1975 280Z , Things you notice once your getting close to the final cobwebs cleared out !

[Killain]

I bought my 75 280z last year and have been chasing away years of idle sitting in a garage somewhere in Michigan untouched for the last 13 years or more. Last week I was able to get the MSA exhaust system installed, ( word of advice to anyone hiring a experienced exhaust shop to do some work. . . . Do not give them a can of spray paint ! ) I had the new downpipe ceramic coated last winter, and I cleaned and painted the muffler in VHT exhaust paint on my own in my basement last winter, of course they decided to use the 1 can of heat paint Which I supplied to " Paint The Resonator "  of course, the workmen decided to repaint the whole system down pipe and muffler in silver, I don't think painting over the ceramic coating or the muffler is a problem and I repainted the muffler in VHT black, but the downpipe was in satin black, and now it's silver, but he did very nice work anyway. The system only has one pipe clamp, everything is welded together in one piece other than that, but in my limited driving of my Z I notice something that perhaps some of you might have noticed. . . . The 4 speed transmission is not all that well matched to the L28 engine, in 4th gear you run out of transmission long before you have even got the engine to break a sweat ? in 4th gear and up to 60-70 MPH the engine is at 3000 RPM and it's got a lot more to give but the transmission is ready to clock out for the day. I can see why only a few years later Datsun decided to go to a 5 speed.

My car is super original, and I feel I'd like to keep it that way, I was going to replace the backup light bulbs with LED bulbs, but I took out the one in the back and it said 'Toshobia' I believe, (I might have spelled it wrong) printed on its base, The more I go over this car, I am more certain am it has only 52000 miles on it ! Since this spring I put in a new battery & new cables,  I've gotten the seats fixed, and had a local shop rebuild the seats with new foam, ( makes a world of difference ) and I have been able to do some brake work, Change the oil, adjust the valves, do the exhaust and now I'm going to get the A/C working. And of course the most feared job laying dead ahead is the gas tank and it needs a new gauge sending unit installed, and drain the tank and see what it looks like inside. but I want to get in out and do what we all want, drive the car ! I bought it and had it inspected before final sale, car wasn't cheap, but it is a very solid 280Z. I did my research before I bought it, I wanted a S30 car but I also wanted fuel injection and factory A/C. It has all the original equipment even the stock AM/FM radio and power antenna and all works fine, Even the clock keeps correct time. I put in a New shift boot and E-Brake boot ( they aren't the correct color I wanted but if you have looked into shift boots, You'll see their isn't too many available ) But the car is a real; strong runner, be nice if the transmission was matched better than it is, but that was 47 years ago ? but the paint is damn near like it was when new . . .  The one reason I decided on the mid-Years of the S30 in Technology, I am not afraid of high tech, but if you have a new vehicle, you know what 'High Technology' means, and unless I'm missing something, Datsun Technology left town a long, long time ago. And technology without replacement parts, is only voodoo technology without much of any answers. Very much of it simply don't exist anymore. So buying a Z31 or later 1990's car just scares the heck out of me. Some of the parts you might find, but there isn't much worse than having a super nice 1985 Z car that sits in your garage or driveway simply for want of a sensor or other electrical item. But I trudge onward. . .