Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144487 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #325 on: August 18, 2010, 02:25:47 PM »
Crap! :banghead:

I put the wrong seat cover on.  No wonder the brackets for the belt and seat back wouldn't fit.  Now I have to do it all over again. :bawl:
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #326 on: August 18, 2010, 03:58:40 PM »
Crap! :banghead:

I put the wrong seat cover on.  No wonder the brackets for the belt and seat back wouldn't fit.  Now I have to do it all over again. :bawl:

I had something similar happen to me when I put front brakes on the Sienna. Had to tear it apart and start over. Fortunately, it wasn't much but my garage was an absolute steam bath and I couldn't see through all the sweat/burning in my eyes. A real PITA.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #327 on: August 18, 2010, 06:08:21 PM »
Hopefully I can get this damn seat put back together and start pulling the dashboard out.  My defogger doesn't work very well and the car fogs up at the smallest hint of rain.

The blower works, but the door actuator is vacuum-controlled and I'm guessing the problem is a leaky hose somewhere.  At least 90% of the commentary I'm seeing on the various Datsun forums repeats this claim.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2010, 06:13:41 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #328 on: August 19, 2010, 10:17:40 PM »
Welding practice is sort of coming along.  I'm using 18-gauge steel and I'm getting some burn-through.  I've seen some instructions that suggest using a copper backing plate to diffuse the heat.  I guess that's my next step -- I forgot about that today.  I doubt I'll be tackling the frame rails by myself but there's plenty of other, small rusty sections that need to be sorted out before I can get a paint job.

Sorry, no pictures yet.
« Last Edit: August 19, 2010, 10:30:45 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #329 on: August 20, 2010, 12:47:23 PM »
Welding practice is sort of coming along.  I'm using 18-gauge steel and I'm getting some burn-through.  I've seen some instructions that suggest using a copper backing plate to diffuse the heat.  I guess that's my next step -- I forgot about that today.  I doubt I'll be tackling the frame rails by myself but there's plenty of other, small rusty sections that need to be sorted out before I can get a paint job.

Sorry, no pictures yet.

With 18 ga, you pretty much have to use the copper. MIG I take it? 
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #330 on: August 20, 2010, 12:56:32 PM »
Flux-core arc welder.  I don't want to keep bottles of gas in my apartment. :(
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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #331 on: August 20, 2010, 04:15:19 PM »
Managed to get the steering wheel and most of the dashboard off without hitting myself in the face with it.  The dash seems to be caught up on something.

Damn, this thing is filthy.
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #332 on: August 20, 2010, 04:28:33 PM »
Flux-core arc welder.  I don't want to keep bottles of gas in my apartment. :(


Ugghh. Fluxcore is teh sux. It's very difficult to do sheetmetal with it. A mini mig from HF would be better and the gas (Argon/c02) is no biggie.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #333 on: August 22, 2010, 10:03:27 PM »
I've taken every screw I can find out of the dashboard and it still won't budge. :banghead:

On a positive note, I fixed my defogger.  I taped up the rest of the blower holes with duct tape.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #334 on: August 27, 2010, 04:01:29 PM »
I'm hearing an odd noise coming from the back of my car.  It could be something loose or vibrating on the inside, but the noise is coming from the area around the gas tank.  It only happens when I go above 75mph and not a mile sooner.  As soon as I pass 74mph, the noise starts.  I'm thinking it could be related to the fuel pump since it sounds like it might be an electric motor or a soda can full of ball bearings.  At that speed the engine is turning about 3,300 rpm but it doesn't happen at any other speeds under 75 (I can do 50mph in 4th gear at 3,300 rpm and still not hear the same noise).

As soon as my co-worker gets here, I'm going to have him help me find it.  I'm going to go empty my car out now.

It sort of sounds like this, but not as bad.
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHSnQ_aMVY[/youtube]



edit: nevermind, I found it.  Some sort of luggage rack or bracket on the floor.  I shimmed it with a piece of rubber. :thatsright:
« Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 05:21:39 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #335 on: August 30, 2010, 10:58:20 PM »
Rust-free California 2-seater. 






Red!  Aaaaugh!!!  YUCK!


Looks like the owner side-swiped a tree, but it's 10x better than the rust I have to deal with on my other car. 

Not an ounce of rust...


Body damage:


« Last Edit: August 31, 2010, 01:17:51 AM by chris_ »
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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #336 on: August 30, 2010, 11:03:52 PM »
A few small problems with the new car, but it's easy stuff.

- Needs a new thermostat and is probably low on coolant.
- The gas-sending unit is not reading on the dashboard, but the low-fuel warning light does work.  I'll have to figure it the old-fashioned way until I get it home.   
- There is a leak in one of the exhaust manifold ports, but I have a full set of gaskets for the car.

Other than that, I can't think of anything.  The steering on this thing is tight.  I did a quick slalom on an empty back road and the thing handles twice as good as my current rust bucket.  I did remember to crawl under the car this time and check the frame rails and undercarriage.  Perfect condition.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #337 on: August 31, 2010, 06:37:31 AM »
So you're looking to dump your current car and pick up this one? Do a bit of surgery to the interior due to the red?   :popcorn:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #338 on: August 31, 2010, 09:26:14 AM »
I bought that one yesterday for the same price I got my current one for.  It was a steal.

I'm going to keep the current one as a parts car since the '82 and '83 are nearly identical.  I will definitely do something about that awful red color.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #339 on: August 31, 2010, 04:40:24 PM »
The red interior is my favorite part of a ZX! 

Yours is just faded a bit.  Check out this beauty:


Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #340 on: August 31, 2010, 07:27:27 PM »
Finally got this thing home.  I think I'm in love.  Or it's just the fumes from the exhaust leak.

I don't know what the owner was talking about... the suspension on this thing is tight.  You hit a bump in mine and it wallows and bounces.  Oh, and the brakes on this thing are the shit.  Stop on a dime.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2010, 07:29:32 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #341 on: August 31, 2010, 07:38:25 PM »
The red interior is my favorite part of a ZX! 

Yours is just faded a bit.  Check out this beauty:
:hammer:

Growing up, the neighbors across the street had one of those 70's luxo-barge Ford Thunderbirds.  It was red, red, red (with a white landau vinyl top).  It looked like a rolling cow barn.

I'm thinking of ways to incorporate the gray and black interior from one car in the red interior of the other. 
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #342 on: August 31, 2010, 08:12:46 PM »
Using the gray and black as accent pieces with the red?  That would be neat.  Maybe if you just got rid of the red carpets, the red seats, and did something with the door panels? 

That red seemed to be a really popular color way back when.  That, and tan. 

Also, I am totally jealous of your new acquisition. I am really missing my ZX right now.  :bawl:

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #343 on: August 31, 2010, 08:15:39 PM »
The red carpet is torn up in the front, so it will need to be replaced eventually.  This new car is awesome but the 3-speed automatic it came with really, really sucks.

I'm thinking since the other car has a near-terminal case of rust to throw some snow tires on it and drive it during the winter and save the 2-seater for summer. 
« Last Edit: August 31, 2010, 08:30:24 PM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #344 on: August 31, 2010, 08:38:44 PM »
I just noticed the autotragic shifter!  I've never driven one, much less seen one with the autotragic.  Is it really that bad?

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #345 on: August 31, 2010, 08:44:31 PM »
Yeah, it pretty much sucks.  The gear ratios are so wide, this thing can't even get out of its own way.  It's okay for cruising, but that's about all.  Driving it is more like this:

first
seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecoooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd
thirrrrd
« Last Edit: September 05, 2010, 10:35:31 AM by chris_ »
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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #346 on: August 31, 2010, 09:02:51 PM »
If you think the 3-speed is bad, check this out. :bawl:


Temperature and fuel gauge don't work.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #347 on: August 31, 2010, 09:36:39 PM »
I dug up some directions on swapping from a digital to analog gauge cluster last night.  I can't remember if the three console gauges are digital, too, or just the ones in the main cluster. 

IIRC, all that is required are parts from an analog car, nothing special. 


105K miles.  Lucky.  :p

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #348 on: August 31, 2010, 09:44:22 PM »
I thought the digital dash had an entirely different wiring harness.  Got anything with pictures?

I'm poking through the archives on Zcar, but there's like 5000 results.

My biggest concern right now are the coolant temperature gauge and fuel gauge.  I can fudge the fuel level since the warning light still works, but I don't want any overheating issues.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2010, 09:48:39 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #349 on: August 31, 2010, 09:57:45 PM »
According to the nerds at Zcar, there is a fuse soldered to the dash that controls the fuel and temp gauge.  I'm wondering if the previous owner blew that fuse when he pulled the radio out since they are connected.

At least he didn't break anything else.
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