Hi all, Just got a 1977 280z recently and I am looking into fixing it up a little and have already ran into some questions about changing the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket.

Oil Pan Gasket
This seems to leak and I would like to replace it, but looking at my CLYMER shop manual, it seems that I'm supposed to raise the engine a bit with a hoist. Since I don't happen to have one of these on hand, I suppose I would have to rent one. So I would like to know if any of you had experience with this and what type of hoist is preferable.

And I'm not really sure why I have to raise my engine, so if anyone knows why I have to, please tell me, an answer to this would be nice.

Valve Cover Gasket
My CLYMER shop manual tells me that I have to ajust it while cold and then when's its hot. Does anyone know why this is? It doesn't make sense to me of why I would have to ajust the valve when its cold and again when it's hot.

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

You should be able to R&R the oil pan w/o raising the motor on a 280z. On the 280zx, it's a bit more cramped.
As for the cold & hot adjustment, that is for the valve lash, not the cover itself.

Toss that CLYMER manual and buy a Haynes manual.

 

Thanks for the welcome!

Alright, that's exactly what I wanted to hear, guess I have to search for a Haynes manual then.

Thanks for the info and advice, I'll be sure to post after Sunday.

 

also try tightening the oil pan bolts before replacing the gasket, might save you alot of head ache.

 

Oh yeah... might want to try that first. < start with the easy? but that's... too easy! >

 

if u do end up replacing ur oil pan gasket u are going to have to retighten then after u run the car the first time.

 

Thanks for all the extra input, I'll definitely make sure to do all of this, and hopefully all I have to do with the oil pan is tighten some bolts.