New to me, 280Z...

[dar5052]

As difficult and embarrassing as it is to post this, I am an idiot... but nevertheless I found the problem. 

When I set up my spark plug wires I referenced the ignition section of my Haynes manual and simply looked at the numbers as they were written without taking notice that the 3 and 6 cylinder cross before going to the plugs. Seems odd that they would do what they did with 1 and 4 but do something different at 3 and 6... but no excuses, my dumb mistake. 

so last night as i was reading the engine section, i came across this phrase and thought to myself, that's not how I have it... i went out, redid the wires and it fired up and idles. Just needs some fine tuning at this point. @Zed Head i then logged in here and saw your post... you had it right.... 

I guess it's another lesson learned... start with the simple stuff and look/read closely... thank you all for the support... and sorry for the frustration. 

@siteunseen if you can still send a picture of that condensor connection, that would be great. I'll be gone for 3 weeks so no rush. 

[Yarb]

If you haven’t already Go to the section on the website and download/print the FSM for your car. You will find it to be a better document to follow in the future. Sometimes on eBay you can find a factory FSM for sale. Glad you found the major problem. Probably a little more tweaking to be done but you’re heading in the right direction .

[siteunseen]

I'll look at both cars tomorrow and take a photo of the condenser if I have one. I switched my 240 and 280 to the ZX distributor and I'm thinking I did away with it? For some reason I think I had to get it gone so my tachometer would work with the ZX dizzy setup.

@SteveJ would know what it does and if you need it. He's going to be hard to get though as he just bought one of the new Zs. He bruising bugs I'm sure. 400 hp he's most likely killing them.

 

[Yarb]

I think it might have something to do with interference in the radio circuit . Mounts next to the coil itself. @SteveJ

[SteveJ]

The condenser served two purposes. It prevented premature wear on the points (240Z only) and it reduced electrical noise. Electrical noise is really more of a problem for AM radio than a modern FM radio. The ignition system won't even notice if the condenser isn't there.

[dutchzcarguy]

Thanks to a good capacitor i did 20000km on one set of points and they looked still good but i changed them anyway..

[dar5052]

Back from my trip to India and got around to working on the car. Got all the fluids bled and topped off so I think it's ready for a rip... after that it's lining up all the panels, buffing, and doing some detail work like headliner, interior, hooking up lights, etc. Thanks for all of your help to get me this far!

[dar5052]

Had it out today for the first time on public roads to get the exhaust installed. Still needs a lot of clean-up and finishing touches but it rips! I do have some issues of stuttering at low rpm’s but that said, I still need to go through some things. 
 

the exhaust is a bit aggressive but I like it. Sticks out quite a bit from the body. It’s the 1320 performance exhaust.

Edited October 15, 2024 by dar5052

[dutchzcarguy]

6 hours ago, dar5052 said:

Sticks out quite a bit from the body.

That's because you have no bumpers, Many years ago i bought every bumper i could lay my hands on as they were very scarse overhere.. now everybody drives around without bumpers! Still got a few sets.. (EDIT:of 240z, 260z bumpers with or without the towelbars!)

You say: You drove for the first time to get the exhaust installed.. you mean you drove without an exhaust? ??

That would be impossible overhere as you would get stopped by the police in a hartbeat! What if they stopped you, you told them i'm just on my way to install a exhaust?

Btw, nice black car, needs some chrome bumpers (especially a black car) and some side badges.

Edited October 15, 2024 by dutchzcarguy

[siteunseen]

I see you know about ripping around. 

Those 1 liter bikes are hard on the rear tires.

 

[dar5052]

@dutchzcarguy you are correct, no exhaust while taking it to the shop but then again, the shop is less than 2 miles away. The police wouldn’t really care if they saw me as long as the car is registered🤔 the color is actually a green that flops when it’s in full sun. It’s a beautiful color, pictures don’t do it justice. Regarding the bumpers, I thought about adding a front bumper and still may do so at some point but for now, I’ll go bumperless. I have all of the badges but haven’t put them on yet because I need to cut and buff the entire car. 

[dar5052]

@siteunseen it’s close to a liter bike… it’s an 899. Possibly one of the best bikes I have with respect to rideability and overall use (the one in the picture is my track machine but I have 2 more for the street). I have an 1198sp and that thing is a tire hog. I’m usually lucky to get 2k miles on a street tire.