Hrududu

Wow, you guys all do pretty good. I would have figured my EFI would do better than the old carbs, but I only get 17mpg tops on a good day.

Okay, but when I count the links like that I end up with 1 being a top link and the other being one of the bottom ones. Is that right? Down below, I'm assuming the yellow method of counting is in-correct. Are you saying the green way is correct?

Hey all, I have a question. I am almost finished putting my everything back together on my 280Z and I have run into a problem (go figure). I need to put the timing chain back on, but the chain has no timing marks (no silver links) at all. I have wiped it clean and have looked closely at it from all angles and see no 2 links that appear lighter in colour. I know I need 42 links from the mark on top to the mark on bottom. When counting links, do I count the pins as the links? or is it something else.

Hey, you've got the same one I do! I was quite pleased to have the original key as my car is not in very good condition, nor was it purchased from the kind of place you would expect to have the original key still with the car.

Good luck in your search. I was in the market for an 83 280ZXT and compromised with a 77 280Z because it was in my price range and I was desperate for a Z car. I am SOOO glad I did too, best compromise I ever made . I think I would have regretted buying a ZX. It took me 6 months to find it though, so I hope you can find the one you want. This place has a plethora of knowledge to impart on you if you ever need it.

Hooray! I finally got the front of the engine off tonight. All I have to do now is reset the timing and put the whole thing back together. As some may remember, I set out on October 31st to change out my head gasket. In the process I forget to wedge the timing chain and sprung the tensioner. I haven't any mechanical skill or workspace to speak of, so I'd say 85% of the knowledge I obtained came from you guys here at this site. The rest came from my neighbor and a Haynes manual. I'd like to take this time to thank everyone who gave me advice during this project. I could not have done it without your know how. I'll probably have some questions as I get to putting it all back, but I think I'll be okay for the most part. I have really missed driving this car and can't wait to get it back on the road. Chris

Where are they located at?

Good plan. I'm on the lookout for one now. I think I have seen a few on ebay, and will get one soon.

He's got a matching set. That 240 is pretty cool, but that muffler has got to go.

Ahh, yes. That would be me. The project was changing the head gasket, but I never changed out the vavle seals. Now, I'm getting really confused here. I am getting mixed reports as to which engine has the flat pistons and which has the dished. My N42 appears to have flat pistons http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?bg=000000&image=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/705000-705999/705202_74_full.jpg and I heard the F54 had dished to reduce compression for the turbos. So which one is actually better? Dished right? BTW, I still haven't finished putting my motor back together yet. :disappoin

Well, my plan for the engine isn't really set in stone yet. I don't know if I will put this in my car unless my current engine breaks and I need a new one. My thoughts are to get an extra engine to work on and possibly rebuild so I can get experience working on these motors. I ran into some terrible trouble changing my head gasket, and think it would be worth while for me to have some practice on a motor that isn't in my daily driver. As far as making it a performance motor, i don't think I will. As nice as that would be, I don't have the $$ for that kind of project right now.

I just remembered, it doesn't have a distributer. I think that is all thats missing though. I really just want a project engine, and don't want to get ripped off. These cars arn't too easy to find around here. The guy said he sent all his old Z's to the crusher last summer. I think he may have had about 10, and the only reason this ZX motor and an l26 survived is because they had been pulled and forgotten about.

So I'm looking for a rebuilder motor for my 280Z. I found one from 79ZX for $150. The guy says it was pulled in 89 and ran fine at the time. It had 145 PSI in each cylinder. It has the exhaust and intake manifolds as well as all the fuel rails. It was kept indoors. What do you guys think? Is this engine going to be as powerful as my 77 engine. It has the same N42 head. What kind of power would this put out? I know the ZX was supposed to be weaker, but from what I found, they group the 75-80 engines together as the same motor. Thanks guys.

I got dibs on the wheels

Wow, you guys are great. Thanks for all the help, It really is needed. Luckily A neighbor of mine is pretty good with cars and said he will be able to come down on thursday or friday to give me a hand with this.