Datsun 280z low and slow project .

[morbias]

Another thing that has just popped into my head - Not all voltage regulators are the same, different years had different configurations so make sure you have the correct one for your car. If the alternator is wrong then there's a good chance the regulator might be wrong also.

It's possible the original alternator did go out and the previous owner may have bought a 280zx one by mistake. After that didn't fix the problem they might have also replaced the battery and regulator which would explain why everything looks so new?

It might be worth taking the lid off the regulator and checking for burnt bits, and also the gaps (they are like points and need to be adjusted to the right spec).

Though personally I would just go ahead and re-wire for internally regulated rather than try putting an original regulator and alternator back in and troubleshooting from there, it would be cheaper as it looks like you already have the correct alternator to do it with, and less troublesome in the long run.

There should be a sticker on the alternator you have, with a part number that you can double check.

 

[Andre]

The number on this one is 14209 that's on a sticker and the other one is 1**02263 couldn't read the ** ones .

Any idea where to check these ? My model is a 76 so should be externally regulated and this one I took off is internal.

 

[morbias]

Hmmm I don't know what those numbers are! The externally regulated alternators start with model number LT-xx and the internally regulated ones have a prefix of LR-xx (part number above that in the photo below, eg. 23100-v0100).

Maybe they're remanufactured and have a different part number given by the company that did it.

Perhaps just visually compare the back of your alternator with the one in the Atlanticz link, as you've already verified it's internally regulated if it looks the same then I imagine it probably is.

 

[Andre]

Canceled the one that was meant to be getting ordered today as wanted to do abit more research on the 280zx alternator so went to my local auto factor with my alternator that came off the car and told them that I wanted one for a 280 zx and the alternator they came back out with is the exact same as the one I took off the car.

all I can imagine that has happened is that the previous owner changed the alternator and didn't do a thing with the wirering side of things as it doesn't look like the wires have been touched.

Here is the label on the one they bought out to me that should fit a 280 zx.

 

[morbias]

Result! Easy upgrade then

 

[Andre]

Result! Easy upgrade then

Is it the right one though I'm not sure of .... £25 seems abit to cheap lol.

 

[morbias]

Yeah that does seem rather cheap, though it looks like it's a generic replacement part so would probably be cheaper than a Hitachi one. Are you going to use the one you got with your car? Might as well if it checked out ok when you had it tested.

 

[Andre]

The one that was on the car is dead as had that tested so may be worth getting the new one and just going over all the wirering and making sure it's all done right .

 

[Andre]

This will probably be the last picture most people will see of the car looking like this . It's in the paint shop now for front spoiler fitting along with the rear spoiler ,fender mirrors, bonnet vents and the suspension will be coming off and getting sent off for coilovers too.

Looking forward to seeing the changes.

 

[Andre]

 

[Tony 260Z]

Nice car! Watched that one for sale for a while myself but ummed and ahhed for too long...

 

[Jake RAH]

Seems to be coming on Andre Looking forward to seeing some after pics

 

[atomman]

This will probably be the last picture most people will see of the car looking like this . It's in the paint shop now for front spoiler fitting along with the rear spoiler ,fender mirrors, bonnet vents and the suspension will be coming off and getting sent off for coilovers too.

Looking forward to seeing the changes.

Me to what wheels you gonna run ?

 

[Andre]

Cheers guys no progress as of yet ,main priority for me is to get the suspension off and sent away as it can't move then so plenty of time to do other bits on the car.

Wheel choice is either Rota Shakotan Bm8 wheels of Rota Rkr but just can't make my mind up .

 

[Jake RAH]

Outta the two my vote would be for Rota RKR, or polished deep dish slot mags

 

[zNathan]

Not sure if anybody in the club is running Shakotans?

 

[Andre]

Shakotans would be different to the usual watanabe style wheels and I do kinda wanna stand out but love the watanabe look so can't decide what to go for.

 

[zNathan]

The Watanabe style always works, just depends like you say if you want to stand out from the crowd. Personally I'm into things a bit different, plus there's plenty of choice out there that will look cool!

You could always get a set of RKR's and then save up for some BM8's further down the line, or vice versa? Always nice to have a spare pair of shoes

 

[richiep]

I love the Watanabe R type-style that the Rota RKR knocks off. In this case though, given the colour of the car, I wonder if the BM8s might suit it more? The RKRs (sourced in the UK anyway) all come in dark colours and I wonder whether the polished look of the BM8s might go better. Something to consider anyway.

Of course, if you buy from Wheelbay in the US (on eBay) there is a wider choice of finishes for the RKRs. Or have a look on the Japanese auctions at some of the other options available. Nathan just scored some cool JDM wheels that way. Check out the SSR Mk2s, Mk3s, and XR-4 Longchamps.

 

[atomman]

Like you I don't want to conform and just run Watanabe wheels, (copy's or real), which is why I went down the route of having my wheels made,

But saying that you cannot really beat the look of a car on Watanabe's, It just works, I do keep looking at buying some every now and again,

I don't think the Shokotan's really lend themselves to the shape of a Z car, they suit a more square shape like this

but each to there own