hey just bought a 1983 280zx non turbo....it runs....but it has been sitting for about a year....does anyone have any ideas on how how to make it road worthy again.....i know the gas is bad and one should expect all the oil to be in the oil pan....im just looking for things to do to make her run like a charm.......
Guest
Got my 81 three weeks ago, took two weeks of tinkering to get her "running like a charm." Could've done it in one day cuz I probablly have no more than six hours work time in it.
You should get a factory shop manual, they come up on eBay from time to time. Don't waste your money on Chilton's - I paid $6.00 for mine and that was too much.
Begin with the basics - clean battery posts and cables, inspect and correct vacuum lines and electric wireing (mine had two reversed wires and one fried wire in a junction box just forward of the battery - it gave me fits) and check the firing order - mine had two crossed spark pug cables. There was arcing and carbon trails inside my distributor cap so I replaced it and the rotor as well. My solenoid was out but I replaced the complete starter since I already had it out plus I work in South Central and failure to start could cost me my life.
Next paycheck will go to spark plug cables and new plugs, but she's already road worthy and goes like a bat outta hell.
One more thing, I did re-bush the gearshift lever - the bushing was completely gone! Fortunatey I have a lathe for fabricating such items.
The guys here at Zdriver are the greatest. Full of experience and help for newbies with no "put downs." You've come to the right place,
Good luck,
John
You should get a factory shop manual, they come up on eBay from time to time. Don't waste your money on Chilton's - I paid $6.00 for mine and that was too much.
Begin with the basics - clean battery posts and cables, inspect and correct vacuum lines and electric wireing (mine had two reversed wires and one fried wire in a junction box just forward of the battery - it gave me fits) and check the firing order - mine had two crossed spark pug cables. There was arcing and carbon trails inside my distributor cap so I replaced it and the rotor as well. My solenoid was out but I replaced the complete starter since I already had it out plus I work in South Central and failure to start could cost me my life.
Next paycheck will go to spark plug cables and new plugs, but she's already road worthy and goes like a bat outta hell.
One more thing, I did re-bush the gearshift lever - the bushing was completely gone! Fortunatey I have a lathe for fabricating such items.
The guys here at Zdriver are the greatest. Full of experience and help for newbies with no "put downs." You've come to the right place,
Good luck,
John
Super Siver & Black Stud
id do the basics first... staring off with a oil change. oil fuel and air filter change.. look for any craches hoses and see if your belts are bad... change your dist. cap and rotor and spark plugs.. also flush out all the coolant.. who knows how long thats been in the carwithout it being changed.. as long as your engine is running good and your not burning any oil in the process.. your car should be fine.. check your breaks too..
Guest
Oil change isnt necessary just yet.. unless its gone all lumpy :S
make sure you got a decent ground (earth)
drain the fuel replace it with a new filter take off the pip too the fuel rail turn it over a few times untill the old fuel clears the line and new fuel comes through..
Check the injectors for pulse
crank it over and put a led into the end of the cable it should flicker..
then check the injectors with a multimeter for conductivity..
then check for oil pressure
flush the system replace water with coolant + water.
check for spark..
then fire it up.
make sure you got a decent ground (earth)
drain the fuel replace it with a new filter take off the pip too the fuel rail turn it over a few times untill the old fuel clears the line and new fuel comes through..
Check the injectors for pulse
crank it over and put a led into the end of the cable it should flicker..
then check the injectors with a multimeter for conductivity..
then check for oil pressure
flush the system replace water with coolant + water.
check for spark..
then fire it up.
