Garnerbiker's Journey on planet Earth

This blog started as a trip journal for the summer of 2011 Europe trip of 69 days. My wife Katherine, and I decided to use the entire summer break that teachers get, and go crazy. Everything was new to us. I was surprised at the blog's following. It has now become a tradition to travel on our breaks and blog about it. I write mostly as a journal for myself and students, but also give travel ideas to others that might want to travel like us, or go to the places we have seen. Take a look at what's on here. The experiences that I have had through travel are continuously shaping my life. I recommend you get out there and do it!

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Removed Quarter Panels / Headlights


Today was a little interesting.  One, I had my buddy Dave from school come over for a little help and assistance.  And two, we had a Facetime conversation with Grant back in VA via iPad.  Pretty cool.  Katherine took the iPad around the car as Grant and the girls watched and asked questions such as, "Uncle Garner, that is one dirty car.  What are you doing?"  I followed by hammering on the air impact wrench trying to explain what was going on.  I am not sure they were very interested.  Oh well, it can only get better as more items get to come off the car.

Today's goal was the removal of both quarter panels and headlight assemblies.  We got it completed and I am surprised at how little rust is on the panels and the unibody.  I had a bad feeling and bolts were frozen and the previous paint job had covered everything up.  The next session will be to gut the doors and take out more engine items.  So far, so good.  I only had to break and cut off a few rusty bolts.  The bedroom upstairs is looking pretty cluttered, but the labeled plastic bags will make thing a breeze when searching for parts.  I should get a pic of that room for the next entry!


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

240 Z Mayhem!

After much deliberation, I have decided not to piece together parts on the old 240Z and rip the puppy apart.  We are doing a full strip to the unibody, soda blast, reapair rust patches and slowly reassemble.  

Let me give you a little history on this black beauty....

Bought in 1999 from my good friends aunt in FL.  My father and I flew to FL from NJ and drove it back over 3 days.  There in NJ, it was driven weekly and minimally looked after.  I even took it to Rutgers wile student teaching.  From there the Z went to VA when my parents moved.  I was in grad school unable to work on the car, so it just sat in the new home in VA.   In 2006 it was shipped to NV.  Until now it has slept in the in-law's house garage for many years untouched.  Not diven.  Not cared for.  Forgotten..... until now.

The car would not start, run, or laugh at the issue.  We pushed it to my house about a half mile or so.  Over the past few months I have worked on an off mostly on the rear end.  Recently, I have been researching the engine and front end components, as well as the brakes.  The more I dive in on the car, the more I realize how bad it actually is.  I do not want to throw money onto a greasy, rusty, dirty mess.  So, we decided.  Tear it down.

Most people I talk to on the 240 issue think I am nuts, but my morning session reading the forums and reading books show me that this is a doable project if planned properly.  I can turn a wrench, but the info and planning needed are what makes the project difficult.  A bedroom now is fully dedicated to the project.  No, it's not the master bedroom, but it is the one my guests sleep in.  Now you can cuddle up to carburators and body panels.  

More to come!  I should have been blogging on the car as soon as the Z made it to my house.  So, the next few entries will be a little catch up.  

This will be a long journey.