Hi everyone.

My neighbor just bought a 79 280ZX and I seem to be his impromptu mechanic. He's had two requests so far and I've turned up zip on both.

First, he wants an engine dress up kit to match the powdercoated grey one he has on his Camaro. Since the ZX has an air filter box in front of the radiator and only one valve cover I'm guessing there isn't one. However, is there a finned or stamped or whatever valve cover available anywhere?

Second he says he needs a fuel tank. His is rusty and crusty on the inside, though it doesn't leak. He doesn't want to go the route of coating the inside, but I haven't found any new and/or aftermarket tanks.

Luckily the car seems to be in pretty good shape so I'll have a little while to get up to speed on these cars.

Thanks everyone for having me.

 

The valve cover is aluminum and can be polished, or you can buy one already done on ebay, there are cold air intakes you can get. have him check out Motorsports and Black Dragon and T3

Motorsport! Classic Z/ZX Parts Home - The Z Store, Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts

Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX and Mazda RX7 Auto Parts & Accessories

https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/s130

280zx valve cover | eBay

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

You can probably make use of the factory service manual, a freebie DL at XenonS30 plus the other cool docs there.

Fuel tank replacement sounds like a tricky deal to me - but I never did one. I think I would look for used OEM first (at least I know it would fit!) and check out car-part.com for a start, seeing what's out there and how close to where I live. I guess you would want to have it removed from the old Z so you could look inside before you pay for it...

I'm interested in how all the rust got there... and I'm guessing the tank sat almost empty for years while natural condensation worked on the inside surfaces, making rusted steel. Cool - but fuel filters should be pretty good at making sure that stuff - even if it flakes - does not get to the intake. My guess is that rust flakes would sit at the bottom of the tank. Anyway, check out the used S30 tanks available first, if any are available in your area. Recyclers can be the real saviors of older models.

 

Thanks you guys.

This car has low, low miles and it sat for long periods of time, probably with little fuel in the tank, so that would be a source of rust. The filter did indeed do its job, when he bought it and put a fresh tank of fuel in the filter immediately clogged solid and the engine died. I think he had owned it about an hour at this point.

I'll check out the links for the valve cover and have a look at the maintenance manual. I suggested he take the tank to a radiator shop and have it boiled out, but if that doesn't work I'll be on the lookout for one used.