Just what the Doctor ordered. 1977 280z

[grannyknot]

Found this 280z on kijiji and unlike almost every project car I buy this one has had the rust repaired, body and paint already  done (although I'm still going to tear it down). 106,000 miles, previous owner had it for 26 yrs and only drove it 3000 miles. Matching numbers engine and as far as I can tell, no modifications of any kind. I'm thinking I may keep it stock, the engine runs beautifully, pulls 15-16 in.Hg vacuum steady at a warm idle and the compression #s are very consistent. Interior is old and dirty, rubber seals and weatherstripping are shot and need replacing, lots to keep me busy.

I know practically nothing about the 280's engine management so will have lots of questions.

Engine bay is a disaster, much detailing to be done.

Very original looking brake fluid, vintage!

A new little sister for the ///MZ,

 

 

[Patcon]

Very nice. You might need a throttle intake boot or more silicone! The numbers look excellent

[SoCalJim]

Where can I get some vintage brake fluid for my vintage Z? 

[Zed Head]

Looks great.  The bumper rubber looks like 1978 though.  Engine management and fuel pump control are slightly different in 78.  78 has two prongs on the oil pressure sender, one prong is a switch.

[Captain Obvious]

Awesome. Best year ever.

You got questions? We got answers!   

[grannyknot]

The only thing that isn't working is that I can't start it with the  key, I have to turn the key on and use a remote momentary switch attached to the starter. The 77 wiring diagram is a lot different than the 70-72 Z's I'm use to.

 

58 minutes ago, SoCalJim said:

Where can I get some vintage brake fluid for my vintage Z? 

I'll sell you the black gold that's in there now and throw in the clutch fluid for free. ?

[SoCalJim]

Whoo hooo!  

[rcb280z]

20 hours ago, Zed Head said:

The bumper rubber looks like 1978

77 and 78 used the same bumper rubber. It's what was on my 77.

What a find! looks really good so far. Definitely need the rubber boot between the afm and throttle body. The efi is a simple system once you have an understanding of it. Lots of knowledgeable people on this site.

Those compression numbers look great!  

[grannyknot]

47 minutes ago, rcb280z said:

Those compression numbers look great!  

Yes I'm very happy with the condition of the engine, I opened it up today to adjust the valves, just a couple were out. Some pretty heavy oil varnish going on in there.  The cam lobes all look good. Got the key working again to start the engine, one of the 2 black relays up under the dash on the P/S was dead so switched them around.

1977 wiring harness diagram; does anyone make accurate  large wiring diagram like 11"x 17" sheet that you can hold in your hands?

Edited June 2, 2018 by grannyknot

[Patcon]

The cam looks good, nice and shiny!

[Zed Head]

Here's a good one in pdf format.  Good old Blue246...

http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/electrical.htm

 

Oddly, it's not in the CZCC Download area but it says it's a CZCC diagram.

Edit - actually it is but you have to read the fine print.  https://www.classiczcars.com/files/category/1-wiring-diagrams/

Edited June 2, 2018 by Zed Head

[240260280]

Love it.  I have some 280z parts I can send. I 'm pretty sure I have those elbows to the throttle body.

[240260280]

 Check the block breather to pcv hose. They go soft and gummy.

Your z has the improved AAR hose routing so that is good too.

This will get you into trouble:

http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/efisystem/overview.html

http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/electricalconnections/index.html

 

 

[rcb280z]

Looks like you have a little coolant seepage at the thermostat housing. Could be a loose bolt, maybe. Or just a plain ol' dried up gasket.

[grannyknot]

Thanks guys, great info. @240260280 Philip, are you still selling those fuse blocks to replace the fusible links? Me want.

[Captain Obvious]

The fantastic 77 color wiring diagram was created by Wayne @wal280z.

Here's the latest. It's Revision "M". It includes the two changes mentioned above (voltage regulator and illumination light in the Temp/Oil gauge):

1977 Color Wiring Diagram Version M.pdf

And if you want to see any of the history of changes, here's a thread with some details:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/11727-color-wiring-diagram-for-280z/?page=3

[grannyknot]

That is a beautiful diagram, I'm going to put that on a stick and take it to a print shop to see if they can make me a full size copy.

Thanks again.

[240260280]

11 hours ago, grannyknot said:

Thanks guys, great info. @240260280 Philip, are you still selling those fuse blocks to replace the fusible links? Me want.

I may have a few kicking around.

[Captain Obvious]

Yeah, I can't imagine what stage of electrical disrepair I would be at currently if it weren't for Wayne's wiring diagram. There are honestly projects that I would have simply not tackled if I had to spend that same time tracing the wires on the stock multiple page monochrome diagram.

[grannyknot]

OK guys how the heck do you get this panel out without breaking it, how did they get it in? 

Starting in 74 Nissan stopped offering White as an interior colour and switched to Off White, I have also seen this colour called Beige and Ivory. My question is has anyone bought these seat covers from MSA and what do they really look like? Is there anywhere else that makes a stock looking Off White with the fabric in the middle?  http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/40-2651

[Dave WM]

unbolt the mount for the gas strut. single nut on the back.

Edited June 6, 2018 by Dave WM

[240260280]

That interior!

[Dave WM]

tough era to live thru...

[grannyknot]

22 hours ago, Dave WM said:

unbolt the mount for the gas strut. single nut on the back.

Ahhhh, now I see, I thought that the whole flange was welded on.

So this spare tire is pretty much dedicated to have a can of compressed gas to fill it up, what is everybody using? The original can has something sloshing around inside but I sure wouldn't want to depend on it.

 

[Captain Obvious]

I ditched the inflat-o-matic spare for an always inflated donut spare a while ago. Details are here, but pics are dead because photobucket sucks:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/55424-always-inflated-mini-donut-spare-for-7778/

The 77 and later cars are tough because of the reduced tire well diameter. The summary is I'm running a T115/70/14 space saver tire on an old 4 inch wide rim from a Datsun Roadster. That's the largest rubber I could get into the spare tire well on the 77.

Let me know if you want me to reload the pics and I can do that when I get the chance.