What is needed for a 1978 PFI 280Z to run?

[pureZero]

I just bought one of these fine four-wheeled vehicular devices a couple weeks ago, and it is missing quite a few things. I was wondering what, if anything, can be eliminated for the car to run decently. I do not know much of anything about these cars, and it's really setting me back on my project...

[SteveJ]

STOP! First learn how the car is supposed to work, then decide what you want to do (with a budget). Have you downloaded a copy of the FSM? Do you have a decent multimeter? Do you know how to use a multimeter?

To get help, I suggest the following steps:

1. Read the FSM. It has some good troubleshooting guides and detailed diagnostics.

2. When you pose a question, give plenty of details.

3. ALWAYS post the year of your car. (I can't tell you how much it is appreciated that you put it in the title of your post.)

4. Try to look for modifications done by previous owners and let us know what they are.

By the way, welcome to the site.

[pureZero]

Um... I did post the year of my car in the title. But anyways...

Basically, the car is missing quite a few of the sensors and actuators. It is also missing quite a few hoses as well. I have a new airflow meter coming in for it. I've burned through my initial $2000 budget for working on it though, that's the problem.

What i'm asking about, mainly, is the air regulator and boost controlled deceleration device. I'm actually a professionally trained mechanic myself, so I have a general idea of how it works, but I am always happy to defer to the experience of others. I just don't know a whole lot about PFI systems that don't rely on oxygen sensors.

[rcb280z]

I have a 77. It is "almost" identical to your 78 and I didn't remove anything. I read the FSM then ran tests from the FSM and then posted my issues, that I couldn't solve on my own, with details of the problems. That way members could help me. Plus search the "EFI" thread. There is lots of good info there. Posting pics are also a good thing. Obviously the car doesn't run with all the sensors and "actuators?" missing. Welcome to the site.

[SteveJ]

Um... I did post the year of my car in the title.

And I acknowledged that you did. As I said, it was appreciated very much.

Basically, the car is missing quite a few of the sensors and actuators. It is also missing quite a few hoses as well. I have a new airflow meter coming in for it. I've burned through my initial $2000 budget for working on it though, that's the problem.

What i'm asking about, mainly, is the air regulator and boost controlled deceleration device. I'm actually a professionally trained mechanic myself, so I have a general idea of how it works, but I am always happy to defer to the experience of others. I just don't know a whole lot about PFI systems that don't rely on oxygen sensors.

Search for BCCD here. You'll find plenty of info. Also look for the Fuel Injection Reference at XenonS30. That will help you fill in the holes.

Do you know what sensors and actuators are missing?

You might want to get to know Oliver at Z Specialties. He is located in Washington state. He is also known as Z Man of Washington. I have a link to his site on my blog. He has a lot of used Z parts.

[Zed Head]

The Engine Fuel chapter of the FSM (Factory Service Manual) has an excellent description of how the parts work together. The Emissions chapter describes the parts that some people like to remove.

The EFI (not sure what you mean by PFI) system needs all of the pieces working correctly for the whole system to run the engine well. A typical problem that people have with the EFI system is a vacuum leak. All fresh air (as opposed to EGR gas) must pass through the Air Flow Meter (AFM) for the ECU to meter the right amount of fuel by controlling injector time. The PCV system is connected to the intake system so even a missing dipstick will affect performance. It's all in the FSM, it's a good read.

XenonS30 (in SteveJ's sig also)

If you come back with some specifics, someone will probably have an idea.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Zed Head

[pureZero]

I understand the basic theory behind fuel injection very well, I just have never worked on one of these before. And by PFI, I meant Port Fuel Injection. This particular system seems a bit like a cross between TBI and port injection, to me.

But yeah, I'll take a picture or two of the engine bay, and everything I have that is supposed to go into it. I hope someone will be able to chime in and tell me what all is missing, and possibly tell me where some of the parts I have are supposed to go.

The guy I got it from was dumb enough to take it apart, paint a bunch of stuff (including the oil filter bracket), then never put anything back together.

[Zed Head]

Not sure where intelligence comes in to play for not getting something put back together. Maybe he just found something better to do. You spent $2000 and have a car that that doesn't run!

What did you spend the two grand on and what's your goal with the "project"?

[240260280z]

(including the oil filter bracket)

I never saw this part on a 1978 Datsun 280z?

Does your car have a remote oil filter assembly installed?

[pureZero]

All I could think to call it is bracket, sorry. The mount for the oil filter is covered in blue paint, and I mean covered. But yeah, intelligence (or a lack thereof) does come into play here, considering the car was missing an oil pan, radiator, airflow meter, and every single coolant line on the car. Nothing in the engine bay is labeled, except for the injector plugs and two other wires. The cat is hollowed out, the EGR valve is gone (which it will probably run better without it anyways, considering how old the car is...).

I actually have $3000 into the car, as I paid $1000 for it. I would have walked away if it hadn't been for the fact that the only real rust on it is in the drivers floor pan.

I really want to get the car running, get the body fixed up and painted, and get her on the road.

As for what I have put into it so far... $400 into the brakes, $60 for a new radiator fan and fan clutch, $90 for a used radiator, $58 for an oil pan, $33 for a battery cover, $40 for some temporary mirrors, $40 on a new set of wiper arms, and the rest on various important parts from thezstore.com. I also bought an original hatch to replace the pantera hatch it came with, as I am not a big fan of them.

Edited April 30, 2013 by pureZero

[pureZero]

I have also looked up the fuel injection reference booklet on XenonS30, but it's older than my car, so there are some differences in it.

[240260280z]

The 78 FSM is on that page. Do you have a 300zx?