Thread: 1977 Datsun 280Z

Yeah I thought they were carburettor in that era. Fuel filter then fuel pump would be first place to look. After that, carburettor bowl. Great old cars.

not much to say that no one else mentions. My vote is for fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter. Injectors might be an issue if gunk is still in tank with perforated filter. Slop in the chain, but not enough to skip teeth on the gear would be worst possible issue. Gunked up valves would be more evident if the issue was present while car was still. O2 sensor might have loose connections. Basically, I am just spitting out ideas, but no professional mechanic.

Yup, the predecessor, the 2000 roadster was carbureted, with side draft SU carburetors and still a rocket and a good handler, they were campaigned heavily in SCCA for many years.

Here in So. Cal guys are ripping out those Z old motors and dropping them in 510s and old Datsun, Pick-ups as sleepers.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Despite the era, they were fuel injected.

L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection from 1975, designed by Bosch in fact.
Neat, had to wiki that.

Gent's, I am surprised, No one mentioned Spark plug WIRES. I have a pair of 240's and z parts out the yingyang, 260 lady Z-280's-300's.

Check those spark plug WIRES, Hey, the good part is after all the fixing, the Z will not need a tuneup for a while. Best of fixing to you OP.

Originally Posted by FAL

Gent's, I am surprised, No one mentioned Spark plug WIRES. I have a pair of 240's and z parts out the yingyang, 260 lady Z-280's-300's.

Check those spark plug WIRES, Hey, the good part is after all the fixing, the Z will not need a tuneup for a while. Best of fixing to you OP.

willis said he replaced the wires and i figured probably triple checked the connectiong. BUT that does remind me of one time where I got a bad plus wire out of the box.

Willis, I read you checked the plug wires, sometimes they can look fine but breakdown when stepping on the gas, a strong miss will show up and when shifting will go back to an idle just fine but step on it and it misses. I have changed the advance curve in the distributor on a few, boy what a power/acceleration difference, gas mileage came up 15-20% too.

I have several Z cars(2 240's restored) and lots of parts up through 300 series.

Huh, I thought I had nixed my preious post Duhh moment,,,,,, Ok fine now

Originally Posted by MikeB52

77, nice ride..
Should be carbureted, not injected fir its age. Fuel filter, good place to start.
Timing, vacuum advance, leaks in intake manifold, carb itself for proper idle jet setting.
Wish I was closer, loved the old Datsun's. Also see if your friend can check the throttle for correct operation at WOT. vac advance and extra fuel squirts went hand in hand on those. Replace the air filter with the fuel filter first step.
Let us know the results..
Cheers and good luck.

Thanks!
Nope.... Fuel Injected. No carbs on this baby. Weird I know. Fuel filter seems to the culprit so far..... Super dirty! Also going to get a pressure regulator too. Hopefully Napa can get them here or I'll have to order online....and that means more waiting and no driving time. The engine in these are a trip to look at too. So now it's the waiting game.

Originally Posted by FAL

Willis, I read you checked the plug wires, sometimes they can look fine but breakdown when stepping on the gas, a strong miss will show up and when shifting will go back to an idle just fine but step on it and it misses. I have changed the advance curve in the distributor on a few, boy what a power/acceleration difference, gas mileage came up 15-20% too.

I have several Z cars(2 240's restored) and lots of parts up through 300 series.

When we checked the spark plug wires...we pulled the wires while running to see if any them were missing or made an impact on how it ran..... Ran rough each time the plug wire for each plug was pulled. Getting parts here in Canada might be a challenge without getting burned on the prices. When you give it gas.... or floor it....seems like the car "cuts" off....when you release the gas...all is fine. Runs super rich....like it is getting too much fuel and floods. I'm going to order some new fuel filters for it and a pressure regulator. Small parts first eh? I'm up any suggestions you have. I'll get some new spark plug wires for good measure too....

I reread what you said.... and all that happens to the car is how you've described it. Plus and the filters will get replaced asap...... I parked the car for the night.

Have you looked into the air intake system ?
I had a Volvo that would just shut down at low RPM or on idle because the intake air flow sensor was not working properly. Not sure if your car has anything like that but might be worth checking into it.