The Sera is having a spa day tomorrow

[Paul_S]

I've bought every fluid & filter, spark plugs, belts, etc. and tomorrow is the big day.

 

I got a different set of wheels which I'm taking for new rubber.

 

And the Sera is in the garage and ready on the ramp.

 

Bring it on!

[Xanadu_999]

The car will love you for it !

[Paul_S]

19 minutes ago, Xanadu_999 said:

The car will love you for it !

I think you're right.  It's not been badly maintained but the clutch fluid is black, so I'm doing everything so I know where I'm starting from.

[Paul john]

51 minutes ago, Paul_S said:

I've bought every fluid & filter, spark plugs, belts, etc. and tomorrow is the big day.

 

I got a different set of wheels which I'm taking for new rubber.

 

And the Sera is in the garage and ready on the ramp.

 

Bring it on!

Very nice!

 

[Shared]

Nice, spa day and new boots to boot! I like the look of those rims, I reckon they'll suit the body profile perfectly.

 

Hope it's all plain sailing 

[Paul_S]

25 minutes ago, Shared said:

Nice, spa day and new boots to boot! I like the look of those rims, I reckon they'll suit the body profile perfectly.

 

Hope it's all plain sailing 

Yeah, I'm quite jealous myself!!

Thanks, I expect I'll break something off or find something else that needs doing.  But fingers crossed...

I took a flyer on the wheels because I've not seen a Sera with them before.  But I thought they would work.  This is the test fit:

I think it works.

They're Honda Civic VTi Fan Blade wheels so I feel a little disloyal, but they are the right era and at least keeping it in the JDM family!

[Shared]

22 hours ago, Paul_S said:

Yeah, I'm quite jealous myself!!

Thanks, I expect I'll break something off or find something else that needs doing.  But fingers crossed...

I took a flyer on the wheels because I've not seen a Sera with them before.  But I thought they would work.  This is the test fit:

I think it works.

They're Honda Civic VTi Fan Blade wheels so I feel a little disloyal, but they are the right era and at least keeping it in the JDM family!

 

I think they suit the car brilliantly, great choice. 

[Paul_S]

33 minutes ago, Shared said:

 

I think they suit the car brilliantly, great choice. 

Thank you!  I was happy when I saw the result.  It worked in my head...

[Paul_S]

The wheels now have new rubber!

I changed a lot of bits today.  The clutch fluid had seen better days.

[Paul_S]

This petrol came out of the Sera fuel filter.  

Me thinks the previous owner ran it on E10.  I will be changing all the hoses for E10 compliant ones...

[Paul_S]

A quick update on the fuel lines - whilst I can get new OEM hoses there seems no point since they won't be E10 compliant.  So the only option is to make up some new ones.

Some are simple because they are just simple 3" straight lengths that join the hard lines.  But one in particular needed a bit more effort.  Luckily, the banjo joints are readily available in the right sizes and shapes:

It looks like I might need to drop the fuel tank (hopefully just a bit) to replace the lines at the back, but all the under-bonnet ones are done, as is the new fuel filter.

Brakes - I've inspected the brake pads (all have plenty of life in them), readjusted the rear drums (the nearside was hopelessly out).  I also flushed and replaced the brake fluid and clutch fluid.  They were grim - this is was the colour of the clutch fluid:

I've also replaced the spark plugs and air filter.

The timing belt looks okay, but I will still replace it and the tensioner.  Just, not now.  I will be sure to get a genuine one.

Finally, I've replaced the passenger door strut so the door doesn't sag any more.

Still lots to do, but I'm quite enjoying it.  It makes a nice change from the day job, staring at screens. 

[Xanadu_999]

Things seem to be progressing without any major problems, so hope it continues well for you.

[Paul_S]

So I've made more progress and had a bit of a setback....

Fuel hoses all changed.  Oil and filter changed.  Engine starts up and runs nicely.  Rear hatch struts replaced.

However, I decided to remove the plastic protection from the hard fuel and brake lines to see what lies beneath.  It turned UGLY!

I'm glad I discovered how bad the lines are, but they will need replacing.

I need to decide what to do because I can get OEM lines but they are likely to be very hard (impossible?) to thread between the bulkhead and engine, and around the rear suspension, etc. without taking a lot of bits off!

The other option is to make some pipes up from scratch.  I've never made any before but am willing to give it a go.  I wonder if that would actually be easier in the long run.

 

[Paul_S]

BTW, if anyone is changing their rubber hoses, please use decent quality pipes.  These are some generic ones I replaced on my 240Z about 5 years ago:

I am currently replacing those since I have paused the Sera for a short time! 

 

[Cyker]

Yikes, this is turning into a horror show!   

This is one thing I find funny about Toyota - With Ford I'd get aftermarket parts because they were usually better than Ford parts, but with Toyota I try to get Toyota parts as they're usually much better than aftermarket!  

[Paul_S]

16 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Yikes, this is turning into a horror show!   

This is one thing I find funny about Toyota - With Ford I'd get aftermarket parts because they were usually better than Ford parts, but with Toyota I try to get Toyota parts as they're usually much better than aftermarket!  

Haha, that sounds about right!

I am buying genuine Toyota cam belt, tensioner, etc.  You don't want to skimp on something like that! 

[Xanadu_999]

7 hours ago, Paul_S said:

...I can get OEM lines...

If you can still get OEM, then at least you'll know they will fit properly.

If you decide to make your own, you will still have to thread them through different areas, unrolling and hand bending as you go. I think the fuel lines might be a different diameter to the brake lines, so best to check before ordering the pipe.

[Paul_S]

4 hours ago, Xanadu_999 said:

If you can still get OEM, then at least you'll know they will fit properly.

If you decide to make your own, you will still have to thread them through different areas, unrolling and hand bending as you go. I think the fuel lines might be a different diameter to the brake lines, so best to check before ordering the pipe.

Yes, that's true.  6 of 1, half a dozen of the other in some ways.  The fuel lines are a different size and I will definitely go OEM with those because they have flexi joints which mean they are shorter and easier to thread through.

Thinking as I type...  I could try to unthread the old brake lines and if I can take them out then I know I've a fighting chance of getting new ones in.  Thankfully, it's got a proper hand brake so I can still drive the car around the garden and garage in relative safety! 

[APS]

Considering the dwindling availability of original parts, just get whatever original bits you can get. As you say, removing the old ones will give you a good sense for what you need to remove in order to replace them. A bit of a practice run. Thanks for the running updates. Lovely to see. 

On 9/14/2024 at 9:34 PM, Paul_S said:

The clutch fluid had seen better days.

Often the way. People just replace the brake fluid and forget about the clutch. What's the story behind the car? Has it stood for a long time?

 

And just what is this lurking in the corner of your photo - a 240Z? Full photo please. 😉 

 

[Paul_S]

24 minutes ago, APS said:

Considering the dwindling availability of original parts, just get whatever original bits you can get. As you say, removing the old ones will give you a good sense for what you need to remove in order to replace them. A bit of a practice run. Thanks for the running updates. Lovely to see. 

Often the way. People just replace the brake fluid and forget about the clutch. What's the story behind the car? Has it stood for a long time?

 

And just what is this lurking in the corner of your photo - a 240Z? Full photo please. 😉 

 

That is a good point on the parts.  As you can tell, I'm giving the car a good once over and the plan is to stock up on a few bits for the future.

I intend to keep this (and other more-specific) threads updated as I go.  I hope to create a blog of some kind too, if I can find the time.

The Sera is a 1991 car and was imported into the UK in 2010.  It was run as a daily driver up until about 3 years ago when the owners son took ownership with a view to spending time getting it up to a good standard.  That never quite happened and the MOT expired about 1.5yrs ago and in the end he decided to sell it.

I'm not on Facebook so don't frequent the Sera groups on there, but I think due to the age of the first UK owner (now in his 80's I believe) this one has been pretty under the radar in the UK.

My plan is to get it back on the road, enjoy it, and improve it over time.  It could do with a paint job but I know how expensive they are so it's likely to look a little shoddy for a time!  I'm concentrating on the oily bits first as I can do that myself.

Good observational skills!  That is my Datsun 240Z.  I've a 370Z too (and a 350Z before it) so Toyota is a slight change of scene for me.  Got to love JDM's though!

I still need to finish clearing out the garage so I can get both of these in at the same time.  Currently, the Sera has been wheeled back outside in the rain.  The 240Z is higher up the pecking order!

[APS]

2 hours ago, Paul_S said:

It could do with a paint job but I know how expensive they are so it's likely to look a little shoddy for a time!  I'm concentrating on the oily bits first as I can do that myself.

It looks absolutely fine. No rot on the arches or sills.  Just give it a good polish and apply some Bilt Hamber double speed wax. It'll keep it nice in the rain for a long time. 

2 hours ago, Paul_S said:

I've a 370Z too (and a 350Z before it) so Toyota is a slight change of scene for me.  Got to love JDM's though!

You've got a nice little collection there. Being wedded to single make just limits the joy. 🤩  The Sera is one of those cars that could so easily not been made at all. Its sheer existence is to be celebrated. I do love the 240Z. Old skool lightweight sports car with a straight six with looks to go.

2 hours ago, Paul_S said:

The 240Z is higher up the pecking order!

yup. 

[Paul_S]

The Sera bodywork is pretty good (a few repairs in places) but, to be honest, the paint looks a lot better in photos than in the flesh.  I did consider getting it wrapped but am tending away from that idea at the moment.  Definitely some decent products would improve it.  I don't think it's been looked after in that respect.

You are right about different makes.  I did have my sights on a decent Honda Integra Type R DC2 or a Sera but a manual Sera came up first.

I do love the 240Z but that's more for shows and fun drives out.  The Sera can be used as a daily and will be, especially when I take the 370Z off the road for a few jobs - I had planned to do that over winter but I need to get the Sera sorted mechanically first.  I do like a project!!

[Paul_S]

Okay, so apparently OEM brake pipes are NLA (despite what some websites say) so I'm going to make some up.

I've never done it before so it should be interesting!

[Xanadu_999]

This will give you some idea of what you will need.

 

[Paul_S]

11 minutes ago, Xanadu_999 said:

This will give you some idea of what you will need.

 

Thanks for that!  

https://www.carbuilder.com/products/coppernickel-brake-pipe-316?variant=53489109401979

I feel a trip to Car Builder coming on...