Is there a filtering screen anywhere in the fuel line between the fuel pump and the gas tank on a '77 280Z? I have an original 1977 manual for this car and it doesn't show enough detail to answer this question. Also, I removed the fuel pump and contrary to at least one of the posts on this site, there is no screen in the intake of the pump.

I've owned this car since 1980 when it had 26K miles (used from one owner). It ran great for years. Now, it has about 60K (original) miles and because I let it sit for months at a time things have begun to deteriorate. I've begun replacing hoses, gaskets, belts, etc., including all the fuel line hoses and fuel filter, but a performance problem remains. According to several threads on this site and other similar sites, the problem is pretty common: backfiring (through the air intake) on slow to moderate acceleration when the engine is warmed up, smooth acceleration (no backfiring) when the throttle is wide open, and smooth acceleration when the engine is cold (regardless of acceleration rate).

There are a lot of theories but the most common seems to be lean fuel mixture. (I have checked the air handling system, the sensors, the computer/controller, etc. and didn't find a problem.) So, I've begun working my way through the fuel line, starting at the tank. I haven't measured the fuel pressure (yet), and I haven't replaced any of the injectors (yet). Before I re-install the pump, I wanted to see if the fuel intake line could be partially blocked in the region of the tank/pump.

After confirming that the fuel lines and injectors are open and working, I'll go back to the air handling side. I have to admit that this is a frustrating problem.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Correction: There IS a filter/screen located in the intake tube of the fuel pump. Didn't see it the first time through. It looks clean, however. Does anyone know how to remove it or clean it (or if it can be removed or cleaned)?

It seems that a filtering screen should exist at the intake within the gas tank, as well. The screen within the pump intake is too difficult to reach to be cleaned regularly.

Again, I appreciate your help.

The screen is missing from my pump. But I did put a fram filter after the tank. I swap it out every spring.

You can remove the filter with some small needle nose pliers or with two small screwdrivers . The small filter is plastic with a very fine mesh screen material. I also have a Fram filter between the tank and the fuel pump. I use one that I can see any debris that might be traped and then I can change the filter. I check the screen filter in the fuel pump at least once a year. I also took my gas tank off, cleaned it and coated it with a kit from POR-15 or Eastwood. You can also take the tank to a radiator shop and they will do this for you for around $100 to $150.00 to coat the gas tank. The filter in the fuel pump is where the line from the fuel tank goes into the pump.

Yes, the '77 has a sock in the gas tank. I had to take compressed air to the outlet of the tank on my '77 and blow the sock off the line so I could get fuel to the pump. I then did what everyone else does and installed a clear filter between the tank and the pump.