New here.. Own 3 z's back in the 80s and the itch is back.. Just found and bought 83 280zx turbo manual 40,000 miles... Completely Original... Been searching for a while but could not pass this up.. Set in garage for 8 years drove very little.. Drove it 60 miles home the day I bought it with a tag along. Awesome feeling to get back behind the z wheel again..
Tearing into it right now... Seats ,carpet, panels, all out... Small bit of rust passenger side front floor area.. Working on it now.. Silver paint exterior black dash and interior and grayish orig. carpet that changing to black

Couple interesting questions I catch in the threads: electric fan over clutch on car now? The original radio and tape deck, should I attempt to repair to stay original? The hoses in engine compartment are all original, should they be replaced, they show some age?

Will post a few photos..as repairs are worked on..

Thanks

 

Welcome to ZDriver! Sounds like you found a great project Z.

Pick up a factory service manual free at XenonS130 - S130 Reference and check out the other cool docs there too. Our guys refer to the manual all the time. Check out the great inspection and troubleshooting pages - easy to follow.

Our Z pros will have some input for you. Meanwhile, sign in, go to User CP menu (upper left), click Edit Signature and add your Z model, year, shifter, turbo or NA, mileage, etc. Saves you having to add it every post. (Guys here go crazy if you don't lock your Q to your specific Z every time you post...) Then click Edit Avatar and add a little Z pic under your nick. Cool? You are solid here.

Looking forward to your contributions and to seeing some pics when you can post them.

Thanks and welcome!

 

Better?
Thanks for look out after me...
All ready downloaded the XenonS130 - S130 Reference manual.

Again I appreciate all the info..

 

Are you saying there is already an electric fan, or you want to install one?
Electric fans are nice... but make sure you buy a properly rated CFM fan that will cool enough. And buy name brand... lots of ebay knockoffs will fail fairly quick (I know from personal experience).

That's up to you... do you own a lot of tapes, and want to listen to music in subpar quality? Or are you planning to restore it to showroom original quality and never drive it?

Replace if cracked / damaged.

 

Nismo
Thanks on the fan info.. I'm considering going electric fan..

On the radio, am considering fixing to look stock, but adding update model in glove.
I am diff. Going to driving it.. Very few on the roads any longer.. There's nothing like the feel behind it..

On the hoses they look like the clear coating over the hoses is tracking from the heat and age.. I know that it's possible to have an air leak and not being able to find it..

Car has very like issues engine wise.. Just a like stumble after start up but purrs after few seconds, feel like I need to take a look at the air regulator, acts like it is not set correctly or failing. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Just get another console for the stereo or build your own. Put the old stereo in a box should you ever want that POS back in the car or require it for classic car status for insurance, etc.

I would shot gun all the vacuum lines but all other hoses replace as required

Rebuild the AFM and replace all the connectors with new ones for the EFI system. I have yet to see 30+ year old connectors in good condition... make sure you have good battery cables in there as well. Other than that a tune up (verify timing, cap, rotor and spark plug wires, etc) works wonders.

 

Fric
Thanks .. That is exactly what I'll do on the radio.. Great call..
And on the other suggested to do's. In process..
Thanks again

 

This what I did with my '82 280zx with an aftermarket Pioneer stereo and faceplate custom painted. Sadly this Z is destroyed by the sun and weather, and I will have to start all over again. I put a lot of time and money into it and it went to waste. Don't slack or neglect it after fixing it up or you will regret it. Good luck man..

 

Wildman
Thanks for the information..
Nice clean setup on the radio.. ? - What did you use on the faceplate that the radio is mounted on? Plastic, metal,wood?
I also like that steering wheel.. Where was that picked up?
Thanks

 

Today
Working on electric windows and AC/heat vent issue.. Air would never blow out the center vents so began checking connections and vacuum pump by the engine compartment light..
Ground and power were all good at pump, vacuum good, hose thru fire wall good. Pulled glove box and found hose disconnected. Took a few pictures (posted) on these. I thought this may help others.. It actually was not to bad.. Vents working now...
Windows needed lubed and just normal maintenance. Windows now quick and smooth.

Can only post 1 picture??..... Need some help with this.. Pictures are jpg and plenty small,

 

Are you asking about the blue faceplate? It is an aftermarket black faceplate for aftermarket stereos that I painted Cobalt Metallic Blue. And it is made of plastic. And thanks for the compliment. I wish it looked that good now. lol Good luck to you man.

As for the steering wheel. It is a Grant Signature Series black, that I painted silver in the middle. Turned out pretty nice, and I was quite happy about it. Anyway you can pick them up still new though they are pricey. I got mine used on Ebay, and got the steering wheel adapter kits for them. I love those wheels.