New to the Forum: 7 year Z owner

[Stangrage]

Hello everyone,

My name is Randy and I am 26 years old; I have owned my 1976 280Z 2+2 since senior year of highschool in 2003. My Z was my highschool senior project and I was planning on rebuilding the engine and repairing the interior components and make the car legal to drive on the road. My main goal was to utilize this Z to be my first drivable car, take my girlfriend (now wife) to the prom, and graduate with this car. Unfortunately two of those things did not happen and lets just say that I graduated with it and got a B+. I first replaced the engine with one that I could rebuild better. My mentor, a long life friend of mine, and I tore down the motor I purchased and found out that it was a motor from a 280Z that had a 240Z block. Wanting a stock configuration we returned the motor to the junkyard and tore down another Datsun engine. I successfully rebuilt the engine and installed it. Then I ran into issues that I am still dealing with and I have not been able to fix. My engine had a rat nest on top of it so alot of the injection harness has been chewed up. The previous owner rigged up some wiring into a novice backyard mechanics nightmare. Anyways I can write a novel so Ill wrap it up. It is currently garaged and I have a good used engine harness from a '77 280Z, the interior is gutted and I have a good rear seat i picked up at the jy for $25. I have not got my Z started yet, but I feel i am close and I am worried even though I have a new wiring harness I still have complications. This car is very important to me and I fought tooth and nail to keep it even though I have been had offers from many people for it and my mother wants me to sell it, my wife is also getting sick of this car just sitting there.

Thanks for reading,

Randy

[Zs-ondabrain]

Welcome and good luck. I too have had mine for 7 years, almost 8 as of October. They're worth the effort, you just gotta get on it. Your wife won't get rid of a wedding dress she'll never use again but you gotta get rid of your classic car??? I don't think so. Get on it and take it one step at a time. It'll live again with a little (or a lot) of help.

Good luck,

Dave

[Stangrage]

Welcome and good luck. I too have had mine for 7 years, almost 8 as of October. They're worth the effort, you just gotta get on it. Your wife won't get rid of a wedding dress she'll never use again but you gotta get rid of your classic car??? I don't think so. Get on it and take it one step at a time. It'll live again with a little (or a lot) of help.

Good luck,

Dave

This is my dream to get this car up an running and perfect. If I got the engine started, I would not be a total failure like i am now. This would definitely be a boost in self reflection for i am thriving to achieve a dream of making a name for myself. I want to be an modern muscle car builder but I am starting from ground one; i want to be a ASE certified technician first, then move onto the creative works. Thanks Dave I will get on it; I just need the knowledge to get through this and that is why I am here.

Thanks again!