Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144445 times)

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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #25 on: January 25, 2009, 11:03:18 PM »
Naughty, naughty
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Offline debk

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #26 on: January 25, 2009, 11:04:46 PM »
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

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Offline Lacarnut

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #27 on: January 25, 2009, 11:10:29 PM »
Good luck with getting her fixed. I have been getting new car fever. My 2003 350z only has 43k miles on it; have had this car almost 6 years which is a record for me. 

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #28 on: January 25, 2009, 11:12:52 PM »
Good luck with getting her fixed. I have been getting new car fever. My 2003 350z only has 43k miles on it; have had this car almost 6 years which is a record for me. 

I never cared for the 350z, but the new 370z is pretty damn hawt.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #29 on: January 25, 2009, 11:16:50 PM »
I never cared for the 350z, but the new 370z is pretty damn hawt.

I saw the commercial recently.... mmmmm. :drool:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKEFwDrkgbU[/youtube]
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #30 on: January 26, 2009, 12:24:25 AM »



it would be so easy.....but, nope.....just not gonna go there..... :evillaugh:

 :lmao:

Chris, when you are done playing with the dipstick, let us know about the car.

It sounds like the fuel leak is the major problem, good idea trying to get that out of the way first. You could get aphixiated or have a fire.

Offline Lacarnut

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #31 on: January 26, 2009, 12:30:43 AM »
I saw the commercial recently.... mmmmm. :drool:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKEFwDrkgbU[/youtube]

I have seen a couple of the new Z's (touring model) at the dealership. At a sticker price of $40k for the top of the line with brembo brakes, navig. leather, and other options, Nissan is going to price themselves out of the market like they did with the 300Z. Base model sells for around $30k but the price is starting to creep up. The Enthusiast model at $32k is the next step up.    

Offline Thor

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #32 on: January 26, 2009, 10:10:56 PM »
The oil cap crud can be deceiving. It all hinges on how long the vehicle is run.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #33 on: January 27, 2009, 04:51:23 PM »
The hose to the EGR valve was completely blocked.  Unfortunately, I don't have any 1/8-inch hose to replace it with.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #34 on: January 27, 2009, 06:55:59 PM »
The hose to the EGR valve was completely blocked.  Unfortunately, I don't have any 1/8-inch hose to replace it with.

That might be causing some of the fuel smell.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #35 on: January 27, 2009, 07:06:40 PM »
****er still smokes.  I'm studying the FSM for instructions on replacing the head. :(
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Offline Miss Mia

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #36 on: January 27, 2009, 07:11:03 PM »
****er still smokes.  I'm studying the FSM for instructions on replacing the head. :(


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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #37 on: January 27, 2009, 10:36:06 PM »
This guy describes my car's condition perfectly.  From what I've read, replacing the valve seals is recommended after 100,000 miles.  I can't find any evidence of a coolant leak or a broken head gasket.

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read/1/121912

 :p
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #38 on: January 28, 2009, 10:16:26 AM »
This guy describes my car's condition perfectly.  From what I've read, replacing the valve seals is recommended after 100,000 miles.  I can't find any evidence of a coolant leak or a broken head gasket.
http://www.zcar.com/forums/read/1/121912

 :p

Just to be damn sure, check the water in the radiator while the car is running. Remove the cap while it's running, and see if any bubbles are showing up in the coolant. Bubbles = gasket/cracked head.
 I believe the seals can be user-replaced, but you do have to remove the head.

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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #39 on: January 28, 2009, 11:12:36 PM »
The seals can be replaced with the head in the car, but the piston has to be rotated to TDC and fed a 5-foot nylon rope into the combustion chamber to hold the valves in place (or you can use an air compressor, but I don't have one of those). 

(pictures)

I haven't taken the radiator cap off while the car is running but I did check the coolant overflow tank and it looks clean.  If replacing the seals doesn't work, I will probably take the head off and replace the gasket.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #40 on: January 30, 2009, 12:59:30 AM »
This guy describes my car's condition perfectly.  From what I've read, replacing the valve seals is recommended after 100,000 miles.  I can't find any evidence of a coolant leak or a broken head gasket.

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read/1/121912

 :p

valve seals = blue to black smoke

Alot of time leaky valve seals results only in smoke at start up to operating temp.

Post a YouTube of you starting the car, and we will all guess what is wrong with it.  :-)

Did you check the flux capacitor? 

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #41 on: January 30, 2009, 01:03:30 AM »
You think I can afford a video camera in this recession? :loser: I honestly can't tell what color the smoke is -- its very thin.  The EGR valve is disconnected right now, so any diagnosis would be skewed.  I still haven't done a vacuum test on the engine to see what kind of condition the valves are in. 

It pretty much leakss out smoke the entire time, but its mostly visible under throttle.  At idle, you only poison yourself slowly.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #42 on: January 30, 2009, 01:08:24 AM »
I'm trying to resolve myself to pulling off the head and rebuilding it.  At least there's only one of them.  I'm trying to find the most painless way to do that.  Lots of research.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #43 on: January 30, 2009, 01:08:40 AM »
You think I can afford a video camera in this recession? :loser: .

 :bwah: :bwah: :bwah:

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #44 on: January 30, 2009, 01:17:14 AM »
Eeek!

Glad this ain't mine. 
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #45 on: January 30, 2009, 01:24:36 AM »
^ very interesting article someone spent alot of time taking all those pictures


Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #46 on: January 30, 2009, 10:02:39 AM »
You think I can afford a video camera in this recession? :loser: I honestly can't tell what color the smoke is -- its very thin.  The EGR valve is disconnected right now, so any diagnosis would be skewed.  I still haven't done a vacuum test on the engine to see what kind of condition the valves are in. 

It pretty much leakss out smoke the entire time, but its mostly visible under throttle.  At idle, you only poison yourself slowly.


Sounds like rings.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #47 on: January 30, 2009, 09:13:06 PM »
I would start by replacing the motor, tranny and clutch.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #48 on: January 30, 2009, 11:15:37 PM »
I would start by replacing the motor, tranny and clutch.
:bird:


You're probably right.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #49 on: January 31, 2009, 12:36:54 AM »
I took a glance at all the shit attached to the motor this morning before work. 

I got a little scared.

They put EVERYTHING on the same side of the head.  The only thing on the other side is the spark plugs.  The injectors, fuel line, both manifolds... all on the same side of the engine.  If I can pull the heads, I can rebuild them and replace the rings.  IF.  I have no idea if the rest of that stuff will come off without breaking.  It's worth a shot.  I still haven't done a vacuum test on then engine... I'll try to get out there early tomorow and do that.  I put it off last weekend, but its supposed to be 50° tomorrow.
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