I scored a really good deal on a 1985 NA 300zx but it's not perfect. It was from an auction and I believe it was donated. So for the issues.. It has an exhaust leak near the cat and when I step on the gas from idle, it sputters. It doesn't sputter when I drive but only when it's idle.

It also grinds sometimes when I shift from gear to gear. Synchros possibly? It also has a clunking noise from the rear end. My 1988 did the same thing but only before I had it rebuilt.

The gas gauge also doesn't work. It's all the way on empty.

The car was probably sitting for awhile. The battery was dead and wont hold a charge and there are a lot of leaves under the hood. The car has 188k on it.

Also, are hard tops rare? I thought all the US ones came with t tops.

I'll post pictures tomorrow after I clean it up

 

How many miles?
It had been sitting for years when you got it?
It is best to do some major checks before you try driving or even crank or start
Change fluids ,check compression ,t belt,charging ,brakes if you start it and the bearings are dry it does damage before it can lube it
The syncros are likely worn but the wrong fluid can cause as well

 

On the trans issue, I bought a car that had sat a long time and had a grind going into 3rd. I changed out the trans oil to Redline MT90 and drove it 1000 miles and the grind has gone away.

Takes just a tick over 2 quarts to refill the trans, and the stuff runs about $15 a quart. Worth a try.

 

Yea it had to be sitting for a long time. It has 188,000 miles. There was a lot of leaves under the hood and the paint was beyond faded. The Brake light is also on but the brakes work fine. Battery is VERY dead.

I tried cleaning up a little, what do you think? I only did the hood. I'll finish the rest of the car tomorrow.





Can someone decode this for me?

 

Nice work on the paint! She's a keeper, def. At 188K she's just broken in. Many miles to go yet. Congratulations on a great buy.

 

wow, nice buff job!