DatsunZsRule

I had a similar thing happen to me the weekend before last when I was out in my Z. Like you, I'm a damn good driver and don't have one thing on my record. not even a ticket But like with you, this d*** head wouldn't quit. I was on a country road just out cruisin in my Z minding my own business enjoying my baby on a beautiful afternoon and there was a 4 way stop ahead. I got to the stop sign first before this punk a$$ kid in a V8 mercury all pimped out to the left of me so I go first. He then gets behind me and starts this tail gating bullsh!t which I cannot stand so like you did, I bump up my speed and dumbsh!t does the same and this kept going on and on stopping me from enjoying the scenery and as I looked in my rear view mirror he was doing the same damn thing smirking and laughing so finally I said to myself, "Ok you little bastard, Enough is enough so I gave my Z more gas and left him back further so he starts putting his foot into it to keep up, I then down shifted into 4th and as i did I whispered to myself ZZZZEEEEE Ya :devious: He could NOT come near me and he was really trying hard to pull around me. I then made a right onto another road heading back towards my house and of course, he follows me. this was a two lane road now and we hit another stop sign. He gets over in the right along side of me and of course With my orig. early 5 speed and 3.9 diff I drop him like a sack of bricks as I take off and there were S curves ahead. Thats where I lost him for good and never saw him again. :devious: Normally I NEVER let morons like that get to me. and I usually say "Yeah, your not worth my time. Go and get the hell away from me" but that smart a$$ smirk on his face just pushed me past my breaking point. You mess with the bull, you get the horns right Rick :rambo:

I doubt it's a malfunctioning tach. I'd start with the basics. Might be something simple. Check the condition of your plugs and ignition wires. When did you last give it a good tune up? The last time you changed the cap and rotor, was the cap and rotor the same brand? If not that can create problems causing an incorrect air gap. When was the fuel filter last changed? Maybe it's been to long and junk is bypassing the filter and clogging up the injectors, lines. Seen that a lot. Inspect for vacuum leaks. Our 280Z's won't tolerate the smallest vac. leak and will barely idle with one and yes, checking the timing to make sure it's set correctly is not a dumb idea either. I don't know about you, but I like to check the simple stuff first. :laugh: Best of luck.

Courtesy Nissan has always treated me right. I'd for sure check them out. They are located in Richardson texas. e-mail them sales@courtesyparts.com and tell them you have a 1976 Datsun 280Z and want a quote on new fusible links. If your looking at trying to actually start the car and run the motor, then the first thing you need to do is get that wiring straightened out that the previous owner hacked to hell or else it still won't run. good luck.

On this photo (circled in red) that is another fusible link for the electronic fuel injection harness. It needs to be connected to the POS. battery cable end. The Previous owner sure F'ed that poor thing up Without the Factory Service Manual, you will continue to be lost Hanes manual just doesn't cut it IMO. Best of luck

Hello and welcome, "I'm quite famillier with 1970's sports cars and there problems particularly rust, coming from owning a 69 912, however I believe that the Datsun 240Z does not have these problems" Unfortunately thats not true Rust is a problem with any car especially in the 70's. The spots to inspect on a Z is the battery tray area, floor pans, frame rails, spare tire area, ect. Another spot to inspect (This is tough to do when looking) is remove the vent by windsheild or bring a small light with you and try to look down inside with vent on where wiper motor is and look in there for rust. If that area is rotted then walk away as that is very tough to restore and very very very costly. The cause is from crud clogging the drains for water like leaves from trees for example. Very important to make sure that area stays clean and drains are free from debris. Best year of the 240Z? I'd say 69-72 because 73 had the diseased emission carbs but if you find a clean 73, don't hesitate to get it as you can put the earlier carbs on without a problem. You won't be disappointed with a Z The Nissan L series motors are practically bullet proof motors and will go 200,000 miles plus if well cared for and properly maintained and it's easy to work on in my opinion. Make sure you also get a Factory Service Manual for whatever year Z you get. It will help you out greatly when you go to wrench on it. Every Z owner shouldn't be without one Courtesy Nissan sells the F.S.M. on CD ROM if your unable to locate a book www.courtesyparts.com Good luck in your search for a Z. You have come to the right site

I've seen the battery operated impacts from Snap-On (18 volt) but no, I've personally never used one. The Snap-On guy that comes to my work tells me that it will take the lugs off his truck :laugh: I just traded my old 1/2 inch snap-on impact in for the new magnesium 1/2 inch Gun. That thing is sweeeeeet :devious: Anyways make sure you got a good torque wrench too so you can torque the nuts and bolts back to factory specs.

"I think they are close to a hundred pounds each with the shock absorbers. Plus thier hideous." I strongly disagree with that statement but to each his own. The 280Z bumpers look good in my opinion plus the protection they provide for the car is priceless. It's funny how some act like the 280Z doesn't handle as well as a 240 and doesn't have as much of a sports car feel as the 240Z does yet many try to make a 280Z look like a 240Z like fitting a 240 front end on for example.

No, a clogged injector won't leave you stuck. Also if it's clogged, then it's usually the fault of the person behind the wheel with lack of maintenance. For example, motor not getting run for a long period of time, running sh!tty old gas, never changing fuel filter on schedule, ect. Electronic Fuel Injection is not as difficult as some people think it is. Once you learn it, understand it, and have the proper tools/equipment, it's really not bad at all

I personally like them. I say put it back on. All it takes is for some dumb shmuck not paying attention to bump you in a parking lot OR out in the street and then you'll be kicking yourself saying "DAMN, wish I would have left that front ugly bumper (as you call them) on" Keep in mind It doesn't take much impact to crunch a Z's nose in and with all the bone heads out running around today on our roadways, the chances of it happening are bigger than you think. Especially if you use your Z as a daily driver. My two cents.

Well of course I wouldn't man.

My point is defending the Z. Why would I list it in my second sentance???

Yes I have and still beats the hell out of some of the crap out there on the road today. I'd take it over a focus, neon RT, cavalier ect. Not to mention like our 2 seaters, there built to last.

"I agree with you steph. I am a 240 owner but so what i Like all Zs." Thats always been my feeling. I like them all (240, 260, 280, 280ZX ect.) Nissan has never made an ugly, slow Z I.M.O.

Hell, the last thing I want to do is get into an argument over a stupid comment. I enjoy BS'ing with all fellow Zers on this site but as a 1st gen. 280Z owner, I just couldn't sit and let that comment slide. :mad:

"The 240z is essentially why this website even exists. The 280 people are along for the ride." That has got to be one of the most stupid comments made on this site. The 280Z is a first generation Z just like your 240Z. Yeah, there are some differences but it is the same body style and is just as beautiful as a 240Z IMO. The 280Z (US) began in 1975 which was 30 years ago. but yeah, we're just along for the ride. RIIIIIIGHT whatever you say man. What color is the sky in your world???? :stupid: :stupid:

Exactly sblake01. He must have missed my last response

aahh I see. :laugh:

But it is a 280. Click on his name and view his profile. Don't make any sense to me.

I still don't think it would be a dumb idea to have it tested. If it's bad and weak it will seem ok after you have thrown it on a charger but if it's bad, it won't hold a charge like it should and will slowly loose it's charge again. Just my opinion.

So you say that you double checked all your electrical connections to make sure they were all tight and clean including the battery cables? How about the Battery itself? I'd test the Battery to see if it's any good. If you don't have the equipment to do so, than you can bring it in to just about any Auto parts store and they can test it. Hopefully it's not a poor connection that you can't see. Like a slight break in a wire hidden by the insulation. Those are a real pain in the a$$ to find.

There is no way it would even run without a oil cap. Z's are so sensitive when it comes to vac. leaks that they won't even want to idle with the Oil Cap removed or loose so I too am lost?????

Yeah, I ordered mine over the computer on there site. I have a sh!tty Radio Shack store by my house Maybe you can't get the bigger cans there anymore. I don't know??? It was a long time ago for me.

"If you want to try spray cleaners, I would NOT recommend the ones you get at Radio Shack or local electronics stores." What???? Dude, Radio Shack is where I got my Caig DeOxit stuff. If your local Radio Shack doesn't have it in stock then you can buy it on there website. You'll get no argument from me though about Caig's product (DEOXIT) It's amazing stuff.

I've seen all gen Z's around where I live. Only once, then I never see them again I was out cruisin in mine one Beautiful Saturday and I happen to spot a black 280ZX in my rear view mirror. When we approached a red stop light, he quick gets over in the right lane to pull up along side of me. He signals me to roll down my window so i did and he shouts out to me "Awesome Z" Then I replied "Thanks man, back at ya" Another time I was cruisin through a small town and I saw a brown 75-76 280Z and we both honked and waved at eachother. One other time when I was in my daily driver I saw a 77-78 Z like mine. Mint like mine getting on the highway. Also ran into a black 300ZX (Z31) at the gas pump and we BS'ed a bit. As far as Z32's are concearned, There all around if you keep your eyes open. There not that old. and plenty of 350Z's Not bad for living in Minnesota. My Z has a nice dry garage she sits in during the winter months. So yeah, there out there. :laugh:

Above are all good suggestions. Cleaning electrical contacts,checking to see if the RPM is set correctly at idle which should be 800 @ idle on a manual transmission model. Also go through and make sure all your electrical connections are connected good and not loose like at the alternator and battery cables ect. You can do this of course while your cleaning all connections. I'm willing to bet you got a loose connection somewhere in your electrical system. Best of luck