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260Z Distributor
- Thread starter Guy 600N
- Start date
Thanks toopy! Had the car in the garage yesterday, they gave some pretty worrying news when doing a diagnostic test... they were just a local bog standard garage though and were asking me for advice on where i'd start looking for the problem so i'm hopefully going to take it to a more classic car orientated 'specialist' to get a second diagnostic test...... It looks like it might be a bigger problem than just the distributor... i'll keep you posted with any updates
On these cars, "diagnostic test" is just the things we've been talking about on here - checking the timing, mixture, plugs, compression etc.
Avoid specialists I'd say - you want someone local that people you know recommend, who's been around since before mechanics became electronic module fitters.
Avoid specialists I'd say - you want someone local that people you know recommend, who's been around since before mechanics became electronic module fitters.
richiep
Club Member
Sounds like the garage had no idea what they were looking at. Any garage that uses the word "diagnostic" around an old Z loses all credibility immediately IMO.
As Jon says, you need a recommended garage with old skool common sense and practical understanding. Forget the laptop jockeys.
As an anecdote, a local 240Z owner had his car fail an MOT one time because the tester said it was flashing a "brake warning light", indicating a braking system error. The reality - the switch under the handbrake was sticking slightly...
All of this is why it is important to get hands-on with these cars and do the research. Because you are more likely to solve problems yourself and with other owners' input that many modern garages are.
As Jon says, you need a recommended garage with old skool common sense and practical understanding. Forget the laptop jockeys.
As an anecdote, a local 240Z owner had his car fail an MOT one time because the tester said it was flashing a "brake warning light", indicating a braking system error. The reality - the switch under the handbrake was sticking slightly...
All of this is why it is important to get hands-on with these cars and do the research. Because you are more likely to solve problems yourself and with other owners' input that many modern garages are.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
This doesn't sound like anything to do with distributor wear to me. That's something that happens slowly and gradually, not overnight.
If it's not something basic (and easily replaced/fixed ) on the ignition side, it'll be fuelling related.
datsfun
Club Member
My suggestion is to join retro rides forum; there is a high chance that someone competent who works on classic cars will probably be able to help you or at least recommend a local garage.
Right, so, thought i'd update this post as we've 'fixed' the problem and all the advice really helped...
So, found out a valve seat in the head had slipped (luckily didn't cause any damamge somehow) and that the other valve seats were loose. Replaced all of these, refurbished the whole camshaft and head and it was running better.
We then took the car to a friend who looked at the timing and balancing of the dellorto carbs and it's running incredibly well! Idling so smoothly at 700rpm give or take.
We then came across a little problem with the ignition coil, we thing that either something is 'wrong' with it or there is a loose connection... It runs pretty well again after some fiddling around but i don't feel particularly confident...
So let's buy a coil and see where that gets me. I think perhaps a 280Z coil? Thoughts? Just spoke to Mike who was concerned my car might have a ballast resistor and so (correct me if im wrong) the standard 260z coil might not be working to its full potential.
Advice wanted please! I have a day to order a new coil on next day delivery befor we take to Le Mans and it'd be great to feel more conifent in the car before we go! haha! i think it'll make it there either way but yeah safe than sorry etc.
So, found out a valve seat in the head had slipped (luckily didn't cause any damamge somehow) and that the other valve seats were loose. Replaced all of these, refurbished the whole camshaft and head and it was running better.
We then took the car to a friend who looked at the timing and balancing of the dellorto carbs and it's running incredibly well! Idling so smoothly at 700rpm give or take.
We then came across a little problem with the ignition coil, we thing that either something is 'wrong' with it or there is a loose connection... It runs pretty well again after some fiddling around but i don't feel particularly confident...
So let's buy a coil and see where that gets me. I think perhaps a 280Z coil? Thoughts? Just spoke to Mike who was concerned my car might have a ballast resistor and so (correct me if im wrong) the standard 260z coil might not be working to its full potential.
Advice wanted please! I have a day to order a new coil on next day delivery befor we take to Le Mans and it'd be great to feel more conifent in the car before we go! haha! i think it'll make it there either way but yeah safe than sorry etc.
Plus, embarrasingly, I have a vlog that i'm running and planning on filming the trip to le mans with - check it out if you want:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxadTYlNgCnuNIKpsxBvDQg
No hate please, i'm fully aware it's embarrassing hahaha
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxadTYlNgCnuNIKpsxBvDQg
No hate please, i'm fully aware it's embarrassing hahaha
Farmer42
Club Member
Getting the right coil depends on the type of distributor you have. It looks like you have an electronic dizzy from a 280ZX from your earlier pics. I couldn't see a ballast resistor though which is like a white ceramic block with terminals usually mounted on or near the coil. If you have one of those, it needs to be removed.
As far as new coils go, you probably need the one that Mike does for the 280ZX electronic dizzy. Was your current one getting hot? If not it might also be worth checking all the connections to the coil and the little black box on the dizzy.
SacCyclone
Club Member
Cardone is a mass supplier in the states of reman everything.
I have personally sent many cardone units back to the auto supply store especially distributors.
If you are going that route let me know and I will try to find a distributor supplier in the states with a quality product.
I have personally sent many cardone units back to the auto supply store especially distributors.
If you are going that route let me know and I will try to find a distributor supplier in the states with a quality product.