I am getting closer and closer to actually driving my 280z 2+2. Just got it running last week. I bled the clutch and it should be ready to go. Had my brother push in the clutch for me while I was underneath the car and the slave cylinder goes out all the way. The car shifts fine through all the gears when not running, but when running can't seem to get it into any gear with the clutch pedal all the way. What is going on? What do I do?

Try adjusting the fork. If you have a repair book, there should be a section about clutch adjustment.

Has the car been sitting for a long time? The clutch disk may have rusted to the flywheel.

Try adjusting the fork. If you have a repair book, there should be a section about clutch adjustment.

There's no adjustment there on a 280Z. They have a non-adjustable push rod on the slave.

What happens when you put it into gear first then try to start the engine? Does it try to move the car or does it start ok but you cant shift into any other gear? What all was changed, clutch, release bearing, transmission, slave cylinder, master cylinder? The more info provided the better the answers will be.

The car did jump forward when I tried starting it. Nothing has been modified or changed to the car, all is original. If the clutch was seized to the flywheel, wouldn't the pedal and slave cylinder be stuck as well? When I had it running I tried to put it in gear but couldn't, I was also expecting grinding, but it didn't grind. Does everything just need loosening? The car has basically sat for 25 years.

The car did jump forward when I tried starting it. Nothing has been modified or changed to the car, all is original. If the clutch was seized to the flywheel, wouldn't the pedal and slave cylinder be stuck as well? When I had it running I tried to put it in gear but couldn't, I was also expecting grinding, but it didn't grind. Does everything just need loosening? The car has basically sat for 25 years.

No, if the disc is rusted to the flywheel, the rest of the clutch parts can still move. I'm betting this is your problem, from all the symptoms you describe.

Is there any tricks I can try to "unseize" it? This would be last resort but could I put the handbrake on and start it in gear with clutch pedal pushed all the way in?

If the clutch disk is rusted to the flywheel, you might try to break it loose by putting the transmission in 4th gear, pushing the clutch in and rocking the car forward and back by hand. Rocking the car by hand will be less detrimental to the starter and other mechanical parts than trying to crank it in gear. You may end up tearing the clutch friction material off the disk which will require replacement anyway, but its worth a try.

Good Luck

Just drop the transmission and look at the clutch. You are going to have to do this at some point in the near future.

Agreed. Dropping the transmission isn't that hard. I did it last Sunday - twice. Dropped the 4 speed out of my yellow car, then dropped the 'box from the red car and installed the 'box from the yellow car in a total of five hours, including a lunch break. Shouldn't take more than 2 hours to pull a transmission from a Z, as long as you have either a floor jack or a transmission jack.

That could work for me. I found a 280ZX with a 5 speed at an auto wreckers nearby. From what I'm told the motor is still good too. Thanks for all the help.