1/12 Datsun 240ZG

[stump]

Update..update...
Ok..well, the wheels/tyres are under control...the zorst is all sorted, including a new rear pipe section to the muffler......
Thought I'd turn my attention to some suspension work.....You've no doubt seen that I painted the coilovers green, like TEIN.....but not..
And that I want a lowered stance.....well, these kits have rubber grommets at the top of each strut, which just press-fits into the chassis...
IF...I leave the grommets off....I effectively save about 4mm in height...
Soooooo....how do I attach the coilovers...? Glad you asked.......
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Almost ALL of the chrome part at the top is enclosed in the grommet, so you can see how much I'll save in height...


New pipe to rear muffler...I made the bends a lot smoother this time...


Also filled the tops of the chassis rails...they will be very visible and did not look very 1:1 if left in their molded "open" state....
I've also cut the top section of the radiator support and firewall from the body. They will be attached to the corresponding sections on the chassis, helping to eliminate unsightly joins....
The radiator section is to be all new...look more realistic, I hope.....


Stay tuned guys...I'm on an 8 day break from work, so things are gonna get hectic round here......
Thanks for following along too, your participation is most welcome....
cheers
Greg

[rollin80s]

wow, that strut and muffler looks great. wow, will be waiting for your updates of the 8 days of madness.

[viperofoz]

Looking fantastic Greg.

I had only done the chassis rail and firewall mod on mine and thats where it ended.
A bout of Pneaumonia topped off with whooping cough put me out of action for a while.
Now the birth of my new daughter earlier this week has kept me away from the bench a little longer.

I hope to get back to it soon, but atleast I can enjoy your build in the mantime (and maybe I can steal....Errr, borrow some of your ideas for mine...lol)

Keep up the great work, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together.

Regards, Dan

[stump]

Originally Posted by viperofoz

Looking fantastic Greg.

I had only done the chassis rail and firewall mod on mine and thats where it ended.
A bout of Pneaumonia topped off with whooping cough put me out of action for a while.
Now the birth of my new daughter earlier this week has kept me away from the bench a little longer.

I hope to get back to it soon, but atleast I can enjoy your build in the mantime (and maybe I can steal....Errr, borrow some of your ideas for mine...lol)

Keep up the great work, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one come together.

Regards, Dan

Thanks Rollin and Dan....
Dan, glad you're over the bugs mate and congrats on your new daughter man..good stuff..
Your fantastic start is what gave me inspiration on this build mate...I've already stolen your beaut idea with regard to the firewall, plus I'm continuing the same with the radiator support...an all new top section for there,
to make it look more realistic....Don't know why Tamiya chose to do it that way...?..guess it was easier to mold.....

I've done some more to the front strut this morning...fine tuning...and the radiator support is close to being ready for installation...
Should get a pic or two up this arvo....all going well...still horrible drizzly rain down here...
cheers guys
Greg

[stump]

Update....

Overall body shot...G-nose is on.....


Though, not without issues.....the alignment of the headlight buckets was quite poor...


After much carefull sanding and shaping, it looks much better now....Also visible is my new radiator panel. I opened up some holes which are on the 1:1 cars as well....


Ok....onto induction. I was drawn between fitting the "stock" twin SU carburetors, Fuel Injection - ex Ferrari, or triple Solex/Weber's....
The Solex won out....
A little back ground on them, and how I happen to have 'em....I have had them for well over 30 years....(make ya feel old..?.....)
Yes, I once had an original 240Z Safari version.......the triple's are all that remain.
Please do not ask about the rest of it......too many sad memories...I think it got "cleared out" during a house move long ago.....
Anyway, being so old, they had signs of my early modelling career all over them.....LOTS of glue.......Major clean up time.
They did clean up thankfully.......


Now, I don't have the inlet manifold for them....so, I found some suitable sized spru, not having the correct size plastic rod on hand..and started on a manifold...


I made a very crude "jig" to hold them in place whilst glue dried.....


End result...well, almost. This is where I'm at. I added a stiffening beam, as most pics I've seen have similar...


I'm pretty busy the next day or two...life issues.....so I'll update again ASAP guys..Thank you for tagging along with me..
More soon....

cheers
Greg

[Duncan1098]

Still watching, great progress, I do like your exhaust, a work of art.

[Mojo_stevo]

I never get tired of seeing s30s. Great work on the wheels.

[spideyman]

as always

[stump]

Thanks Duncan, Stevo and Spidey...

Sorry I don't have much to update you'll on guys....
I have been working on the rear tyre. Sidewalls and tread layer all went smoothly...trued it all up.
I then started adding my tread detail, but stuffed it by getting off centred........I've started to re-do it now......
Also, scored a Safari version off ebay.......So, I now will have a brand new inlet manifold and triple Solex carbs...
The new one will get built into a "stock" showroom type deal...using the twin SU's from the ZG, plus the stock rims and tyres...

cheers guys
Greg

[Dingo1]

All sounds good Greg, great that U got a Safari version pity Ya going to do a standard car though, with U'r screws & nuts etc. what size did U use I have just receiced a catalog from Precision Technology Supplies and want buy some of the same stuff U used on my Datsun but have no idea also where did U buy this hardware from here in Oz or form the U.S.

Dingo

[spideyman]

Originally Posted by stump

Thanks Duncan, Stevo and Spidey...

Sorry I don't have much to update you'll on guys....
I have been working on the rear tyre. Sidewalls and tread layer all went smoothly...trued it all up.
I then started adding my tread detail, but stuffed it by getting off centred........I've started to re-do it now......
Also, scored a Safari version off ebay.......So, I now will have a brand new inlet manifold and triple Solex carbs...
The new one will get built into a "stock" showroom type deal...using the twin SU's from the ZG, plus the stock rims and tyres...

cheers guys
Greg

Ill be looking forward to that

[stump]

Thanks Dingo and Spidey...

Small update, plus info on nuts'n'bolts...

Well...pretty much all my spare time lately has seen the rear tyre taking shape...I got the sidewalls finished and added the main tread layer, then trued it all.
My mis-aligned tread shapes I mentioned got stripped off, and once again I set about adding dozens of the little diamond shapes....

First couple of pics are just a recap on things, showing the rear tyre mounted in place....



And just a closer look at the rear tyre tread..(started..)


The next couple of pics are of the bolts/nuts I'm using for the struts..
They measure up (with digital calipers) at .93mm, which scales up pretty close to 12mm, or half inch.
The size quoted on the package was 14BA..?? Not sure how relevant that is these days, as I got them some years ago...



The tyre is almost complete now....so I'll be sending them, along with the wheels to my resin caster shortly.....
I gotta say.....I'm a little excited about it, cause I really want to see my tyres made from rubber....

Don't go too far guys....things could be heating up here, real soon...
cheers
Greg

[rollin80s]

oh man, i won't be far that's for sure.

[stump]

Thanks Rollin.

UPDATE.....
Suspension work....
I have made a start on more suspension work, starting at the rear..
The instructions call for the two 2-piece rear uprights, to be glued around the lower wishbone.......keeping in mind, not to allow glue to touch the moving joint....
NOTE..I also knew, from my previous (30 years ago..) build, that these joints had way too much excess movement.....
The parts in question are circled in red in the following pic.....Not much room for error.....


I thought it out, and decided there had to be a better way....
I decided to go ahead and glue both upright components together, both sides. Who reads or follows instructions anyways.....
After giving them plenty of time to cure, I ran a drill through the bore, ready to accept a length of plastic tube.


I then carefully removed the bar that was to be the pivot point, and drilled a hole in both sides, ready for bolts.


End result...Very strong, yet still fully movable joints which have next to nil excess free play.....


After satisfying myself with this, I re-thought the front end...Here too, I knew that there was going to be too much free movement, just because of the design...
The lower control arms "clip" into place on the front sub-frame by two mounting pins. These pins are at the right end in this pic...


I removed these pins and drilled another hole, ready for bolts. This is a pic of my "test mule".....



And finally.....ready for installation......


That just about ties up the suspension work....
Still lots more to do, the motor may be next to receive some treatment....Stay tuned......

cheers
Greg

[spideyman]

Fantastic as always. Excellent fix for the suspension

I think when its all finished and done you should give it to me..


Keep up the masterful work