I just droped Ruby, my 1977 280Z, off at a mechanic who specialize

in Z cars here in town for a dianostic.

Well the problem is Ruby has been running kind of truck'ish lately

and the Mechanic (mech) has found 5 things wrong.

1)

The engine Block is a N42 and the Head is a N47.

He said the pistions have built up carbon on the tops and are

now hitting the bottom of the N47 Head.

My main and most important question is What kind of

head gasket thinkness do I need to buy to get the proper

clearance and were can I buy one at.

A place like Nappa Auto Supply maybe?

So to I can either get a thicker head Gasket to fix the clearance issue

or buy the correct Head which I believe is a N42 or

pay about $600.00 to have head work done on the N47 to make it

compatible with the N42 Block.

Any help on this issue first would be appreaciated.

Well Just FYI the other 3 problems are

2

Crack in the Air Cleaner boot letting in "Unmetterd Air" ($80.00)

3

After market Fuel Pump running at 6lbs below preasure even at it's

maximum setting causing it to run lean on gas.

So that has to be changed ($400.00)

4

Modified Throttle Switch "turned all the way to one side and bent

supposedly to cover up the other problems".

I suppose to max out the fuel output (unqouted price)

5

Clogged #6 Fuel injector.

Mech said if the fuel pump is replaced the raise in preasure might

be enough to ungled the injector.

Thyanx for any help at all as I don't won't to leave it at the Mech jus yet

~Z~

$400 to change a fuel pump?

If they would pull the head to install the new gasket, why not just pull the head and clean off the tops of the pistons, and while they're at it, maybe see if the oil rings or valve stem seals are bad and causing the problem in the first place.

ya, sounds a bit extreme for "carbon build up"