Z32 Z32 project

Discussion in 'Member's Garage' started by lemmiwinks, Dec 11, 2020.

  1. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Hi, I just today collected my 1990 Z32 manual T top. As you can see it's pretty rough but hopefully I can get it in decent shape and back on the road.

    I was down the coast last weekend browsing gumtree (as you do) when I saw a Z31 that looked like it was only held together by the paint. Unfortunately a quick inspection confirmed this but the gentleman selling it said he had something better (my only criteria was 2 door RWD) and so I checked out the soon to be mine Z32. Only rust found (so far) is a spot on top of the drivers door.

    Known issues, clutch pedal on the floor (hopefully just a stuck o-ring in the master cylinder) and allegedly water pump problems. I have heard it running (seller looked very surprised but it fired up straight away) and there's definitely a nasty noise/slipping belt happening up the front of the motor, so hopefully it's just a stuffed water pump.

    Looking more closely than I did when I actually bought it, I see that it's got some poorly repaired damage on the passengers side front guard and a lot of the paint is crusty. Also the steel wheels don't fit (they're 15" for one thing) - I had to make 10mm spacers for the passengers side rear wheel as it was jammed on the brake caliper. Still rubbing a bit but at least I can push the car around now.

    Immediate to do list is get some wheels that fit, possibly stock, sort the clutch so I can move it to the proper shed and start working on the engine. Then I'll be on the hunt for some interior bits and it looks like the steering wheel has had the bait too. Previous owner started to remove the instrument cluster as he wanted to put the cruise control in his JDM slicktop but quit when he realised it was going to be a huge job. It's floppy but hopefully I can patch it back together.

    tl;dr Got more project that I bargained for, hopefully didn't pay too much.

    Pics (maybe not working?)

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    Damaged brake caliper :(

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    Pretty busy at the moment so like everyone, will try to get a few bits done as and when!
     
  2. rob260

    rob260 Administrator Staff Member

    Welcome!

    Have a read of how to add pictures here. I can see that you're using google image hosting; google don't allow direct linking so you need to use a third party program to generate the image link.

    Here's one I did with your brake caliper.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Thanks Rob!
     
  4. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Can't seem to edit the original post so here's the photos:

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    It's, ahh, blue...

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  5. beaver

    beaver southern zeds

    I hope you have deep pockets mate, she is rough!
     
  6. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Don't let the Mrs hear you say that! Only got her onboard by telling her we're getting on at the bottom of the price appreciation curve :D

    Hopefully I didn't overpay (there's a rolling chassis for more than I paid) but there's definitely going to be some youtube spray painting tutorials in my future...
     
  7. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    While I'm in the project honeymoon phase, where even the damp musty '90's interior can't deter me (much), this happened:

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    My guide to clutch master cylinder removal - assume a comfortable position, undoing the delivery pipe 1/8th of a turn at a time means you will be here for some time... Had to remove a gigantic sub woofer power cable before I started. Will clean up the wiring (there's some kind of alarm/immobiliser too which has to go).

    Sadly no one local has either a rebuild kit or replacement in stock for my 30 year old car, who could'a known. I'll get a rebuild kit since I don't like throwing things away.

    Now to check the water pump I guess.
     
  8. Jason ttz32

    Jason ttz32 Active Member

    RGS performance has replacement clutch for around $100
     
  9. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Saw that, thanks. Mine exits on the bottom, not the side so I'll opt for a rebuild at this stage I think.
     
  10. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    A picture of one of the previous owners begins to emerge (in case the tiger seat covers and exploded Grover/Cookie Monster interior weren't clues enough):

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    When I first found that fuse I thought it was a main engine fuse!

    Popped the radiator out to investigate the noises I heard last weekend when I started the car for the first time. Seems like it was just a loose alternator drive belt. I took all the accessory belts off and all the bearings felt OK though the AC idler could be better. Refitting the belts one at a time and running the engine showed no signs of bad noises.

    Slight fuel leak on top of the engine but hopefully tightening the hose clamp will sort that. I'll get it moving under it's own power then get stuck into the big stuff - timing belt, drain fuel tank, rust repairs etc and eventually cosmetics; paint and interior.

    Looking underneath it looks like someone's been rallying (dented bottoms on chassis rails plus a couple of decent dings in the floorpan) but hopefully it's nothing serious...
     
  11. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Soo I figured out how the chassis rails got dented :oops: Anyway, moving right along...

    Spoiler alert! After years of trapping dirt and moisture against the body, it's gotta come off:

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    Passengers side was basically falling off anyway so I started there. I've got it about 1/3 of the way off and apart from some kind of plastic clip which I couldn't seem to access from the bottom side (RIP clip), does anyone know how it's held on? I'm guessing double sided tape (manual isn't clear). I've unscrewed the brake light from the inside.

    Would it be worth hitting it with a heat gun? Any suggestions appreciated. I don't want to go all caveman on it yet just in case there's some possibility of salvaging it (doubtful but you never know I guess).
     
  12. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Spoiler is deleted:

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    Better late than never I guess. 3 of the holes are showing rust patches on the inside of the hatch (might be OK with rust converter, will investigate later) but this one is a bit far gone:

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    Nasty! Bodywork and trim is like kryptonite to me, would rather change 50 clutch master cylinders than do 1 bit of trim or bodywork. Probably bought the wrong project car ha ha ha...
     
    Harts likes this.
  13. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    It's a z32 thing from my limited experience.

    Spending money that is :D
     
  14. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    I think all project cars are money pits. The irony is I thought it would be different this time!
     
  15. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    They're fun aren't they. I love how all the Z32 flare nuts make a mockery of any form off flare nut wrench you throw at it too :D
     
  16. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    I've spread my flare nut spanners in the past on a stubborn old Triton. Lucky you can close them up again in the vise :D
     
  17. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    So after an above average amount of swearing, I've got just enough clutch to (sort of) drive. It's all kinds of nasty at the moment but the important thing is, it's in the good shed and I don't have to get covered in dirt any more.

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    Now the work can begin in earnest (life interruptions notwithstanding).
     
    MintZ32 and Harts like this.
  18. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    Nice one mate, what is the first thing you plan to attack?
     
  19. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    It's kind of hard to know where to start! I think I'll pull a few panels off to start prepping, rust repair in the targa top, probably pull the interior or at least parts of it and get the whole thing up on jack stands. Probably do the last one first. Oh and get those wheels that don't fit off!
     
    Harts likes this.
  20. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    Plenty to do but you can only start at the start!
     

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