SteveJ

Jumping the car to start it is more like a dying or dead battery. A bad battery CAN read 12 volts with the car off. If the battery voltage drops dramatically when putting the key in the ON position or trying to start the car, that is a good indication of a bad battery.

Okay, share. Was there a brand, Leonard?

Ron, can you post the measurements here just in case I need them? Thanks!

It should lift straight up. Look at the pictures in this post. That's how the bottom of the distributor should look.

Listen to Sarah. Spend some time and a little money to diagnose the problem rather than throw parts at the problem. It's a lot cheaper to do the former. Also, check out Blue's tech tips. You'll find a copy of the Fuel Injection Bible. I've heard it's a must have for 280Z owners.

Jeff, I'm expecting a ZX distributor delivered some time next week. If you don't have an answer before then, I'll compare what I bought to yours.

*Sigh* Don't remind me of that. I have some equipment that I have to work on in various parts of Ontario province. I'm just hoping it holds off until late spring.

Have you looked at the FSM for info? Find it at http://www.xenons130.com

I haven't dug that far into my cars. Could they be regular POM rivets?

Dave, if we took that view on other things, most of us wouldn't own Z cars.

Yes, at -70F it will instantly damage skin.

In all honesty, yes, you are making it difficult. I took a few seconds to look at my fuse box with a measuring tape. From that and the link I put in my second response, I can select the correct type fuse. Try it.

I am planning on replacing that seal soon myself. I was planning "under" to prevent it from being pulled loose.

A common place for a wire to short to ground would be where it passes through a hole in the sheet metal. If the grommet is missing, the wires can rub against the metal. It's interesting that it didn't take out the fuse if it was shorting.

1. Conventional wisdom is to replace the alternator and regulator as a pair. 2. Don't use the voltage gauge as anything more than an approximation unless you get it calibrated. 3. Don't forget to check your fusible links, too.

Fuse info Fuse vendors It's only as difficult as you want to make it on yourself.

Now that I think about it, my first guess probably isn't right. IIRC, in the ON position, the fuel pump has power only with oil pressure. I have to stop posting when I get this tired.

From the very limited description my first guess is that the fuel pressure is bleeding down when the car is off. Putting the key in the RUN position allows the fuel pump to build pressure. I believe that if you go through the fuel injection bible that can be found in Blue's tech tips (link below), you will find information on that. I don't have much knowledge about the Z's fuel injection, but I'm pretty sure there is a check valve to maintain pressure when the car is off.

SFE fuses are different lengths according to the fuse ratings (size rejection). ACG fuses are all the same length (1.25 in) regardless of fuse rating. I didn't find it in the BE section of the FSM, but I think that you'll find that the fuses are all the same length, and therefore are ACG.

NGK heat range tech article

Jamie, it won't matter about the alternator. Just get with me when you're ready to install the gauge. I can help you wire it.

Click on the Classifieds link above.

For the battery, get a trickle charger to maintain its health in the winter.

Yeah, there's nothing like a strut coming apart. One time I had the wrong size spring compressor on a strut. As I compressed the spring to put the strut back together, the spring sprung. I could have been severely injured, but fortunately it hit me in the head. Needless to say, when I resumed work on that strut, I carefully inspected the spring compressor to ensure it was the right size.

As E wrote, you only need the electrical portion. If you REALLY want to replace the whole thing, the link I gave has about the best price I found. Of course, I just now looked on Amazon. I bought this for my 260Z last year, and the priced has dropped to $61 and is eligible for free shipping.