The Red Cabrio Barn Find Project

[e30rapidic]

Glad you came over and spoke at The Vintage. Nice to have met a fellow zinno cabrio owner!

[jeffnhiscars]

Glad you came over and spoke at The Vintage. Nice to have met a fellow zinno cabrio owner!

Likewise. Us NC Zinno Cabrio owners have to stick together :D

[Petebee]

Jeff where did you get both the inner and outer cv boots? I can't seem to find them both from one source (they either have one or the other).

Subframe refresh is next on my to do list as well (for Burgy...just created a thread for her).

[anabolice30]

Really like this build, but god damn, my eyes.

[jeffnhiscars]

Jeff where did you get both the inner and outer cv boots? I can't seem to find them both from one source (they either have one or the other).

Subframe refresh is next on my to do list as well (for Burgy...just created a thread for her).

Word is anything but genuine outer boots will wear on the shock and I buy enough parts from the dealer that they treat me well.

...and it's not THAT red :)

[bradnic]

Likewise. Us NC Zinno Cabrio owners have to stick together :D

my 2 favorite zinno verts. have to catch you guys next time.

[jeffnhiscars]

my 2 favorite zinno verts. have to catch you guys next time.

You better...or we may drive up there and force you to eat NY Pizza :-)

A brief update. I prepped my spare subframe and since I havent yet made a jig to install the bushings Im actually considering taking the sub frame, extra diff cover and trailing arms to my friendly import shop and having him press in the 2 sub frame bushings, both wheel bearings and the diff bushing while I do the half shaft boots. I figure if he charges me $100, which is generous since he swapped 2 strut inserts, springs & mounts for $50, its well worth the savings in time, tools and knuckle damage.

One minty sub frame

[jeffnhiscars]

Photobucket is acting up so Ill have to ad pics later.

I began to remove the rear subframe today. Its slow of course but no major surprises so far. I broke free the axle lock nuts with my 3/4" breaker bar and 4 ft extension without even knocking the car off the jack stands. That did require grinding a bit off the socket perimeter to get it to fit. I also unbolted the drive shaft, backed out the half shaft bolt (only stripping 2), dropped the cat back and heat shield. I actually have spare half shafts for what will one day be the drum>disc conversion on the coupe so I'll borrow some half shaft bolts from it. Yes, I know...loctitti on those.

I think thats the bulk of the nasty stuff until I get to removing the subframe to body bolts. I also ordered a new CSB and giubo just in case. I was hoping to do those WIAIT but its looking to be a lot of additional effort even without the cat back and subframe. Im undecided but am sure it will depend on how much enthusiasm I have left when Im ready to put the subframe back.

The 205 50 16 Conti Extremes are close to the wear bars so Im moving them over to my 84 Coupe which has been sitting on bottle caps with ancient tires so at least it will have reasonable rubber for its occasional use. The Barn Find is getting a new set of Conti's and the BBS RKs which are heading for a refinish.

Oh...and I used the new HF Bearing kit to install the bushings in the cleaned up subframe.

[jeffnhiscars]

The car has been up on blocks for about a week now as I slug my way through the rear subframe (more on that later). Some of you may have read my thread about the challenge of getting the bushings to drop so I wont repeat that here,but for the moment Ill share what just got delivered...the 16" RKs that I bought new 12 years ago. They are freshly shod with Conti Extremes DWS and were just refinished.

Im still thinking red/gold centre caps :)

[e30rapidic]

my 2 favorite zinno verts. have to catch you guys next time.

Thanks! We'll see you at The Vintage next year! right? 8)

[jeffnhiscars]

While Im organizing myself for a rear subframe renewal posting I thought Id share this.

I've had a slow AC leak since I installed the new system and today, with the help of this $26 tool from Amazon, I learned that the leak is at the expansion valve. Took me 2 minutes.

[bradnic]

Ha those are great! I have one as well. Glad you found the leak bud. Just tighten down the fittings or what? you did replace all the o-rings there of course..

[bradnic]

Thanks! We'll see you at The Vintage next year! right? 8)

fingers crossed. Was really bummed about not going this year but things happen...

[jeffnhiscars]

Ha those are great! I have one as well. Glad you found the leak bud. Just tighten down the fittings or what? you did replace all the o-rings there of course..

Oh yes...all HBNR rings. Im hoping I can just tighten it although I do have a fresh case of r134a and a pair of spare dryers if need be

[jph]

Reviving this thread as it's been a while since it had an update. Certainly there has been more progress on the cabrio in the past 10 months ;)

EDIT: By the way, I'm using your detailed A/C retrofit at this very moment. I have your thread pulled up on my phone in the garage just plugging away and referencing from time-to-time. I did exactly what you did in terms of parts (identical mfrs) and also had a hell of a time with the grommet for the lines breaching the firewall. Didn't resort to any grease, but had it next to me while I was on my back under the dash. For anyone doing the work described in this thread, do yourself a favor and pull the passenger seat and the rear seat. JUST DO IT. Anyway, off to mount up the Spal fan to the PF condenser now. I'll post my results in a few weeks once the car is back on the road.