Long-Term Z Project

A few of you know I had a little starting issue. Installed a new ignition switch and it starts right up now!

How is the car running after a few weeks?

Its the Month of May so between that and the rain, its been hold up in the garage waiting for a clear day and for me to not be at the track. I also started a new job, so that's taking priority.

Took the Z out on its longest drive since all the work.

First stop was IMS. We did a lap around the Speedway in a vintage pace car that was driven by Johnny Parsons, a former 500 driver.

Amazing how quiet the whole place was after just being there a couple of weeks ago for the 500.



We then stopped off at Edwards Drive-In on the southside. Upon leaving, the battery was dead, but the good folks at Edwards jumped the Z for us and we made it home with no other issues other than a sunburned head from having the t-tops out. Time for a new battery since this one has decided it will no longer hold a charge. Warranties are a wonderful thing.

I like how IMS painted the grandstands in the background to match your Z. Nice touch.

That was awfully nice of them, wasn't it?

Car looks awesome. I've recently fallen in love in the older Z's. Hopefully i'll be able to pick one up within a few years.

Mark... Big props to you man. I looked this thing over at C and C Saturday and for anyone that hasnt seen it, Mark did a awesome job on the rebuild. The work is top notch and everything looks great! Again Mark... great job man!

Thanks RJ. I put my soul into it. Now if I just don't break it.

Back to taking the Z apart again. Inside this time. Trying to trace an AC issue. Most likely vacuum issue. Really not wanting to pull the dash, so trying to replace vacuum lines I can reach. Problem is the AC, which does blow cold, is only blowing on our feet and out the windshield defrost vents. So trying to track the issue to the lines that control the flap that diverts air.

I could really use some cooler weather for this. Its bad enough trying to stand on my head under the dash without having to deal with sweating to death.

Good news, I was able to fix the vacuum issue and the AC now blows out all the vents. While working on that, the electrical AC fan switch had started to act up, so I pulled that and replaced it with a spare I had.

Car needs a bit of detailing to get it pretty again and I need to top off the air in the tires. Wish I had an air compressor at home.

Working to resolve a few more issues.

1. Vacuum issue. If I put the heat on and get on the boost, the temp lever moves by itself to cold. I have a fix that should take me all of about 2 minutes.

2. Smoking issue. I have a possible solution that will hopefully work out and not be difficult.

3. Bought some new parts. They arrived yesterday and I need to install. Looks like it will not be easy. I see the need to use the heat gun as a strong possibility to get fit just perfect. Something I've been wanting to do for a very long time, but resisted since I've always wanted to keep the outside looking like stock. Thinking this will be a subtle, but good looking addition to smooth out the lines.

My truck blows cold air a lot in the cold whe I haveitg on hot unles I move the switches around for awhile. Would the be a vacum hose?

I would guess not, but could be wrong. Older cars used vacuum to get things done. Newer cars rely more on electric switches and such. Only way to know is to look at it in a factory service manual. There are places online you kind find a free download of the FSM.

Here's what I need to install. Headlight covers. These have a slight smoke tint to them. Thought that would work well with the Jade Gray paint. They will smooth out the lines around the headlight buckets. aka in the Z world as "Sugar Scoops".

Passing the Z in the garage, I decided to take a peek to see what all needs to be done to remove the headlight buckets so I can mount the headlight covers. When reaching into the cab for the hood release, I notice drops of fluid on the floor mat right under the clutch pedal. Sure enough, the clutch master cylinder has blown a seal.

New master and slave cylinders will be in today. Time to jack the car back up. Really wishing a had a lift for this. Need to recruit Beth to help me bleed the system.

So I picked up the clutch master and slave cylinders in April and finally installed them today. Pretty cool the original parts lasted some 29 years and about 124k miles. Beth helped out with the bleeding part.

I pulled the driver's seat out and really looked hard at the whole slider situation that you could move the seat forward, but not back unless you removed it from the car. This is what has prevented Beth from driving the Z. So out comes the Dremel and a few grinding wheels and I took care of the part that was hanging up. Bolted the seat back in, called Beth out to the garage and had her adjust the seat, then slide it back. She had the biggest grin on her face. Now she just needs a drive to get use to driving a stick again!

Seafoam is going in the engine to help free up that sticky ring and the smoke issue on start up should be resolved in no time.

Saving the head light covers install for a Winter project.