moozieman

I know... I appreciate your help. I'm gonna try to do it tonight. I live and work 20 mins away from my garage.

I just did some research and the zx distributor appears to have an ignition control module (the little box thingy) on the side of it. Mine doesnt have that.

When Ive heard it grind in the past, I can typically reach the distributor and apply a bit of force on top of the cap to stop the sound before it stalls the engine. Simply pressing down on it keeps it from shaking and grinding. Could that really be the issue? I suppose that would be the best case scenerio!

What is the significance of the vacuum lines leading up to the distributor? Could that pose any issues?

I found that there is a certain tolerance between the rotor and each contact. I'd be surprised if it was that simple, but ill check that as well.

Well for me, it's just important for it to at least run right now. And that interference is causing the engine to stall I think.

Mine is similar. Is that bad?

I'd be surprised if that was the case. How might I tell?

ohhh ill add soon

just started a new thread with the exact issue and photos.

I've finally got my 1978 280z idling decently... Kind of. It's been really touch and go. My distributor has been doing this weird thing where it starts making a grinding noise and then stalls the engine. Doesn't do it 100% of the time, but when it does, it's typically when I rev the engine or attempt to put the car into gear. This is leading me to believe that it has something to do with the oil pump or spindle rod or something. I've attached some photos of my old distributor cap and rotor and you can see where there's been interference between the rotor and cap. I have since replaced the cap, but continue to experience the same issues. Any thoughts? Anyone seen this before?

I'm not at the garage. I will upload a pic of my own, but maybe this is sufficient for now? This is my exact setup.

Looked into it a little. Can’t figure it out. There’s no consistency to the fails either. Sometimes it does it, sometimes it doesn’t. Mainly when I rev or attempt to put it into gear. Thoughts?

It didn’t start doing it until after running for a while, not sure if that’s a coincidence or not.

Okay. Completely different question now. I was able to get it running pretty steadily with the new gasket and everything, but it started a new issue... of course. The distributor started making a grinding noise and was rattling a bit as well. Sometimes the car doesn’t even turn over. It’ll start grinding and then stall. Any ideas?

great! ill keep an eye out for that. Headed over to the garage tonight

ohhh i understand. How can i tell which way is the correct side up?

Yep. Mine has a pretty consistent leakage all over. And im sure that the bad bolt on top isnt helping. Went ahead and bought a new gasket.

Ive had the cover off a few times before. Are you suggesting that the removal ruins the gasket's vacuum maintaining ability?

I really appreciate your help Dave! I've referenced your youtube channel quite a few times and it's saved me once or twice. Haha. I just ordered a new valve cover gasket and see if i cant get an M6x1 tap from harbor freight. Have some things to work on this weekend. Thanks!

Would one bolt effect it that much? I wanna fix it at some point, but was just putting it off. Any idea what kind of bolt that is on the valve cover? Thread pitch and whatnot?

Actually! Gas splatter from attempting to depressurize my fuel rail. Don't laugh at me. Haha.

Well then I suppose I might start by getting a new rocker cover gasket and fixing that bolt.

When I got the car, I found it crossthreaded. I'm gonna re-tap it. It's just that one bolt.

Oops! my bad. Heres the correct video....IMG_2100.TRIM.MOV