Contemplating a 280z purchase

[rsikes]

Thoughts....?

I recently examined and drove a 78 280z. The body looks nearly perfect - no rust. Seriously - no rust. Not in the fenders, not in the rocker panels, not in the rear deck, not in the frame rails. I noticed slight ripples in each of the doors along the outer most curvature of the door - maybe dings not quite smoothed out before a paint job? Car was repainted about 10 yrs ago. Interior was imaculate except for the obligatory crack in the dash. Everything works! Manual steering, brakes, and auto trans. Engine sounds great and trans operated and felt fine.

I noticed that there was not a lot of power on acceleration. A mechanic told me that the auto trans really took a lot of power out of the car. Any feelings on this (assuming all engine and trans are strong)?

What does it take to convert to a 5 speed? Pedal set, trans & ??? Approx cost???

Input GREATLY appreciated. BTW buyer wants 9K - seems a bit steep to me...

Ralph

[sblake01]

I own a rust free 78 in the approximate condition you describe. Sadly, I don't think they are worth 9K. Not yet. On the other point an auto trans Z won't pull like a 4 or 5 speed but it should still have some zip, especially from a roll.

[DatsunZsRule]

True, manuals are lighter than a automatic and do make the Z much quicker. The car shouldn't be gutless though either even with an Auto

Something as simple as a good tune up may solve the power robbing issue. Who knows when stuff like the fuel filter was last changed?

One way to tell if your Transmission is in good shape:

When you change your transmission fluid (and filter on an auto), check for any metal shavings. There should be VERY little to none. If you find a good amount, then I'd say it's a good excuse to convert it to a manual :) As far as the "How to" Do a search on this site as it's been explained in another thread.

I agree though that 9 Grand is asking too much. The seller is obviously going by his personal feelings and not by the book value.

[Fun_in_my_z]

My 240z has a auto. And evan in its poor shape i could take anything off the line!

You need a flywheel and a clutch. I thing a different drive shaft

and console as well

[PrOxLaMuS©]

i bought a "perfect" 280Z with a 3 speed automatic with 106,000 miles for $3,800.

Check out my gallery how clean it is... or my website (cardomain on my signature)

ohh and I dropped the automatic and got me a 5-speed.. Love it to death

[zguitar71]

For 9K you could buy a very nice early 240. To change to a manual you would need the slave and master cylinder, pedal, trans, clutch, flywheel, brake pedal (the auto pedal is very wide), the hard and soft lines for the hydraulics, throughout berring and and the arm to actuate the clutch. I think it will all bolt in if not you might have some fabrication to mount the clutch pedal.

I paid less than 9K for my `71 240 without rust and a great paint job and interior and a 5 speed and a hot roded 2.8 and.... Talk the guy down a lot or walk away from it and find another in good shape for less.

[mdbrandy]

$9K is way too much. About 2 years ago I picked up a '78 280Z with a 5 speed for less than half that, and it is as good or better than you describe. Had 118K on it at the time.

[rsikes]

Thanks for everyones feedback and encouragement. I'm looking at another 78 with a 5 spd tomorrow. Here we go!

Ralph

[DatsunZsRule]

Good luck Ralph. Let us know how it turns out

[RogerZ]

9k way off. Got a 280zx turbo in darn good shape and most everything working for $900. Auto tranny thing might be what I found. On the 81 there is a thing called a vacuum modulator that controls the shift point from 1st to 2nd. Couldn't figure why she was such a dog off the line my 83 NA could lose it easy to about 4o mph. After about 10 days I figured maybe just try a lock in first take off. Whoa nelly big diff. It was shifting into 2nd immediately on take off so nothing much happened til you hit power band around 40 in second. Found a vacuum leak and that greatly improved the take off. Also the kickdown solenoid had been disconnected. When those two things got fixed if made the auto much more liveable. I'm still going manual however probably next week got the parts in the garage.

[rsikes]

Roger,

That sounds very similar. I also noticed that it immediately shifted from 1st to 2nd. It's in great shape but so over priced I think I'm going to move on.

I drove a 5 spd 78 with a zx motor yesterday. I drove great and has a very nice paint job (silver). I think there is a little rust but not much (Arizona car). The interior needs some attention, and hood and hatch back are hard to open and close but it doesn't look as though it's been wrecked.

It has a bad gas smell when driving - guy said it was the exhaust but it smelled like unburned fuel to me. It needs a good going over - probably a $1000 or $1500 would set everything right (mech, exhaust, fuel, brakes).

Ralph

[sblake01]

Usually on the F.I. Z's, at least in my experience, that gas smell comes from the hoses back by the fuel pump/tank. Not hard or expensive to replace.