You two are just an awesome couple...seriously nothing hidden and your both honest to a fault. Please Emily and Aaron, don't ever change and stay this humble and real, I think I can speak for the majority of the viewers here when I say this.
A dozen years ago I did a project car for a guy (87 Suburban / 350 LT1 with a blower) and in the process it became a "frame off" ordeal. I got a few boxes of zip-loc bags, a sharpie marker, and a variety of small boxes. Door comes off and small bags get tagged hinge bolts, striker bolts, trim panel screws, then dropped into a gallon size bag marked LF door. Did that for each sub assembly. 3 months later and back from the body shop it was fairly easy to assemble. Oh, I also took each bag to the glass bead cabinet for cleaning and a quick shot of WD-40 before storage. IOW, everything was spiffy when we got back to the job. The reason for the the boxes was to keep larger items (arm rests, crank handles, weather strips, etc) with the smaller parts. The outside of the boxes were also marked LF door, RF door, etc.... all stacked against the wall.
Man we’ve all had that project that we thought we would just tear apart for a bit and then nuts and bolts get scattered, people say well why didn’t you bag them and put them in the car 😂 Because when we started the project we thought it would be back together quickly. Great to see it getting some love.
Please don't let that Z sit for another 2 yrs! I did the same with mine; '71 240Z. After an 8 year long restoration, I got to enjoy my Z for another 8 yrs. But then life took a turn and she sat in the garage for a couple years. It pained me to see all that work rotting away, but it really wasn't a "family" car. The decision was made to sell and get some other toys, and she lives on in the hands of others. I stumbled across your channel because of the cabin cruiser, imagine how surprised I was to see a Z sitting in the background! How cool! Much love from San Antonio for the videos and content, keep up the good work!
I've learnt, sny time I pull something apart now I either put the bolts back. Or put them close to where they came from, if it's something that is going straight back together. Because even if I bag them up, if they're not with the project. They're lost.
Awww god. This video is so relatable for so many reasons. Not the least of which is it has stood the same time as my car I dated my (now) wife in. Sadly, it's a bone stock E39 BMW so nothing this interesting but I love it for the memories from our first date to the first time I drove our adopted son to our house. It's fantastic to see such a lovely car returned to the road and once again, thanks for the enjoyable content
This was a perfect video for me to see right now. Summed up my situation pretty well. I have a problem with getting ultra focused on goals that if I don't quite reach where I wanted to be or achieve the success I wanted to achieve, I struggle to keep my morale up. Everyone has to deal with those speed bumps in life. Its how we deal with those that is important. Seeing and getting feedback with others who run into the same thing even when it might seem like a simple project car to some, it isn't just a simple project to you, the same as what others might be trying to achieve isn't simple to them. I get frustrated when I fail to succeed as much or as fast in something that I wanted to and to counter that I look for inspiration from youtubers such as Flying Sparks Garage to help me appreciate those things I have accomplished, be thankful for what I've accomplished every year, and motivate me to continue to "smell the roses" and continue improving my mind, body, and spirit. Thanks so much FSG for the great vids and keep moving forward like you always do... I promise to do the same. 🙂
This episode is incredibly relatable for me. I have a '95 Civic I purchased in 2001 that went from daily driver, to daily/auto-x, to full track car. A move overseas shelved it for four or five years followed by more shelving due to more moves to and from overseas and space availability to actually work on it. The cycle continues with a new vehicle I purchased last year. It was advertised as runs and drives but showed with a collapsed lifter. Due to space availability once again it sat waiting to be torn I to and fixed for HRPT. Here we are a few weeks away and I am in the middle of another move. It can be incredibly frustrating seeing these projects sit waiting patiently.
Glad to see you getting Zen back together. Reminds me that I did a complete brake system overhaul on my Dodge D150 truck, then ended up pushing it outside over three years ago without getting the engine running.
I swear that I live by sharpies and ziploc bags. These make life so much more simpler when your searching for hardware a year or two later. Use a box or bin for each project. Use bags to store bolts and label per location then place into the box for later.
If only my cars had waited for 2 years! I've owned my classic truck for 30 years and only got it back driving after 28! Last time I drove it was home from college! Lol. Other trucks and cars have been waiting for the last 8 years! Lol. Keep on pluggin away, it'll all work out sooner or later! 🙂🙂🙂
Saw your post on Instagram. I didn't know the full story of the car. I rewatched the Z series and I'm glad you're back to making it run again. My first car was a 370Z. My second is now a 2006 red GTO, and I'm loving every minute of it more than the Z.
Dont feel bad, I have 2 waiting nearly 14 years for some love lol Life gets in the way sometimes and a smart person just reprioritizes. Love those old Zed cars. Japans answer to the C107 Mercedes coupe.
Great video as always, your partnership shows through in all your videos - great couple! Thank you also for making me feel a little better about a project I’ve had languishing and giving me the proper incentive to get after it.
I had a 78 280z back in the early 90's. I loved that car for a while but the floor boards rusted out so bad that I could reach behind the seat and touch the pavement! Whenever it rained water would be behind the seats and I was scared that I would fall right onto the pavement while driving..lol.
Life is short, but not that short... Priorities have to rule, and that becomes more evident with each passing year, especially after 70... Losing stuff becomes more common also, so keeping all parts with the object is the easiest way to have them. I keep all camper parts in one area of the garage or in the camper's storage, same with the drones, the kayaks, cameras, etc. We had to let the boat go due to age, but that also occurs as the seasons of life pass. I just wish we could have had a life similar to yours at your age, as we had to put off too much until retirement, however, we have now camped in every state, and in some foreign countries. Enjoy life, which you are doing so well... and able to share it with us. (Note: Check out Marine Sta-Bil and Ethanol Treatment for keeping gas safe and usable during storage. I used it in my Goldwing, mowers, and the boats over the years. Great stuff.)
I tore my car apart to do a frame off 8 years ago and started putting it back together this spring and I couldn’t believe how much stuff was missing and I thought I had stuff pretty organized. I couldn’t find my transmission mount either although looking back I’m thinking it was junk and I tossed it in the garbage. Bolts on the other hand were still in the sorted tray where I put them for the most part.
Really do like that car...and surprise, you are human!! LOL. I have had projects like Zen, ashamed to say one is a car my late father and I built that sat far too long but is now getting the love it deserves. You two take care...
I hear ya on "life gets in the way" with stuff like this, have a '67 Barracuda FB car that is currently languishing in my back area for lack of time to get the things fixed on it over the last 3 years.......between caregiver duties for my father in law from late '18 to mid-'20, my back surgery in early '18, and the Kung Fu flu showing up in '20, it has been sitting here in AZ(I have a good car cover on it), just waiting for cooler weather to do some work on it before my back gives completely out and I'm not able to repair anything, not even myself. I will be 64 next month and am not getting any younger! I owned a 280ZX, an '80 model in black w/gold pinstriping and BBS wheels & aftermarket exhaust, great car, could get 27 mpg consistent on road runs. My 1st wife let it get stolen from her work so it was gone in '88. Hope you guys can get this ride going soon yourselves! Thank you for the great video content!
Good vid and I can relate since my toy has been sitting for about two years to, but hope to have it back on road in next month or so. Lov'd the claw hammer to set the roll pin😎. Have fun.
I am now working on my high school car. Last on road late 80’s. Graduated in 86. Basket case. Putting on lizardskin today. Has to be on the road under own power by it’s 50th birthday. 11/2/21.
The truck I've had since I was 17 set for 15 years on account of life, and job travels. I got some things for it to run back in January. Working on it is slow because my daily needs maintenance and my farm truck does too on top of job stuff but, it's happening.
Your Z is so cool. I feel your pain of a car sitting waiting for attention. After four years, my 65 Impala is finally roadworthy again. My 64 Galaxie is delayed yet again.
Wow..its been sitting 2 years ?...where did that time go ? I know the feeling seems like the only time I can find anything is when I'm not looking for it.
Aaron, as you spoke about the Loctite making the drive shaft bolts a pain in the future, neither of you want to pick up a fast spinning "hitch hiker" if it breaks loose! Trust me on this! I have the hairy t shirt from using the older cousins of that bent bolt! FR
I’m hearing ya it’s a task to get everything done. I’ve got 6 cars in various stages of resto but I seem to spend all my time with keeping everyone else happy. Love the videos keep up the great work
Me loves you guys! Me loves Zen too! But me no likey the way the transmission crossmember flexed downward when Emily lowered the tranny jack. I have long hair too. Got it caught in a drill chuck once, and it rolled up and knocked me out cold!
blue loc tite, red loc tite it matters not. yellow torch the bolts for about 5 to 7 seconds each and they back right out like butter every time. =) I don't even eff with stuff without torching it a little before hand. Struggle street is real so i try to stay off it. ;P thanks for posting guys. ps. with care it works with old brake lines and bleed valves too. never broke one no matter how old or crusty.
Great to see the Z car gettin some loving! My band mates and I were going to write a song about "life gets in the way", just haven't gotten around to it yet 🤣😂🤣😂
I hate to go there, but that Z car is almost as pretty as Emily. I had a 72 240-Z, and wish I still had it. I'd LOVE to get this one, and restore her to her original glory. (That GM engine would have to go, but, maybe a Slant Six under the hood.) steve
You two are lucky enough to live the life of dreams that many of us have. Your years of hard work have paid off. Aaron a.k.a. "life coach" regarding projects and bolts. Thank you Sir. Emily: One word - sunscreen. You're looking a little "overdone". The life of dreams couple teaches us yet again how a wonderful marriage works and Emily, once again, teaches us gearheads what a perfect wife is. You're the woman of many men's dreams Emily. Who wouldn't want a transmission cleaning, bolt finding, grease slinging, mud puddle laughing woman in their life? When I grow up, I want to be Aaron and Emily. Or Finley. Or one of the camera spiders.
Love/Hate relationship with playing where’s Waldo with parts and tools. When you stumble across your grandfather’s open end 5/8 wrench with his name engraved on it. Or look for a week for that mounting bracket you seriously saw like a week ago. Enjoyed another great video. Thank you
Concerned about the flat bar transmission support, is that going to cause to much flex or eventually bend causing a problem or breakage somewhere. It needs more rigidity.
Yay the Datsun's getting some much needed love! I'm happy to see this thing on the lift with its transmission and drive shaft back in! One step closer to taking this thing out on the road where it truly belongs.
Great to see it not sitting in the corner anymore. I love that gen Z cars. Everything was good, but the sound level was a bit low in this episode. I see forward to the next episode :-)
Well thankfully we have no regular jobs anymore! Aaron was a heavy Diesel engine builder and I worked in the fashion and commercial industry- covid shut my work down and Aaron had left the big truck shop January of that year! We’re soooo thankful now 6 years in to building the channel that we can be full time with it!!!
I love those Datsun cars, pretty rad cars, anything from Nissan 60-70s era, Skylines, Datsuns, I’d love to own one one day, I saw one when I went to my sister’s boyfriend’s house, one of his neighbors had a gray Datsun sitting there on the side of the street in front of the owner’s house, the front end had some damage from god knows what, hopefully it’s still there cause I probably wanna ask if it’s for sale and offer a number
From the video title, I thought you were going to have to sell the Zen. Glad you're not and are able get her rolling again, she's my fave along with Roxy. Totally get what you mean about juggling all the projects tho. Only so many hours in the day and days in a year!
Sad to see you partnered with Advance. Sure, they warranty the parts, but I don't have time to do the job 3 times due to their parts. 99% of my parts came from that store when it was Carquest, now less than 1%. Almost all of the good employees left also. It's actually really sad what happened. You'll get to work on your cars more now though. I'm glad your getting your car back together. Nice work.
i know how it can be, been fighting for extra help for years an now have to many projects an i need to get back to my roots but im so flooded now an now not working cause of a injury im drowing an have to send stuff down the line but noone is lookin
My car stood for 9 years before I got her back on the road. My first child was born, and I lost a loved one in the time she stood. But last year I got her up and running, so yeah, I understand completely...
