I just picked up a 1982 280zx and it has a N42 engine with a P79 Head. Not what I was expecting. Has anyone else come across this before? Why an N42 engine is in a 1982 model?

PO's do some strange things - but there is nothing wrong with an N42!

You are right in being a little suspect, the '82 should have the F54 engine block (dished pistons on turbo, flat top on N/A). Like Travel'n said though, who knows what any number of previous owners or mechanics did. Nothing wrong with an N42 either, but it's anyone's guess what pistons it has. Could even be a JDM replacement.

Does it have a turbocharger?

A question in the same vein just came up in another thread a little while ago. According to the the web site linked below, your combination of P79 head and N42 block will give a 7.4 compression ratio, if the N42 has the stock dished pistons it came with. That would probably be just right for a turbo engine but not so hot for NA.

http://www.zcarz.us/TechnicalInformationPage.htm

Thanks for all the comments.

I bought the car for the 5 speed and then part out the rest. I read some articles on the F54 block and going to keep it for a rainy day untill I found out it was a N42. I'll think I will still keep the N42.