DeMoore

Sorry for sounding like a kid, but what are strut mount insulators? I'm just barely getting into sports cars. or any cars for that matter, I usually just pay a mechanic (us sensitive opera singers don't like to get dirty). Anyway, I'm trying to break out of that and have half restored my Z by myself. My dad would be proud...

I just bought a 78 280z, and the guy threw in the original stock alloys that the car came with. I also took some pictures of the wheels that he replaced the original with. I would like to get rid of either one set or the other, but I before I list them for sale, I want to know if they're even worth anything, and how much, or if I should even sell them because it might be rare to have stock wheels on my Z or stuff like that. Thanks to anyone who can help. I am putting pictures of both wheel sets on this post, and I don't exactly know what the size of the second wheel set is, so I took pictures of the tire's size that is on it. I took a picture of the second wheel set without the cap on so you can see what that looks like as well. There are four wheels of each design, I just pictures of one of each. The second wheel set says "Spectrum" on the cover, but I couldn't find them on the net anywhere to give me an idea of price.

Post script- Not to knock the 240, as far as looks, I like it better than my own car simply because of the bumper, I just don't have the money to fix a 240Z up.

I have a 78 280z, and all I can say, since you mentioned that you were on a bit of a budget, is that when looking for new parts for the cars, the 240z parts are way more expensive, I guess since it's older. Also, you don't have to mess with the carbs since there aren't any, but man I felt lucky to see that the parts were way less than a 240Z. Just look through the Z catalog at blackdragonauto.com, I have a paper copy that I've gone through with a fine toothed comb about 15 times, and the difference in parts (in a lot of cases, not all) is astounding. Yes, as someone metioned earlier, I would put a 240 front bumper on it, but just as far as money goes, I'm glad I have a 280.

I just bought a interior panel for the left rear quarterlight today from "datsun on the beach," so I'll let you know how quickly it comes and all that, the only thing I don't like is that they give no descriptions for any of their items. Prices seem pretty good if the product turns out to be of good quality, I'll let you know!

I just got a 78 280z (9/77), and I am on the fence about whether to keep it or not. Of course, money is an issue, but I have people telling me that a 30 year old car is a 30 year old car, and blah blah blah it will always have problems unless you have 15,000 to dump into it.... Anyway, I once owned an 86 300zx and I had a blast in that for the whole 6 months that is ran, but it needed so much work that I finally just called the tow yard and they hauled it off. It wasn't really my choice to buy that one, it was just the only thing available. So anyway I got a taste for Zs and like I do about everything got obsessive about them and researched all the basic stuff about Z's and decided I wanted a 77 or 78, the last of the 1st generation. I ended up with a 78, and the problem is, I don't know a damn thing about cars! I mean, I know what looks good, but parts-wise and all that, I change my own oil and brakes and that's pretty much it. I have restored the entire front end of my 02 Lancer, but I'm not sure whether to get rid of the Z or if they are going to be more of a collectors car than they are, or what. It was just restored, paint and interior! Please give your opinion! Did I get a good deal? A great one? Should I sell it, should I save money and fix it? What do you think it's worth? ( I just got it last week, so I didn't do any of this stuff to it, the previous owner did, but I looked for hours a day for almost exactly what I bought ((only for about 2 months, though)) ) It has a 1 year old paint job with the factory color put back on, with a great shine on it. It has a LeVan T-Top. The T-Top is not the usual detachable kind, it has two windows that flip up (pop-up) in the back and weren't made to come off regularly. I think that's rare, not sure if it came like that or the PO put it on. It has been restored inside, with new carpeting all over, even replacing that grid vinyl saddling the center console, and the seats have been reupholstered with leather on the sides and good thick fabric down the center. The dash was upholstered with a cushioned vinyl. They did something to the intake, I don't remember if they changed it or what. the guy was bragging about it like it was a good thing, though. The PO put on a new "performance" exhaust or something like that. I did see where he welded it on when I look under the hood. The dash was reupholstered, but I would have just put a plastic shell over it it I had my choice, the fabric is cushioned underneath, but if you feel around you can feel the cracks in the center. they're not that big, about 3 or 4 inches above the temp gauge and the ammeter. The PO just did that, so it's in really good shape, but like I said, i prefer the pastic dash. The seals are about 90% great, the doors need some new seals, though. No rust as far as I can tell, but no thourough check, yet. I guess I assumed that since it was just painted, they got rid of any rust. None in the wheel-wells, anyway! Okay, so that's the good part, now the bad: The engine needs work, but it runs strong. I don't think it's firing on all cylinders and my father in law says there's a fuel leak or an exhaust leak or something. The EGR valev was just replaced, and that was supposed to fix all the backfiring, but it didn't. I just ordered a nice 13 inch rubber antenna (black dragon auto) and some brass bushings for the stick shift. It needs a center console, the guy put a slightly cracked one in from his old 260z, and all the usual stuff in the radio area. It has the lights for the "floor temp" and low fuel on the dash, but I'm not sure if they light up. The AC needs all the behind-the-dash ducts, but the escutcheon is good with no cracks at all. The money that it will cost to restore the engine is my main concern, I've got a wife and two kids (sounds like a cliche) and I my paycheck only has 2 zero's on it every 2 weeks. I even used a credit card to pay for it so I could get a second job! (my wife will need the other car for errands). By the way, I paid 2,000 for it, which I know sounds like a good deal, but then again there's that engine work... the car has 130,000 miles on it, I think. The wheels are custom alloy, but the guys I got the car from gave me the original Z wheels, the one with the big "x" on it.

What's that? I did a search and it brought up some "women's field hockey" thing.

Does anyone in Southern California know a good place to get my 78 280z sponsored? I'm in Covina, CA near Los Angeles. Maybe distance doesn't matter, I don't know. This is the first car I've ever had that is good enough to get sponsored, and but it does need some engine and stereo work. Thanks! DeMoore

Thanks to all who responded. I was ready to start removing the corner shell before, now I know better. Thanks again.

I know it's probably a stupid question, but I just got a 1978 280z coupe and I'm not entirely sure if I should remove the front headlamp shell to change the headlamp. I already have the new lamps to put in and I can't drive the car until I put the lamps in because I drive at night. Also, I bought a lamp with replaceable H4 bulbs with blue city lights on the bottom. Do I need to change the harness, or will it still be okay? I heard the wires melt if the bulb is not a regular sealed beamed or a halogen. Thanks to anyone who can help. I need to change my lights today! I've owned a Z before, but it was a 300zx and the light assembly was different. DeMoore