sblake01

If you need a 72 FSM, this link will take you to a zipped pdf of one: http://www.xenons30.com/files/FSM/1972%20240z%20FSM.zip

The condenser it there, from what I understand, to cut down on radio noise. I don't think the lack of it would cause any problems other than that. If it were me, however, I'd install it on the new one.

Well that is confusing to me also because the check valve is there to hold vacuum in the booster and reversing it would allow the vacuum to escape. The problem might be in the booster itself.

I didn't mention the check valve. I was basically saying that your rear brake adjustment has an effect on pedal travel. The closer the shoes are to the drums, the less distance the pedal will have to travel.

Check the adjustment of the rear brakes. What rear brakes do you have? Proportioning valve? Remember that the 280ZX was setup for rear discs.

Most of us wouldn't know. We own Datsuns.

Remember that the 280Z stock rims are 5" wide as opposed to the 280ZX steel rims at 5.5" if you're still considering tires wider than 205-70 or 195-60.

Yep. I had those wheels and hubcaps on one of the 78 510s (A10) that I owned. Bought them at a 1/2 price sale at Ecology auto wrecking years ago. They came off a ZX though I don't recall the year but I think I paid something like $40 total for the rims, hubcaps and tires which were Michelins with about 95% of the thread left. Gone are the days!

When I had the E1 engine in my 320 pickup I actually did start it a few times with the hand crank. I still have the crank but with the J16 engine and it's higher compression and the fact that there's not a keyway on the front of the pulley, I can't do that anymore

But you could probably start it with a hand crank:)

Why do they always seem to discontinue good tires? The Yokohama A-509 was one of the stickiest best gripping tires, wet or dry, IMO and they're gone now and have been for a few years. I had some Kumho and some Semperit tires, though I forget the model, that you could practically drive up a wall with and you can't get those anymore either.

I saw that too, Gary, but I overlooked it because I knew what you meant to say in the third sentence based on the first two sentences. In fact, it was clearer than what I said in post 13 and then corrected in post 19.

I had a couple of those on 510s and trucks in the past. I don't remember a lot about them but I thought that they were vacuum operated.

That's what I said (kind of). What I meant to say in post 13 is that would be an 81-83 ZX non turbo head rather than engine but I did say non turbo. The block could be anywhere from 75-80 since it's a N42 but with the high number it's likely 78-79 like you said

That's definately a P79 judging by the hole for the cylinder head temp sensor which you won't use on a 78 so you need to plug that. Other than that, use the 78 specs as far as tune up and the components that match the 78s electronics and fuel system and you shouldn't have any problems.

Could it be that the secondary is vacuum operated?

That would be an 81-83 ZX non turbo engine.

And if you don't already have a 72 service manual here's a direct link to one in pdf: http://www.xenons30.com/files/FSM/1972%20240z%20FSM.zip As earlier stated you likely won't need a ZX manual but if you do, they're also available at: http://www.xenons130.com/reference.html

I've never known a head gasket problem to cause a fuel leak. I recall a thread by WingZro where he had the wrong gasket which was blocking his fuel injector ports but you haven't changed gaskets so that's not the case with yours.

I've seen a few early 77s with the engine number on the plate but it was definately gone sometime during the 77 model year as far as I can tell.

There's no engine number on the plate on a 78. My 5/78 buld date 280Z has L28 275875. The engines weren't sequentially installed but I guess that your engine might be from a ZX. What's the head type? (Letter and two numbers at the base of the head between cylinder one and two) and block type? (letter and two numbers on drivers side of block just behind the motor mount)

No matter. I was just going along with what he said. Like I said, it doesn't bother me.

Or some ot the others I've seen: 'very' not 'vary' or 'intents and purposes' not 'intensive purposes', or....well I've learned to ignore that sort of thing. Evidentally the obliteration of the English language is here to stay. I even find myself slipping into some of those habits when on a website. It will drive you nuts if you let it because it's not going away anytime soon. And 'peave' is actually 'peeve' unless you meant that tongue-in-cheek:)

Yes it can. Not only for S30s but for most other Datsuns/Nissans from 64-02. It's rather tricky to install but I find it easier to use than the parts CD and you don't have to deal with bad pages like page 55-4 on the CD. It's easier to downlod from the Xenon site. http://www.xenons30.com/reference.html

A 78, 77, or 76 engine would be pretty much the same. Some of the components changed like the Air Flow meter, the fuel rail, etc. but as long as you have the correct componenets for a 78 connected to the engine it will work as it should. Differences on the 78s from the earlier years include an internally regulated alternator, no fuel pump contacts in the AFM along with different circuitry to actuate the fuel pump,