SteveJ

Step #2 Buy a good quality multimeter that will measure up to 10 Amps of current. (I suggest looking at Fluke meters.) If you don't know how to use a multimeter, research it online. There are plenty of websites that will tell you how to use one. A good meter can help you determine whether or not the electrical system is messed up and how bad off it is. The wiring diagram from the FSM will help you in diagnosing the electrical system. If you are already adept in electrical matters, then the advanced advice is to get an oscilloscope. You can buy one for less than $200 that uses your computer as a monitor. That can help you with diagnosing issues with your fuel injection. Also in support of Step #1, look on eBay often. FSMs pop up from time-to-time.

You may need to disassemble and clean the combo switch. If you don't feel like doing it yourself, contact Dave, aka Zs-ondabrain. He will do it for a reasonable fee.

Be sure your fuse contacts are clean. Your combo switch may be dirty, too. Dave, aka Zs-ondabrain, will take apart and clean your combo switch (and turn signal switch). He's got plenty of experience and a good reputation for it, too. Look for Caig Deoxit at Radio Shack. Lots of people swear by it for cleaning electrical contacts. As for the dash lights, dim lights are a common complaint. Search on this site for plenty of threads about replacing the bulbs or taking off the green covers.

Check your running lights. I believe they are on the same fuse, too, at least from what I can tell from a cursory look at the 78 wiring diagram. If your running lights are good, but your dash lights are out, you need to check the rheostat for the dash lights. A quick test is to unplug the rheostat and jumper the black wire to the red wire with blue stripe. If your dash lights come on, it's your rheostat. I have no idea about whether or not the rheostat can be cleaned or repaired.

For a collector, it could be worth $20K. I'd just hate having a car that I'd be afraid to drive. On the other hand, there's a $5K 78 near me that would tempt me if I could convince She Who Must Be Obeyed...

Sweet, but not $20K sweet to me. I'm too tight-fisted with my money.

http://www.zbarn.com

This thread may help with the identification: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20774

The diesel is easy to spot. It won't have spark plugs. Oops, I missed "short block". My bad... Must...get...more...sleep...

I'm sorry I missed it. I had to work on Saturday.

It links to the inside of the filler tube. I can't recall exactly where the loop is for it, but I think it's toward the bottom of the opening.

True, I thought about that a few minutes after I posted...

Please send me a PM for when you have those hoses available. It will be on my list.

Yes, there are many posts on here. Some are about Honda wiper motors. Others are about cleaning the linkages on the arm mechanism. I took the latter route and was very pleased with the results.

Thursdays at TJ's Bar & Grill on Holcomb Bridge Road. Go to the Georgia Z Club website (link in signature) for the details.

Cool. Now that you've taken care of that issue, if you live near Atlanta, come on out to the Georgia Z Club meetings.

I can try to remember to take pictures of the linkages on my car, but they aren't pretty.

Is that the first time you mentioned the new engine? I don't recall reading that before. The linkages could be different, especially if you had the flat-top carburetors before the swap. I'm not sure how to adapt the linkages, though. You might try searching at hybridz.org (emphasis on search since they understandably don't like constantly repeating answers). I would be surprised if they didn't have information on swapping out flat-tops for round-tops.

I just realized I had a typo in my previous post. What is the voltage at the battery with the car on? As Mitchell suggested, it looks like the voltage regulator might not be functioning properly.

Where did you get your alternator from? Are you sure it is externally regulated? Did you take voltage measurements at the battery with the car off?

Also, if a new combo switch is in order, Rockauto carries a drop-in replacement. I bought one for my 260Z. It fit and worked perfectly.

From post #5

Have you called Z Therapy? Bruce Palmer is a member of this board, and I'm sure he'd be happy to entertain your questions.

Check voltage going back to the fuel pump. Verify fuel lines aren't clogged. Verify fuel filter isn't clogged. I believe the FSM will also have some trouble shooting guides. Get a copy of the fuel injection bible. I think Blue has a link to it on his site and XenonS30, too.

You can try Zbarn for a fusebox. Roger will pick out great parts, and his prices are reasonable. Also, since he's in East Tennessee, the parts usually get to Georgia pretty fast.