Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144420 times)

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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #175 on: April 20, 2009, 01:01:32 PM »
Why not get a salvaage, but restorable head first, bebuild thet one, then swap, sell the old one? Less down time, mitigate costs?

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #176 on: April 20, 2009, 02:58:16 PM »
Good idea.  I found some interesting information about the '76 that the Pull-a-Part has in town.  I should be able to buy a head from them for a few dollars.
Quote
The larger valve N42 came on the 1975-76 280Z. 48 state U.S. 280Zs didn't use a catalytic converter until 1977, so the head came with softer brass valve seats for use with leaded gas. Many people like these for performance because of it's square exhaust ports. And as a easy mod, putting it on a flattop L28 motor puts compression in the mid 10's.

http://datsunzgarage.com/heads/
:cheersmate:
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #177 on: April 20, 2009, 06:05:20 PM »
Then you'll need the harder seats to replace the bronze, and new valves to go with the seats. Unless you can run a tank of leaded first, then every 4th or 5th tank after that. We're stuck with unleaded gas now, and it hurts the valves as the lead deposits used to soften the damage on closing of the valve.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #178 on: April 20, 2009, 07:01:50 PM »
LMC (Long Motor Company) sells hardened valve seats and all the other parts to rebuild a head and run it on unleaded gasoline.  I don't remember what the camshaft looked like in that junkyard head... I hope it wasn't rusted.  I know mine is clean and shiny.

I'm a little excited about this, provided I can get the head off the junk car. :rofl:
« Last Edit: April 20, 2009, 07:06:32 PM by Chris »
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #179 on: April 25, 2009, 02:40:37 PM »
teh zoom... I haz it


That bolt extractor socket worked great on the first bolt.  I managed to crush the second one enough so I could fit an Allen wrench inside and crack it loose.  Now to disassemble it and check everything.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #180 on: April 25, 2009, 07:49:53 PM »
Nice, the cam looks a bit "iffy" tho.

Oh, and check out this website re Climate Change
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #181 on: April 25, 2009, 07:55:01 PM »
It looks like surface oxidation.  It should polish right out.
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #182 on: April 25, 2009, 09:27:47 PM »
Shit.  I think I sprung a leak somewhere .  Now the clutch pedal drops to the floor and barely works.  I've been driving the car more than usual over the last week, and I think I saw some fluid underneath the car the other day.  The fluid level in the slave cylinder looks good; it could have been the operating cylinder.  I haven't gotten around to that part of the car yet... I was hoping it would hold up for a few weeks until I can put it in the shop.

Clutch System :(
« Last Edit: April 26, 2009, 12:53:38 AM by Chris »
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #183 on: April 26, 2009, 05:19:17 PM »
Clean it up, bleed it down be sure there are no bubbles in the line. . refill , and see if it works. Slide a cardboard sheet under the car when you let it sit overnight and see what fluids are leaking and the quantity.

Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #184 on: April 27, 2009, 10:49:49 AM »
It looks like surface oxidation.  It should polish right out.



Don't bother with that cam. I woulden't.
“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.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

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"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #185 on: April 27, 2009, 02:08:14 PM »
I've seen some VERY nive  lamps made from some like that.....just don't put them where there's something breakable in range of a falling lamp....

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #186 on: April 27, 2009, 03:23:46 PM »
You wouldn't recommend cleaning and polishing it? :(

I can get a new one for $130.  But I can always use another lamp.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #187 on: April 28, 2009, 11:45:32 AM »
Yes, and you can claim it is a modern sculpture, to some, anyway. I did that with a steel frame hydralic press I needed help in getting into the basement. So it sat in the living room awaiting help. A friend sneared at it until I told him it was a new piece of MODERN SCULPTURE, then he was  suddenly IMPRESSED! I laughed and then told him what and why.  :evillaugh:

I've been pro-salvage since I did salvage diving a long time ago in LA CA, AND USUALLY, IT PAYS OFF. I once found an oil painting at the local dump that turned out to be a "name artist" piece with a market value of $5,000. These days the FRAMING is a $500 job.  And, I actually like it.

Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #188 on: April 28, 2009, 01:15:43 PM »
You wouldn't recommend cleaning and polishing it? :(

I can get a new one for $130.  But I can always use another lamp.


No, once it has rust pits in it, it's shot. Save yourself the agony of a worn cam and get a new one from Comp Cams with a bit more performance.


The 260S cam looks like a good choice.  Not too much duration but I don't see the lobe separation so I don't know how "choppy" it would be. My guess, not alot. It would probably give it a mild, but nice, "thump". http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CC&Product_Code=84-123-6&Category_Code=  (I believe this the right engine group?)


Ooops! The lobe is 110, just enough to make it a tad "agressive" sounding. But not alot.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2009, 01:19:35 PM by Wineslob »
“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.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #189 on: April 28, 2009, 02:57:49 PM »

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #190 on: April 28, 2009, 03:04:58 PM »
I rented a valve spring compressor for a few days and started taking that head apart.  oh hell, this thing smells like ass. :rofl:
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #191 on: April 28, 2009, 06:27:56 PM »
progress:
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #192 on: April 28, 2009, 08:51:14 PM »
This piece of shit valve compressor I rented is worthless :censored:
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #193 on: April 29, 2009, 01:16:21 AM »
Chris, I am pretty impressed with your progress. Looks like you like to get things done.  :cheersmate:

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #194 on: April 29, 2009, 01:21:17 AM »
I broke a small bolt off in the front cam tower. :bawl:  I think they're removable, but I haven't gotten that far yet.  I put some WD-40 on the cam lobes and rubbed a lot of the rust off.  It's mostly oil tarnish and they're very smooth.  I guess the pictures make it look worse.  They're in pretty good shape, but I'll have the machine shop check it out just in case.

I completely fubar'ed the thermostat... there's not much left of it, but the housing is in good shape.  Lots of scale, tho.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #195 on: April 29, 2009, 01:28:09 AM »
Since you have the cam out, it's best to change it, like others have said.

You would hate to get it all together and find out the cam is flat, junk, etc


Offline Wineslob

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #196 on: April 29, 2009, 10:22:56 AM »
Since you have the cam out, it's best to change it, like others have said.

You would hate to get it all together and find out the cam is flat, junk, etc



Yup, it's just too cheap to get another cam and not take the chance. That rust put microscopic pits in the cam lobe faces. Remember they are hard-faced and that it's a VERY thin surface. The iron underneath is soft, thats where you'll end up with a flat cam. Go with the mild performance cam, you'll gain about 10% HP just by doing that.
“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.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #197 on: May 02, 2009, 11:32:43 PM »
Whew.  Finally got those damn cam towers/brackets off.  I am not having any luck getting these valves off, but at least now I can measure it for flatness or warping.

I went to two different hardware stores and could not even find an old-fashioned straightedge (I need one at least two feet long).  All they had were framing squares.
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Offline Randy

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #198 on: May 03, 2009, 06:58:01 AM »
Whew.  Finally got those damn cam towers/brackets off.  I am not having any luck getting these valves off, but at least now I can measure it for flatness or warping.

I went to two different hardware stores and could not even find an old-fashioned straightedge (I need one at least two feet long).  All they had were framing squares.

Try Lowes in the tool section by the levels. They have several straight edges.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #199 on: May 03, 2009, 01:23:57 PM »
That's where I went.  All I found were levels and framing/drywall squares.   I ended up buying a small framing square. :(  I was able to check the head between the pistons.  There was no warping in that direction.
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