Found a pretty nice Black Pearl Edition, I am familiar with 70 and 71 Zs and they have the motor number on the fender tag, how can I verify motor is correct(original) for this 78? Hurry!! The money is burning a hole in my pocket and the price is right. Thanks, Mike

Don't 280Z's have the engine number on the fender tag? If not, then it may not be possible to know the original engine number.

I did not get to have a good look under the hood, dark and no flashlight, there is a tag there but all I could make out was 1 set of stamped numbers that matched the VIN, could have been more but it looked like the rest of the tag was printed, not stamped, could be wrong. Inside old closed down truck repair business, it's a 78 and the paint code is right and the price is very right. Jumped it and it cranked right up after 4 or 5 months, old gas smelled nasty. 5 speed without the "Appearance Group". The price is so good I only want to make 1 more trip to verify motor and make a cash offer, no need to spook the guy. Should motor number be on tag? Mike

Engine code is below 6th spark plug, at least on my 75 280z. The motor # was on the fender tag for mine, I dont know if they changed it with the body in 78 though.

The engine number isn't on the fender tag in my 78 nor could I find it anywhere on the car other than on the engine. But it is on the 'Datsun Guarantee Card' that was amongst the paper work I got from the original owner. Mine matches!