TomoHawk

I had my brake system flushed over the summer at National Tire & Brake (NTB). I asked the guy what the fluid was, so I can keep extra on hand, and he told me it was DOT-4. Why not DOT-3, like every other topic has?

1978 280Z Most cars have the e-brake handle in the center of the (hump) so I was thinking that you could probably replace the on on there with something like from a Mustang or Camaro, etc? You could probably then use a center console from the same car.

I had a brake system flush and had a slightly firmer feel, but still need to pump twice to get a hard pedal. I 'm thinking that the M.C. has a bad rubber in it, like everything else that'srubber on the car (78 280Z from Fla). Same advice? I will probably replace the M.C. next.

NO !!! :mad:

Sorry, 1978 280Z It comes with a "lightweight" spare with a dry-rotted, collapsed tire. First thing I trashed, along with the empty air can.

First of all, would it be possible to increase the size is the mini-tire well in the back for a full-size spare wheel? Probably just need to hammer the metal to the right shape, right? Would it be too much work/trouble to make it? I know the gas tank is under there, but is there anything in the way or anything you'd have to move? Right now, I have a full-size wheel in the back. I removed the hinged part & cut the deck to the size & shape of the wheel, and use a hold-down strap for a boat/trailer to hold it hown. Not bad looking, except the red strap faded to pink. I thought it might be nice to have a little more vertical room in the back Even a well 3 inches deep would be nice. thx.

I'm interested in getting a replacement for the entire front section on my 280Z. The headlights would probablly be twice as bright, and I could get the AFM calibrated properly. ( Corroded wires have extra resistance which screws up the signal from the AFM.) A whole new harness for the entire car is what I really need. You'd think that after so many years and so many people complaining about their headlights & such, there would be a company somewhere making new OEM-type wiring harnesses. Like MGs as exampiles. Otherwise I think I'd be satisfied with a source of wire with the original colors & gauges, but not the crappy insulation, so I can replace sections and still keep the original wiring map, in case I need repairs/debugging. Even my cousin's '64 Mustang has better wiring! yeesh.

I recently was told through email that the 280zx calipers are junk because there are problems with the e-brake cable. Instead, you should use the 240sx rear calipers. Anybody got some experience with this? I need to decide if I shoulds go 280zx or 240sx calipers. thx.

Right. David Hobbs said that in reference to how neat the MGs were for racing and stuff.

I drive a FORD...... And my Z car is working perfectly. --for a 25 year-old car.:classic: If you think about it, why would the wipers go back-and-forth if the polarity was backward? You know- DC MOTOR. There are more than 2 pins on the wiper motor connector, and even though I don't know where they go, I do know they are involved with the 2 speeds. I would assume the motor parks itself. The thing is that you gotta watch out for those "experts." The kind of people who tell you they know about this stuff, when they don't. for these people, 'a little knowledge' is a dangerous thing.

If it was so simple and could be done easily, lots of people would probably have done it already. It's a way to put an "alternative V8" under the hood. I was thinking about a way to get the L28 to look more like a V8 and I came up with the oval air cleaner on the top. You would also need to get the intake manifold to look like a valve cover, so it would look right from the top. I'm not talking about close-up, say, ao-20? That's why this is a good place to spew about ideas like that. All these people with different points of view & knowledge should be able to come up with some good ideas.

I guess that's why Datsun used that cruddy wiring in all those Z cars.

If you had a hood with a raised center or a cowl, there would be plenty of cold air and room. I don't see a maintenence problem. You gotta take the air cleaner off a regular carb'd engine to get at the carb or what's there. Think positively. FIND a way.

Actually, if you don't have any or not enough vacuum to the heater you can't change direction it blows. You can still run the fan, tho. Otherwise, he heater is the only thing that i know of that needs the vacuum power, so you could eliminate all the extra vacuum control stuff.

Ugly? Says you, huh? Then why to lots of V8 engines have the air cleaner up there? It wouldn't have to be a huge one. You could use one like the 260s have. The idea is to get rid of the clutter on top of the engine. You got the fuel rail, ignition wires & all the wires and hoses for the fuel injectors making a mess up there.

On a80Z, the vacuum solenoids are of the right side next to the fuse links.

I can't see what good those things are & can probably be removed & replaced with a tee or a splitter like I use on the aquarium! really, if those are solenoids, what makes them operate & what do they control or switch? thx.

I had the thought of hiding all those hoses & stuff by putting a functional air cleaner (oval type) on the top of the engine. Would it work and could it be done? I think the most you would need is a bent hose from the filter to the AFM, and some kind of platform for the filter to mount on.

I think I would go look at what the Mustangs are using, or the big trucks. Any other vehicle wouldn't have something that big for emmissions reasons. I bet there are some forums for the mustangs around...

4-piston calipers are a little overkill for the street, no? Aren't those a bolt-on thing? I suppose I could swap the calipers in the driveway, then drive(slowly) to the service center to get the system flushed. I already have a set of (off-road use only) brake lines with the braided stainless cover.

1978 280Z As far as I can tell, the vaccuum cannister (not charcoal cannister) is only needed for the heater controls. Is it possible to completely eliminate it? The charcoal cannister has a separate vacuum line from the intake manifold. Ones less thing to plug up the engine bay... thx.

01978 280Z: I would like to replace my worn rotors with some vented ones (Not the slotted ones). Can you get those? Is there an alternative source to the standard solid rotors? Also, would it be better to rebuild the master brake cylinder or just get a new one? brakes are wimpy on the first pump, but hard on the second one. thx.

Yeah, the wires for the warning light. I think one of the wires on my caps is broken.

If you get caps, do they include the wires?

I need to get a new AFM for my 78 280Z, because the dealer tekkie said it was messed up from somebody trying to adjust it. The omly problem isthat the number plate on it is worn clean, so the part # is not there. How can I determine the correct part # for my engine? Could I just upgrade to the 240SX AFM instead (assuming it's an improvement)? I will be returning to the dealer to have them adjust whichever AFM I get later. thx.