ryyy

First time post, been lurking for a while now. About to finally become an owner of a 77' 280Z! The car is actually being given to me by a very close family friend. She is retiring and moving back home to her motherland. While having dinner at a family function, asked what she was going to do with her late husband's Z which has been sitting for months now. She said if I wanted it, she'd be more than happy to sign it over (: She said it starts but it hasn't been driven in a while. I am fairly new to the Z world and have been trying to read up on modifications and maintenance. My first step is to make sure the car is as reliable as I could possibly make it before executing big modifications. My post is to ask for suggestions on what should be done/replaced immediately after taking ownership of the car. I don't know the maintenance record on this vehicle so I'd pretty much be going in on this blind. Of course if a car runs smoothly, doesn't mean it's perfect. I am thinking of finding a Datsun specialized shop and have a thorough inspection on it (If anyone is in the Los Angeles/Orange County area and knows of a person/shop that may do this for me, please send me there way!) My concern is what I should check/replace with the motor as I have limited knowledge on the workings of a Z. I'm not the greatest mechanic and dont have all the tools in the world (which is why I'd like to take it to a professional to look at) and I'd like to get some forward knowledge into what I might need to replace. I would like to keep the L28 and not swap out for a different motor, but might look into it eventually. So far when I take possession, this is what I have first planned to make it more road-worthy: Power wash entire vehicle to rid of built up dirt, grime, debris, etc. (underbody, suspension, engine bay) Rid of all fluid and replace with new Suspension: New tires, wheels, brake maintenance, bushing replacements if needed, bearings. Engine: Replace all gaskets, lines, hoses, and other general things (ie: spark plugs) If anyone could chime in on what else I should generally do, it would help me out a lot! My plan is to make this car for daily performance, leisurely canyon driving, maybe a few auto-x events. Future and sure modifications would be soon after would be: Coilovers (undecided) F & R disc brake conversion Techno Toy Tuning suspension parts:rear/front lower control arms, tension control rods, RCA's, Polyurethane bushings - all Motorwork/power would start after I have the car with a solid handling base as I feel it is pointless to add power without sorting out the suspension first.