Mismatch engine in a 280

[rsikes]

I'm going to look at a '78 280z that has a 280zx engine. The owner says he has the original engine but it needs to be rebuilt and the zx engine that is in it runs great. Anyone think of an issue here?

BTW I'm looking for a fun daily (or otherwise driver) and not to build a show car. I've never owned a Z before and am trying to make the leap.

Oh yeah - this Z also just got a shiny new paint job which also makes me suspicious....

[Arne]

No reason I can see that a ZX engine would be bad. My 240Z came with one in it. The ZX engines aren't all that much different than the Z 2.8s.

I'd be much more concerned about what the brand new paint might be hiding...

[kingdavid280]

Well to add to this My 1975 280 z 2+2 has a I think Im not sure I think an later model air intake system on it, so if anyone know anything about this let me know.or if this is the right one thanks

[beandip]

I'm going to look at a '78 280z that has a 280zx engine. The owner says he has the original engine but it needs to be rebuilt and the zx engine that is in it runs great. Anyone think of an issue here?

BTW I'm looking for a fun daily (or otherwise driver) and not to build a show car. I've never owned a Z before and am trying to make the leap.

Oh yeah - this Z also just got a shiny new paint job which also makes me suspicious....

Look real hard for hidden rust. Look under the carpet and see the floors on all foot wells. Look around the battery and also along the bottom of both front fenders just ahead of the doors, while you are down there have a good look at the door sills (rockers) and the floors under the seating area, the area just to the rear of the doors down low (dog leg) . These are the typical rust problem areas . As to the ZX engine , this engine has flat topped pistons , unless it is for a turbo application. This engine is the last evolution in the inline engine. I have one in my 240 . I am not intending to have a garage queen either and am not concerned about the numbers . This should be a good car , unless you find rust . Rust is the number one thing that will cost you big bucks to repair correctly .

[beandip]

Well to add to this My 1975 280 z 2+2 has a I think Im not sure I think an later model air intake system on it, so if anyone know anything about this let me know.or if this is the right one thanks

Kd280 , I am not sure what you are asking. Insted of adding on to some one elses thread , known here as hi-jacking , start your own thread with the question you have . Gary

[kingdavid280]

O sorry about the hi-jacking im new at this stuff. thanks for letting me know bean.

[ecp48]

rsikes,

My original 280Z (1975) developed engine problems after a rebuild, rings wouldn't seal. I was given a 30,000 mile 280ZX engine by some friends in the business. We pulled the old engine and installed the new one in an afternoon. The ZX engine was quicker.

As long as you want it for fun transportation, and a toy, the ZX motor won't matter at all.

Ed Palmer/ecp48

Athens, GA

[rsikes]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll look hard for rust. The seller did comment to me:

"only minor surface spot rusting on the edges of hatch back and a few other areas before it was painted. Most of the bodyparts and interior and suspension has been refurbished or replaced"

I do plan on rolling around under it quite a bit. I've read about the back deck corners rusting from inside out and that it is nearly impossible to find a z without it. I suspect that has happened and it is worse than the owner realizes. I think if the fenders, frame rails and floor pans look good I will suffer the rear deck repairs.

Thanks again!!

[dogma420]

the is nothing 'minor' about the rust on the edges of the hatch back...

If it wasn't treated with por15 or similiar, that rust WILL show up sooner than later...if he just had it sanded down and painted over...

Don't ever expect to find a rust free Z so if its pretty good get it--just try and make sure you find as much rust as possible....

Wheel wells on the outside, the DOGLEGS, the area in the wheel wells where the compression rods for the front suspension attach to the body (at the frame rails) UNDER the battery....great places to look --under front area of engine hood--at the sheet metal on the underside (to see if they've even 'bumped' the hood against anything and had it bondo'd...if you can get the rear inside panel (that covers the taillights) if you can remove this (like Beandip was saying) look at the sheet metal in the area (the inside of this area)...the rear deck is a nasty place....it'd be good if you knew if it was rusty though, so you can get some $ knocked off when you explain...

[rsikes]

Thanks again for all the feelback - very useful!

Unfortunately I won't be able to see the car this weekend - maybe next week? For anyone else that is interested I did find a pretty good site with a primer on what to look for and rust etc: http://zhome.com/Classic/CommonZRust/RustPrevention240Z.htm

Ralph