Z shut itself down on motorway, now wont turn over

update

So,

the timing belt is intact and still under tension, plugs are out, all the belt-driven accessories seem to move freely, ie it is the crank that is seized.

From here I am considering parting the car out. I really don't like the thought of my Z ending up in a pile of steel somewhere, but i purchased it hail damaged so with a seized engine and almost every body panel damaged in some way, I don't see anyone would be interested in bringing it back to life.

Please tell me I'm wrong if I'm jumping the gun and there is still a glimmer of hope left.

Otherwise put in any requests for parts and $ offers if you want to get in before I start a new thread for parting out. Just to make it clear I'm not wrecking the car yet, but seriously considering it depending on what happens from here.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

Drop the sump oil. check for metal using a magnet. It really is the easiest and lest cost option at the moment.

 

Buy Donna's car and use parts from yours to fix hers.

 

you can pick up a NA motor for about 350-500. spend a weekend and drop the new one in...

to be honest.. that would be a wiser option because how much can you get realistically? its hail damaged so none of the panels are worth anything.

the interior would be worth what? $300 complete?
dash/cluster/pods/etc $150?
diff/gearbox (assuming manual) $500

thats under $1000 and about 12 hours of work.

or with 8 hours of work and $500 you can have your zed running again. its already got rego so why not?

theres threads on in the tech section above. if your not game (you sound game from what you have done so far) host a tech day throw a bbq drinks and im sure local people will come around and help. will get it back on the road within a day..

 

Im sorry, but struggling to see how buying a smashed TT with engine issues can be rectified with a seized motor NA?!?

Take Aazn's advice- NA motors are relatively cheap. Put on a bbq to keep the circling vultures at bay and you'll probably have it up and running again in a weekend.

 

Well I'm definitely game, the car was also purchased on the cheap with a dead water pump, already partially disassembled, so I replaced it and put in a new timing belt and thermostat while I was in there. My previous cars were a Ford Laser then a Nissan NX, So the Z was definitely a step-up for me but I had no major issues - things just took a lot longer and every part I had to get to (namely the water pump) had several other parts in its way I have helped a mate in the past as well, doing a couple of Honda B13a (I think?) swaps.

While you're all here I thought I'd get in a few quick questions to save me some time searching, if that's cool?

Will any VG30DE fit into any Z32 easily? or is there a specific date/series I should be looking for? It is a 1989 jap-spec, one of the oldest z32s out I've been led to believe, I'm sure you guys will have a better idea than me.

I have a plenum gasket and brand new series-2 PTU which I would probably do at the same time, I've soldered professionally so I shouldn't have any issues relocating it. Im thinking I'll also bypass all that coolant line BS around the plenum, and maybe even do a pod-filter conversion. I'd much rather keep it stock but I have had trouble finding a replacement for the 2 filter panels. To be honest this might be why the engine died in the first place, I was driving it hard and the filters were filthy, I knew they were but you forget these things after a while.

Any suggestions on where to find one in Brissy? (Other than the usual big names)

Thanks again for all your help

 

To the person who questioned my comment about Donna's car
Well... her damage didn't sound that bad and her car sounds pretty good panel wise, except the front corner. It sounded like it needed some front suspension parts, a few bolt on engine bits and a headlight? The engine needed something done, but it didn't sound like it was terminal.
Correct me if I am wrong.

So maybe it isn't feasible for him to have two cars in the backyard during summer in various stages of dissassembly, but he was AWOL and he may not know about Donna's thread.

PS: he is in Brisbane, so is Donna's car. Maybe he will take a look?

Anyway I will drop in on his tech day and lend a hand if I am available and he decides to do the engine swap. :d

 

the zeds changed from 94onwards.. so anything before that (late 1989 z32 - early 1994 (pre airbag steering wheel)) will fit in no problems. everything will bolt straight up.

when you get the new engine, put everthing on that. do the bypass timing belt water pump, ptu, etc while the engine is on the stand. much quicker and no messing around with the tight bay.

panels are not hard to get where are you looking? ryco have a replacement OEM grade one. drift, k&n, B&m do them... and thats just off the top of my head.
pod filters is where its at though. its even better in the zed because the pod is under the nose panel and cops cant see it. its just less crap you need to go though with them.

just ask anything you want.. thats what this forum is about and why ive hung around so long.