I also changed the fuel filtering the beginning


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Welcome to Datsun ownership. The noise sounds to me like a dodgy throw out bearing. I had a ZX that had similar symptoms. While driving rest your hand on the gear selector while in each gear. If you feel more vibration in one or two gears more than the others that is probably the root of your problem. If your selector seems to have excess waisted motion especially while in gear a worn bushing at the bottom of the selector can magnify this issue. Throw out bearings are not expensive but the Trans has to be pulled to install it. You can drop the Trans quite easily but up in the air on a lift is the safest because remember if you take it out in the garage you have to lift it back in. Good luck and this site is a tremendous source of how to maintain your car.

Nice mostly original car.

The oil pressure issue is likely the sender - easy fix.   Fuel also the sender - not easy to find for the 280's.   The fusible link covers have seen better days...  still available.

A very good oil for the old z cars is Valvoline VR1   10/30  or  20/50.

Looks like 110 red,  my personal favorite.

Yes, welcome!  Interior seems nice also.  S30Driver is correct about the oil and fuel senders.  Easy to order and replace the oil sender, Very difficult to find a fuel sender for a 77-78 and if you do it will cost you.  The good news is that you can remove the one you have and a least give it a good cleaning and check.  Since it partially works now there's a chance that could fix it.

Mine is a 1/77 car.  I noticed the bezel on your fuel gauge is different than mine.  I don't have the fuel type notice on mine.   Is the "unleaded fuel only" notice common for 78' models?

If your transmission is noisy, you might want to look into trying the GM friction modified tranny oil.

Its mentioned in post 7 of this thread.

Nice 280Z. Welcome to the club.

8 hours ago, gwri8 said:

I noticed the bezel on your fuel gauge is different than mine.  I don't have the fuel type notice on mine.   Is the "unleaded fuel only" notice common for 78' models?

I saw that too, and I think that might be a California thing. You can also see the "Floor Temp" warning lamp that only came on the CA cars.

My car is from California. I'm the 3rd owner.


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7 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

I saw that too, and I think that might be a California thing. You can also see the "Floor Temp" warning lamp that only came on the CA cars.

All to do with the catalytic converter. Leaded fuel will damage the catalyst. The catalytic converter will also generate a lot of heat, therefore the floor temperature warning light.

As far as I know, they started using cats in California as early as 1975.

All of the above is good information. As you are in a very hot climate you can afford to run a little heavier oil than the rest of us.

I hate that you hatch is "bruised" the way it is. It can be easily salvaged. If you don't have the skills, a local body shop can surely get the dented area right.

I've never seen that "unleaded fuel only" before. Does your car have that small hole in the filler?

I could put diesel fuel in mine! Or a baseball bat.

19 hours ago, gwri8 said:

 Is the "unleaded fuel only" notice common for 78' models?

Must be a CA thing. My 78 has it, as did the 75 I pulled a second dash from.

Here's the page from the 1976 Owners Manual.  My 76 Federal model has a Non-Catalyst plate on the door jamb and no light.