mgood

I got the car out and ready for this years events around the Burg about a 2 months a go and I started to hear a strange noise in the engine area. I could not pinpoint the exact location, so I purchase one of the mechanic stethoscope's and hunted and hunted. Still unable to find it. Was like a clicking noise every so often. Even my 89 year old mother said the car did not sound right. Well the problem showed it's ugly head about 2 weeks ago with coolant leaking from some place in the front of the engine by the alternator. So from all the info I gleaned form this site I thought I would try a new water pump. So far the noise has stopped and it is not leaking at this point. I purchased the pump (AISIN) from Rock Auto and new bolts form Motorsport Auto. All the bolts came out with no problems and the gasket was pretty easy to get off. Attached is a picture of the new and old parts. I was wondering if the old water pump was original, it's a AMPCO. I don't remember it being changed when I had to replace the head gasket back in 1979/80 or when I had the car worked on back in 1999. The old pump sounds and feels very rough when you spin it. Bad bearings.

Just saw you picture from a week ago, here is a picture of my stock 76 280 in that area. Hope this helps.

Went to my first car show of the year. Had a great day and nice weather for the Pittsburgh area. All was great until I got back from looking at the over 400 cars on Main street and the parking lots to discover that someone one had taken one of my new plastic fuse cover in the engine bay. So I ordered two new ones just in case. I have never had a problem or heard of any one having any problems at car shows. I was the only early Z, one 370Z and only 12 foreign cars. I like shows where I am the only Z, lots of interest.

Glliw can you post a good picture of the top area of the engine?

Do you have the round gold colored item above the red circle in siteunseen picture? If you do this could be your problem. It screws out and in to help the throttle return slower when shifting. After I cleaned everything on the top of my engine, I had the same problem the rpm would not lower fast enough and that item was the problem, mine was too far down. I loosened the nut and screwed it out and that did the trick.

I have an original to a 11/75 - 76 280Z rubber bushing that goes in the steering column to give away. I also have one I had made from a material called Fabreeka, it is a hard rubber impregnated layered cloth. I have one on my car now. I installed and had them made back around 1979. If any one is interested let me know. Here is a picture of both.

Finally got my Z outside this past Sunday for the first time since late October. I changed the back panel color from a bright gold color to a more original gray color over the winter. I had the gold color on for over 30 years. The new color is a little warmer than the original color and I installed re chromed tail light surrounds that 9teen7t240z did for me. It all came together on Sunday. Here is a picture of before and after.

Mike, just wanted to show you the tail light surrounds on the car. I changed the back panel color to a warm gray color, it's closer to the original color. Thanks a bunch they look great.

My 11/75 - 76 280Z does not have the snorkel.

I have a lap top with windows 7 and had to install the virtual desktop so I could use windows xp for my camera software for my Canon 5D. Some of the software that is needed for the camera to connect direct to the computer via usb would not work in the W7 environment let alone in the 64 bit mode. I don't like the W7 layout, I too am old and used windows 1.5 years ago.

Superlen, everything sounds great, I have been following since the beginning and am very interested. My Z is totally stock and has 50K mile on it and am looking forward to getting the new HellFire to see if I can get the millage up, I think I am running a little rich. How about for HellTune - MixedInferno Thanks for all the work.

Mike, just to let you know I received the 280Z tail light surrounds yesterday and they LOOK GREAT I will get a picture of them on soon as I can.

WHO that is just crazy, I was there 2 years ago photographing a wedding and the reception was in the hall right next to the museum.

Moelk, thanks, the wheels are the original one I purchased with the car. They are Appliance 14 x 6 and I have 205 - 70 - 14 tires.

jfa - HDR or high Dynamic Range is an affect that usually uses 3 images (one 2 stops less on exposure, one normal and one 2 more exposure ( -2 stops, normal, +2 stops)) and combined to create one image. There is lots of manipulation in between to get what you want. That is the simplest definition I can come up with. Basically you are expanding the range of the photo by using detail in the shows from the over exposed image and saving the highlights by using the under exposed image to create the final image. You can do it with one image, that is how I do lots of mine. It tweeks the light and dark areas for more detail. I don't think that Coral Paintshop has it, I am not that familiar with it. I use Machinery to do all mine, there are lots of different programs that do it. Hope this helps.

Thanks all. dj - yes all of the images have some HDR on them. I use it on some of my portraits as well and on almost all my outdoor shots. Jfa - I do enjoy the ride, but sometimes its scary driving the car with all the other craZys on the road that don't pay attention. Psdenno - I was just lucky enough to not have to use the Z as my primary car after the first 4 years. Eurodat - Do you want to be as old as the car or the owner, I would love to be 38 again.

38 years ago on Feb. 6, 1976 I picked up my 76 - 280Z. It's the oldest thing I own. It's been fun and pleasure to show off the car over all those years and to have all the help I needed from all you folks here, thank you. I hope to have it a lot longer and make it better.

Here is a picture of what I had made. I would now add a thrust bearing between the washers. also if you can get a heat treated all thread rod I would. It took some work to get them out, mine seemed to be stuck on the bushing sleeves. I would drill holes in the rubber between the sleeves and it will separate from the od and id sleeve's quicker.

The rubber extension is standard on the inner finder. You could make one.

Getting my chrome tail light surrounds re chromed by Mike from this thread. He did a different set for me and they look great as well as my original Appliance wheel centers, thanks Mike. Also changing the panel from the gold I have had on for over 30 some years to a more original color. Will post pictures when completed.

Best to check out HybredZ they are more into conversions like you are asking.

From his About Me Car is 1979 280zx EFI Owned 20 years In process of restoration to as close to original as possible.colour silver interior burgundy.

Calicocat, I have a spindle pin remover if you would like to use it.

Calicocat, Hi and welcome, I am in the South Hills (South Park) where in Pittsburgh? Good to see another Pittsburgher. I did a complete clean and refresh on my suspension over the last couple of years, might be of some help. Lets see some pictures.

My Z turns 38 this month 11/75. Not sure of the official date so she gets the whole month of November. I have had her since 3/76. I entered some images of her in out tri-state photographers convention, here they are.