Should I keep it? It's the car in my avatar.

[DeMoore]

I just got a 78 280z (9/77), and I am on the fence about whether to keep it or not. Of course, money is an issue, but I have people telling me that a 30 year old car is a 30 year old car, and blah blah blah it will always have problems unless you have 15,000 to dump into it.... Anyway, I once owned an 86 300zx and I had a blast in that for the whole 6 months that is ran, but it needed so much work that I finally just called the tow yard and they hauled it off. It wasn't really my choice to buy that one, it was just the only thing available. So anyway I got a taste for Zs and like I do about everything got obsessive about them and researched all the basic stuff about Z's and decided I wanted a 77 or 78, the last of the 1st generation. I ended up with a 78, and the problem is, I don't know a damn thing about cars! I mean, I know what looks good, but parts-wise and all that, I change my own oil and brakes and that's pretty much it. I have restored the entire front end of my 02 Lancer, but I'm not sure whether to get rid of the Z or if they are going to be more of a collectors car than they are, or what. It was just restored, paint and interior! Please give your opinion! Did I get a good deal? A great one? Should I sell it, should I save money and fix it? What do you think it's worth? ( I just got it last week, so I didn't do any of this stuff to it, the previous owner did, but I looked for hours a day for almost exactly what I bought ((only for about 2 months, though)) )

It has a 1 year old paint job with the factory color put back on, with a great shine on it.

It has a LeVan T-Top. The T-Top is not the usual detachable kind, it has two windows that flip up (pop-up) in the back and weren't made to come off regularly. I think that's rare, not sure if it came like that or the PO put it on.

It has been restored inside, with new carpeting all over, even replacing that grid vinyl saddling the center console, and the seats have been reupholstered with leather on the sides and good thick fabric down the center. The dash was upholstered with a cushioned vinyl.

They did something to the intake, I don't remember if they changed it or what. the guy was bragging about it like it was a good thing, though.

The PO put on a new "performance" exhaust or something like that. I did see where he welded it on when I look under the hood.

The dash was reupholstered, but I would have just put a plastic shell over it it I had my choice, the fabric is cushioned underneath, but if you feel around you can feel the cracks in the center. they're not that big, about 3 or 4 inches above the temp gauge and the ammeter. The PO just did that, so it's in really good shape, but like I said, i prefer the pastic dash.

The seals are about 90% great, the doors need some new seals, though.

No rust as far as I can tell, but no thourough check, yet. I guess I assumed that since it was just painted, they got rid of any rust. None in the wheel-wells, anyway!

Okay, so that's the good part, now the bad: The engine needs work, but it runs strong. I don't think it's firing on all cylinders and my father in law says there's a fuel leak or an exhaust leak or something. The EGR valev was just replaced, and that was supposed to fix all the backfiring, but it didn't. I just ordered a nice 13 inch rubber antenna (black dragon auto) and some brass bushings for the stick shift. It needs a center console, the guy put a slightly cracked one in from his old 260z, and all the usual stuff in the radio area. It has the lights for the "floor temp" and low fuel on the dash, but I'm not sure if they light up. The AC needs all the behind-the-dash ducts, but the escutcheon is good with no cracks at all. The money that it will cost to restore the engine is my main concern, I've got a wife and two kids (sounds like a cliche) and I my paycheck only has 2 zero's on it every 2 weeks. I even used a credit card to pay for it so I could get a second job! (my wife will need the other car for errands).

By the way, I paid 2,000 for it, which I know sounds like a good deal, but then again there's that engine work... the car has 130,000 miles on it, I think. The wheels are custom alloy, but the guys I got the car from gave me the original Z wheels, the one with the big "x" on it.

[Sailor Bob]

They are pretty reliable cars when you get em set up - There is lots of information in the search funtion that can help you find the information that you need regarding most anything about any of the original style Zs.

Befor you spend any money you should do a simple trouble shoot of your electrical system, by disconnecting one plug wire at a time and listen to see which one has no effect on your miss - thats the trouble cylinder. Then check the corresponding efi connection (after you hook the plug wire back up) - manipulate it a little - she may light up and reveal the culprit. The connections are a common fault -as they age they fail due to corrosion, brittle plastic ... causing a miss. Clean up the connection or replace the clip could be your fix for little or no money. Hope thats helpfull.

As a family car - your call. As a car - well this is the Classic Zcar Club - not going to hear too much negative around here. If the car has no rust - to me sounds good.

By the way, Il'd be carefull around here implying which is the best of years - might touch a nerve.

Good luck.

[BRE-240Z]

First rule of order would be to determine whether you have a fuel leak. Fuel is highly flammable, therefore you will want to fix that RIGHT NOW if it exists.

[WingZr0]

Keep Her, Nuff said.

My '77 needs a new Cylinder head cause of clogged number 6 Fuel Injector port.

I paid $2,000 for my Z too and the mechanic said to bring my engine back to spec with a

head work and valve job would be about $700'is.

So as long as my Piston Rings are good thats about a $2,700 dollor Z, maybe yours

would be about the same

If body wise your Z is OK then your good with only needing Engine work

because Body work I hear is REALLY EXPENSIVE :tapemouth

Oh yeah, WLECOME TO THA CLUB

~Z~

[WingZr0]

Oh yeah, '77 and '78 Z's came with carpet only and not the Diamond Vinyl or

grid pattern as you call it.

And no 1969 through 1978 Z came with T-tops from the Factory except for

the the few made in San Diego (some one correct me if I'm wrong here)

Heres a link for more info on the T-tops.

http://zhome.com/History/240Accessory.htm

~Z~

[AndysPlit]

-133,000 Miles? Wow, that's nothing these days. I've got 300,000 miles and she runs strong on an un-rebuilt engine.

-78......Great year. I don't care what anyone says.

-new paint? That'll save you a lot of money and time. I waited 5 months for mine to be painted.

-Unplug the EGR valve. That's what I've done to both of my Z's. Runs better without that smog crap.

Owning a Z becomes a lifestyle. Have a little faith.

"Treat her like a lady, and she'll always get you home."

Andy

[Walter Moore]

At least you are in California where you can actually use an old Z car as a daily driver and not have to worry about the rust monster.

Around here they last about 3 winters.

And I am not just talking about Datsuns, any older, restored or well preserved car will suffer the same fate. (unless is has a true frame, but those are rare.)