Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144449 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #500 on: November 29, 2010, 08:13:55 PM »
donor car?

I found a local guy with a complete SC supercharger for $500 bucks.
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Offline true_blood

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #501 on: November 29, 2010, 08:21:12 PM »
$500?!
How many miles? Any leaks?

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #502 on: November 29, 2010, 08:22:04 PM »
I don't know... it may have been sold by now and I haven't called to ask yet.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/2073349629.html
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #503 on: December 01, 2010, 03:07:22 PM »
Apparently, I'm supposed to be using Dexron ATF instead of DOT3 power steering fluid.  That could be why it's drip, drip, dripping out of my car and onto the ground below. 

One more task for the weekend.
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Offline Thor

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #504 on: December 01, 2010, 06:48:50 PM »
And........while you're at it, throw in some transmission sealer.... (hmmm, where have I heard THAT before??)  :fuelfire: :rotf:
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #505 on: December 09, 2010, 10:02:50 PM »
You can take that 'sealer' garbage and shove it up yonder.

I really need to get this gauge cluster swapped out.  I'll give that a shot this weekend.  As far as I can tell, I only need to swap out the cluster up to and including the electrical harness going to the ECU.  I would like to be able to tell how much I have in my gas tank... I managed to run out of gas this week even though I though I had filled it up to the top.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2011, 04:37:51 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #506 on: December 31, 2010, 04:39:36 PM »
Hm... intake manifold bolts were already loose.  I didn't have to put a whole lot of pressure on them to get them to break loose. 

Did I mention it's 68° here?
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Offline cavegal

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #507 on: December 31, 2010, 05:59:06 PM »
Hm... intake manifold bolts were already loose.  I didn't have to put a whole lot of pressure on them to get them to break loose. 

Did I mention it's 68° here?
:lmao: what is this.......68F you speak of? LOL...


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Offline thundley4

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #508 on: December 31, 2010, 06:08:01 PM »
:lmao: what is this.......68F you speak of? LOL...

It was in the mid 50's here today. Finally some glowbull warming.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #509 on: January 08, 2011, 07:57:45 PM »
I've been pondering... I'm going to register car #1 as an antique.  It's a one-time $35 fee for the registration and I already have a permanent plate I can use.  After I pull all the parts I need from it, I'll sell it for scrap.  I need the R200 (3.99 gear) instead of the existing 3.5 gear for car #2 and the transmission/pedal assembly. 

I think my next car may be an MG B.  I haven't fully decided yet.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #510 on: January 09, 2011, 01:16:17 PM »
Your potential garage is starting to look WAY to much like my garage.



:popcorn:

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #511 on: January 17, 2011, 05:57:31 PM »

Take THAT, broken door dinger! :hammer:

I now have a non-dinging, silent vehicle and the interior doesn't sound like a pinball arcade.

Also, the car wash down the street has this awesome green stuff that works miracles on aluminum/alloy wheels.  The owner didn't give me a brand name (he just said 'it's a high-PH degreaser/cleaner').  Hey, it's free -- they have 30-gallon buckets of the stuff.  My wheels haven't been that shiny in years.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2011, 06:18:17 PM by chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #512 on: January 30, 2011, 02:20:36 PM »
I bled my steering system and replaced it with Dexron ATF instead of the no-label "power steering fluid" that was in there before.  The AFT has a higher viscosity and I don't see any more leaks (yet).  I tried to wipe everything down but it's still pretty grimy.

Torn boot... is this a big deal?

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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #513 on: January 30, 2011, 02:23:58 PM »
The boot is supposed to keep the shaft from pulling debris into the steering box.  I'd get it fixed pretty soon.

Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #514 on: January 31, 2011, 02:21:04 PM »
I've been pondering... I'm going to register car #1 as an antique.  It's a one-time $35 fee for the registration and I already have a permanent plate I can use.  After I pull all the parts I need from it, I'll sell it for scrap.  I need the R200 (3.99 gear) instead of the existing 3.5 gear for car #2 and the transmission/pedal assembly. 

I think my next car may be an MG B.  I haven't fully decided yet.


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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #515 on: January 31, 2011, 02:21:56 PM »
shakes Magic 8 ball

"All signs point to Yes"
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Offline cavegal

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #516 on: January 31, 2011, 03:15:53 PM »
shakes Magic 8 ball

"All signs point to Yes"
Yes to MGB?


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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #517 on: January 31, 2011, 06:10:07 PM »
Yes to MGB?

Just say "yes" Chris!  :-)  Come to the dark side (Lucas Electrics). 




See?  Nothing on fire!   :tongue:

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #518 on: January 31, 2011, 06:16:19 PM »
 :rotf: But it's not moving either.

You do realize your car has ten different colors on it, right?


I'll have to drive down to the Fairgrounds and see if that B is still in the sales lot across the street.
« Last Edit: January 31, 2011, 06:43:27 PM by chris_ »
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #519 on: January 31, 2011, 07:07:12 PM »
Just the hood is black.  The rest of it is all original, save for the seats.  I still have the original vinyl seats.  I can't bear painting over the original paint yet, since most of it is still good.  And the vinyl is in great shape, albeit a little faded.  Not bad for 38 years old! 

I'm using these, because I paid almost a grand just in materials to completely refurbish the seats on my previous B.  Then, it got hit in an accident, and that was that.  :p


Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #520 on: January 31, 2011, 07:48:28 PM »
Don't forget that the most important thing on the B is rust.  Anything else can largely be fixed for not much scratch, and without a large output of effort.

What year is the car you are looking at?  If you don't know that, does it have the chrome or rubber bumpers?
« Last Edit: January 31, 2011, 07:52:38 PM by BattleHymn »

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #521 on: February 01, 2011, 08:03:52 AM »
I'm embarassed to say it, but I'm looking at a rubber bumper version.  They're less expensive, the steering gear will clear a Camaro/Mustang V6 oil pan, and the dashboard doesn't have the Abingdon Pillow.  I can always find chrome bumpers for a conversion later.  It just requires a tiny amount of cutting and welding (or pasting).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGB-Sports-Car-/120676398666?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c18dfb64a
« Last Edit: February 01, 2011, 08:51:46 AM by chris_ »
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #522 on: February 01, 2011, 01:38:57 PM »
Chris, Battle did not say MGD.
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

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"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #523 on: February 01, 2011, 02:07:23 PM »
Chris, Battle did not say MGD.
:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:  H5

Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #524 on: February 01, 2011, 02:16:44 PM »
I'm embarassed to say it, but I'm looking at a rubber bumper version.  They're less expensive, the steering gear will clear a Camaro/Mustang V6 oil pan, and the dashboard doesn't have the Abingdon Pillow.  I can always find chrome bumpers for a conversion later.  It just requires a tiny amount of cutting and welding (or pasting).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGB-Sports-Car-/120676398666?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c18dfb64a

There isn't anything to knock on owning an RB car.  The only change I would make to one (since I already have a CB), is to drop it to the lower ride height.  I think the RB looks best, when the bumpers are painted body color.  If you decide to leave the bumpers black, you can help trim up the body line up front with an air dam.  They really look sharp that way. 

That being said, the previous car I had was an RB that I was in the middle of converting to a CB.  The worst part is fitting the front bumper brackets-  at least it was for me.