Cuts out under load
 

I have an 81 280zx. When in neutral the car revs fine then when I go to drive it under load it cuts out bad. It has new plugs, wires, cap, rotor button, fuel pump. Any help with this is appreciated. Thanks

Welcome to ZDriver!
Check TPS & plug, and CHTS & plug. Check timing. Check fuel pressure. Read spark plug tips. Report findings here. :)

Timing marks
 

I'm trying to check timing with the light but can't see the Mark's on the pulley. I see the teeth beside it on passenger side. What kind of mark will I see? V cut mark or just a line on the pulley? Thanks in advance

You can feel around the back edge until you find the V-groove... then mark it with whiteout.

Timing light checked
 

I found the V mark and was able to check with light. I'm getting a reading where it's just below halfway up the gauge. Where is it supposed to be? Centered? At the top of gauge or the bottom? I rotated distributor and it moved up the gauge then ran worse. Haven't drove the car because nothing has really been changed yet. Thanks in advance for ur help with this

Timing
 

By the looks of it the motor is out a tooth or 2 so I'm gonna buy the timing kit and replace it. Any tips to help it go easier is appreciated.

Timing
 

found it, thanks. Any tips on changing timing chain? When I put the timing mark on 0 it ran worse and somewhat backfired. that tells me timing is out

You don't need to buy a timing chain kit to "fix timing".
See this thread... https://www.zdriver.com/forums/280zx...-timing-40948/

Reply
 

I have the 81 non turbo....does that make a difference in what the link describes? Or it works for both turbo and N/A?

Same mechanical setup.

Gas tank?
 

I took the car out yesterday after it had sit for maybe a month, it ran perfect....no cutting out at all....maybe the tank has trash in it to cause the issue?? Maybe where it had sat for a while all the dirt settled?