DatsunZsRule

So you decided to go with 110 red for the color? Should look really sweet when it gets done

Also just for your information, Wick Humble didn't do the "How to rebuild your Nissan&Datsun OHC Engine". Another guy by the name of Tom did that one. Can't remember his last name.

Thanks Stephen. I already checked it out after reading your post #2. I think I'll be going with the same one you got. I'm impressed with it There price is $92.99 Not bad.

Well thats the main thing glade to hear the insurance took care of you and that the repair turned out excellent.

Both the ones MSA sell are breathable. I wouldn't buy one that wasn't. If you drive your Z in the rain (which I personally don't) then I agree it would be a hassle but then again so is fixing rock chips and getting the paint to match perfect.

Thanks guys for the comments and for your photo too stephen Zak, As you probably already know the reason for those bubbles forming is due to the mask being left on it either after washing it, or the car sat in the rain and the mask never got removed. You cannot allow moisture in there for any length of time or that will happen. I see that a lot where I work on RV's that use them. I.M.O they are worth the pain of removing once in awhile. IF you ever do need a repaint Stephen, I recommend you still keep it on there. Like I said, it's worth the little extra work of removing it once in a while. I learned this the hard way when last summer some asshole in a pick up truck with big arse mud tires going the opposite direction kicked a rock up and as I was going by him the other way I heard the horrible SNAP sound on my hood and I said to myself after hearing the hit "ahhh you F'in son of a b!tch ) and sure enough I got out when I got home and found a ugly chip out of the paint on my hood gggrrr was I ever pissed :mad: I had to special order the paint to fix it and it was no fun. I'd rather have a bra that i have to remove once in a while instead of fixing nasty rock chips. just my .02 cents My Z is only pleasure driven anyway the only removal I'll need to do is when cleaning/waxing it and as far as the fading issue is concearned, only time it's exposed to the lovely UV rays is when I'm out driving it or cleaning it and as already stated, it will be off when I'm cleaning it anyways. I keep her parked safe in the garage the rest of the time but lets face it, as long as you actually use your Z and drive it, rock chips are going to happen unfortunately so I think something like a Front End Mask would be a smart investment. I agree Stephen that the two piece one would be the way to go. I don't want to be removing it everytime I want or need to pop open my hood.

A.K.A. "bras" (The black leather ones. NOT the clear film stuff) Just curious who all has one and how they like it or dislike it. I'm kicking around the idea of possibly getting one for my Z to protect her nose . Any photos are helpful too (especially if you have one on a 280Z like mine) MSA shows a couple different kinds. One from Covercraft which is $89.95 The other is Colgan Custom Front Bras which is $139.95 IF someone here has the Colgan Custom Front Bra, any idea what makes it worth $50.00 more? Here is the link to MSA's Exterior Accessories list which shows both masks http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/EA Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Would I loan my Z or any of my cars to anyone? HELL NO. Sorry for sounding harsh, but what did you expect? It's not there car so they don't give a rats a$$ about it. Just like when people rent cars at places like Hertz, enterprise ect. People just beat the living hell out of them. Thats why you don't buy a car thats a rental return The same is bound to happen when loaning your car out to someone. Just can't trust people anymore. Sad, but true. No one touches My cars but me, myself, and I. :devious:

yeah, this winter crap is really wearing on me big time. I don't know how much more I can take. This year has been the worst one that we have had in a long time too. very cold everyday along with a lot of snow. Believe me, if it wasn't for the fact that all my family members are here in Minnesota and friends, my job ect. I would have moved south a long time ago Sorry to hear about your first new truck story. Isn't that just always the way when you get something brand new? biddljj, For your sake, I hope your Z gets done in time too so you can enjoy her this coming spring

damn, I wish I were there with you. Like mentioned earlier, it's so hard to do this over the computer. Have you pulled the spark plugs to see what condition they are in??? If so do they look like they are wet? Black & sooty? have you removed the distributor cap and check the codition of the cap itself and rotor head? There is just so many things that can cause a no start problem on these cars. I'm just throwing out some things off the top of my head besides post # 29 which i'm sure is a large part of the problem How long does it take to repressurize? Well I didn't time it, but after replacing the fuel components on my Z it took a good few tries then she fired right up.

Correct. The test lite only will tell you that 12 volt power is there. Is there still a fuel smell when you try to crank it? or no?

Same here My Z has those same round keys and they are original and I don't have seperate keys for the hatch and doors. The one key works everything

Well it wouldn't surprise me seeing how nasty that old filter looked on your photo. Injectors could be clogged too. It's hard to say where exactly as it could be junked up anywhere in the system. I hate to tell ya, but what I listed above (Post#29) is what really needs to be done. I'd be interested in seeing your video to see whats going on since I can't be there in person As for the filter under the hood, They are still available through Nissan just so you know. For the hell of it, have you tryed removing the fuel line from the filter under the hood to see if fuel is even trying to come through after cranking the motor??? have you checked for simple things like kinked lines?? I'm still standing by what I said earlier in post #29 but just trying to throw out some other simple things to check.

Stephen, I'm in the same category and feel exactly the same way but what can ya do? All we can do is help out other Z'ers in need the best we can over the 'ol computer. It's better than no info. or help at all I guess. Cornbreadxd, You'll enjoy the classic Z hobby. It's expensive but fun and yes, a daily driver will help you out a lot.

yep, not a problem Just do what you can do. It's no small project or cheap project thats for sure. Please keep us updated so we know how things turned out for you. Stephen, I think I missed the post with the 260Z but I know what your talking about. Sounds like I didn't miss much.

Depressurize LOL I think she's already depressurized man with that massive leak going there. That's why she quit running on ya along with the other issues. Your going to get at least a little fuel on your hands no matter what. It's part of working on cars Just think safety and wear eye protection and if fuel gets on your hands or arms, just wash good with soap and water. But yeah, the photo stephen is showing out of the factory service manual is the "Correct" way to depressurize the system. Like I said in post # 7 "Gee wonder why the P/O added that filter" you can tell looking through the clear canister that gas looks horrible. Datsun never used a filter back there like that. It's just a cheap add on as a temporary solution. Once the filter gets junked up again and it will, the problem returns. If it was me, I'd fix this right the first time and be done with it. Drop the gas tank, either get it professionally cleaned internally or just get a new tank, disassemble fuel rail and clean out the steel fuel tubes, clean & blow out fuel lines, Eliminate that added on aftermarket filter in the back and get it back to stock, reinstall freshly cleaned or new tank with all new rubber high pressure EFI rated fuel hose, replace the little filter at the inlet end of the fuel pump and do the same under the hood when reassembling. If injectors work fine, then I'd send them out to be cleaned. Once you get them back reinstall all 6 injectors with new top and bottom rubber 0 rings (use a little 3 in 1 oil on 0 rings when intalling), also inspect the plastic injector holders as these tend to crack and get brittle with age, reassemble fuel rail & components along with all new High pressure EFI rubber hose, new clamps (I recommend the factory clamps. those crappy ones you find at auto stores always dig into the hoses :sick: ) then install a new fuel filter under the hood located at the passenger side fender area and fill with fresh gas and then you'll be in damn good shape Now this may be too in depth for ya both expense wise and your skill level for working on cars? I don't know but what I listed above WILL be the correct and permanent fix. Plus the other problem is your using your Z as a daily driver correct? No question these issues factor in and if so then I guess you can keep the added filter in the back that was added by the previous owner, repair all the leaks, and just continue replacing filters all the time frequently and just get by that way worst case senario. Anyway just my input. Best of luck

Damn I gotta go to bed for work tomorrow I'll check in again tomorrow but yeah, thats why he added that filter. I'll bet you the inside of that tank is NASTY which is why the guy added that filter. well I know so because you can see the rusty tint in the fuel. Not a good sign man. Like I said before, at least get that leak repaired first. Don't want you to blow up. Your too yung to check out if you know what I mean

Yep it will. When my fuel rail sprung a leak, she didn't want to even start. The EFI Zs are fussy that way. Just like vacuum leaks. DANGEROUS no question.

Holy jeeze thats a huge photo :eek: Is that some sort of added on fuel filter back there???? gee wonder why they added that looks like a rusty tint to it. after the leak gets fixed, I have a good feeling there will be more issues to fix. Was this car sitting for a long period of time before you got it??? Yeah, thats no small leak. priority #1 is fix that leak.

Another awesome upgrade by Dave Sure is brite Now you just need to grip your keys tighter when climbing into your Z and you'll be in tip top shape

Yes, some photos will be helpfull to see what your talking about. There is only one way to get the proper pressure back and thats to fix the problem wheather it would be a fuel leak, malfunctioning F.P.R. (Fuel Pressure Regulator), bad check valve at the fuel pump, clogged fuel filter or line ect. After reading your post, it sounds like your 280Z is no longer stock. You got a 280ZX set up under the hood now correct??? I'm more a 1st generation Z Car Guy and I'm not 100%up on all the little changes that were made on the ZX's but on a stock 280Z EFI system, it's suppose to maintain a fuel pressure reading of 36.3 PSI @ idle in order for the engine to run/operate smoothly and properly. You need a Fuel Pressure Test Kit to perform the test obviously and get the car to at least stay running. People that try to troubleshoot a driveability problem that could possibly be fuel related on a EFI car without doing a fuel pressure test might as well forget it In my opinion. For most fuel related problems on an EFI car, It always requires a fuel pressure test to start troubleshooting. Now with yours we need to at least get it to start and stay running. If you get that fuel leak fixed, HOPEFULLY I think You'll get it to the point where it will stay running again. If it still runs like crap thats OK We can now at least continue on with a fuel pressure test and start there. There is just lots of things that can cause a rough running condition. I don't care to list everyone at the moment Just focus on getting that leak taken care of first for starters and post your results. Also remember if you have to buy new rubber fuel lines, make damn sure its high pressure EFI rubber hose Best of luck.

"I've been driving my 78' 280z w/o problems for a while (even with a small fuel leak)" "The small leak came from one of the lines under the fuel tank on the passenger side, i'd see a spot about the size of a dvd under the car if left off for a few hours." Doesn't sound like a minor leak to me :paranoid: Thats more than likely your problem right there. Fuel leak = major loss in fuel pressure. Of course it wont start & run. Not to mention unsafe. :nervous:

Thats good Your Z is looking great.

Holy crap :eek::eek::eek: Absolutely awesome work man. That is one kick arse 260Z thanks to you Good for you for bringing it back to it's former glory. Hard to believe that's the same car.

Please tell me you don't expose your beautiful Z to road salt :sick: My Z Car never has seen snow in it's entire life and never will My beauty stays safe and dry in her garage during the winter season. Nice photos though. Beautiful green Z you got there