I have a 1979 280zx non turbo. I recently noticed that the firing order was wrong so I rewired the spark plugs and now it wont start. I didnt take a picture or record what the order was. From what I've looked up it seems the problem was created when the past owner was putting the engine together, and to fix it I have to take the engine apart. Does anyone have experience with this? Would getting a new set of spark plug wires fix the issue?

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

So what's the current firing order?

Have you set the motor to TDC cylinder 1 to check all the timing marks?

 

make sure the dizzy lines up on cap where the one is at tdc from there just follow the normal firing order. there is a chance that the firing order is correct but he moved all wires one hole advanced or one hole retarded. i bet the oil pump was changed and they previous owner never put the shaft back correctly and moved the wires around until it started. its the solution for poor mechanics!!

 

The more info you can give - and how exact it is - is a big help here. When you say he was "putting the engine together" that could mean he substituted parts that "fit" but weren't made for your model. Check that out where you can. If you can still contact the guy, tell him what the prob is now. He may know why it's happening.

 

Alright got the original order back and it starts up now. It was 1 2 3 4 5 6. Is it ok to leave it like that or should I do something to restore the factory order. Its misfiring right now and I'm wondering if it has something to do with the spark plug wires. Just want to clear it up before I start looking deeper.

 

its most likely misfiring because the order is off. does dizzy spot 1 (has a 1 on the cap below the post) line uo with the current 1? if thats the case start there and line up all the plug lines in the correct order from there, but leave the number one alone. there is no way it will run properly going 123456. I'm surprised it even started. without changing the cam and maybe the crank you just can't change the firing order

 

1,5,3,6,2,4 (counter-clockwise from number 1) Trust me on that, I learned the hard way. lol I am too surprised that is it running with the order in numerical order.

 

I think i got it figured out, it was my mistake. the order is correct on the dizzy, counter clockwise from 1 it goes 1 5 3 6 2 4. I thought the same order was needed for plugging in the wires to the spark plugs but the number 1 wire goes to the first plug, second to the second plug and so on. This is the way it should be right?


Now as to the misfiring any idea where I should start? Engines got 80k miles on it, its been driven just a few times in the last 2 years. Idles rough on start and wont accelerate without missing.

 

Yeah the cylinders and spark plugs are in order from back to front. 1-6. Have you checked your timing? You should be at 8 degrees on the timing mark for a normal n/a. (same on my '82) Then after that, check your connectors and make sure they are not dirty and such. And if they are, just simply take wd-40 with a toothbrush, and clean them and let them air dry. Plug them all back in, and see if the car changes behavior. Good luck man....