AndysPlit

Gary: This a bone stock engine with 300,000 miles on it. It is injected with a 5 speed manual tranny. I use 87 octane gasoline. Hope this helps.

....I will check to see if I can replicate the rattling in nuetral. As far as I know, no. I'll double check if any parts are loose. I'll return to this thread with my results. Thanks!

Arg....I know. I suppose at this point it could be many different issues based on the info provided. Ummm....what other info would be helpful?

...For years my Z seems to make a rattling sound somewhere in the engine bay. It usually happens whenever I floor it at high RPM's (approx. 4000 & above). Sometimes I'll see a cloud of white smoke too when I rev the motor high. I know the white smoke could be a sign of worn piston rings. What about the rattling? ....I also read some older threads about the rattling. I don't think my car is pinging, but perhaps the valves are out of adjustment? As for the white smoke, my head gasket is fine.

Interesting updates to the car's interior. I almost kinda like them. The carpeting on the rear shock towers is nice. Hmmmm.......the price seems reasonable too.

Welcome aboard.

Yeah, perhaps you're right. Maybe he'll settle for less.

.....Thought some of you would be interested. I asked the seller for the vin# hoping it would be a low one. Vin# HLS30-16670 http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/650789329.html

I'm not the absolute authority on this but I'll share what I do know. I think your wheels and muffler would still pass for stock in an exhibition. At least at MSA's WCN that would be the case. Hell, I think even headers can still pass as stock class but I could stand corrected on that one. Anyone?

.......Perhaps worth a look for $1300. Would probably make a great project starting from near scratch. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/651117221.html

Thanks!

Right, I'm sorry. I meant the show itself went under. I can understand how difficult it is to deal with all that. Securing a location and all that is a lot of work.

....So they did go under. That's too bad. I enjoyed the beach and the variety as opposed to MSA's show.....Don't get me wrong as I love MSA and will be there again this year. Maybe they'll get it back together one of these days. Thanks for the info as it was always a mystery to me. By the way, I take it those are your plaques. Congrats!

Usually the meter on my 78 registers right at 16 for voltage. Lately it has been reading at about 13 to 14, slightly lower. Sometimes after I crank the engine and start driving at night the display lights will be a little dimmer than usual (shows 13 / 14 volts). Then after a few minutes the volts go up a bit and the lights are close to normal. Maybe it's just me but I swear that there is a slight loss of power as well. I'm concerned because usually I get a reading of 16 or so, right at where the meter stops measuring. The alternator was replaced a couple years ago. It is an absolute OEM / Nissan part. Could it be my battery? I need to check how old it is, but what do you guys think?

Would you consider taking another one of your Z's down here?

It all makes sense now. No wonder my battery still died even though I was starting it every week. Hopefully I can exchange the battery for a new one since I recently bought it....when I get the ZX running that is. So, how much of this gas stabalizer should I pour for a short term sit? .....Thank you by the way.

Thanks guys. The car is unfortunately sitting outside, but is in the shade for most of the day. The weather out here is fine so I'm not too worried. I'll look into the gas stabalizer and hold off on the battery. I'll lube the cylinder walls too. I think driving the 280 everyday in the meantime is good for my self-esteem. Anything else?

.....I asked this in another thread, but maybe it was a little off topic. It use to be held at Doheney State Beach every October or so. Last one I know of was in 2000. Does anyone know what happened, or if there are plans to ressurrect it? It was a great mixture of Z's, Roadsters, 510's, and a few surprises. I would love to see it come back.

.....Since some of you out there keep the Z off the road during the winter, I thought I could get some input on this; My Z31 has been out of commision for a few weeks and will be until early July. The battery is dead and the tranny is shot. Should I install a new battery and keep firing her up until I get her fixed? Or can my ZX basically sit there with a dead battery until July, with no serious consequences? Yes, I was starting the car up weekly, but I guess I waited too long on one occasion, hence the battery is dead. No juice when I tried to jump it.

Similar account a few months ago; On the way to work on the freeway I had a couple guys in a black Miata check out my ride as I passed them by. As I looked at them in my rear view mirror I noticed that they almost slammed into the car in front of them when traffic in their lane slowed! I believe I saw smoke from their tires when they had to hit the brakes. By the way, I dread ever being caught picking my nose in the Z. I feel it would be a bad reflection on all us Z drivers. Why I had to share that, I don't know......not that it's a habit of mine. :nervous:

I've had many people admire the car because they use to own one. I feel very good when a Corvette owner is enthralled, as their cars do carry prestige as well.

The 280ZX's are just as reliable as any first gen Z-car. I don't think there is a "bad" year with the S130 series. For your mentioned 8K for a ZX, I would say you should have no trouble finding a car in great shape with relatively low miles for that price or under. I'm sure you can find a good one for half that price. I've never heard of staying away from automatics. I know a lot of Z31 people hate automatics though. My Z31's auto tranny is out of commision so my 280 is my daily until I get the Z31 repaired.

(800)633-6331 http://motorsportauto.com ...Not sure, but they may have reproduction parts for this area. Give them a call first.