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Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 146155 times)

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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #350 on: August 31, 2010, 10:04:16 PM »
Looks like you need the analog cluster, wiring harness, and fuel and temp sending units.  Supposedly, everything is plug and play.  

Also, some guys look like they have problems getting their harnesses from cars with manual heater controls, and trying to put that harness into a car with automatic controls.  IIRC, your donor car has auto controls already, so you're prepared for that eventuality.  

I wish I could find something more authoritative and concise, but I just gleaned what I could from the zcar.com search function.  :p  


I have to pull the dash on my 96 850 Turbo here pretty soon.  I'll trade you any day for that headache!  :thatsright:


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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #351 on: August 31, 2010, 10:05:23 PM »
Quote from: chris_ 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.

Yeah, I came across that last night, too.  I figured you were hellbent on getting rid of the dash though, so I didn't mention it.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #352 on: September 01, 2010, 12:13:53 PM »
Cool... I still have the shiny trim plate that goes in behind the side window I snagged from the Pull-A-Part.  I hate the black plastic onces.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #353 on: September 01, 2010, 07:28:57 PM »
I got my Garmin Nuvi in the mail today and the PO disconnected the cigarette lighter.  Now I have to find out which wire is the hot one. :banghead:
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #354 on: September 01, 2010, 07:46:37 PM »
Brown?  I wished I had my ZX manual.  It is over at my parent's house.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #355 on: September 01, 2010, 07:54:58 PM »
White/red and black (ground).  If it wasn't for Xenon's site, I think I'd go crazy.

The PO left me with a rat's nest of wires to deal with.  Why do radios have to be so damn complex?
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #356 on: September 01, 2010, 08:31:37 PM »
IIRC, red/white was ignition hot.  I thought the cig lighter was hot all the time?  Maybe I'm confused.  :hammer:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #357 on: September 01, 2010, 08:39:56 PM »
Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure the kid I bought the car from cut the connector off the end of it.  There are only a couple wires in that general area that still have their connectors intact.  Everything else was cut to get the radio out. :mad:

Good news, the coolant leak seems to be very minor. There is a skid plate under the radiator to protect the automatic-transmission cooling lines running under the engine.  There is a little bit of coolant pooling up down there, but not much.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #358 on: September 01, 2010, 09:17:56 PM »
I went to one of the used tire places that line Nolensville Road here in Nashville to get my tires balanced.  Turns out the tread on both rear tires were separating -- no wonder I had such a rough ride home.  I spent $60 on a decent pair of used ones, but it's almost impossible to find 14-inch tires any more.  I'm seriously considering doing a 5-lug Honda conversion or finding another 4-lug pattern that I can get a 15-inch wheel for.  One of my friends has a set of 14-inch tires in good condition that he has no use for. 
« Last Edit: September 01, 2010, 11:02:19 PM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #359 on: September 01, 2010, 11:53:54 PM »
FYI, the turbo wheels are 15", and bolt right on. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Nissan-280zx-Turbo-Rims-/180555610571?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a09f3f9cb#ht_500wt_1182

You'd need center caps, too, at around $60 a set.   
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #360 on: September 02, 2010, 09:28:45 AM »
Damn, those are fugly.
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Offline Odin's Hand

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #361 on: September 02, 2010, 09:31:03 AM »
Quote from: chris_ on September 02, 2010, 09:28:45 AM
Damn, those are fugly.

Yet, vehicle period correct.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #362 on: September 02, 2010, 09:50:32 AM »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #363 on: September 06, 2010, 08:59:57 AM »
Finally got both cars back here.  All is well with the universe... until something else happens.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2010, 09:05:12 AM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #364 on: September 07, 2010, 11:00:19 PM »
I loathe rotating tires.  Ugh.  There's some uneven wear on the front two tires and a lot of steering wheel vibration at 50-55 mph.  I'm  moving two good tires from car #1 over to car #2... I hope that fixes it or I'll be needing an alignment.  Probably need new bushings anyway.

For some reason, I keep losing lug nuts off car #2.  This is the second one I've had to replace this week. :mad:


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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #365 on: September 07, 2010, 11:48:12 PM »
At least your Datsuns aren't eating wheel studs.  That was always my problem.   :thatsright:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #366 on: September 08, 2010, 12:10:17 AM »
Finished... looks like the old tires were the problem.  I'm going to take it in for an alignment or at least have someone look at it just in case.  I don't want this thing chewing through tires. 

Oh man, this thing is sweet -- handles real smooth.  Not the tiniest bit of vibration or shaking.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2010, 12:17:56 AM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #367 on: September 08, 2010, 07:31:36 PM »
Chris,

Here are two crappy pictures of the 14" wheels I have on the 240.  I have no idea what make they are.  There is an American Racing wheel from that time period that is close, but the dish is nowhere close to the three inch rim depth these have:



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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #368 on: September 08, 2010, 11:15:25 PM »
Nice.  Is that a steel wheel with a chrome wheel ring on it?  I've been considering switching to steel wheels but I haven't found a pattern I like yet.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #369 on: September 09, 2010, 04:38:41 PM »
Those wheels are all aluminum; no steel, no trim rings.   Have you considered having your snowflake wheels you have on the car right now polished up?  They are rather striking when done up that way, albeit a little more higher maintenance to keep shiny. That is the "other" pair of wheels I run on the 240.   
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #370 on: September 09, 2010, 06:01:52 PM »
They are nice but they're a hassle to keep clean and I've had to fork out money to have at least one straightened.  I'm looking for 15-inch steel ones I can dress up with some rings.  I came across some wide stainless steel or chrome rings on a Buick Skylark that looked really nice but I can't find the picture. 

Checking out TireRack.com, they only have three 14-inch tires available but have 42 tires for the larger wheel.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #371 on: September 09, 2010, 07:49:06 PM »
This might help  (4x4.5 or 4x 114.3mm).  I have it bookmarked from when I was looking for wheels for my MG, which uses the same size as what you are after.
Acura Legend 86-91, CL, Vigor

Buick - Special '61-'63

Chevy II all  4-bolt

Chevy Corvair all 4 bolt

Chevy Sprint '85-'87

Chevy Nova ('61-'70)

Chevy Corvair all 4-bolt

Datsun/Nissan - most models to '89

Datsun roadster -early

Datsun 240SX 89 - 94, 95-up 4 cyl

Datsun 200SX - early

Dodge Colt, Plymouth Arrow RWD 79 - 92

Dodge/Chrysler/Eagle - most 4 lug 83 - 92

Eagle Summit 86 - 92

Ford Capri 91 - 91

Ford Festiva

Ford Mustang all 65 - 68 all 4-bolt

Ford Mustang II

Ford Falcon all 4-bolt

Ford Maverick all 4-bolt

Ford Granada all 4-bolt

Geo Metro

Honda Accord 90 up except V6 Accord

Honda Prelude 92-up

Hyundai all

Infinity G20 91 - 94

Infinity M30 90 - 92

Mazda 323 86 - 89

Mazda 626 88 - 91

Mazda GLC 81 - 85

Mazda RX-7 GSL 84 - 85

Mazda RX-7 SE 86 - 88

MGA, MGB all 4 bolt (14")

Mitsubishi/Eagle

Mitsubishi Gallant 83 - 97

Mitsubishi Mirage 88 - 92

Mitsubishi Precis 87 - 94

Nissan/Datsun - most models to 89

Nissan 200SX 80 - 88*

Nissan Altima, Stanza 93 - 98

Nissan 240Z*, 260Z, 280Z /ZX*, turbo 70 - 85

Nissan 510

Nissan B210

Oldsmobile - F-85 61 - 63

Plymouth - Arrow 79 - 88

Plymouth - Sapporo 79 - 88

Plymouth-Mitsubishi Conquest (15")

SAAB - 900  79 to '87 come in 5.5 x 14, 5.5 x 15, or 6 x 15 *

Suzuki Swift 89 - 98

Toyota - most exc. MR2 and P.U. to 89

Toyota Celica RWD

Toyota Corolla RWD

Toyota Supra 4 lug

Triumph TR 2-6

Volvo P1800 68 - 70


Credit to:  http://pages.prodigy.net/larryhoy/mgwheelinterchange.htm
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #372 on: September 09, 2010, 07:54:10 PM »
Oh, good.  There's plenty of those around here.

I had another wacky ride home... I think I may need an alignment.  I managed to fix another squeak and rattle.  That spare tire sure is noisy.
« Last Edit: September 09, 2010, 07:56:26 PM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #373 on: September 09, 2010, 08:01:35 PM »
What happened?  Did you lose a wheel?   :-)
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #374 on: September 09, 2010, 08:03:51 PM »
No.  I had all four wheels balanced today but I'm still getting lots of vibration above 70mph.  I'm thinking maybe the camber or toe-in may be off on the front wheels.

When did alignments get so expensive?  I remember when they were 30 bucks.
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