Hi everyone. I own a classic car service/restoration shop in Michigan called Eclectic Motorworks. As the name implies, we see quite a variety of classic cars. Our business has traditionally been about 60% British, 15% German, 15% Italian, and the remaining 10% American and Japanese (mainly NA/NB Miatas). But in the past few years, we're seeing more Z cars. We currently have a one-family owned 260z, a 280z, and an original owner 280zx Turbo in the shop. All have been parked for many years and are in to be put back on the road (our most common service for many cars). I've attached a couple of pictures of the cars lined up in our service bays. We have an in-house chassis dyno (Dynojet) and we will dyno tune each car when the time comes (we've already had the 260 and 280zx on for some preliminary rough tunes).

Anyway, we have been having a little trouble getting some parts and information for each of these cars, so I joined the forum so that I can get some of the detailed knowledge about the cars as we're making them roadworthy again. We really strive to fix everything properly and usually to the way the factory did it so that the next person who works on it can understand it.

Thanks in advance!

https://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/

Yikes. Wire nuts. Not yours though.

Take that distributor apart and check the breaker plate bearing holder. It's plastic and they break if there's rust and it's forced to move. You've probably seen similar on other cars of course, but worth a reminder. Good luck, maybe start a rebuild thread here.

https://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/2026/02/07/1978-datsun-280z/

You'll find the information on here and it's not some youtube click money grab either. Ask away but if we help fix one you'll have to donate to the forum.

That's a pretty good amount of Zs so apparently you have a good reputation with them so far.

Oh yeah, thanks for being honest and introducing your company.

Edited September 3Sep 3 by siteunseen

Welcome to the group, that's a great looking shop. You'll not find a more knowlegeable and suppotive bunch of owners and enthusiasts anywhere else on the interweb. Going foward, if you have questions regarding any of your project cars I recommend you provide the VIN and build date for the car in question. Nissan made a lot of mid-model changes and those details can help improve the accuracy of any responses.

Thanks everyone. I can already tell this forum has a great culture and lots of knowledge. I'll keep you posted as things progress. The Z cars in the shop right now are all kind of background projects during the summer and we'll be picking back up on them soon.