well I'm majorly bummed

[DatsunZsRule]

Yep, my set up is truely STOCK. 1978 Should be identical. I've seen '78's that look just like my 1977. Stephen, I noticed your valve cover says "NISSAN TURBO" which is why your set up is different. Looks like you got the 2nd generation 280ZX set up. My guess is the previous owner of your Z changed it to the newer 280ZX set up to eliminate all the rubber hoses. I've seen it done on a few first generation 280Z's. My set up like you see in my photos and courtesy Nissans diagram IS stock and that goes for ALL 280Z's 75-78. Just to answer that question

nealkeith- "A used one could crack at the same place." I doubt it as this is a very rare thing to happen. This is normally not a common issue on the FI 280Z's. Like i've said before, these fuel pipes must be handled with care. I think over the years with previous owners changing out those rubber hoses may have pulled to hard on them in that spot trying to change hoses and could have weakened that spot and it has been on borrowed time ever since. When Chris finds me a replacement (Thanks again Chris) at his local salvage yard in good shape, I don't think I'll have to worry about it happening again. Having it rewelded though isn't a bad route to go either if you can not find another one in good shape because thats a chance you take when you go used. I'm going to inspect the ones I get really good when I'm cleaning them up.

Chris, don't feel like you have to rush out there on your Sunday. Anytime next week when you get a chance is perfectly fine. Again, thank you. I owe you one

[sblake01]

Nope, my 78 is also stock. I put that Turbo valve cover on it. The previous owner bought the car new and I got it from him w/58k miles. He was not the mechanically inclned type.

[DatsunZsRule]

Do you think it's possible he could have had someone else do it for him that knew Z's?? He may not have been mechanically inclined but I'm sure someone did work on it for him? I'm not trying to say that your wrong but who knows it's possible?? Or I could be wrong too. Maybe Datsun started this little engineer change in the late 1978 first generation 280Z's?

Who else here has a 1978 stock? which set up does yours have? Now I'm curious

[ChrisA]

Chris, don't feel like you have to rush out there on your Sunday. Anytime next week when you get a chance is perfectly fine. Again, thank you. I owe you one

Hey Jared,

The bone yard was closed today so I'll get it for you tomorrow.

Question for you, is the tee pipe bolted down anywhere and what size socket/wrench will I need. I probably just take my "mobile tool kit" with me. Comes in handy on those trips to the bone yard.

Any other goodies you want me to snag? More hood vents? Just let me know. I'll have an hour each day this week to get whatever is needed.

Chris A.

[DatsunZsRule]

I went on ebay for the hell of it and looked at 1978 280Zs for sale with engine bay photos because it's been a long time since I've been under the hood of a '78 and stephen, your right and I'm wrong. every 1978 I found looked just like your fuel set up. Very interesting LOL I could have sworn they were identical to the 75-77's. My stupid error :stupid:

Chris, yes the fuel pipes are secured in place. I'd bring a 3/8 drive ratchet and extension with your metric socket set and phillips screw driver. bring a regular straight blade screw driver along to incase other aftermarket hose clamps are on there That should be all you'll need.

As for any additional things, About the only thing I can think of that I would need for it is the passenger side visor with the mirror. Last year when I was cleaning the inside of my Z, I opened the mirror cover to clean off the dust on the mirror since it never gets used and the small plastic piece on one side that holds the pin in place for the cover broke so if you happen to see a good passenger side sun visor (Black Interior) I'd take that too if you don't mind. P.M. me with your info. too so I can send you a check. Like I said, I owe you man Thanks again so much Z brother.

[Carl Beck]

....... Maybe Datsun started this little engineer change in the late 1978 first generation 280Z's?

Who else here has a 1978 stock? which set up does yours have? Now I'm curious

The Fuel Rail was changed 8/77. So the 78 280Z's have the newer type. The picture below is a 78 Black Pearl with 643 miles on it.

FWIW.

Carl B.

[=Enigma=]

The Fuel Rail was changed 8/77. So the 78 280Z's have the newer type. The picture below is a 78 Black Pearl with 643 miles on it.

FWIW.

Carl B.

643 total miles? That's nice but it's just wrong IMHO. These things were meant to be driven. Stick that thing in a museum. At least then there's a good excuse for that kind of treatment.

[DatsunZsRule]

The Fuel Rail was changed 8/77. So the 78 280Z's have the newer type. The picture below is a 78 Black Pearl with 643 miles on it.

Yep, I already found that out Carl

I went on ebay for the hell of it and looked at 1978 280Zs for sale with engine bay photos because it's been a long time since I've been under the hood of a '78 and stephen, your right and I'm wrong. every 1978 I found looked just like your fuel set up. Very interesting LOL I could have sworn they were identical to the 75-77's. My stupid error :stupid:

[Carl Beck]

Yep, I already found that out Carl

Sorry - I guess I didn't refresh my screen... took me a few minutes to find the engine photo, resize it and up load it ... and I didn't see your last Post..

Nonetheless.. it's a great picture of Pure Stock and 100% Original...

regards,

Carl B.

[DatsunZsRule]

Thats cool man.

That Black Pearl edition is amazing. How could anyone let that beauty sit and not enjoy driving it :surprised

Anyways, thanks for the photo.

[Carl Beck]

Thats cool man.

That Black Pearl edition is amazing. How could anyone let that beauty sit and not enjoy driving it :surprised

Anyways, thanks for the photo.

It was actually pretty easy for the previous owner. He had HLS30 00157 in May of 1970. Drove that about 32K miles before he took it completely apart to "put a decent pain job on it"... After #157 was properly restored, he bought a Wine colored 78 280Z to drive (because it had A/C )... then saw the first Black Pearl.. Bought it just to have another "new" Z when he wanted one... as he had heard the body style was going to change in 79...

So he just added the Black Pearl to his Collection (a rather extensive collection of many many thing)... He never did wear out that Wine colored 280Z... today it has about 80K miles on it (and still looks new).. His 48 Chevy has almost 28K miles on it, and his 65 Mustang is approaching 10K miles.. When you have 20+ cars and 45+ Harley's... it really is hard to drive them all more than a few miles per year! He still has his fathers 32 Ford Pick-up.. that thing is really getting up there now.. it has almost 40K miles on it..

Now approaching 80 years of age.. he's starting to place a few of the cars and other objects he's loved so much for so many years - in the hands of people he believes have both the resources, and the will, to preserve them for yet the next generation of fanatic Collectors.

In general that is exactly how cars like that survive the decades... to delight us at shows and museums around the country.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[sblake01]

That all makes sense since every 78 I've ever seen had the same setup as mine. I was just curious as to when the change took place or if the ones with hoses had been modified to make the rail easier to remover or whatever. Both questions have been answered.