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Moving right along .... This will go a LOT faster than the frame rails ....

Guys, Please don't cut that car in half! Hiyabrad, maybe purchase Sving1s entire car and transfer all your good stuff over to it? I know, none of my business but.... Hey, is that guy on the far right taking a leak on the tumble weed?

Cut out the driver’s side rocker with no additional bracing. No drama ...

Excited to finish fitting these ??? Tired ...tomorrow ...

I have been told that the most experienced engine builders are on this forum so I thought I might get some help and direction. I am considering doing an engine rebuild on the 78 280z this May. It is only a street car, I drive in traffic and highway. It is mostly stock except for Headers, Fujitsubo exhaust, ZX distributor. I have had it for 8-9 yrs. The goal is a cost effective, reliable, healthy bump in power and fix leaking oil seals as the ODO says 27k. Now is that 127 or 227 miles??? I've done everything else myself but left the engine work to the last, now that I have time and space to mess around with it.Reason: leaks from here and there, need fixing so why not just get it over with...This will be my first engine rebuild (it doesn't look to difficult) Yes, I have the shop manual and the 2 books.Does anyone have any suggestions on things I should change while I'm in there? (N47 head) My loose plan: - Do a leakdown, compression and dyno test so I can have a baseline. - All Gaskets (Felpro full kit)- Block to be decked/faced, honed and head to be decked/faced- Cast Pistons - Flat tops any recommendations?- Head rebuild? decked/faced, ISKY 718147 Stage 1, ********What should I change here to accept the new cam? Springs?, lash pads?, retainers?, rockers?, shorter valve seals***** Recommendations?- New bearings, rod bolts, frost plugs, timing chain kit.- Ignition plan to keep the OEM (any benefit to a new ignition system?)- ZX Turbo oil pump - Adjustable fuel pressure regulator (suggestions?) - While I'm at it... flywheel faced and new clutch OEM or Exedy OEM Replacement Clutch Kit 06009. No lightwieght flywheel as I dont want a "blippy" thottle response.Any info would be helpful if you have done this before Where should I buy these parts because there are good parts and CHEAP parts If you don't feel like typing I can call you just PM me. Thank you in advance. D.

There is no power steering pump on 69-78 Z cars. You can buy rebuilt starters or you could just have yours rebuilt locally. New OEM rubber bushings are very comfortable compared with poly, although poly bushings are good to have on the steering rack and steering shaft. Oh, and welcome to the fourm.

1973 Datsun 280ZX! Well, at least they got the first half of the description right.

I agree with all of this except the cam perception. It’s not the cam that makes for poor idle as much as the ability to tune. My 490/290 cam probably isles as good as a stock engine , but I have the ability to tune it. OEM EFI doesn’t allow tuning, but I think you can get away with some cam mods which do wonders for these motors .

At this point in time, I think it's safe to say that cutting up a straight, rust free shell is sacrilegious. Doesn't look like it's the right year anyway.

As promised here's the picture of Larry's car I took @ Steamboat Springs Concourse / vintage races - Labor Day weekend 1990. It's what inspired me to jump back on my Z roots. When we got home from Steamboat I took my 73 to a body place and they said it would cost more than it was worth so I went looking for another car and found my current series 1 car.

In the end, the second pan was an extra day of prep and 40 minutes of powder coat and cure. I got to go visit Jim and hand pick one of the multiple pans he had sitting out for me to choose from and spend some time in the emporium. I get smarter every time I visit him... Time well spent.

I'm an excellent driver.

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Does the bottom end need rebuilt, or you are just wanting to try it?!The bottom ends are about bullet proof unless it’s been neglected . Should be able to tell that by how clean the inside of the valve cover looks. Does it use or blow smoke? You might pull the head off and still see the cross hatch marks in the cylinders. I’ve seen it on a motor with 100k + You could save $$ and time and aggravation and less down time with your car by not touching the short block except gaskets . You could improve CR with a smaller combustion chamber head . Instead of rebuilding that head you could put money towards a different head . Facing the block? Probably won’t need decked either. Now the head should be resurfaced if it has any defects or just for the HG longevity. Shorter valve seals or different valve springs for anything more then 460 lift cam. Probably get away with stock seals up to 480. Just throwing it out there

@Av8ferg Working on it. I'm thinking with enough time, it won't suck.

Yes.... why not check with the local Z club. They may have some members who do the same work. You would get a better quality job done and the price is usually fair.

Ok. This is wayyyy better! Thanks Jim!