Biker_Trash

The car is at a fairly competent shop specializing in Nissans. The intake gasket had been leaking but recently got much worse. They replaced the gasket but found the car didn't run well after the work. The mechanic is able to unplug the hose between the AFM and the throttle body and the car runs great. The AFM that was on it was a rebuild unit from Z Car Source. I picked a replacement up from Advanced Auto but it was a 4 bolt unit whereas the original is a 3 bolt. Didn't matter, didn't make a difference so I returned it to AA. That's where I'm at.

Replaced the intake gasket of my 78 280Z only to find the car no longer would run well. When I take the hose off the AFM, it runs strong. I figure my AFM is bad which is probably why my intake gasket blew out (so the engine could breathe). Thoughts? Anyone have a 5 pin, 3 bolt tested AFM for sale? Thanks! Jeff Woodard

Yup, I decided to put the car up for sale. I have three 280Zs and that's just too many. Between the cars and all the vintage motorcycles I have to work on, I'm never going to get to the GT-33. So . . . I'll let somebody else take up the torch . . . and I'll let the market decide on the price. I just hope the next guy sees it all the way through. It really is a neat car. Jeff Woodard

Will a 77/78 radiator fit a 76? How about a 77/78 AC condensor? Thanks! Jeff Woodard

I believe my GT-33 has the original motor in it, though it doesn't look any different than any other fuel injected Z motor I've seen. Did not have the valve cover either (until now, hehe). Not sure if it's hopped up or not as it hasn't run since I picked it up. Getting her up & running is next on my project list. Jeff Woodard

I've been emailing an older chap that had listed a 280Z kit car on Craigslist. It was a Ferrari replica that needed work but in the ad, he also mentioned a Bob Sharp motor. I told him I would be interested in the motor, but his emails back to me were very slow and had little detail in them. No pictures, either. I finally got his phone number and made arrangements to meet at his house 2 hours away. Sure enough, under the tarp was a Z motor with a BS valve cover (yes!) and triple Weber carbs on a Cannon manifold. Guy told me he took it in on trade years ago. The only history he had was that the previous owner said he used to do some street racing with it. Guy told me he heard it run before it was pulled out. Anyway, I only paid a couple hundred bucks for it and would have paid more than that just for the BS valve cover (that will be going on my 76 BS 280Z!). From what I can tell on eBay, the triple Webber combo should sell for what I paid for the whole thing. I'm stoked! Jeff Woodard 76 Bob Sharp 280Z GT-33 78 280Z (two!)

Sorry, pretty sure it's a stock 280 valence. I'm planning on going back for the doors, hood vents, etc. Jeff

Good advice. I made the drive to the body shop and checked out the cars. I immediately saw that they were 1977 Zs and not 1976 Zs as advertised. No problem. One had the motor/tranny still and was stuffed with new parts. The other had no motor/tranny and was missing the dash. I ended up getting everything for $500. Here's a list of the NOS Nissan parts that came with the cars (some still in boxes): left fender right fender left headlight bucket right headlight bucket valence (3 pieces) radiator AC condensor fan fan clutch turn signal headlight stalk shifter boot (rubber) shifter boot (leather) AFM boots (fore & aft) Again, all factory Nissan parts (yeah!). I have 30 days to move the cars or else the shop owner will consider them "abandoned" again and post them for sale once more. With both having some front end damage and minor rust, I decided to pick everything good that I could while there and then decide if I wanted to move the cars or just leave them. I picked a bunch parts including gauges, headliner, antenna, switches, and both steering wheels. One steering wheel had been professionally recovered in leather and is in great condition. I'm tickled about that steering wheel. So . . . I think I made out in spades. I have 30 days to go back and get anything I didn't pull off the first time (80 minute drive). Are there any not-so-obvious parts I should put on my list to get if I go back? As long as I'm not covered in poison ivy in the morning (it was everywhere), I think I made out. Pics of the cars are below. Jeff Woodard 76 Bob Sharp GT-33 Pair of 78 280Zs

In looking for some parts for my 76Z, I found a body shop that has a pair of 76s that have been left there for years. The owner is looking to sell the cars for parts at this point. One of the cars had been brought in 10 years ago with some front end damage. The owner also brought in some OEM Nissan parts that include 2 new fenders, headlight bezel, water pump, fan, radiator, a/c condensor. Maybe more, wasn't clear. I plan on checking things out this week but wanted to get an idea what these parts would be worth. Apparently they are still in the original packing. Any advice appreciated. Jeff

Will the fuel tank straps for a 77 280Z (space-saver spare) fit a 76 280Z (full-size spare)? Thanks! JW

Hey, guys. Thanks for the replies and encouragement. This Z is definitely going to be a long-term project . . . plenty of body rust and the motor is a big ?. Les - thanks for sharing what you know about the car! Your story matches what the seller, Craig, told me . . . that the car was donated to a museum and then later sold to him. You talked to Bob about the car and he remembered it? That is amazing. It does have stock rims/hubcaps on it . . . were minilites usually ordered? Valve cover is stock, too. I would love to hear anything else you can recall from your coversation with Bob. Did he mention how many of these GT-33s were produced? Dave - I just purchased some solid bumpers for the car off eBay yesterday. I would be interested in your rubber surround parts, though. Also, I need a good/fixable gas tank for the car if you know of one. I'm trying to be good about taking pictures and keeping a record of what I'm doing to the car. Because I have two other Zs and 8 vintage motorcycles, I have to split my time amongst them . . . which means it may be slow going for awhile. Just going to start knocking things out one by one in no particular order. I have a good number of rust-free parts I've accumulated so that will be a big help. I'm trying to chase down a good battery tray section and also found serious rust in the front driver's wheel that has eaten into the frame rail - that was an unfortunate surprise. Rear hatch tray was rock solid, though, as was the spare wheel well. Anyway . . . I'm rambling. Lots to do! Jeff

Just bought this girl on Wednesday after answering an ad on Craigslist. Never saw one in person and haven't found much information on the net. There was a thread on this car awhile back here on the forum. I made the 2.5 hour drive to Craig Halsted's place in Front Royal, VA. This was his only Z, but he had an incredible collection of Datsun roadsters, including a super-charged V8 and an original prototype 1600. These cars were spread all over his property along with a few oddball cars including an old Studebaker and classic Volvo. The car needs plenty of work but is complete and original, including the interior which is in exceptional condition for sitting so many years. I need to get under the car and check things out. There is a lot of hand-fabrication on the frame rails and floors. I was told the pans and frame were reworked by an old-school body guy years ago before you could buy replacement parts like you can today. Looks good from what I can see and is solid. The frame rails go back further now then stock. Anyway, she joins my two other 280Zs (both 1978s) that I have brought back to daily-driver status. Anyone have more information on these BSR Zs? I understand they would customize these cars at Bob Sharp's dealership in CT. Jeffrey Woodard Richmond, VA

Did a search but didn't find the answer I was looking for. For those who restored their Zs using a donor shell, what did you have to do to keep it "your" car? That is, what ties a VIN and title to a car? Is it just the dash VIN pad and the screwed-on metal stats tag in the engine compartment? Is the chassis marked anywhere with a VIN or other identifying marks Responses appreciated. Thanks. Jeff Woodard

Recently a daily driver after years of sitting. More new stuff then I can make note of, but includes new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, AFM, tank, fuel lines, fuel filter. Was driving on the interstate doing 65 then instantly car dies. No sputtering, no warning. Turns over fine but won't start now. Only previous issue was car would sometimes cut out above 3K on the tach . . . but would be fine once the motor slowed down under 3K. Just happened so I haven't had time to trouble shoot yet. I'll start by checking for spark. One thing I haven't replaced is the coil. Could a bad coil cause this? What else? Thanks! Jeff Woodard

Heck, he's in my backyard here in VA. Thanks! Jeff Woodard