easy Tony, the light is getting brighter. [emoji362]

Nice work Tony.... :clover:

While I rest waiting for my trapped nerve to get better, I have been slowly cleaning my callipers, my friend Took them off for me.

 

I also received my new front number plate.

 

While waiting for the F1 to start.

Yuck

 

First cleaning stage.

A full how to on this would be great. ?

58 minutes ago, Chris300 said:

A full how to on this would be great. ?

This is a guide to seal replacement:

http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/tech/caliperrebuild/caliperrebuild.html

That is the guide I’m following, the only thing I do not have is an air gun, so the first time I put a piece of wood in and made sure all the pistons moved, then took the callipers home I could not move the pistons out. I had to take them back to the car and use more wood, pumped the pedal till they nearly popped out, a couple did pop out but are then easy to push back in with your fingers, then on to the next one. It is a fiddly job, but more than doable for a home job. I will clean them up new seals and then back on the car, not going to the expense of painting them, I just want to be safe and knew it had not been done before.
 

This rear one took a piece of wood a bracket and a spanner for an exact fit, so I can release the pistons at home. A bowl is needed there is a lot of brake fluid behind the pistons and you don’t want that everywhere.

For those who want to know.

Calliper pistons not out far enough.

Piston on left could be out a little further, piston on the right is at maximum and can be removed by hand.

Today I cleaned my callipers some more, and installed front stainless steel pipes.

 

 

 

Edited November 27, 20196 yr by Bones28

Great post, thanks for the update. What’s the plan to get that tricky piston out?

5 hours ago, Chris300 said:

Great post, thanks for the update. What’s the plan to get that tricky piston out?

Thanks, I used a pair of mole grips some cardboard turned it side to side while gently prying a little on each side with some pliers.

Not much has been done, my friend put petrol in his diesel Saturday ruining my day, I had to sort it for him.

Pistons in all callipers now, I also started the engine ran it up to temperature all good so far. Brakes going back on this week, I need to move the car because my brother is coming for Christmas and wants his car out of the garage for next Monday.

I found it easier to put the dust boots on the piston first then push the piston almost all the way back so the cover stays over the edge then the retaining spring can be fitted.

Edited December 9, 20196 yr by Bones28