IdahoKidd

There is a thread on HybridZ about it. He got it back, missing only specific items. Pretty lucky all things considered.

Check the connection that goes from the positive cable at the battery to the ecu. It is a little white flat spade connector on a red wire. Unpug, check for corrosion, clean, replug. There is a second one that looks almost identical that goes to the neg cable, also red. One 'should' have a female end at the battery, the other a male so they don't cross. I got a free car because these two wires were crossed. One is the ecu feed wire, the other the ecu ground. Car will crank like crazy but never fire.

Doesn't Chrysler do that with wood grain looking stuff? (sometimes call shelf liner)

Here in Idaho we have three seasons, winter, summer and construction. All the way up to 25 now. 60X100 heated shop with a lift..........and can barely get a Z in. Maybe this winter I'll start by cleaning out the shop...........

Hey Fastwoman, it is cold here but it has warmed up to 22 this morning. I thought about the fan but it seems to be just fine. I know exactly how they work and sound when they lock up. I took the car to the Toyota shop yesterday (no nissan dealer here for 100 miles) and the tech looked it over and determined "that motor doesn't make heat) and scratched his head then added "that ain't possible". I am going back on Monday and he has a thermal imaging gun that he will shoot the whole block with. I've got 11 cars and have had a hundred through the years, this has really got me stumped. PS, I have tried thermostats with and without the "bleed" hole. No difference.

Nope, the cardboard didn't work. Drove it about 6 miles and was able to take the radiator cap off and literally stick my fingers in the water. Barely bathtub warm. It makes no sense to me at all.

Arnie, I absolutely agree with you. Study these for a bit, get a feel for what is wrong with them, and then find one that doesn't have as much to do. You can find one that is ready to drive away for $2000. (obviously more for top of line cars, but they are out there) That amount of money won't make a good start on either of these. As far as value for parts, there isn't a lot there that is better than what somebody already has. You'll recover your money, but not likely to hit the jackpot. In the mean time, read and follow the posts here. Just reading these has given me a sense of what to expect from them along the way.

Man that is custom!

That makes sense Arne. Corndodger, I hadn't called a dealer, but did call 3 different parts houses locally and also checked online. All of them listed the auto and stick as different and one guy made up an explanation that they probably had different physical dimensions to allow for accessories. Probably won't buy it from that guy. I think I'll save the extra bucks. Thanks guys. Leonard

I've searched and this thread came back up and since it is recent, I hope still relavent. My 77 280z has never run much in the way of a temperature according to the gauge. 140 ish. Now that it gets frosty, that isn't enough of a temp to defrost the windows. I swapped out the thermostat, which was a 200, and put in a new 190 and lost about 10 degrees on the gauge, but there isn't enough heat to defrost the windows, heat the cabin, etc. The radiator is cold to the touch. The thermostat housing is warm to the touch but definately not hot. The hoses from the block to the heater through the fire wall are barely warm. The hose from the thermostat housing to the radiator is cold to the touch. I just checked, cardboard over the radiator for 20 minutes idling brought the temp up on the gauge to about midway, 180ish. Could both thermostats have been bad? They should hold the water in the block until the specified temp and release it only when that temp is exceded and close up again when the temp falls below, right? Am I missing something or is there another issue? Thanks guys (and gals) Leonard

I am tinkering on the 280z today and decided to change out the oil pump and put in the zx turbo oil pump. The parts house wants to know if I need the one for the automatic or the manual. I have the 4 speed in the car but since it isn't the "correct" application, I am wondering what the difference is. I will be changing out the oil pump on my turbo conversion (different car-same year) later on. That motor came with an auto but will have the 5 speed when it is done. Again, wondering what the difference is besides $30 bucks? Thanks! Leonard

Bummer, cuz 5 grand was just what I was thinking too Seriously, there are a ton of Z's out there. NONE of them will replace yours, but you will find one that will win your heart. After hearing of the fellow that was in the wreck and got $600 for his and now $500 for yours, it is imperitive that we get an appraisal yearly to be able to prove value. Best of luck to you in the search Leonard

Bummer! I've been thinking of listing my white 77 but haven't really pulled the trigger just yet. It is a long ways from you but it is rust free and all stock.

Hey I have an e88 head and an n42 head that I don't need. Valve train is there on both. e88 has a cam. NOT something you are going to bolt on and go. Leonard

I guess I am at least two of the above options. I am putting my 72 240 together in "the spirit" of it's heyday. Not a to the letter restoration, but all things appropriate. I'll keep my slotted mags, I'll do Dave's alternator and light conversions, I'll put in a 5 speed, but I'll keep the stock radio, stock sheet metal, interior etc. Someone walking by will say "Wow, nice 240! Now on one of my 77's, I am installing l28et, 5 speed, some ground effects and a rear spoiler of some sort, some wheels, perhaps a decent stereo. Not a show stopper, not the fastest car in town, but one that will get a double take in the parking lot or cause some of the punk kids to try to race between lights, etc. On the other 77, it is very orginal, plain, white 280 with stock wheels and absolutely nothing special except it isn't beat all to crap and doesn't look like swiss cheese. And as plain as it is, it always amazes me the compliments I get. This car, I simply drive because I enjoy the drive. And on those days I feel like I am really cool, I take out the 57 Volvo. Almost everybody has seen a Z car, almost nobody has seen a 444K. And besides, It'll dust the Z between lights..............