installer67

Ok, got my timing light back, removed dizzy cap and plug wires, turned motor till #1 was at top, checked cam lobes to be sure both were up (like bunny ears). Then placed dipstick into spark hole and rocked crank back and forth, marked TDC on pulley. rotor on my dizzy is pointing at the drivers corner of radiator. replaced dizzy cap and started with #1 and wired counter clockwise 1-5-3-6-2-4. She fired up and after 1 or 2 starts. Set my timing, she idles fine now. However, there's no more pinging or clapping, but the throttle response is garbage. If I bring her up slowly, everything seems fine, revs right up. But if I "goose" her, I just get a big hesitation. I tried pulling it up and down the driveway, she's fine as long as I just lightly go along, give her a pump and nothing.

car sat for 6-8 months on stands while PO worked on it. gas tank was empty till I put fuel in. timing marks on the pulley are "homemade" no markings to confirm they are correct. I'll ohm the wires and check plugs tonight.

Hi everyone! I recently bought a 77 280z, trailered it home and put 5 galons of gas in her. When I tried it, it fired with a little coaxing. The idle didn't want to stay even and when I'd give her some throttle she tried to die. On second try she fired right up, I noticed the tach is at 2000, and doesn't move, but idle is still rough, when I give her throttle, she bogs and then made a clapping sound then tries to die. Playing with the throttle would keep her running, but sounding bad. Slowly bringing up the throttle was a little better, but would end up with same smack or clap sound and try to die. I checked the dizzy and noticed the #5 and #6 plugs were backwards and it was turned as far clockwise as it would go. I checked the firing order and reconnected the 5 and 6 in the right order and turned the dizzy to about center gap. She fired up, but sounded terrible. I didn't have my timing light (friend borrowed it) so I thought maybe the P.O. had stabbed the dizzy 180 out, I pulled the #1 plug, hand turned till at top, checked the rotor, which was pointing opposite the #1 wire, then unplugged the wires and re-plugged starting at that point, put cap on and tried to fire her. Loud pings then. (valves?) so I stopped. Got my timing light back and put the dizzy back to the original state I got it in, but with 5 and 6 in right order. Tried the timing light and couldn't see the marks. checked the pulley and the only marks are a brown paint mark made by P.O.? No notches or indicators other than that. I'm assuming my first order of business is to establish that the dizzy is actually in correctly and then find proper TDC. The motor is suppose to have only 10k on a rebuild. This is my first Z and my first inline six, so I'm a bit lost as to where to begin and how to go about it. Sorry if this is basic stuff. I downloaded the FSM, have the haynes and chiltons manuals as well. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry to write a book, but I wanted to be sure I included anything that may be pertinent. -Ray

Well, it started up the next morning again, but not going to try to drive yet. A more thorough look at things found some oddities. 1. distributors plug wires had #5 and 6 wrong. 2. dizzy was turned all the way to the right 3. put timing light on the no.1 and couldn't locate timing mark with the light. I looked at the pulley, and the only mark is one that was put there by PO? No groove or notch etc. on pulley to confirm with. 4. when I start the car, it pings from the motor, assuming it is a timing issue and best not to run it in this manner, I've parked it and am unsure of the best order of what to do to trouble shoot this.

Hello all! I recently bought a 77 280z. Previous owner was doing a restoration to it.Interior is great, no cracks in dash or console, all panels in good shape too. Just needs carpet and new seats. Body is straight, just a few rust spots to contend with. Motor was replaced with one rebuilt with 10K on it. It started fine, idled a bit rough, when I give it throtle, the response is very slow and it will make a pop sound from the front. The rpm gauge slowly goes to about 2 thousand and then stays, doesn't move with engine rpm. Tried to drive it and it bogged and died. Won't start now. Has new battery. I'm an idiot about fuel injection, have no idea where to start with this. Here's a pic of the car.