Need tips on Buying 1977 280z Please.

[WingZr0]

YO!

I made an oppointment to meet the seller of nice looking 4 Speed 1977 280Z here in California.

I was wondering is there anything I need to look at besides the usual rust areas on the car?

It's in pretty solid shape ( No rust suprisingly on the outside) and all it really needs from the outside appearances is a paint job.

It does have that side rocker panel aluminum trim,

mint interior besides needing new seat covers and door panel inserts (maybe new carpet later),

Uncracked dash (I know, Amazing!),

Mint gauges,

OEM green 4 Speed H pattern shift knob,

Hood vents and inspection lids.

All in all it's a really nice looking car and I hope it checks out so I can bring it home :classic:

Any help on mechanicles or anything at all

would be Arigato Gozaimasu'ed (Thank You'd Very Much)

~Z~

[sblake01]

Look at the condition of the electrical connectors for the EFI. All 6 injectors, the cold start valve, and air regulator, temp sensor, thermotime switch, throttle position sensor, have connectors that are crucial to the operation of the system. If possible, see how it starts when cold as well as when warm. Look closely to make sure the dash doesn't have a cover on it.

[WingZr0]

Right on Blake ! :classic:

What would a thermotime switch be?

And far as injetors and conectors go would I be looking for

Corsion and such like?

[Sailor Bob]

Connectors were the only a matter of cleaning contacts for me. I bought new clips but never installed them - no need after cleaning.

You mention usual rust spots - is there any? Could you post a pic.

[WingZr0]

Connectors were the only a matter of cleaning contacts for me. I bought new clips but never installed them - no need after cleaning.

You mention usual rust spots - is there any? Could you post a pic.

Hi Bob !

The Guys out zof town till Sunday so can't get any pics till then if he let me.

The car was parked on the street fornt of his house on my walk home from work for about a week. I was able to get his phone number of the for sale sign and gave a call tiday to set a date to go by and take a look.

For the time it was parked on th estreet I was able to at preety much every single inch of it except under the wheel wells coming to think of it.

There was no Rust under the back near the muffler,

on the muffler,

under the rocker panels,

front near the lower valence,

Hood and rear Hatch,

hood vents, inspection lids,

No where at all that I can find and I looked really hard.

Suspension seems to held up great as it has

an almost muscle car stance. I had the chance to see it drive by me down

the street and it rides almost like a Caddilac :cheeky:

(I know, sacrilage)

Like I said before though, the paint has zero rust bubbles and only

has some minor crazing and cracking of the Original paint from

the California Sun

The speedo shows only 70,000'ish miles which from appearence

of the car seems to be correct. Obviously it looks like someone took

very good care it.

OH, I would of got the VIN but the sale sign was on the dash laying over it.

~Z~

[bigoak]

Other things I might look for:

1. Test the engine for compression ($20-$30 tool). Not likely to be a problem as these engines are relatively bullet proof, but you'd hate to find out it needs a ring job post-acquisition. Although compression should be consistent for all cylinders, it will vary depending on what block/head/gasket combinations are on the car (I believe they should be in the range of 130-150 though...anyone have the specific #'s for a 280Z?).

2. I know you said the usual places, but really get under the battery tray and frame rails and have a close look. Mine (on my 240Z) looked pretty good on first inspection but after close-up review needed to be patched.

I wish I lived in California...

[Sailor Bob]

I agree about the battery tray it's about the only dubious spot on mine, the compression - mine has about 75k and it shows 150 to 155 all around. My understanding is 165 is like "brand new".

[WingZr0]

Hello ALL

I just got back from the best test drive of my life!

The 280 is Straight as an arrow, clean in the engine bay, DASH NO CAP,

power with curve and smooth acceleration all the way :classic:

Absolutely no fumes in the interrior, wierd noises form the engine and starts on the 1st turn every time.

I have to say, "I'm, in , love ".

The only thing it needs besides from the above mentioned is that the little box circled in the pic below needs to be adjusted.

I don't know what it's called but if any one knows please chime in.

Owner said it gives a little whooshing sound, which I couldn't hear or notice,

when you step on the gas.

He believes it sounded like to much air.

P.S. pic is not of actual car, I didn't want to freak out the owner :tapemouth

So me and the owner struck a deal in regrards to his asking price.

I was willing to pay him what I had now and give him the difference over the next couple of weeks with my pay from work.

He decided since I only have X amount now he was willing to give me 2 weeks to come up with the rest and pay him all at one time

Since I'm blessed to have a good paying job (No matter how much I hate it) this is a very good deal indeed!

Big Shout Outs to the Sblake01 Crew, Sailor Bob, The Bigoaks up there in Ontario, Goodyear, Union 76, the GT rated tires the 280Z rode on, uhhh the stop lights that were green, the seat I sat in and lastly but not least the Clutch, Brake and Gas Pedel

Thyanx you all very much for your help and wish me luck !

~Z~

[sblake01]

Careful what you adjust on that Air Flow Meter or AFM for short. Many times it turns out not to be the problem for whatever symptoms the car is showing but tinkering with it can cause other problems. Could be just a bad rubber boot behind or in front of it.

[Sailor Bob]

Hey - sounds good. Don't forget the pics

[WingZr0]

Careful what you adjust on that Air Flow Meter or AFM for short. Many times it turns out not to be the problem for whatever symptoms the car is showing but tinkering with it can cause other problems. Could be just a bad rubber boot behind or in front of it.

Thaynx Blake

I thought that was a MAFS (Mass Air Flow Sensor) but I didn't want to open my mouth and make myself look like a jack in front of the owner :tapemouth

Hey - sounds good. Don't forget the pics

And fo sho fooo shooo !

[76Datsun280z]

Sounds great! Would love to see some other pictures of the car too if you've got them.

For the air "whooshing" sound, as Blake said

I'd check the rubber boots for the afm as it's common for them to crack which could be the cause of an air leak.

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/airleaks/index.html