Z3 project...no going back now!

[bigwinn]

have you disturbed the EWS immobiliser at all- I think Z3's have them same as the 4's?

[enuff_zed]

Get Stuart over to check all the earths.

Its going to haunt me isn't it

Only cos I know you can take a joke.

[Pondrew]

Get Stuart over to check all the earths.

You know what....that was exactly what it was!

Sorted.

When I connected the battery, I fastened the earth post with a 10mm socket. It got tight so I didn't think anything more of it, and the interior light came on so thought happy days). When I put some power on, ie the ignition (fuel pump, etc, etc) it all shut down. Turns out the earth post wasn't tight. Cars' electrics are so fickle when it comes to earthing. Give me 240v AC any day of the week!

I took the earth post and cable off and had to struggle to release the nut from the thread. I have no idea why, as it was fine last time I connected the battery. The terminal has been wrapped in plastic aswell, so no dust or swarf has got in the threads!

I got the nut off, put a new M6 S/S nut on and re-assembled it. Connected it all up and hey presto she started first time at the flick of the key.
I got her up to full temperature and while warming up I checked all the other stuff that I haven't looked at since I stuck her in the garage. Everything works as it should; heater, heater fan, recirc, lights, etc. Even the A/C runs and so does the aux fan (needs a bit of gas admittedly).

She (see I am now calling it a 'her') runs beautifully. I have installed a K&N air filter because you can't get to the standard one with the body kit on. With no bonnet, the rasp of the intake, allied to the rumble of the Z3 exhaust on the 3 litre M54 is music to the ears.

A shite day ended up as really good one!

IMG_9421.JPG (185.6 KiB) Viewed 301 times

IMG_9424.JPG (97.17 KiB) Viewed 301 times

[Mr Tidy]

A shite day ended up as really good one!

That's great news.

Things like that can really help with motivation!

[1536Z4]

rumble of the Z3 exhaust on the 3 litre M54 i

Whats with the giant centipede

[Pondrew]

Whats with the giant centipede

That's the ducting to divert the exhaust gases outside. So the 'rumble' was remote, but still a rumble. Sounds glorious. Hopefully with a quad exhaust it will sound even better.

[Pondrew]

The eagle-eyed may have noticed the 'christmas tree' lights on the dash. Two are because the DSC sensors have both fried while sitting in water for years (even though it passed it's MOT like that ) and the airbag light is because it no longer has airbags installed!

Still, on the bright side, the dodgy b'stard who sold me the car left over 3/4 of a tank of (stale) petrol in it!

[Special Kay]

Whats with the giant centipede

That's the ducting to divert the exhaust gases outside. So the 'rumble' was remote, but still a rumble. Sounds glorious. Hopefully with a quad exhaust it will sound even better.

Behave, we all know its the ducting from your cannabis farm

[Pondrew]

Behave, we all know its the ducting from your cannabis farm

Drugs are the ONLY vice I don't do TBH. I do ALL the others.

[Special Kay]

Behave, we all know its the ducting from your cannabis farm

Drugs are the ONLY vice I don't do TBH. I do ALL the others.

Mate, I'm just kidding. I don't judge. I think everyone has their own idiosyncrasies and vices.

[bigwinn]

Get Stuart over to check all the earths.

You know what....that was exactly what it was!

Sorted.

When I connected the battery, I fastened the earth post with a 10mm socket. It got tight so I didn't think anything more of it, and the interior light came on so thought happy days). When I put some power on, ie the ignition (fuel pump, etc, etc) it all shut down. Turns out the earth post wasn't tight. Cars' electrics are so fickle when it comes to earthing. Give me 240v AC any day of the week!

I took the earth post and cable off and had to struggle to release the nut from the thread. I have no idea why, as it was fine last time I connected the battery. The terminal has been wrapped in plastic aswell, so no dust or swarf has got in the threads!

I got the nut off, put a new M6 S/S nut on and re-assembled it. Connected it all up and hey presto she started first time at the flick of the key.
I got her up to full temperature and while warming up I checked all the other stuff that I haven't looked at since I stuck her in the garage. Everything works as it should; heater, heater fan, recirc, lights, etc. Even the A/C runs and so does the aux fan (needs a bit of gas admittedly).

She (see I am now calling it a 'her') runs beautifully. I have installed a K&N air filter because you can't get to the standard one with the body kit on. With no bonnet, the rasp of the intake, allied to the rumble of the Z3 exhaust on the 3 litre M54 is music to the ears.

A shite day ended up as really good one!
IMG_9421.JPGIMG_9424.JPG

Superb!!

And I’m glad my ineptitude helps others!

[True-Blue]

This must be nearly finished now, it’s been nearly 3 weeks since the last update…..

[MikeyH]

I think He's got bored with it

[Pondrew]

This must be nearly finished now, it’s been nearly 3 weeks since the last update….

Not quite.
The body is sitting ready to trial fit and 'fettle' (I feckin HATE that word. It's a word that really means fecking about with stuff endlessly ) before bonding it all on. The weather has been the problem with that, as I really need to do that outside on the drive and it keeps raining.
I have still been busy, though. I have fitted the MGB seat frames to the Z3 electric bases with lots of ironmongery and swearing. I have fitted new rubber diaphragms and backs to the seats (the foams will be glued on later when they are upholstered). The diaphragms were HORRENDOUS to fit, as they had to be stretched, then hooked onto the frames. The bloody hooks kept 'unbending' because of the pressure needed to stretch the rubber. Got there in the end.
I have re-directed the windscreen washer system and connected it all up. Seems to work OK.
I have made the new 'fake' shiny window winders fit onto two pole switches (so the electric windows can work via 1960s style handles).
I have fitted the boot hinges properly and bonded them in place.
Done all the filling and sanding to get rid of mould lines in the body. There was a 'dent' in the GRP on the offside rear bumper area (poor moulding), so had to fill that and radius it. Seems OK but the painters will be the judges of that!
I am fitting new interior door opening mechanisms and making them fit the Z3 system. All a bit of a bodge but it will work (hopefully reliably).
Tomorrow I am planning on re-routing the window switch wiring, as the Z3 has window buttons next to the gear lever and I need them in the door cards.

I still haven't got my head around 12v DC electrics, though. Especially when EVERYTHING is powered by relays and electronics. I really don't 'do' electronics. For example..I expect a two-way switch to have a common live and two other terminals, so the common livens one of the others when the switch is made. No, it don't work like that on a car where EVERYTHING is controlled by 'modules'. The earth becomes the 'common'. Bloody confusing it is.

Anyway, you asked so there we are!

[Pondrew]

Forgot....
I have also extended and re-wired ALL the exterior lights. I used heat-shrink on every connection (as I don't want moisture causing problems on joints I can't get to after). All insulated and clipped. I need to test it all actually.