I am a proud new owner of a 1975 280z - previous owner relocated and left this Z in a friends barn,, from what i am told the only problem was when running cold it ran great - as soon as it got warm it ran choppy - from reading the informative threads on here - sounds like the thermotime switch - i plan on giving the Z a major tune-up - wires, plugs, fluid changes, distributor,filters, battery...i noticed on the air intake hose there was an exposed box w/ sensors and wires - no cover,,, the clutch pedal has absolutely no tension,, any suggestions before firing would be greatly appreciated (?) recommended used part website(?)

Does the exposed box look like the attached picture? It would be the Air Flow Meter (AFM) then. Not a good sign that the cover is already off, some one has been messing with it. Might be the reason it sat.

And the thermotime switch is only active during starting. It lets the cold start valve open or not. You might be thinking of the water temperature sensor.

The first thing I would do is to download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your year and read the Engine Fuel section. http://www.xenons30.com/reference.html

Drain all of the old gas before firing, if it's bee sitting longer than a year. Run the fuel pump with new gas to flush out the fuel rail and tank lines. Check for rust in the tank. Check your basic electrical connections to make sure you don't have a short. Make sure that the fusible links are in place and correct (no pseudo links made of regular wire).

How far to go depends on how good you want the odds to be that it will fire up and run well right away. Depending on how long it's been sitting, removing and cleaning all of the electrical connections might be a good idea.

Search "slave cylinder" for ideas on the "no tension" clutch pedal. If it's gone, the clutch master cylinder and the brake cylinders might not be far behind.

It's worth spending some upfront time preparing to start it before doing it. These aren't like the old barn find carbed V-8s that miraculously fire up after sitting five years.

Have fun and patience...

Air Flow Meter it is,, many fragile exposed parts internally appeared damaged/rusted from the sit - so a sure added item to the order list,,, still on the flatbed waiting to be re-vamped,, i was amazed to see the body/under carriage in great condition - it was semi-indoors - so i guess that helped,,,profile pic is about 30ft rolled out from the barn about 10mins after its first sunlight in 2 1/2years,,, growing up my pops had a 79 (i was 5 then) he had it for a few years - one of the first cars i worked on - so this project is well worth the time and effort ,,, thank you much on the advice !! i will post my progress in the upcoming winter months followed by much needed q & a

Edited November 28, 201014 yr by Moonshine
forgot note

found an AirFlowMeter used for $120 on ebay that "works perfect" ,,appears the one in ur pic is brand new,,any suggestions for comparing to new (?)

1975 280z - purchased 11.27.10 for $800

You did well with the car. The rims alone are worth $800.

How long has the car been inactive? You might want to read the many threads on how to start an engine and service a car that has been sitting.

The limp clutch is from air in the hydraulic clutch system or a worn master or slave cylinder. Bleeding the system will go a long way in diagnosing this problem.

Congratulations on a good find and welcome to Z club.

Looks like a great find. The hood scoops are unusual. The 75 is unusual to itself because of the ecu. As I recall, the afm's are generally pretty universal. $120 seems steep for a used part. $40 seems more inline.

Read read and read some more from the archives here. Do a search on a subject and start following the threads. Everything is there IF you can find it. I really do wish there was a more effecient way to search this site........ I have my home page here and everyday I read all of the new posts. It is a great way to find "problem areas" with the cars.

Many of the parts are available at NAPA and Orielly's. Black Dragon, Motorsports, Zcar source are a few places to buy new stuff. Shop around! The same bag of rivets on ebay for $18 are available at Motorsports for $7. On the other hand, some of what they have is doubled up over someone else.

Get the factory service manual (FSM). I bought one on ebay in disk form. It is okay, it was just pictures of the pages and no search option. I can't get the link to open that folks post here for it but apparently I am the only one as no one else has complained. But no matter, get one.

This is a great resource (this site). These folks are great and the knowledge is incredible. Having been a gung ho "newbie" a few years ago, I learned rather abruptly that you get more and better help if you spend an extra five minutes being sure of the question that you have, being sure you have spent a few minutes researching the solution (ie, search and fsm) and then as clearly as possible framing the question to get the correct answer. That said, ask questions about those things that come up. These Z's are like fickle women, but bring them chocolate and flowers on occasion and they will give you the ride of a lifetime!

Good stuff !! I'm understanding the fickle part - I'm the only man in the house, my first car was a 77 mg midget - needed the tuning attention once a week w/ an occasional hood popping in the parking lot so im expecting the same - looking forward to smashing the bottle on this puppy w/ a little forum help - gonna go over w/ a fine comb b4 I fire her up

Hi Moonshine.

I have been researching Z's for a while, and am in Nashville, TN area. I'm looking for a FI if possible. looks like you found a great car - was it local in TN? did you find any other contenders in the area?

Hi Moonshine.

I have been researching Z's for a while, and am in Nashville, TN area. I'm looking for a FI if possible. looks like you found a great car - was it local in TN? did you find any other contenders in the area?

i did indeed find 2 others that struck interest w/in 100 mile radius but chose the 2 seater early year z - good luck!

1983 280zx 6cyl 5spd, fuel injected - 828.524.4179 - Franklin, NC - $1000

1982 280zx. Blue with grey leather interior. T-tops , 5 speed manual transmission. Runs and drives. 828.719.7479 - Boone, NC - $1700

I saw that car on the NC CL... wanted those wheels...

Nice buy.

Thank you so much for letting me know and posting the pics. they are good zx's but yes my heart is also on a z! i'll keep looking for now... cant rush the foundation!