Thread: 1977 Datsun 280Z

Hey Stefan..... At low RPM's the car runs fine...it's when you give it gas and rev it up....then it sputters and if the gas pedal is put to the floor....it's like the if floods and shuts down. Release the gas peddle and if fine. Super weird. We've got a mechanics Manuel on the car.... just so many things to look at what might be the problem.

Yup, just start with the most likely problem and change out one thing at a time.

Cleaning the fuel system, changing out the filter and replacing the plug wires, are all things you would want to do anyway and will only improve performance and dependability.

The good thing is, that it is running.

Always wanted one of those, what a little badass!

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yup, just start with the most likely problem and change out one thing at a time.

Cleaning the fuel system, changing out the filter and replacing the plug wires, are all things you would want to do anyway and will only improve performance and dependability.

The good thing is, that it is running.

Hopefully it a small problem and nothing major. (Crossing fingers) It's a fun car to speed around in....and not too many these around here.

Might sound dumb but are you running Non Ethanol Premium in there ??

Also if not you might try some Starbrite Star-Tron in the fuel after you get the new Filter in there

Small engines and older engines were not really designed for Ethanol

I wish we had regular leaded gas like back in the day..... I'm not sure what kind of gas we have here, never paid all that close to attention to it. We used an additive in the past to treat the gas and too boost the octane too.

I had a 280Z, Also fuel injected. Bad about airflow meter issues. Fixed mine with a small blk Chevy.
Was too nose-heavy.....Shoulda went with a SB Ford and shoved it back.
Nice cars! I can imagine tons of forums for those?

Way to go, Willis. Great cars, and you must have one really amazing wife!
+1 on what the others have said, and just in case you haven't checked make sure the exhaust isn't leaking anywhere - holes or worn gaskets. Loss in compression caused my Datto to have similar problems.

Put new wires, cap and rotor on. Sounds like a misfire under load. Hook it up to a scope!

If it spudders under load most likely timing issue. Advance maybe. Weak coil is on the list.

If running lean it will backfire.

If running rich it will spudder with some smoke and foul plugs.

The key to fuel injection systems is system pressure. Must be measured.

Next is MAP sensor, the thing that measures the air flow.

Old style injectors do not play well with the ethanol gas clogs them.

High mileage have cam chain wear issues which affect lots of stuff.

To boost your Z's pressure take a small socket/hammer and dimple the bottom of the fuel pressure regulator can. It compresses the spring increasing pressure by a couple pounds. The most inexpensive performance boost for your car.

I had one magnetize electronic distributor that beat me and few others for weeks.

Love the car. Repaired/performance boosted a bunch in the '80s. Setup a few with x3 Weber, Mikuni, Dellorto inductions.