Update on my hi-miler Z project - Page 4 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

XfireZ51 · 12-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Did you use speed bleeders, or the solo-bleed type? I tried the solo-bleed and had zero luck with them. I've used speed bleeders in the past but don't like the way the sealant on the threads is basically a one-time use.

Speed Bleeders. Didn't have an issue with sealant.

tomtom72 · 12-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Did you use speed bleeders, or the solo-bleed type? I tried the solo-bleed and had zero luck with them. I've used speed bleeders in the past but don't like the way the sealant on the threads is basically a one-time use.

Yea, 10-4 on the sealant, I had to buy extra & it's a small pia as you put it in an oven at 160* to cure it. It's a constant source of annoyance but better than stock bleeders. I was thinking of trying teflon tape but I'm not too sure about that.

Man alive that is a project that you're gonna be so proud of...it is a 100% transformation. My hat's off to you Andrew that car is sweet now, it's only going to become sweeter!

A Q for you. How hard was the Banski kit to install? Is a lift absolutely needed? TIA

Tom

VetteMed · 12-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Yea, 10-4 on the sealant, I had to buy extra & it's a small pia as you put it in an oven at 160* to cure it. It's a constant source of annoyance but better than stock bleeders. I was thinking of trying teflon tape but I'm not too sure about that.

Man alive that is a project that you're gonna be so proud of...it is a 100% transformation. My hat's off to you Andrew that car is sweet now, it's only going to become sweeter!

A Q for you. How hard was the Banski kit to install? Is a lift absolutely needed? TIA

Tom

That's good to know, that the sealant is available. I thought about teflon tape too, I wonder if that's acceptable.

The Banski kit definitely doesn't require a lift to install, I don't have a lift and it went together just fine, it does require some time on your back, of course...

I wish I had more pics of the car from before I messed with it, it has come a ways in the last 6 months. It's fun to compare before/after, but the pics don't really do it justice most of the time. A small sampling:

pantera1683 · 12-20-2010

I did the Banski kit outside on jackstands, actually just the rear on jackstands. You will need a fairly large breaker bar to break the torque on those trailing arm bolts.

That white Z is coming along nicely

VetteMed · 01-26-2011

Update, 1 month later:

Had the motor all buttoned up, and found that my coolant outlet tubes were leaking at the gaskets (I had assembled them without sealant, obviously that didn't work). ALso had a pinhole leak in upper radiator hose. Fixed all of that, got it all back together again, cobbled together the exhaust well enough to get to a shop for welding, and fixed a persistent oil leak at the junction of the cooler and the cooler lines.

I've been doing some interior work, got a new shift boot and console cover from redlinegoods.com, got the visors and trim back in place, little odds and ends.

Today, I fired it up, backed out of the garage so I could do some work in the sun, seemed to run fine though had a little skip at idle after a few minutes of running. Didn't think much of it since it's been sitting. However, upon attempting a hot restart about 20 minutes later, I had to crank for 3 instances of about 5 seconds each, before it caught, and even then it was sputtering badly and barely holding an idle.

Immediately, the fuel pressure regulator came to mind, since I know a hot restart failure is usually due to excess fuel in the cylinders, since I have new injectors, and the regulator was the only part of the fuel system I didn't update, naturally ol' man Murphy came knocking. I pulled the vacuum line off the regulator, and there's fuel leaking out.

At least the diagnosis is made. However, now I think I have another plenum pull to do before I can get the exhaust and alignment done.

Guess this serves me right for being cheap and not replacing the regulator when everything was apart.

I'm starting to see a pattern developing here, and I fear that it ends with bottom end problems soon after getting this thing back on the road. Trying to stay optimistic though.

todesengel · 01-29-2011

lot's of work, but looks like it is paying off for you. Knowledge learned the hard way is knowledge never forgotten!

VetteMed · 02-03-2011

Today's update:

Got new hood hinges installed, headlights with new motor bushings reinstalled on hood. Found chewed sound deadening material in passenger footwell, looks like a mouse made a cozy little bed on the top of the hush panel. 2 wires there that need to be repaired now.

GOLDCYLON · 02-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetteMed

mouse made a cozy little bed on the top of the hush panel. 2 wires there that need to be repaired now.

Little Rat basstages

secondchance · 02-03-2011

A little late but great job! Feels great, don't it?
Makes me feel great, just looking at the pics-that's a lot of work.

VetteMed · 02-06-2011

Did some cosmetic work on the body today. Some light machine work with polishing compound to get some of the worked-in grime out of the paint, followed by a coat of Zaino polish. There's a lot of work still to be done on the paint, and the car really does need a repaint, but it cleaned up nicely enough to be presentable at least until I can afford a decent paint job.

Redline Shift boot and console cover:

12-20-2010	#34
pantera1683 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 396	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project I did the Banski kit outside on jackstands, actually just the rear on jackstands. You will need a fairly large breaker bar to break the torque on those trailing arm bolts. That white Z is coming along nicely

01-26-2011	#35
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project Update, 1 month later: Had the motor all buttoned up, and found that my coolant outlet tubes were leaking at the gaskets (I had assembled them without sealant, obviously that didn't work). ALso had a pinhole leak in upper radiator hose. Fixed all of that, got it all back together again, cobbled together the exhaust well enough to get to a shop for welding, and fixed a persistent oil leak at the junction of the cooler and the cooler lines. I've been doing some interior work, got a new shift boot and console cover from redlinegoods.com, got the visors and trim back in place, little odds and ends. Today, I fired it up, backed out of the garage so I could do some work in the sun, seemed to run fine though had a little skip at idle after a few minutes of running. Didn't think much of it since it's been sitting. However, upon attempting a hot restart about 20 minutes later, I had to crank for 3 instances of about 5 seconds each, before it caught, and even then it was sputtering badly and barely holding an idle. Immediately, the fuel pressure regulator came to mind, since I know a hot restart failure is usually due to excess fuel in the cylinders, since I have new injectors, and the regulator was the only part of the fuel system I didn't update, naturally ol' man Murphy came knocking. I pulled the vacuum line off the regulator, and there's fuel leaking out. At least the diagnosis is made. However, now I think I have another plenum pull to do before I can get the exhaust and alignment done. Guess this serves me right for being cheap and not replacing the regulator when everything was apart. I'm starting to see a pattern developing here, and I fear that it ends with bottom end problems soon after getting this thing back on the road. Trying to stay optimistic though.

01-29-2011	#36
todesengel Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: O'Fallon, Mo Posts: 738	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project lot's of work, but looks like it is paying off for you. Knowledge learned the hard way is knowledge never forgotten!

02-03-2011	#37
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project Today's update: Got new hood hinges installed, headlights with new motor bushings reinstalled on hood. Found chewed sound deadening material in passenger footwell, looks like a mouse made a cozy little bed on the top of the hush panel. 2 wires there that need to be repaired now.

02-03-2011	#39
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	Re: Update on my hi-miler Z project A little late but great job! Feels great, don't it? Makes me feel great, just looking at the pics-that's a lot of work.

02-06-2011	#40
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	New pics added! Did some cosmetic work on the body today. Some light machine work with polishing compound to get some of the worked-in grime out of the paint, followed by a coat of Zaino polish. There's a lot of work still to be done on the paint, and the car really does need a repaint, but it cleaned up nicely enough to be presentable at least until I can afford a decent paint job. Redline Shift boot and console cover: