Ok, so I bought a 77 280z(non Cali. model) 4spd, FI, from a guy who had it sitting for 1 year. Apparently it ran fine before that. Now, not so much. He stopped driving it when it got a hole in the fuel tank.

The Problems:
-Starts rough, idles rough and erratically (anywhere from 500-1500rpm)
-No engine power until past 3500rpm (bogs down, will actually stall sometimes)
-backfires out exhaust during coasting/deceleration, sometimes during accel.
-If I touch the gas VERY LIGHTLY at idle and hold it there, the engine slows down and will stall if held there for 5-10 seconds.
-Burns quite a bit of oil out the tailpipe

What I've Fixed:
-patched and cleaned out tank, replaced a few lines
-new fuel filter, oil, oil filter
-new vacuum lines
-new plugs (checked wires with multimeter, they were fine)

What I've Checked:
-Distributor, rotor, cap
-Timing (10deg btdc @800rpm)
-Throttle Valve Switch

Any ideas anyone? If you need any more info, just let me know, any help will be much appreciated. I've wanted this car since 10th grade and now I finally have one (i'm 24). I can't wait to get it runnign right.

Also on a side note, i'm not positive about this as I've only driven it in the rain twice... but it seems that the car runs BETTER when it rains??? It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I'll try to verify this then. again, thanks for all your help. Jj

 

weird weird, try cleaning all the electricall connections that are on the engine. also, might as well just replace the cap and rotor and wires they arent expensive. you got good gas right-o? and could be a vac leak at the intake manifold. thats a tough one to check for. if you want grab a vac tester guage, they are pretty helpful in both timing and proper vac readings.

and welcome to Zdriver!!!


also the AFM's in these cars can really scrw things up and if you can try to check what the fuel pressure is at

 

Your most valuable tool is the factory service manual. You can download it from carfiche.org or xenons30.com. I was pulling my hair out trying to trouble shoot my '77.
Welcome to Zdriver