Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144456 times)

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Offline Chris

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1983 Datsun 280ZX
« on: January 24, 2009, 02:44:25 PM »
« Last Edit: August 31, 2010, 07:30:41 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2009, 02:44:41 PM »
Interior








dirty car


Not much happening back here.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2010, 05:51:35 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2009, 02:46:34 PM »
Smegma

         
Clickable smegma, rust, crud, and crap pictures.  #2 is the A-pillar on the driver's side.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2009, 02:52:41 PM »
I picked this 5-speed up from a retired USAF mechanic and body/service shop owner for $1,000.  All the difficult work has been done.  With the exception of the radio, everything on the car works.  I would have ignored the rear seats in favor of the front ones and pulled them out alltogether if they were bad enough to be re-covered.  New stuff:

Rear seats
Tires
Brake calipers, pads, lines, master cylinder
Shocks, struts, bearings, and bushings on all wheels
Fuel pump, lines, filter, and the tank has been sealed
Injector seals (except for injector #5 -- it still leaks)

I spoke to the DMV and the county clerk... I get to keep the Antique tags for the front of the car.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2009, 03:20:08 PM by Chris »
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2009, 10:39:14 PM »
I forgot to post some of the TV ads! :rofl:

Black Gooooold
[youtube=425,350]kWF-hH1nloo[/youtube]

Cockpit of Luxury
[youtube=425,350]Nx0J9zU7gzs[/youtube]

T-T-T-T-Turbo
[youtube=425,350]c3TnZQrtAx8[/youtube]
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2009, 11:33:07 PM »
I picked this 5-speed up from a retired USAF mechanic and body/service shop owner for $1,000.  All the difficult work has been done.  With the exception of the radio, everything on the car works.  I would have ignored the rear seats in favor of the front ones and pulled them out alltogether if they were bad enough to be re-covered.  New stuff:

Rear seats
Tires
Brake calipers, pads, lines, master cylinder
Shocks, struts, bearings, and bushings on all wheels
Fuel pump, lines, filter, and the tank has been sealed
Injector seals (except for injector #5 -- it still leaks)

I spoke to the DMV and the county clerk... I get to keep the Antique tags for the front of the car.

Sounds and looks like a great deal! The guy did put alot of money into it before you got it.

Nice shape overall.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2009, 11:50:52 PM »
I have to go outside tomorrow and hook up a vacuum gauge to the engine and see if anything is wrong with the motor.  It runs fine and sounds good, but it smokes when you step on the gas (I attributed that to the cold-ass weather.  Apparently I was wrong).  The guy said it has passed every year except this one, and that it would pass after the engine got up to operating temperature.  The vacuum hoses don't look like they've been replaced in 25 years.  Not to mention the gas in the tank is a couple years old; I will have to flush it out and see if that fixes the problem.  And there's the whole stinky leaking injector thing. 

It needs a little work.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2009, 12:03:12 AM by Chris »
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2009, 01:45:56 AM »
white smoke = head gasket leak or cracked head

blue smoke = burining oil

black smoke = too rich

green smoke = run like ****ing hell. I don't know what it means, but it can't be good.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2009, 01:47:53 AM »
I know it isn't black or green!  I can't tell blue from white, but it looked mostly white yesterday.  I can deal with a new head gasket.  Replacing the entire head might be outside of my comfort zone.  I'll have to wait and see until I can start taking things apart.

Can I take the head somewhere to have it checked?
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2009, 01:59:59 AM »
I know it isn't black or green!  I can't tell blue from white, but it looked mostly white yesterday.  I can deal with a new head gasket.  Replacing the entire head might be outside of my comfort zone.  I'll have to wait and see until I can start taking things apart.

Can I take the head somewhere to have it checked?

There are some tempoary tests and fixes that some swear by.

One indication would be if the coolant level is low and how fast it goes down once you top it off.

You can also pressure check the coolant system



http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/heating_cooling/coolant_pressure_tester.htm

white smoke will smell sweet, blue will smell toxic




Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2009, 02:31:09 AM »
I went outside, started it up, and revved it to 2000 rpm.  There was a sticky sweet smell to the exhaust.







There is still coolant in the reservior.  I wouldn't mind if it wasn't so damn cold outside.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2009, 02:35:30 AM »
It does not have to leak much to smoke.

Wow, even the engine looks pretty clean.

I would start with one of the cheap over the counter fixes/products to see if you can get it stop long enough to pass the smog test, so you can get on the road quicker.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2009, 02:37:16 AM »
hoses galore :(
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2009, 02:38:40 AM »
I would start with one of the cheap over the counter fixes/products to see if you can get it stop long enough to pass the smog test, so you can get on the road quicker.

I need new windshield wipers and a box of fuses anyway.  I was bummed about getting turned away from the inspection station, so I didn't go there today.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2009, 03:06:11 AM »
Looks like I'll be doing a compression test tomorrow as well.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #15 on: January 25, 2009, 10:38:52 AM »
I need new windshield wipers and a box of fuses anyway.  I was bummed about getting turned away from the inspection station, so I didn't go there today.

Good luck with the car today. I hope you don't freeze your nuts off outside.

Offline debk

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2009, 12:31:02 PM »
Love the car, Chris  :bow:

Had a beautiful 1978 British Racing Green 280Z....loooooooved that car.

No more car when baby girl came....no place for car seat, and Momma didn't work. Car had to go bye-bye.   :bawl:
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

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Offline Miss Mia

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2009, 01:07:33 PM »
Chris, I like the new car.  Looks pretty clean.  Hopefully you figure out that smoke business pretty soon, I hope it's a simple fix. 

Looks like he did a lot of work to it already.  Congrats!
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #18 on: January 25, 2009, 01:13:41 PM »
I'm workin' on it. :(

I hope it turns out to be something simple like the thermostat-to-head gasket.  That's an easy fix.
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Offline Tess

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #19 on: January 25, 2009, 04:12:06 PM »
Nice... :-)
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #20 on: January 25, 2009, 07:04:25 PM »
It does not have to leak much to smoke.

Wow, even the engine looks pretty clean.

That's the thing.  There are no visible coolant leaks, the engine does not overheat, and the car runs fine.  I did find out (from Jasper Engines) that a leaky injector seal like the one I have would cause the same symptoms.  I need to see if I can get a new set of injector seals overnighted to me.  The car stinks of gas and that one injector is obviously wet where it screws into the intake manifold.
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Offline Thor

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2009, 08:43:16 PM »
Pull the dipstick. If there's a white gooey substance on it, your head is definitely bad.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #22 on: January 25, 2009, 08:59:45 PM »
Pull the dipstick. If there's a white gooey substance on it, your head is definitely bad.

Nope, no white goo at all.  The oil smells like oil, nothing else.  I checked the inside of the fill cap and didn't see anything either.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #23 on: January 25, 2009, 10:25:50 PM »
I drove to the store and back (again).  Wheeeee! :hyper: :-)

the car stinks of gas.  The stuff in the tank is at least a year old, probably more.
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Offline debk

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #24 on: January 25, 2009, 11:01:12 PM »
Pull the dipstick. If there's a white gooey substance on it, your head is definitely bad.



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

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.