Author Topic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX  (Read 144559 times)

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Offline Aaron Burr

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #250 on: December 30, 2009, 05:15:35 PM »
Epic thread. It took me two days to read it. Could you recap this build Chris? I've already forgotten a lot of stuff you got accomplished due to all the fascinating side issues and topics.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #251 on: December 30, 2009, 08:44:31 PM »
I've had to repair the usual things to keep a 27-year-old car on the road -- lights, wiring, hoses, an alternator -- and am making plans for some downtime later so I can replace the cylinder head, injector gaskets, and fix the dashboard with a fiberglass repair kit.  I admit, I haven't done much at this point other than collect parts.  The biggest thing I'm concerned about is having a replacement inner fender welded to fix the hole in the firewall.  I'll have to fabricate a new faceplate to fit a different radio, but I can do that with hand tools.

I wasted a lot of time this summer with an old Volvo I was considering putting a Chevy 350 in, but I have no use for a four-door sedan and I think an MG B with a V6 from a Camaro would be a lot more fun.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #252 on: December 30, 2009, 10:08:21 PM »
this reminds me of when I had a 3.8 Jag sedan MK11. I had one on the road, and 3 for parts, hell, 20 years later, I till have parts to the Jags in the garage. Needed three parts cars for the oddball stuff that would go wrong. It took 3 hours work for every hour you drove, but she'd hit 120 MPH and had a nice wood interior and looked "classic".


Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #253 on: January 26, 2010, 09:47:46 PM »
I finally have enough cash for a paint job but I need to take off one of the fenders and tap out a shallow dent and a few other small button-sized dents need to be Bondo'd over.  I don't want to have it painted until the welding/patching has been done on the firewall.  Meant to pick up an angle-grinder today to smooth the edges out on the donor panel I had cut out but I took it easy today and did mostly nothing.  It will probably be a couple months before the paint is done -- I don't want to pay for one in the middle of winter.

I replaced a few body gaskets and the car seems mostly watertight now despite the hole in the wheel well and fender.

My heater control and blower work but I'm not getting any heat.  I think my heater core could be clogged.  I had heat last year and the only thing I've changed is the coolant... I wonder if some sediment or rust might have worked its way into the heater core.

Next is fiberglass repair for the cracked dashboard. 

I would really, really like to get this new cylinder head installed because my car is currently running like crap.  It runs fine with new or clean plugs.  Anyone got tips for cleaning and re-using dirty spark plugs?  These are brand new.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2010, 11:27:00 PM by Chris »
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Offline Aaron Burr

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #254 on: January 26, 2010, 09:58:18 PM »
Thanks for the update.

Here's some tips. Brake Pad Cleaner.

And I went through heater core hell over Christmas. Blowing one of those out to clean it is much more complicated. Gah.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #255 on: January 26, 2010, 10:10:31 PM »
I should have some of that stuff lying around.  I'll give it a shot.
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Offline Aaron Burr

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #256 on: January 26, 2010, 10:35:31 PM »
Can you afford a new core? That's what I'm doing. The alternatives look....um...kinda nuts.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMp82zLVxoU[/youtube]

Easy Off? Man oh man....

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #257 on: January 26, 2010, 11:44:11 PM »
I could probably find a replacement core from another model.  There are a couple other Nissan models that used the same or similar parts.

Wally World has B&D angle grinders... I bought one but they didn't have any soft polishing wheels or balls.  I want to polish my wheels and valve cover -- they all look pretty ratty.  It would be nice to have some shiny bits on this car.  Looks like that will have to wait for now.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #258 on: January 27, 2010, 03:14:00 PM »

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #259 on: January 27, 2010, 04:30:31 PM »
I was looking for a buffing wheel that would fit on an angle grinder.  Haven't found one yet.

One of my front wheels is flopping around like a loose tooth... time to check the tie-rod ends and bushings. :p
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #260 on: January 28, 2010, 10:35:28 AM »
OK, build oine with a hardware store loose polishing wheel  2 nuts, bolt and washers.  easy enough and cheap. When \it starts to deteriorate, throw igt away and maKE ANOTHER.

Offline Randy

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #261 on: February 06, 2010, 10:36:59 AM »
 

I would really, really like to get this new cylinder head installed because my car is currently running like crap.  It runs find with new or clean plugs.  Anyone got tips for cleaning and re-using dirty spark plugs?  These are brand new.

Here ya go Chris spark plug cleaner.

There's also spark plug extenders that keep the tips out of the oil in the cylinder head. They just slow down the fouling time though. Also if you're doing alot of spark plug removal and reinstalling you may consider using some marine never-seize on the plug threads to lube them a bit.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #262 on: February 06, 2010, 10:41:36 AM »
Gracias, I'll check that out.

My to-do list for tomorrow involves removing a fender and POR-15'ing the frame underneath and Bondo'ing a small dent.  The snow we got managed to scrape off all the peeling clearcoat that was hanging on like loose skin.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #263 on: February 06, 2010, 11:44:37 AM »
g series plugs might help. They are the gold plated tips that resist fouling. When racing Formula Ford I found them very durable, much better than platinum plared.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #264 on: February 06, 2010, 11:50:14 AM »
I usually buy Bosch or NGK.

I've got a spare set... I just need to swap them out so I can pass an emissions test before the end of the month.  The current plugs have less than 1000 miles on them but are already fouled.  I'm waiting for warmer weather before I do the head swap.  I'll need to change the timing chain/gears when I do that, too -- that's another $200.  And I might as well clean and polish the aluninum valve cover while that's off too.
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Offline Peter3_1

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #265 on: February 06, 2010, 12:03:20 PM »
Back in the day, I had a set of G-series plugs that were several years old and had sat in my tool box after a season in my FF engine.  A friend had left a MG-B with me to sell. Things were not going well as it ran like crap.  So I checked the manuel and the D-series were close enough. So, I washed them off and screwed them in. Thecar ran great and sold imediately. Try a set of G-series champions. Tough to foul them.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #266 on: February 12, 2010, 08:57:06 AM »
I found OEM-style seat upholstery... $300 for both seats. :yahoo:
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #267 on: February 12, 2010, 09:50:37 AM »
I found OEM-style seat upholstery... $300 for both seats. :yahoo:

Nice! they must be in pretty good shape since that price is somewhat high? Not sure....
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Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #268 on: February 12, 2010, 10:03:18 AM »
It's $50 cheaper than the other company selilng them, and they didn't have them in grey.  $150 per seat isn't too bad considering what my front seats look like right now.  They're outside of Knoxville, so I could drive over there if I wanted to.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #269 on: February 12, 2010, 10:07:46 AM »
It's $50 cheaper than the other company selilng them, and they didn't have them in grey.  $150 per seat isn't too bad considering what my front seats look like right now.  They're outside of Knoxville, so I could drive over there if I wanted to.

If you're talking Knoxville, TN, debk might be insulted if you didn't stop by for a cuppa joe or an apple fritter or somethin'.
Adams E2 Euphonium, built in 2017
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euphonium, built in 1941
Edwards B454 bass trombone, built 2012
Bach Stradivarius 42OG tenor trombone, built 1992
Kanstul 33-T BBb tuba, built 2011
Fender Precision Bass Guitar, built ?
Mouthpiece data provided on request.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #270 on: February 12, 2010, 10:12:26 AM »
They're in Maryville, TN

I got to meet debk last time I was over there.  We went out to lunch :)
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #271 on: February 12, 2010, 10:30:56 AM »
They're in Maryville, TN

I got to meet debk last time I was over there.  We went out to lunch :)

Deb keeps ragging on me to retire in that part of the state. (We're gonna hang it up in Jackson, TN, which is midway between Nashville and Memphis - thus spake Mrs. E.)

It's a beautiful area and I think I'd consider it, but I go where Mrs. E tells me to go..... :rotf:
Adams E2 Euphonium, built in 2017
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euphonium, built in 1941
Edwards B454 bass trombone, built 2012
Bach Stradivarius 42OG tenor trombone, built 1992
Kanstul 33-T BBb tuba, built 2011
Fender Precision Bass Guitar, built ?
Mouthpiece data provided on request.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #272 on: February 12, 2010, 10:42:29 AM »
I thought you had already moved over there.  I like Jackson... not too big, not too small.  I passed through there a few years ago.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #273 on: February 12, 2010, 10:47:11 AM »
I thought you had already moved over there.  I like Jackson... not too big, not too small.  I passed through there a few years ago.

Nope. We lived there for a year when Mrs. E and I got married in 1999, but then I started my Wanderlust again. Since then we've lived in Utah (4 years), NE Ohio (3 years) and in north-central Missouri for 2.5 years now. I hope to finish my working career here in 9 years or so then we're OUTTA HERE again.

Getting to the point where I absolute, completely, hate the snow and cold, but not enough to want to move to a blast furnace like Phoenix.  :lmao:
Adams E2 Euphonium, built in 2017
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euphonium, built in 1941
Edwards B454 bass trombone, built 2012
Bach Stradivarius 42OG tenor trombone, built 1992
Kanstul 33-T BBb tuba, built 2011
Fender Precision Bass Guitar, built ?
Mouthpiece data provided on request.

Offline Chris

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Re: 1983 Datsun 280ZX
« Reply #274 on: February 23, 2010, 01:14:29 PM »
Emissions Inspection
HC: 82 ppm (limit is 220)
CO: 0.12% (limit is 1.2)
CO2: 9.5% (not tested)
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