In-Progress: 1971 Datsun 240Z

I'm building this to duplicate one of the most beautiful Z's I've ever seen(and heard!), Paul Hooks' 1971 240Z.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284meandhooks.jpg
I'm using the Fujimi 1/24 240Z "L" kit, which is bad kit to begin with. How bad? I'm even using the REVELL 240z to supplement this! First of all, they give you a wonderful engine to create, but the hood is molded shut and the engine bay is barren :mad:
Here's what I need to duplicate for the engine bay:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284engineleft.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284ITG.jpg
What I've done so far:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284progress1.jpg
I cut out the hood, which turned out horrible.
I'm using a battery and a brake master cylinder from a 280zx kit.
Triple Mikuni carbs from the Revell 510 kit(will have to be super modified)
An ITG filter made form foam
Radiator/seats from 300zx
6-2-1 exhaust from solder
various wiring/plumbing
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284wheel1.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284strut.jpg
I'll make the strut towers/roll bar from sprue/plastic rod
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284porsche.jpg
I'm using (what else?) 17" Watanabes with the supplied discs/calipers painted red to simulate the Porsche big reds on the real car.
Anyone got some 1/24 Ao32Rs for me :iceslolan

Here are some ride height pics
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284side.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284rear1.jpg

wish me luck!

this will be interesting, great diversity of parts here it will be one unique 240 and I allready like it. Good luck!

fun project and definately a beautiful subject you have there!

great work so far!
i love those classic sports cars

Great kick off! :thumbsup:
Z32 seats for S30? interesting. :p
I respect your passion for detailing work, probably your affection for Japanese classic cars is reflects on it. :smile:
Keep it up!

I also have that kit on my table. I used that z engine in 510, and it had three carbs from 510. My Z has big block with turbos.

Wow! Looks promising.
Great subject to replicate. :)
Can't wait to watch this build progress.

VERY cool project!!:sunglasse

Cool, I'm working on a 240Z as well, which has Watanabes. Where'd you get 17" Watanabes, the biggest that I could find was 16".

By the way, Nice Fairlady!

Thanks for the enthusiasm!

Great kick off! :thumbsup:
Z32 seats for S30? interesting. :p
I respect your passion for detailing work, probably your affection for Japanese classic cars is reflects on it. :smile:
Keep it up!

Kunta, this is the seat I need to duplicate, a Recaro
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284seat.jpg
This is what I have to choose from :
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284seats.jpg
Z32, 280ZX, and kit supplied(S30)
Is there a closer option out there?

Cool, I'm working on a 240Z as well, which has Watanabes. Where'd you get 17" Watanabes, the biggest that I could find was 16".

By the way, Nice Fairlady!

Jumpman, I got the Wats from here:
http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?FUJ19120
The package and the tire say its 17", but I'm not sure how exact in scale they are. Do you have a picture of your 16"s on hand?

I love Datsuns

Oops, I guess I have 17's too. I had three different sets, and all I could remember was the 15"s and 16"s, that pic of the box reminded me that I have those as well. As for the 16s, I can't take any pics as I don't have the model ormy camera's USB cable at this time, but they came with this AE86 model I got from HLJ. Item FUJ03236. Also, the 16"s are male wheels. Kinda rare for Fujimi wheels.

I'm trying to duplicate the aftermarket 6-2-1 header with solder. The first branch turned out alright.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284m028.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284189568998iCBcqM_ph.jpg

looks good so far :)

i'm itching to build a model right now =/

Superb.

headers look real good so far

You have always done your Datsuns proud. I am looking forward very much to the rest of this build.

One question I have is regarding the real car. You had mentioned that the real car had Porsche 996 TT (Big Reds) brakes. I was unable to fit this set up on my car and I am running 18X9.5 rim set up. How was the owner able to fit 88mm brake set up like this in a 17inch wheel? Isn't the caliper and rotor quite a bit bigger than the allotted space?

Otherwise, fantastic work!

SLK320,
Thanks, I love Datsuns, 1:24 and 1:1!

This is a picture of the front calipers/rotors in a 16x7 wheel.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/175152107/175157072GyJQPt

These are stock 993 Turbo(Brembo) Calipers, and the rotor diameter I'm sure has been machined down to fit. It was a custom application done a to few Z's at ZCarGarage. Maybe the later model 996 calipers are much larger?

Wheels differ in so many ways with respect to inner rotor/caliper clearance, hub dimensions, spindle locations, etc.
Maybe the 996 rotors need to be trimmed to fit in your wheel?

I have that same kit awaiting a very similar treatment, except I'm going to try to make it a period (mid 70's) car, along with a Skyline of the same vintage (same paint, same wheels, similar mods; "team" cars). I am going to watch this build closely do see if there are any pitfalls to avoid, though it looked simple enough. I'm also looking forward to seeing what great mods and scratchbuilding you do. That header is gonna be a toughie, but awesome.

SLK320,
Thanks, I love Datsuns, 1:24 and 1:1!

This is a picture of the front calipers/rotors in a 16x7 wheel.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/175152107/175157072GyJQPt

These are stock 993 Turbo(Brembo) Calipers, and the rotor diameter I'm sure has been machined down to fit. It was a custom application done a to few Z's at ZCarGarage. Maybe the later model 996 calipers are much larger?

Wheels differ in so many ways with respect to inner rotor/caliper clearance, hub dimensions, spindle locations, etc.
Maybe the 996 rotors need to be trimmed to fit in your wheel?

Thanks for the photo. You are right, my set up is VERY different and can not be accomodated, however I have installed BREMBO GT kit with good results. I opted for a smalled 4 piston set up.

Never-the-less I will look forward to your progress photos, especially the engine and the air cleaner! Should be very interesting.

I added the 2nd branch of the header. It's still rough, and I missed some bends. The hard part will be merging and creating the collectors.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284190973172UcBlbq_ph.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284190972429JMXauK_ph.jpg

The merging pips and collector are difficult indeed. You've probably already got an idea on how to do it, I don't doubt your fab skills. Here's what I do anyway... After doing all the bends, I take it all apart. Then I file th ends of each pipe into a triangle shape, then use a bit of bare metal foil to make the collector (I've had no luck with heat shrink tubing - I've seen it look great, but I can't get it to shrink well). However, that's only been for 4 pipes, so it's been easy. 6 is a whole new animal.

wow i loved your previous models and i think this one's gonna top them all!

[QUOTE=675datsun]Thanks for the enthusiasm!



Kunta, this is the seat I need to duplicate, a Recaro
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284seat.jpg
This is what I have to choose from :
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284seats.jpg
Z32, 280ZX, and kit supplied(S30)
Is there a closer option out there?

Get you an AMT 1988 Ford Mustang GT kit. They have a set of Recaro seats that are real close to what you need. Here's a pic of a set I used in my Cobra II.
http://images6.fotki.com/v78/photos/2/224343/973695/CobraIIseats-vi.jpg
You will have to remove some material off of the bottom of the seat to get it to sit close to the floor and the headrest will need to be modified.

These seats have their origin in the MPC Indy Pace Car Mustang from 1979. They came in the 1:1 IPC.

Marc

Great progress!

You`r doing a great job on the header , I love them I6s!

Awesome so far! Always a big fan of the z-cars. Those wheels are perfect.

Most of the time Japanese classics are not really my cup of tea, but that doesn't really matter when you post progress pic, I just love your attention to detail and the will to replicate every minute detail on the real car in scale; hats down for another great model !

Oli

Great job so far! That header is really awsome!

How nice does that car sit!!!
This is looking sweet!

what about this for the seat

http://www.rndunique.com/rnd_displayitem.cfm?pk=103

Nice! That looks perfect! Great find, you da man!

no worries. that's why we're all here - to help each other.

Lookin' sweet so far, Great job on that header!

Great work so far man! Your fab. skills are excellent.

Looking super!

This is going to look sweet when its done...keep the updats coming.

This is gonna be something special. Keep it up.

JeFF

Got back to work on the Z! Not much but I've mocked up a new exhaust. If you want to do a custom exhaust I highly recommend working with solder. It's easy to bend and looks natural.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284ex3-med.jpg
Collectors are made from heat shrink tubing.

Hee's a comparison of stock, kit-supplied exhaust.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284ex2-med.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284ex1-med.jpg
Next I'll be detailing the engine/bay.

:eek: That looks very good! The headers are amazing. Wish I could do something like that:thumbsup: Awesome job on the exhaust ! Can't wait to see more !

Looks great!

I painted the engine bay and underbody, body color.
Engine/headers and exhaust now fit perfectly.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/183330861/451234049hZFbyU
http://community.webshots.com/photo/451234314/451234314bFtDvZ
http://community.webshots.com/photo/451234510/451234510AxpFgZ

:thumbsup:

lookin good :smokin: the header and exhaust look awsome :sunglasse
p.s. i have a datsun project im working on and i wanted to know what size solder you used for your header?

Header primary tubes are made from .062" solder I think, but I can get the specifics when I'm back home.

nothing much cooler then a 240Z done right.

Header primary tubes are made from .062" solder I think, but I can get the specifics when I'm back home.
thanks for the help. :) i appreciate it :)

No problem!
I think the beauty of solder is that it comes in a bunch of diameters... you're bound to find something big enough for big-block headers, small enough to plumbing brake lines, and it's super flexible!

Great work so far :)

Lookin good. I have always liked those cars. Almost bought one once.. sometimes I wish I would've. Oh well..

As far as the seat. I think if you modify the white ones they would work. They seem to be the closest as far as shape and it looks like you have the skills to mod them.

stock exhaust is NOO good, great progress.

The Fujimi kit doesn't have any brake detail, so I am using the master cylinder from a 280zx kit. Brake lines are next.
Here is the detailed brake M/C and the proportioning block I salvaged from the other Z kits:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/457234094/457234094ajlvfu
I tried to simulate zinc plated reservoir caps by using a fluorescent marker on silver paint!

Here you can see the holes drilled for the front/rear brake lines and the vacuum line for the brake booster.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/457233471/457233471xiNIqs

Mounted on firewall
http://community.webshots.com/photo/457234107/457234107XQwfFo

Added the front and rear main brake lines from the master cylinder!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/457955865/457955865wpissi
http://community.webshots.com/photo/457956217/457956217EzrvcN
http://community.webshots.com/photo/457955295/457955295XKatPO

wonderful job.

those brake lines look perfect!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284474476279hCInmR_ph-med.jpg

Finally finished routing the brake M/C, clutch M/C, front and rear brake lines and fuel feed line. I'll replace the silver tape with some photoetched pieces once the engine is mounted.

great work on the lines... Coming along nicely :biggrin:

Thanks!
I'm debating which cam valve cover to use, the Revell 1/25 Chromed cover or the Fujimi 1/24 bright silver cover.
The 1:1 car uses a chromed cover but the Revell one is too cheesy I feel.
Silver(I painted the Nissan oil filter too!)
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284silver-med.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284silvreng-med.jpg
Chrome
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284chrome-med.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284chromeng-med.jpg

Here is mock-up of the ITG foam air filter I'm trying to replicate.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284airfilter-med.jpg
SIde view of carbs and headers... a heat sheild will be placed here.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284side1-med.jpg

Wow! That looks great :) :thumbsup:

I'm stoked!
Making the ITG foam filter for the triple carbs was a hurdle for me.
I found a better type of foam and the stuff is great...it can be cut into any shape and it's texture is spot-on!

I will include the mounting tabs and backingplate as well but for now I'm happy!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284480274091lqnccn_ph-med.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/133284480274188UChasI_ph-med.jpg

More pics:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/183330861/480273575oJyVpQ
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/133284ITG.jpg

looks greeeeeeat!!!

What did you use for those red stripes? Colored tape?