280z 2+2 Update

[Mike]

Here's an update from the ride I managed to pick up earlier this year.

The original announcement is HERE

Some EFI discussions HERE

Today's update:

Well, I managed to get new fuel injectors into my '75 280z. I also replaced the fuel pump and all of the flexible fuel lines. Boy, let me tell you, FI hose is expensive! Try $5 per foot!

Anyway, after sitting since 1985, she started beautifully. The engine was a little rough at first but warmed up and accelerated nicely.

I did notice that the oil pressure was on the low side, but, it moved up and down as I played with the pedal. I couldn't remember what normal oil pressure was like, so, it seemed ok.

We put the 15" Boyd rims and 50 series tires on her, gave her a bath, and put her in the garage. Wonderful.

So, I walk out to the garage on Monday afternoon. I wanted to hear that Z engine purr again. I turned the key and the engine made loud banging noises!!! Wrrr, bang bang bang....

Oh $^!#, this can't be good.

Tried it again.... same thing. Bang bang..... bang bang....

I walked into the house with a frown on my face. Father in law comes by today and we take a look at it. We check the compression to find that cylinder 2 & 6 have absolutely ZERO compression. Damn. Engine is gone.

I think the banging noise is coming from pistons hitting the valves (which are stuck open).

Anyone have good luck with the MSA rebuilt engines?

[m]

[Mike]

Here's a picture of the car as of today....

[AxtellZ]

Damn! Sorry to hear that Mike- though it makes me feel better about giving up the chance at that "free" car...

I have only heard of the rebuilts- what is it- ATK, or something like that? Seems i've heard only good things about them, at any rate.

On the upside, it looks like a nice wifey-driver, and even putting a rebuilt engine in, its not costing THAT much.. More than either of us would like, but...

Good luck, and thanks for the update, Jeremiah

[Mike]

Ya, no doubt. Even with a rebuilt engine, I'm looking at around $3,000. But, that's also a lot of labor on my behalf. So, I'll have to see how much time it's really worth.

On that note, I'm not sure if anyone will want to buy a 280z 2+2 from me knowing that it will need an engine. It *WILL* need new wheels/tires unless I sell it with my Boyds (which I don't really want to do).

Hell, this will be a great little car after I'm done getting it on the road. Not a bad car for under $5k, eh? If I look at the comparable market, we really can't do much better. At least I know how to work on a Z. We were counting today and I've probably pulled and worked on L-series engines at least 6-8 times already. I've got my own cherry picker and a nice garage.

[Mike]

Well, I got the engine out today and it's looking good. A new engine is only about $1,500 to my door, so, this is a viable solution for me.

If it just takes too much money, I'll take the engine and put it in my 240z.

[m]

PS: I'll post picts of the work we did tomorrow.

[2ManyZs]

To tell the truth, I'm kinda curious as to what happened to the other engine aren't you? Are you planning to send it back as a core or are you going to take it apart and try to find out what the heck happened?

Besides, if it didn't hurt the bottom end you have an L-28 to hop up for your 240 if you ever want to.

[ZmeFly]

if you want to sell those boyds i would be happy to take them off your hands:D

really i would

please

[Mike]

if you want to sell those boyds i would be happy to take them off your hands:D

really i would

please

Hell no!! I love those rims.

[Mike]

Okay, here are the images from last Saturday when we pulled the engine. I sure miss that whole process. Glad I got to do it again. Now, it's just a waiting game for 6 weeks until the new engine arrives.

http://www.240z.org/photopost/index.php?stype=1&thumb=1&si=Mikes+280z&perpage=12&sort=1&cat=500&user=4

[AxtellZ]

Looks like a fun day there, Mike. So which of the people in the photo's is you?? Kinda cool to put a face with the people we meet here! Zya, Jeremiah BTW, nice dog..

[2ManyZs]

Dog doesn't look too happy about someone playing "Tarzan" though.

Good to see Mike may have gotten his hands dirty on this project, but I'm trying to figure why he had to jump up and down on top of the engine like that. Did it need a little persuasion maybe?

Or did he just want to vent his anger at the engine for giving out?

[Mike]

Looks like a fun day there, Mike. So which of the people in the photo's is you?? Kinda cool to put a face with the people we meet here! Zya, Jeremiah BTW, nice dog..

I'm the one with the glasses on.