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Hi all,
Thought I'd introduce myself on here. Have just started building a 250SWB as I've been lurking for quite a while!
A few questions to start us off - filler neck - what sealant have people used to bond the neck into the existing Z3 neck? Also, what have you all done about moving the vent up to the top of the filler neck? No problem with drilling a hole in the side of the Aston neck setup as used on most cars, but what's the best way to blank off the old hole?
What have you all done regarding sealing the 'cabin' over the rear arches - obviously the tub doesn't come in contact with the Z3 'inner wings' so need something to fill the void.
Hi welcome, I am sure there will be lots of interest in your build as it has been rather quiet here lately with 250 SWB builds. Lots of posts with plenty of pictures is the way to keep everyone happy.
Hi, ref the wheel arches. I made some cardboard templates, and then used those to make fibreglass versions, and then bonded them in. My logic is that they will stop water and mud from getting where I don't want it, and will help to bond the bodywork to the Z3 a bit better, just so that it's all a bit more solid. It does take time though. I suspect that other people have used sheets of plastic or rubber? Particularly for the front wheel arches.
I built out the front inner wings using HDPE Sheet Black - High Density Polyethylene PEHD Thermoplastic Polythene 1mm, blind rivets and washers like this:
I wasn't meaning the front and rear splash guards - at the rear of the car there is a 3-4" gap between the new tub and the Z3 shell, which will allow a lot of noise, and possibly fumes and weather through as well. It's the area directly behind the B post to the point where the parcel shelf bonds on.
Tribute supply some 'closing panels' to trim and fit but I really don't think they'll do the job of keeping the sound down very well, so wondered what the rest of you have done
The rear splash guards will help keep most of the weather out but the car is going to be very noisy if I don't seal the great big hole up.
Almost ready for paint but hit a bit of a stumbling block - the door handles!
I have a set of classic Mini door handles which I was hoping to use along with the locks - which effectively should 'lock' the push button on the handle so you can't press them in. I have removed the central locking system as I wanted to remove the risk of the car deadlocking.
Has anyone been able to adapt the Mini handles so they work fully, with the locks, or any other types of handle with the locking arrangement built in?
Getting a bit urgent as it's supposed to be going for paint prep later in the week!
Put the original BMW locks, handles and central locking back, fit the Mini door handles but fit a dummy door lock that can be removed to gain access to the original door lock.
any hints on removing the central locking system? I also need to do this.
My mini handles locking tabs were removed by a friend, unknown to me at the time. He also bonded the skins on with the handles too low to open the doors. Lots of cut & paste,
Sorry for the lack of updates, finally got somewhere and it's nearly out of the paint shop and ready for the buildup.
Colour is a Jaguar one, not as dark as it looks in the picture!
Some questions for you experienced builders:
-What have you used as a pretend windscreen surround chrome rubber trim
-What have you used for the roof gutter/side window surround trim
-If we need to fit Z4 narrower-track hubs with the wheels we've decided to go for, what part numbers do I need and what needs to be replaced? The car was a widebody.
I think Grassbank can advise with the chrome windscreen trim. They also offer a trim section that goes at the base of the windscreen behind the wipers, looks very retro.
Z4 hub conversion consists of the Z4 hubs , bearings and E36 solid discs. Classic Coachworks offer a kit of parts or you can source the parts from ebay etc to save a few quid. You need to have the discs turned down a few mm to match the diameter of the Z3 items.
