Ok well I have a 1980 280zx, now there are a few questions I have…

1. Is it normal for these cars to be hard to start (2-3 tries)
If not, how can I fix it? (I tried a detergent additive, new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and button)
2. Is it normal for these cars to have no oil pressure when you first start, until you give it a little gas?
If not, what would need to be fixed? (Changed the oil, and the filter allready)


Thanks.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

#1... if it doesn't start right up, check your cold start valve, air regulator, and fuel pressure.

#2... if it has the correct type & level of oil, and it's not registering on the gauge, it's usually the oil pressure switch (sensor). That's a fairly common issue.

 

When I first bought my Z it ran like **** (excuse me)

The owner said he messed with this that and the other la la la la. He messed with the ECU, timing, because it wouldn't start.

First thing I did when I got it was put it all back to factory settings b/c I know he messed it up.

Then took electric cleaner, and di-electric grease to the injector, and I'll be it ran like new!

*Try this for your start up

wgc_3

 

my dads car and even my car sometimes at a low idle will read almost nothing on the oil pressure guage. but a little gas on the pedal it will go up and hold pretty constant. how is it idling by the way? could be a vacumme leak some where if when it finally does start it idles rough... i assume it does actually idle on its own right? dont have to hold the pedal down even a little bit for an idle to be achieved

 

could some one give me the specs for a the valves? i need to adjust them, but i dont have any of the specs... along with the torque specs for the valve cover.

also i want to find the fuel pump, i kinda think thats why it dosent start right away, since the fuel system might be losing pressure and has to build it back up

Thanks.

 

I dont know the valve specs off the top of my head, but the fuel pump is underneath the right rear of the car.

 

Valve clearances (page 26 in Haynes manual):

Intake: hot=.010in or .25mm / cold=.007in or .17mm
Exhaust: hot=.012in or .30mm / cold=.009in or .24mm


Torque spec for valve cover is about 15lb/ft

 

Point #1 cam lobe straight up,
This does valves 1,3,7,8,9,11
After you check all the valves with the cam lobe up.... Rotate the camshaft till the #1 lobe is pointing straight down
This does valves 2,4,5,6,10,12

Clearance Intake:
Hot:0.010in (.25mm)
Cold: 0.007in (.17mm)
Clearance Exhaust:
Hot: 0.012in (.30mm)
Cold: 0.009in (.24mm)

Intake valves are #2,3,5,8,10,11
Exhaust valves are #1,4,6,7,9,12

 

so is there a trick to tell the valves apart (intake and exhaust)

Thanks, waiting on the haynes manual to get here

 

Who needs to torque a valve cover do you really do that i just snug down the bolts and don't have problems...

 

Yup you got the numbers that they are ordered in now...

 

^^^ yep, and intake valves are lined up w/ the intake runners... exhaust valves are inbetween (lined up w/ the exhaust ports).

 

lol, yeah they are, and my specs i found for cold were actualyl .008 intake .010 exhaust. and its STUPID easy to do its just time consuming. really quiets up teh motor though.

 

ok well i have the valve cover off, and now i am just trying to figure out how to adjust the valves, right now i am thinking that it is the allen tool things that are 2 across from each other, 2 valves on the left, then 2 more across from each other, etc..

this is where a Haynes manual would be usefull.... but gotta wait a bit for it.


anyway, thanks, later

 

You use 2 wrenches... one is a 14mm & the other is a 15mm or 17mm... you loosen the lock nut, adjust the pivot ball to come within spec, and tighten it.

 

well i got pix on my phone but i cant seem to send them anywhere, the only thing i see that looks like i can adjust takes a allen wrench... i think this may end up waiting till i get the manual so i can see the pictures.

 

dude, theres 2 nuts, walk onto the passenger side of the car and look at where teh valves are from there, youll see teh 2 nuts right on top of each other, lossen the top nut (the lock nut) and then rotate teh bottom one to adjust the height, slide feeler guage uner the cam lobe and move it around, adjust teh height until you feel "drag" on the feeler guages, a noticable drag but nothing that like will stop your hand or pull the guage from your finger tips. its really really simple...

 

So we don't have to re-type what has been said in previous threads, read this and your questions shall be answered: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...ghlight=valves

Looky:

 

yea i found out how to after i cleaned up some oil, so i could see better