Potential '81 280zx owner

[dub81]

Hello guys & gals of the Z forums!!

AS of right now, I'm counting down the hours till I will be checking out a '81 datsun 280zx for a pretty good price based on what I've read here on the forums.

My name is Walter and I'm located here in Hawaii(Oahu). I've been a big fan of the datsun especially the 710 & 620 trucks for some strange but could never find one here but luckily came across one. According to the owner, he got tired restoring this S130 and said, "all the '81 280zx needs is someone to fix the gas tank and thats it." quote unquote. I dont think this is a big problem until i check it out. Also he had a '79 ZX that he used as parts car so Im assuming he transfered over the '79 parts over to the '81 ZX. Is there anything else I should be aware of when checking the SW130 out?? Like dropping the pan to check for shavings?? My background in Automotive is somewhat average and am currently driving a impreza WRX thats stock since 2004:stupid:. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

thanks for your time,

walter

Edited April 5, 2009 by dub81

[zbane]

Walter, welcome to the group!

Things to check for on the ZX are Rust, Rust, and more Rust.

Get under the car and look at the frame rails. They are prone to rust.

If you can, remove the carpet so you can look at the floorpans. Also, check behind the seats. Specifically check the area where the floopan intersects a crossbrace (behind the rear seat mounts-you'll know it when you see it-the speakers are a few inches above the aforementioned piece)

Check the underside of the doors-stuff gets in there, blocks the drain areas and gets the rust monster going there.

Check the doglegs (the area between the rear end of the door/leading edge of the rear wheel well.

Since the current owner has issues with the tank, you should probably take a look inside the tank. Access the tank by removing the foam pad from the hatch, remove the access panel (two phillips screws) and remove the sending unit.

Pull out the battery, and check the tray and surrounding area.

Check for rust around all the stainless window trim-dead center, bottom edge of front glass is prone to rust (no drainage)

Those are just a few areas to check-obviously rust is an issue...

Mechanically, check the coolant for oil, and the oil for coolant. If you can, run a compression check on all six cylinders.

I imagine others will chime in with other areas of concern.

Whatever you do, dont look at the car with your heart-keep your emotions in check, unless you like writing a lot of checks...

[sblake01]

What's an 'SW130'? I'm not familiar with that terminology as applied to a ZX. All I'm aware of at least for US market 280ZX's is HLS130, HLGS130. KHLS130, or KHLGS130 with K denoting the T top and G denoting the 2+2.

Edited April 5, 2009 by sblake01

[dub81]

What's an 'SW130'? I'm not familiar with that terminology as applied to a ZX. All I'm aware of at least for US market 280ZX's is HLS130, HLGS130. KHLS130, or KHLGS130 with K denoting the T top and G denoting the 2+2.

Sorry its a type-O. I meant S130!! , me=fail.

-Thanks Zbane. Nah, the guy is just selling if for $500 bucks for both so hopefully the rust are only on the parts that are bolt on bolt off types like the fender, etc, etc. But I so appreciate your advice.

[dub81]

Ok guys, just got back from checking it out and took quite a few pictures. I probe the guy with a few questions like wats the matter with the gas tank, condition of the motor, and rust details. He told me that when he started the car a week ago with the gas tank off and idled for awhile before dying. He also changed out some of the fuel hoses, spark plugs & wires. I'll let the pictures do the talking. But what kinda making me step back is my wife!! The frame rails is in condition based on what I could see during daylight. From the pictures, what are your opinions?

Thanks for your time,

walt

The Gas tank issue:

the rest of the pics are found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dub81/

Edited April 6, 2009 by dub81

[sblake01]

Like I said in the other thread, that's junk and might not even be good as a parts car with all of that rust. I don't know how hard those are to find in Hawaii but if it were me, I'd leave it right where it is. You'd be better off finding a better example.

[zbane]

I would have to agree with Stephen on this one.

I see quite a few areas of major concern...

Depending on the price, and the quality of the engine, it might be worth purchasing for parts, and parts only.

[dub81]

Hey Guys, thanks for the response and deeply appreciate it especially with the warm welcome. I know its in sorta bad shape but the seller was going to throw in another '79 S130 with the sale which is actually the better condition car but is used as what he classifies it as " the parts car". I'll have to schedule another meet to check out "the parts car" S130 and then from their decide. I was thinking about replacing the gas tank with a refurbished one and the hatch from black dragon auto. I'll have to take some pics again of the donor car, the frame rail and under of the car.Here's some pictures of the interior and motor. I'll get back to you guys after the 2nd meet and keep you guys updated. As far as Classic Z cars be availiable in Hawaii goes, its super hard if not, impossible to find any Classic Z cars being sold as most of them are just sitting in one's garage aging away.