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Well, this went from interesting to ugly in just a few posts. I don't see it as an insult to the Chinese culture. But, rather, an observation on an interesting attitude held by the Chinese. Hell, I still have a complete set of bootleg World Book encyclopedias I bought for $20 in Taiwan 45 years ago when they were copying everything in print or on records with no regard to copyright laws. Taiwan is no longer considered to be the "real" China, but the mainland has carried on the tradition with fake Rolex watches, a fake Disneyland, fake iPhones, and knock offs of just about every designer. So why not a sculpture in the style of the Bean? No one was hurt, no one seems to be embarrassed, and no one should get their knickers in a knot discussing it. Dennis

Thanks siteunseen. If that's your engine, I'm jealous...Very clean, no more hose and wire nest and much simpler fuel rail.

Alan, I have always given you the benefit of the doubt due to your knowledge but alas I give up. Calling me a racist is uncalled for,

Finally got the pan back from the Powder Coaters, he wasn't coating it though. I had him take the pan up to 650*F for a couple of hrs and then turn off the oven and let it cool slowly over a 14 hr period. Now I don't for sure that it helped ease any stress in the aluminum but when I unbolted the pan from the steel plate there was only about 1 mm difference from one end to the other, I'm pretty happy about that! I did the test with methyl hydrate and also with hot water, no leaks of any kind I'm tempted to cover the steel plate I was using with emery cloth and work the pan back and forth until it is truly flat again. The first two pics are with no bolts holding the pan down. I'm also wondering if I should fill the inside seams with a flexible sealer of some kind. Chris

Yes, that seemingly unnecessary short intermediate piece of wire is a fusible link. If it's like mine... Take a close look at it, you'll see that it is actually just one wire. I think the other "wire like thing" that runs between the two connectors is a piece of solid plastic cord to act as a strain relief to reduce mechanical damage to the link itself. Another important place to clean up is the four fusible links in front of the battery on the passenger fender well. One of them is related to the EFI system as well and if it's intermittent, it could cause your symptoms. Here's a basic Classic Z Car repair axiom... You get a spare moment, clean some connectors. Even if something is functioning correctly (today), you have time on your hands? Clean some connectors.

Bottom left corner of this picture where it says "AFM connector". Some refurbished ones for sale, https://www.google.com/search?q=280z+afm&biw=1280&bih=620&tbm=shop&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMI2IS5pYWkxwIVysyACh0XJwtB&dpr=1.25

As said before, welcome to the disease! For $750 I think you did really good. You are right, you have a long road ahead of you but as long as everything is in good mechanical condition it should hopefully start up with minimal fuss once you have the Air Flow Meter (AFM). There are TONS of resources on here and other sites regarding the proper starting procedure. Did you get any history with the car? Any idea why there is no radiator and why it was put for sale?

Yes, welcome to the disease. Looks like you will be doing some serious cleaning just to find out where to begin. My suggestion would be to start a notebook on what needs you come across, then you can get a better idea where to start. It will be easy to get overwhelmed at some point, but don't worry, it can be done! I noticed that it is an early 77 with the slanted rear deck. Just a heads up when it comes to carpet be sure to order specific for early 77. The rear deck section is where it's a special fit.

Bummer. I doubt there's any recourse from the company from which you purchased the wheels. You've probably had them longer than any warranty period, but it's not like they've seen any significant mileage. Bad enough that you could see it with the naked eye... How does that make it out of the factory?