Mike

Hell no!! I love those rims.

Well, I got the engine out today and it's looking good. A new engine is only about $1,500 to my door, so, this is a viable solution for me. If it just takes too much money, I'll take the engine and put it in my 240z. [m] PS: I'll post picts of the work we did tomorrow.

I don't think they are that ugly. You DO have to install new rims and tires to make it look better. The stock narrow rims just don't look that good. Take a look at mine after I did a little work to her. Click HERE to see it. [m]

I took my old '71 240z up to 130 at one time. I'll never do that again, but, it was all over the road and totally unstable. The transmission really makes the engine whine up to 5-6,000rpm at that speed. 100 or 110 is probably the safest max speed for that kind of car.

ATK engines is supposedly pretty good. I'm planning on purchasing an engine from them very soon. http://www.240z.org/links.php?op=visit&lid=227 Looks like you can also get things like turbo chargers, heads, and transmissions as well.

Here's a site where the guy put a turbo on a 240z. http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/ You can also check in our links area for stuff like this.

I think you are talking about Mike Kelly. He makes these custom suspension parts in his shop. Not sure exactly where he is at, but, I looked at his stuff and it's top notch.

Take the wheels down to your local tire dealer and ask them to install one of each size. You can then make your decision based on what you can see. After you make the first decision, ask them to finish mounting them and take the car on a test drive. Some of the dealers will also let you take the tires for a week or so just to see if you'll like them. In fact, here in the PACNW a company called Les Schwab will let you take the tires back for up to 30 days!!

Baddog, I took out the most important part of that explaination. Your engine is running hotter and your oil pressure indicator is low. Something is fishy here. Make sure you used the right oil filter, oil, and you added enough oil. I had the same reading on a car I just started (after it sat for over 15 years) and I blew the head. I think it was due to low oil pressure, but, I can't be sure about that yet. I don't want to spook you... but, just double check everything you did. And, also check that connection to the oil pressure sending unit. It's a little electric device screwed in to the engine block. It's got a single wire and it's located just to the right of your dipstick.

That's one of the ugliest cars I've seen.

What about buying a good plastic model kit? The car is already in pieces and you can assemble it on the computer AND in real life.

Okay, done. I increased your size limit.

Ya, no doubt. Even with a rebuilt engine, I'm looking at around $3,000. But, that's also a lot of labor on my behalf. So, I'll have to see how much time it's really worth. On that note, I'm not sure if anyone will want to buy a 280z 2+2 from me knowing that it will need an engine. It *WILL* need new wheels/tires unless I sell it with my Boyds (which I don't really want to do). Hell, this will be a great little car after I'm done getting it on the road. Not a bad car for under $5k, eh? If I look at the comparable market, we really can't do much better. At least I know how to work on a Z. We were counting today and I've probably pulled and worked on L-series engines at least 6-8 times already. I've got my own cherry picker and a nice garage.

I pulled the valve cover and everything seems to be fine. That's why I don't get it. I'm thinking maybe the valves are sticking in the open position. When the cylinder comes up, it smacks the valve and it closes. Nothing prevents the engine from cranking over. The chain is rotating fine as well. I dunno... I'll dig into it tonight.

Bad news Keith... cylinders 6 and 2 have ZERO compression. The engine is toast. I'm soo pissed. Oh well, at least the price was right on the car (donated to me). I'm looking at rebuilt engines right now. I don't think I want to rebuild this one myself. I don't have the tools or the knowledge to do it.

Steve, I don't think that will work. I looked at the cold start injector and it has a side-inlet. The injector is totally different. They might have changed it for later model cars. (shrug)

Here's a picture of the car as of today....

Here's an update from the ride I managed to pick up earlier this year. The original announcement is HERE Some EFI discussions HERE Today's update: Well, I managed to get new fuel injectors into my '75 280z. I also replaced the fuel pump and all of the flexible fuel lines. Boy, let me tell you, FI hose is expensive! Try $5 per foot! Anyway, after sitting since 1985, she started beautifully. The engine was a little rough at first but warmed up and accelerated nicely. I did notice that the oil pressure was on the low side, but, it moved up and down as I played with the pedal. I couldn't remember what normal oil pressure was like, so, it seemed ok. We put the 15" Boyd rims and 50 series tires on her, gave her a bath, and put her in the garage. Wonderful. So, I walk out to the garage on Monday afternoon. I wanted to hear that Z engine purr again. I turned the key and the engine made loud banging noises!!! Wrrr, bang bang bang.... Oh $^!#, this can't be good. Tried it again.... same thing. Bang bang..... bang bang.... I walked into the house with a frown on my face. Father in law comes by today and we take a look at it. We check the compression to find that cylinder 2 & 6 have absolutely ZERO compression. Damn. Engine is gone. I think the banging noise is coming from pistons hitting the valves (which are stuck open). Anyone have good luck with the MSA rebuilt engines? [m]

I tell ya... I'm gonna be just like that Sangun Midnight game.... I'll put Demon Z on my license plate.

Hmmm... good idea. Maybe, since I had to crank the hell out of the starter, it decided to break up. I'll pull it out tomorrow night. Thanks for the idea. Now, I'm off to play Jedi Knight II. See ya!!

I must say that 2mZ's has been a valuable resource on this site. Not only does he have over 800 posts... most of those posts contain useful information for many people. 2mZ's has been great, don't give it up just for your '71 Keith! I should also say that I'm getting the bug again and ready to spend more time in the garage. With a 280z and 240z in restoration mode, I'm certainly going to stay out of trouble.

Yep, Abbie. She's great!

Would you be interested in posting the pictures in our gallery if I made you a special category?

Well, damnit.... the engine is dead. I came home tonight with a grin on my face because I wanted to jump in the 280z and crank her over. Much to my surprise.... the first crank resulted in some pretty bad metal smashing sounds. $^!# I cranked a few more times... still metal smashing/grinding sounds emitting from the engine compartment. I immediately removed the valve cover and looked to make sure everything was ok. Yep. Nothing seems out of place. Pulled the plugs and looked inside the cylinders. I can't see much in there, but, everything appears normal. Cranked it again... more metal smashing/grinding. When it cranks... the noise is a loud bang every few turns of the starter.... hmmmm I wonder if the valves are sticking open and maybe the piston is hitting them. Dunno for sure. I'm pissed. I had such a good day yesterday and got a lot done. Why did it all come crashing down today? (sigh)

The cold start injector looks totally different than the others. It's shorter and smaller. Will one of the other injectors fit in there? Ya, this car still has the original coil and plug wires!! That's my next replacement (aside from the braking system). [m]