i just bought an 83 280zx with a blown head gasket, buddy was driving it home when it got really hot, shut it off and tried starting it, just chuggin white smoke so he shut it off and towed it home. I was just wondering if there is any suggestions on tering down to the block without wrecking anything. Never tore down motors like this, just small block chevy's so this is a little new. Also, does anyone know of a good site to order parts off of? sort of like a bronco graveyard for datsuns?

thanks.

 

http://www.thezstore.com/ is my fav

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-280zxt-s30-s130-tech-tips-275/where-buy-parts-240-260-280-zs-20060/ <--- a compiled list of Z car parts sources


GL with the project, doesn't sound like the best start :P but keep going

i suggest you get a Hayne's manual it will help you tremendously with repairs

and welcome to ZDriver

 

definitely a haynes manual, i bought a chiltons and ended up going back out in the middle of the tear down to get a haynes. also it really helped me to take pictures of the sensors i disconnected! that way i knew which one went where good luck man!

 

yea a haynes manual will help me a lot. now, i was reading up on it a bit, people say the easiet way is to pull the heads off with the exhaust and intake manifolds still attached. just out of curiosity, what oil do these beasts run? (mines a turbo if that makes any difference)

 

no difference, there really is no call for oil weight, typically in the summer i go 10w-30 and in the winter a 5w-30 like most of my cars unless there is a badge that says otherwise. also, if you take the head off right, why would you wreck anything? your buddy probably warped the hell out of the head. so i would plan on just re-building it for the most part with a good mill, new valve seals and a valve job. also get an all new timing chain kit since your going to be in there and check out the cylinder walls/piston tops. and i would remove the exhaust and intake manifold, those things weigh alot. plus you get so much room free'd up.