rickl750

Hi Guys, I have a stock 1978 280Z with 140,000 miles and I thought I had blown a head gasket a couple of weeks ago, there where large amount of white smoke coming out the exhaust. Anyway, I parked the Z until the head gasket came in, I then stated the car to work on and and it was back to normal no white smoke, it ran find for about a week and the smoke started again. This happens without rime or reason, it can happen first thing in the morning when I start the car for the first time or after driving it for a while. One day or two it's fine then on the third or fourth day it smokes, it's very inconsistent and I would hate to take the engine apart and find out it was something else than the head gasket. Any thoughts on this problem? thank you, Rick

180,000 on original engine. Rick

Hi Guys, It appears I blew a head gasket. After my engine warms up it starts smoking (white smoke) I've had to refill my coolant a couple of times in the past couple of days. Anyway, since I now have to take the engine apart I was wondering if while I'm replacing the head gasket it's worth replacing the rings, crank bearings, etc (minus the main bearing since it would require more disassembly) and do a partial rebuild for lack of a better word. I would like to do an engine swap in a couple of years and just looking to do give new life to this tired engine. Any suggestions and opinions would be welcome. Thanks, Rick 1978 280Z 2+2 stock engine

Thanks guys I think I'll go with this bumper.

The one Black dragon auto is selling appears to be the early 260Z model.

Hi Guys, I've been looking for a 240Z front bumper for my 78 280Z without much success. These bumpers are either hard to find or very expensive, so I've looked at alternatives like the MSA fiberglass reproduction but I would prefer metal/steel. Anyway, I found that Blackdragonauto.com sells 260Z front bumper for $150.00. Has anybody ever use this bumber? what are the differences between 240 and 260 bumper? http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icata...ll.asp?page=22 Thanks, Rick

Hi Guys, Yes! another exhaust question. I currently have a stock 78 280Z 2+2 and my muffler just fell off. I have a Monza resonator http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/e6/75/4594_1.JPG that I would like to use and wouldn't be able to put the new muffler in the original location. I was thinking of using a Dynomax turbo muffler http://www.jegs.com/p/Dynomax/744698/10002/-1 by the drive shaft, unfortunately it might be a little tight. Does anyone know of a good round or small oval muffler that I could use. I don't wanted to be loud just a nice sound and would like to also keep the cost down. Another thing, is there anyone running a setup simmilar to this one. Stock engine, stock manifold, stock front muffler, new turbo muffler by the drive shaft and resonator at the end. BTW, stock pipe transitining into 2"OD after the front muffler. Thanks, Rick

Try these links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnU2Ztqw1fY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBprake9aTk&feature=related

Hi Guys, Unfortunately the sound disappeared this weekend and I was not able to record the sound. This morning on my way to work it came back while driving and by the time I got to work it was gone again. Anyway, I'm going to spray a little WD40 on fan clutch and see if it disappears for a while as suggested. Stephen, Yes, It does have air conditioning and I was thinking the same. I'll take the belt off and see if that does the trick. Thanks, guys I'll let you know what happens. Rick

I'll post a sound bite this weekend.

That's possible! here kitty, kitty,

Yes, and also when it's in neutral and I rev the engine, so I don't thik thats it. Thanks,

Yes, I have and actually replaced them. "I'm restoring my Z on part at a time" BTW, the noise was there before and still there. thanks

Hi Guys, I have a 78 280z 2+2 and recently I started to hear a strange noise coming from the engine compartment (high pitch screech ). It sound like a bad power steering unit, not that the my Z has one but, it comes and goes. This usually happens when in neutral and I rev the engine and as rpms go up it stops. It also, happens when I start driving from a standing position and I'm accelerating but once the clutch is fully engaged it stops. I've tried to isolate the noise but can't seem to find out where exactly it's coming from. If anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate the help. Regards, Rick

Unfortunately I'm only getting about 11 to 12MPG. I have a 1978 280Z (f/I stock engine)with a four speed and not sure what the problem is. Any thoughts? Rick

I went thru this with my 280Z a couple of weeks ago. After spending money on a new battery, alternator and voltage regulator I decided to go thru my wirering one more time and found a 2 inch piece of wire that was burnt to a crisp. I replaced it and everything is fine now. My point is don't overlook the small and very basic things, sometimes is not as complicated as we think. Regards, Rick