Pomorza

The fuel pressure gauge is a standard mechanical gauge that's positioned right after the fuel filter. The fuel pump is a stock 280z pump thats new. (i bought it from MSA about a year ago maybe). Thanks Jan

When my Z was running I drove it up and back from Phoenix in 100+ degree weather. The thermostat housing read 190 when I pulled into my parking lot. (Don't ask why I was checking). I ended up swaping to a lower temp thermostat as it started creeping into the high 190's on mountain drives (that was from the sensor, I actually registered 197). I'm not a big fan of the head hitting temps above 200 as they're aluminum. Its a personal preference, it runs at about 170 right now after some mountain fun. I know I have a different car (a 280 in my case) but I lack hood vents and I live in Arizona, where it gets hot (right now its 105,). I do find it weird that your car cooled 20 degrees when you idle in traffic. I would think that with the amount of air crossing that radiator at highway speed it would run cooler and not warmer. Hope that helps Jan

Grantf That's a normal problem when you do the front cover. (I've been told anyway) I had to do my brother four times before I got it right. This is what I ended up doing. I pulled the cover off again. (for the fourth time). I cut the old head gasket where it would mate to the top of the front cover. (carefully) Then I purchased a new head gasket and cut the front of it off to match the one I pulled from the motor. I then placed the new head gasket atop the cover and covered both sides liberally with copper silicone (RTV its copper colored). Then I put everything back together and I have no leaks. It sounds like a PIA but its the only way I've found that works. I've tried using anaerobic sealant between the cover and the head gasket with no luck. I know it sounds like a complete PIA but I think you're going to have to do this AGAIN to fix said oil leak. :mad: Hope that helps Jan

Hey guys Today I replaced the negative battery cable and the starter on my Z. (Gear reduction starte, and it was free.) I started working on my Z I swear that the fuel pressure gauge I have read 0. I have the fuel pump and other things connected via a terminal board directly to the battery. I say this because this is what occured. Everything was unplugged from the battery minus the negative cable (big mistake) I was struggling to maneuver the postive cable into place when I accidentally arched it on the engine (side of the block). Sparks flew I was all sorts of freaked out but ok. Unplugged said negative side of battery and connected everything as it was before. I look over at the FP gauge and it reads 30. I'm confused. The fuel pump was off, there's no way power was getting to it as the terminal board (which has an inline 30A fuse) was not connected to the thing, key was off (locked) and the kill switch on the fuel pump was off. How in lords name could I have fuel pressure? I know its possible I misread the gauge (which is what I'm thinking I did) but can anyone think of a way that I went from 0 pressure to 30 by what occured? Thanks Jan P.S The car does start and run fine. Didn't drive it as I'm having noise issues (electrical noise) but it does run.

Irish, You can do the honda blower motor swap on a 280z yes. You do need to "modify" the blower housing by cutting out the hole bigger but once it's big enough to fit the new honda motor it works great. I noticed a minor difference but it was worth it if you ever plan on replacing a bad motor (which was why I did it in mine). All you need is something to cut the metal in the housing. I used an air power saw which cut through it like butter. Jan

Hey guys, So I found a 12 volt source but do have a question. What exactly makes this a "switched" source. Is it the key itself or is there a relay someplace. If the ignition was going bad (the key that is) could this cause fluctuations in the voltage output? Thanks Jan

E. I searched every free wire in the radio area and there's not a single one that is switched. There were two that were constant 12 volt sources but none that were switched. Any ideas? Anyone?

Hey guys, I'm planning on installing two new gauges in the Z but am having a hard time finding a 12 volt switched (i.e car has to be on) source. Any ideas? Thanks Jan

Hello all This past weekend I did a tune up in the old Z, new plugs, new wires new rotor. (the cap looked new). I have a MSD Blaster II coil along with a ZX dizzy (81 I believe). I'm having a miss fire under really all conditions and haven't been able to figure out why. I've checked the gap, resistance of wires (and the cap) along with the coil. Is there a way to test the "match box" (black box) on the ZX distributor? Thanks all Jan

Dan, Thanks for all the help. I did indeed figure the problem out. The number 1 pison was not firing as the injector connector didn't work, cause an extreme lean condition at times and a rich one when it did actually fire. In short it confused the hell out of my fuel injection computer and lead to a myriad of issues. Thanks for the help though mate. Jan

Hey guys, I drove the Z around today. In the morning all was good and dandy. Later this afternoon when it was nice it hot outside (100 actually) I drove down on the freeway to get back to my house. Everytime I let off the throttle it felt as if my car was braking (or being pushed back...er hesistating, I don't know the best way to describe it but it would literally feel as if I had hit the brakes or something had excessive drag). It does it in every gear it feels and I don't really know what it could be? Any ideas? If its a fuel issue I can fix that, but it just doesn't seem like that to me, it seem more of a mechanical type of drag. When I got home I checked all the rims of my car for heat, all four were rather hot to the touch but it is 100 here so I don't know if that changes anything. Thanks Jan

Hello guys, In the past couple of days I've noticed the Z has low oil pressure at start-up when warm. The first time it happened the gauge sat at about a quarter for a good 2-3 minutes before it shot up to the normal oil pressure. Last night I started it and it sat there for a few seconds and then rose. Any ideas on what it could be? I did an oil change yesterday as I was thinking it was an oil problem but nope still has it. On another note, what could cause a squeaking noise when the car first starts when warm? Belts maybe? Can exhaust squeak? Thanks Jan

Hello all So the lines that go to the tank into the vapor canister (or whatever that is called) in the back of my 280z are all broken in half (literally from age and heat) and leaking all over the place. I took it to my mechanic as, well I don't feel like being covered in fuel in 90 degree weather but they're having a hell of a time trying to get hoses. So does anyone know where to source these hoses or what hoses can be used or what to do? I saw the thread about doing this in a 240 but I'm not sure if that applies to 280s. Thanks Jan

Fastwoman I've had the thermostat housing off before (about 4 months ago) when I was doing my exhaust gasket. The bolts all came out nice and clean but there was no gasket on the block, just a load of red silicone. I though (wrongly) that I can just put it back and all would be well but clearly not. I'm not all that worried about the bolt(s) breaking since I had them out before, I'm worried that I won't be able to find the gasket that goes on the block, as it seems to be a mystery to all the auto part store guys. ("yes the gasket that goes on the block, not the one on the thermostat...") Thanks greatly Jan

Hey all This past weekend I noticed that my theromstat housing is leaking from where it mates to the block. (by notice I mean there was sizzling coolant sitting on the head near it). Does this area come with a gasket and if so where can one find one. Thanks all Jan

Did you look into the TPS? An check the fuel pressure. Jan

Hello all So cruising the junkyard recently I found a fresh air duct (the ones in the front of the Z that goes into the fender). Well I pulled it off and placed it in the Z this morning. Here's a question though. Exactly what does this thing do and how does one control its movements? Its kind of a bad idea to install things before you know what they do but hell it's held on by a bold so. Thanks Jan

Cozye, I run MS I with a MAP sensor and the wideband. It makes tuning a lot easier when you know what your engine is actually doing. rcb280z. I had a friend of mine build me the box (MS) and help me with the wiring. All you need is the wiring harness and the injector module (er, the large fuse like thing near the clutch master, big silver thing). I'm not sure what laws California has but its sad you can't use it. IMHO its far more efficient then the 70's system will ever be. Mike if your dead set on getting injection there are a lot of alternatives, MS is just one. As Arne has said there are a few others. As I stated, the only problem with MS that a lot of people have is they build the system and then get stuck on the tuning. Like everything else its easy if you know what you're doing or have done your homework on what needs to be done. On side note, I took a trip today to solve a bit of a family issue. Drove a total of 260 miles averaging roughly 80mph. From what my odometer tells me I averaged about 23 mpg. My tune isn't really set for "efficiency" but that's not to bad is it? If you guys need anymore info let me know I'll happily help. Jan

Is that aimed at me? It runs amazing and that's not an understatement. I don't have dyno results but from the "feel of my seat" dyno I definitely have more power (or at least the power I'm supposed to have) at all RMPs. The throttle response is better and fuel economy is up a tad, though I think I have a case of lead foot now. :-). Jan

Mike, As everyone here as pointed out the stock EFI system is, well old and out of date. It was a great feature of the 70's but its just not up to par with everything out on the market. I recently did a megasquirt (MS) upgrade on my Z as my old EFI system was leaning out and stalling and I just wasn't going to deal with trying to fix it anymore. The install took about two days (roughly 14 hours or so but I was taking my time). The only warning I have is do your homework before getting it. The install is simple enough the tuning is where people have issues. MS can control pretty much everything on the engine from injectors to the timing, its just a matter of how far you want to go. I just have it controlling the injection for now. Here is how my engine bay looks now (its about 80% complete. I "tried" to make the wiring look stock like, it came out ok in my opinion). Jan

That's actually a really cool idea. I'd buy it if I wasn't running a wide band in my car already...

I have three wires, one is blue/yellow, one is blackish and the other is yellow. They all go to a connector which is covered in a nice heavy amount of dirt.

Hello all Last night I'm cruising down the road at a nice 40mph stretch of road. Since no one is around (and it's rather late) I step on it a bit and let the motor breath. Long and behold I hit a pothole at about 50. Wasn't a deep one, just a nice "bump" in the road. Well sure enough the fuel light comes one, nice bright RED light at night was just lovely. Fuel gauge says half full but for insurance I stop and fill up. 8.45 gallons go in (roughly half a tank). Turn the car back on light is still on. So question of the day, how exactly does the light work, is it a grounding circuit like on old fords or is it a wire lead with voltage like a few others? I haven't been under the car as I didn't get home till late and haven't had time today (was doing brakes on a 620). Any suggestions welcome Jan

tbeaty4, For what I remember 280z's are supposed to have a fuel cut at high RPMs when the throttle is released. That is, say you're at 4500rpm and release the throttle the injections is supposed to stop injecting fuel. The general principle of this is simple, since you're decelerating your engine doesn't need fuel as there is little if any load. If you are injecting fuel some of it won't burn and thus you get said backfiring. Hope that helps Jan

Here's what happens. If I turn the reset knob the numbers all move perfectly fine (1111,2222,3333....9999 and then back to 0000) but when I let it run it'll go for a bit and get stuck again. So I reset the numbers again and so on and so forth. I'll make sure that cable is in there nice and tight. for reference the knob is a pia to turn, I have a blister on my left thumb from doing it so much.