My 78' 280z project

[franz]

Hey guys, this'll be my build thread since this is my first Datsun and I really want to document this. This beautiful car is my Dad and I's project, with my Dad having owned multiple z32's and Z33's in the past. I have worked on Hondas and Honda scooters so this'll be my first Datsun as well. 

Now on to the car, this car was owned by the previous owner for over 9 years with a little over 70k miles. It is a factory white Z with the 3 speed auto.  It has all new fenders,  Tokico suspension, bushings, rear quarter panels, engine mounts, paint and has had the frame rails repaired. Only things to be addressed is that the car currently does not run, and that the entire interior needs to be put in. 

Current goal is to sort out the starting issue then to slowly replace the interior by the time spring rolls around. 

From when we picked it up 

[franz]

Did some stuff on the car today... new fuel pump is in, new g3 filter, reinstalled door handles. Also found out that a relay went bad, so that is being fixed soon. 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2016 by franz

[franz]

More updates today, upgraded to a fuse set up in the engine bay and got my dash cover in!

 

[siteunseen]

Great progress!

[franz]

10 hours ago, siteunseen said:

Great progress!

Thanks!

 

Little update, car is now running, just kinda rough. Also found out that there was no brake fluid in either reservoir, so that will have to be dealt with asap. 

[charliekwin]

Who needs to stop, anyway?

Saw you posted on Reddit a few days earlier.  Good luck with the project.  Maybe swap that auto for a 4 or 5 speed?

[franz]

19 minutes ago, charliekwin said:

Who needs to stop, anyway?

Saw you posted on Reddit a few days earlier.  Good luck with the project.  Maybe swap that auto for a 4 or 5 speed?

Will probably swap to a manual once I get the car running like it should be and have the interior sorted out. My biggest concern is painting the entire interior since the PO spray painted the original brown interior to a bland gray 

[franz]

Haven't updated this thread in a while, but some progress has been made since then. Most of the interior has been put in, and I mocked up some louvers. Also did a valve adjustment to find that huge glob of sludge you see in the pic. That has to be dealt with first. 

Edited March 29, 2016 by franz

[Mark Maras]

 Interesting the sludge ball is localized. Easy enough to remove.

 I really hope I'm wrong but the color of your oil indicates (to me anyway) you may have coolant mixed in it. Kind of looks like an emulsion. A drop of the oil on a hot surface (350 f +) will tell you if there's water in it. If it sizzles there is water. If it just smokes, it's pure oil.

[Patcon]

That's not sludge! That's high density lubricant...

I agree on the water in the oil suspicion

[franz]

54 minutes ago, Mark Maras said:

 Interesting the sludge ball is localized. Easy enough to remove.

 I really hope I'm wrong but the color of your oil indicates (to me anyway) you may have coolant mixed in it. Kind of looks like an emulsion. A drop of the oil on a hot surface (350 f +) will tell you if there's water in it. If it sizzles there is water. If it just smokes, it's pure oil.

 

43 minutes ago, Patcon said:

That's not sludge! That's high density lubricant...

I agree on the water in the oil suspicion

I'll check soon if there's water in there. The car had been sitting for a few years so that's why I'm hoping there's water. If anything, I'm going to get rid of the sludge and change the fluids again and pray it doesn't come back. 

[Mark Maras]

 Watch the coolant level in the radiator very close along with the oil. You may notice a coolant level drop before the oil and coolant emulsify into mayonnaise.