'79 280Zx - New, but learn-ed!
06-25-2011, 08:12 PM
#1
'79 280Zx - New, but learn-ed!
Hello All...New to the Z crowd, and just wanted to give some insight on what brought me here.
Use to have moist dreams about owning one when I first got my license. Now 20 years later, after helping a friend out, I picked up a '79 280Zx for FREE.
The paint, what there was to speak of, was no more than primer. After draining the fuel, (it sat from over 4 years with some gas in the tank), completely douching the fuel system, (new pump, filter, ultra-sonic cleaning injectors ect...). Went to check the valves and noticed 5 valve rockers dangling. Corrected that and adjusted the valves to spec. It started but smoked like a New Jersey Smoke Stack.
I spent 6 weeks hammering out dents and post-wreck-crappy-hack job, repainted it, stripped off all bumpers and lights - repainted them.
Gutted the inside - repainted all the trim, under-coated the trunk area inside, installed a dash-cap, repaired seats, removed all windows and tinted them, you name it.
Traced down multiple cut/loose wires throughout the car. Got the dash and gauges working, hooked up the 'Warning Amplifier' (dont know if it ever was as there was no direct mating wiring harnesses).
Drove it for about a week.
Now i cant stand a POS on the road...I felt I had one...The master cylinder was full of basically fine grit, had now started leaking a full resivore every time I went to drive it.
The engine was as hungry for oil as it was petrol.
That was it...Time for the engine. Started gutting the engine compartment. Dumb-$h!t previous owner did a massive hack job. Exhaust manifold bolts were loose. Crankshaft Dampener/pulley had lost its damping rubber and cut a groove into the front timing cover, which caused oil to go all over.
Anyways, I digress, Its great to see such a support for a car that caused many 'moist-dreams' for a kid to be so alive and active.
Use to have moist dreams about owning one when I first got my license. Now 20 years later, after helping a friend out, I picked up a '79 280Zx for FREE.
The paint, what there was to speak of, was no more than primer. After draining the fuel, (it sat from over 4 years with some gas in the tank), completely douching the fuel system, (new pump, filter, ultra-sonic cleaning injectors ect...). Went to check the valves and noticed 5 valve rockers dangling. Corrected that and adjusted the valves to spec. It started but smoked like a New Jersey Smoke Stack.
I spent 6 weeks hammering out dents and post-wreck-crappy-hack job, repainted it, stripped off all bumpers and lights - repainted them.
Gutted the inside - repainted all the trim, under-coated the trunk area inside, installed a dash-cap, repaired seats, removed all windows and tinted them, you name it.
Traced down multiple cut/loose wires throughout the car. Got the dash and gauges working, hooked up the 'Warning Amplifier' (dont know if it ever was as there was no direct mating wiring harnesses).
Drove it for about a week.
Now i cant stand a POS on the road...I felt I had one...The master cylinder was full of basically fine grit, had now started leaking a full resivore every time I went to drive it.
The engine was as hungry for oil as it was petrol.
That was it...Time for the engine. Started gutting the engine compartment. Dumb-$h!t previous owner did a massive hack job. Exhaust manifold bolts were loose. Crankshaft Dampener/pulley had lost its damping rubber and cut a groove into the front timing cover, which caused oil to go all over.
Anyways, I digress, Its great to see such a support for a car that caused many 'moist-dreams' for a kid to be so alive and active.
06-25-2011, 08:19 PM
#3
One thing I forgot to mention...I have been a MOPAR fan for years, but one thing that caught my attention about this Japanese build is the advanced technology and extremely well designed system...Truly some engineers ahead of their time/era!
Very impressed!!!
Very impressed!!!
06-25-2011, 08:47 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 903
Welcome! Always good to have new and excited people on here!!!
If you ever run into any issues, just ask. We also have one helluva crazy search feature where you can probably find stuff that you didn't think got posted before, but it probably did.
Lots of great gurus on here who saved my a$$ a number of times as well.
Enjoy the ride.
If you ever run into any issues, just ask. We also have one helluva crazy search feature where you can probably find stuff that you didn't think got posted before, but it probably did.
Lots of great gurus on here who saved my a$$ a number of times as well.
Enjoy the ride.
06-25-2011, 09:56 PM
#6
Mr Z++ Wiki
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
Wow - that's a lot of work in five weeks! I'm happy to hear you're still impressed after working on a previous owner who was a complete hack usually turns people off whatever car had been hacked. If you don't already have it make sure you grab the FSM from www.xenons130.com - that will help with basically anything to do with the car.
Sounds like it's time for the old turbo swap
Oh and I dug up an old video of you ;P
Video here
Sounds like it's time for the old turbo swap
Oh and I dug up an old video of you ;P
Video here
Last edited by FricFrac; 06-25-2011 at 10:07 PM.
06-26-2011, 10:43 AM
#8
More Than Meets The Eye
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mesa, Az
Posts: 5,120
Welcome to Zdriver man. And you have for sure, come to the right place for Z's. Lot's of cool and helpful people on here. And also looking forward to pics. Enjoy the site, and fixing driving your Z. 
07-27-2011, 05:47 PM
#12
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