Help! 240z suddenly lost power

[9teen7t240z]

Ahhh.....the joys of trouble-shooting. Thanks to everyone for your input. My plugs were "OK", but I replaced them anyway. Wires are new. Picked up a new distributor cap, rotor, and point set (points were badly pitted....am surprised that it ran so well:)) and will install them after I deal with the vacuum advance issue. After several attempts at sucking on the hose that feeds the vacuum advance, I am getting NO movement at all in the distributor. Additionally, I observed considerable dirt, grease, and even corrosion inside the distributor itself. Doesn't appear as though this distributor has been serviced in quite some time....if ever. While it would probably be advisable to buy a new distributor (and I suspect that I will), I think I'll move forward with attempting to remove the distributor and service it first. This will be my first attempt at ever working on a distributor, so I just might accidentally learn something in the process. Unfortunately, until I can break the screw that attaches the vacuum advance unit to the body of the distributor......I'm kind of stuck. Have soaked it in PB Blaster and will have another go at it today.

By the way, in the process of going through this troubleshooting exercise, I found what appears to be a leak where the front carburetor attaches to the spacer on the intake manifold. I assume that a leak in this area could produce both a vacuum leak AND a fuel leak? Also, found a small coolant leak at the hose connection on the block that comes from the balance tube. Guess there's no time like the present to address all of these issues. In the future, am thinking it might be appropriate to "pre-flight" my Z before every ride, just as I used to do when I flew:)

Thanks again for all of your valued input. Will keep you posted on all of the new cuss words I'm likely to coin this weekend:)

Mike

[madkaw]

Good time to uPgrade to electronic ignition. Do yourself a favor an get a pertronix setup or a zx dizzy

Good luck on the fix side of your troubleshooting

[9teen7t240z]

Thanks again, Steve. I'm not too sure about upgrading the distributor to electronic though. It seems that over the years I've read quite a few threads from members who were having alot of issues when they upgraded theirs, and I suspect that they knew alot more about ignition systems than I do.Whether my problem is a lack of confidence or just too lazy, I'd rather get my baby back on the road again quickly.

While taking on this project, I've decided to spend some time polishing my aluminum (intakes, heat shield, carbs, linkage, etc.). Can you tell me if it is a big issue to remove the balance tube? I'd like to polish it as well, and with it off the car, I can better access my intake manifolds.

Mike

[9teen7t240z]

Steve,

Now that you've piqued my curiosity, would the 280zx dizzy be a simple swap, or would I have to alter other parts of the ignition system as well?

Mike

[240260280z]

My 3 fav upgrades:

Larger front sway bar

ZX distributor (refreshed)

Smaller steering wheel

btw I have upgraded ~ 5 cars to 280zx distributor with no failures.

[LeonV]

Steve,

Now that you've piqued my curiosity, would the 280zx dizzy be a simple swap, or would I have to alter other parts of the ignition system as well?

Mike

It's simple. Reference Blue's guide on atlanticz.ca in the "Tech Tips" section.

[9teen7t240z]

Thanks, Blue and Leon. Will check out the blog on the dizzy upgrade. Saves me from having to buy a feeler guage to adjust the points (). Anyone have any feedback/caveats/advice on removing the balance tube assembly from the car?

Mike

[LeonV]

Thanks, Blue and Leon. Will check out the blog on the dizzy upgrade. Saves me from having to buy a feeler guage to adjust the points (). Anyone have any feedback/caveats/advice on removing the balance tube assembly from the car?

Mike

Don't drop anything into the intake (seal up the holes with something, e.g. tape) and get new gaskets while you're at it.

[9teen7t240z]

Leon,

Sounds simple enough. Will have a go at it.

Thanks,

Mike

[LeonV]

Leon,

Sounds simple enough. Will have a go at it.

Thanks,

Mike

You are welcome!