Zed Head

p.s. the Hazard switch just lets power pass through from G to GY when the switch is not activated. Looking at Post #16 it seems like you have a Hazard switch problem. The power is not getting through.

I haven't followed the whole thread but the wiring diagram shows a different power supply and a different output through the Hazard switch, for turn signal versus four way flashers. You're either not getting power or you're not getting output from the Hazard switch. I would confirm power in on G, then power out on GY, right at the Hazard switch, firstly.

Any chance it's the bulb(s) or their sockets? When you say "don't work" do you mean no light at all, or no flashing? I'd put a meter on the pins in the bulb socket. Sometimes they look okay but don't actually contact the bulb terminals. Plus you can test power supply and ground. A look at the wiring diagram will show which pins do which.

https://francieandfinch.indielite.org/book/9781931128407

Maybe it's not the brakes. Could be wheel bearings.

How about pressurizing the cooling system and waiting to see which cylinder fills with coolant. Watched a youtube video where the guy forgot and left his pressurized overnight. The leak area was apparent.

Curious, are your E12 modules Nissan brand or aftermarket? I think that that is one of the issues a person has to consider. The E12 aftermarket does not have much competition so the product quality is sketchy. Look at the price difference on the only two available on Rockauto and then look at the pictures. Who knows what's going on... https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/nissan,1981,280zx,2.8l+l6,1209338,ignition,ignition+control+module+(icm),7172 Anyway, you can get get lost down a rabbit hole when you start modifying things, as you've already found out. Here is a write-up about the HEI module from EuroDat. In short, there are five connections that you need to worry about. Get those five correct and you can put the module wherever you want to. I have seen people put it in place of the E12 module on the side of the distributor. The five points are the two trigger wires, red and green to G and W on the module, the B for battery, the C for coil negative, and the ground contact through the mounting hole. There is another writeup in the downloads area showing how to jumper the board in the E12 module but it seems overly complex to me. Just extend the green and red wire from inside the distributor. You have to put your electronics nerd hat on to get in to it.

It really comes down to if you're trying to get the "most" out of the ignition system or not. It's a matter of degree, and what you're trying to achieve. The "high energy" (large plug gap) systems were designed to fire leaner fuel air mixtures I believe, with fewer misfires, for emissions purposes. And to be more consistent over time, unlike points which can cause poor running as they wear. One side benefit of using a coil with more primary resistance is that the ignition module should see less current. Which will generate less heat, which will make it last longer. When I installed a GM HEI module on my car I also used the GM HEI coil that it was matched to. It was a 0.6 ohm primary coil. Why try to out-engineer the engineers that designed it? But I had the 280Z voltage triggered tach. SteveJ's plan is good. Have options ready.

The 240Z tachs are the Smiths type current sensing tachs. The instructions for the Crane ignition modules explain how to adjust the loop on the back of the tachometer to make them work correctly with ignition systems that pass more current. Near the end of this document. Pretty cool electronics nerd stuff! Make it work. -

This is the standard test for the E12 module failures, from what I've read over the years. You can wire in a GM HEI module using the red and green trigger wires from the distributor if you find that that's the problem. People have even mounted them on the sides of the ZX distributor. It's the same type of module, just a different shape.

It drops current. Lower spark energy for similar time. It's interesting.

If you use your own coil it's about $70 versus $108. I just remembered something I saw on Rockauto a while ago. There are other versions of the "conversion" kit out there. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/nissan,1973,240z,2.4l+l6,1209170,ignition,ignition+conversion+kit,11340 This Standard product even has green tape. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=50053&cc=1209170&pt=11340&jsn=375

Some odd comments about charging voltage. The 240Z can generate up to 15 volts. An internally regulated alternator is typically 13.8 to 14.3. Pick, pick, pick... https://www.hot-spark.com/Installing-Hot-Spark-Hitachi.pdf It might be a sensitive system - "Test Maximum Charging System Voltage: If the charging system voltage, measured at the coil’s positive terminal, is more than 14.0 volts at any RPM level, the voltage regulator likely needs replacing. Too much voltage can destroy the ignition module and other electronic components. A maximum charging system voltage of 13.0 volts or so is plenty. A quick fix is to wire a 1.4 Ohm external ballast resistor between the coil's + terminal and the HotSpark ignition's red wire. Adding the ballast resistor is cheap insurance against voltage surges, etc"

It looks like a version of the Pertronix I but doesn't seem to have the features of the Pertronix II. It needs the ballast and/or a 3.0 ohm coil. Not "high-energy", current-limiting. It could probably be used to trigger a Crane or MSD ignition module. I wonder if it gets damaged if you leave the key on like the Pertronix I. Definitely a money-saver though. Looks like you have to buy the coil separately. About $70 + $40 = $110. Versus $150. https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/12-4020B

That's a bummer. I'd contact Rockauto if it was me. At least let them know and see what happens. If they don't make it right, use Amazon next time. Free shipping, free returns, same price. https://www.amazon.com/Moog-K9011-Ball-Joint/dp/B000C560FC There's actually a review from 2010 that reports a similar problem. https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B000C560FC/ref=acr_dp_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar

Their picture shows a Zerk fitting though. Among the parts. So you get a fitting and a nice bolt to seal it up afterward. Looks like picture uploading still isn't working. The picture is in the link above.

You can re-use them. Take them off the old joint. Or break the bank and buy new... https://www.rockauto.com/en/tools/hardware,grease+fitting,grease+fitting+-+english+thread,172 At least they pre-tapped the hole. That was nice of them. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=203652&cc=1209226&pt=10070&jsn=378

Look at the diagram and do what makes you feel comfortable. If the Crane module fails it will be easier to reconnect the old one.

Pretty sure that I've read about doubling up on the roll pins. Pin in a pin. Turns out that you can buy them that way too. Also, coiled spring pins. https://www.jackstransmissions.com/my-cart/store-home/double-roll-pin https://www.grainger.com/category/fasteners/pins/spring-pins

Found a link. I don't know if this has been uploaded to the site or not. Post #45 has a pdf file you can open.

@EuroDat did, I think. I tried to find it but can't. It should be in the Downloads area somewhere but I can't figure out how things are categorized there. Don't know how to search just the Downloads area either. Anyway, it's out there somewhere.

I don't know that there's nothing wrong with it. You might try making a few hard pulls with it and see if the pucks will bed in and behave differently. I had a clutch that chattered when it got hot. It was terrible, had to change it. But it was fine when it was cool.

More.

Maybe somebody has been in there. Anyway, the old module should still be disconnected. Here's some reading. http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/wiringdiagrams/75_280z_wiring.pdf

There is something odd about your situation though. I think it's why I got confused. The blue wire also branches to Pin 1 on the ECU to know when to open the injectors. Is he running carbs? An EFI engine should not run if the blue wire is not connected to the coil negative terminal.