Ex-Cali 1977 280Z recommissioning

[Crasher76]

I am a fan of the survivor/ patina look so was very happy to acquire this solid but faded 280Z. Judging by the date on the plates and the smell from the fuel tank 1989 was probably the last time it was used.
Plan is to get it running on the efi if possible, I have dropped the tank and will assess the condition. All rubber fuel hoses will be replaced along with the pump, filters etc. I will then concentrate in the engine bay swapping out the efi for a known running one. Little micey have chewed bits of loom just to make sure it isn't going to be straight forward.

 

[Robotsan]

Nice one, looks similar to mine condition wise!

I see you've already de-bumpered it, or was that already done?

When you say swap for a known running one, do you mean from another 280z? Or swapping to something modern?

 

[Crasher76]

Hi, I have just read your thread which prompted me to do one as well! It came with the big impact bumpers, the front irons now removed and rear ones hopefully by the weekend. I am hopefully fitting a used OEM efi from a car that was converted to carbs. I also have a pair of 240Z carbs but they will need a refurb. The rusty manifold hardware is frankly scary so I don't really want to remove too much too soon and end up with piles of parts and unfinished jobs!

 

[Robotsan]

Hi, I have just read your thread which prompted me to do one as well! It came with the big impact bumpers, the front irons now removed and rear ones hopefully by the weekend. I am hopefully fitting a used OEM efi from a car that was converted to carbs. I also have a pair of 240Z carbs but they will need a refurb. The rusty manifold hardware is frankly scary so I don't really want to remove too much too soon and end up with piles of parts and unfinished jobs!

Oh don't pay any attention to my thread, I don't know what I'm doing I gather you've done this a few times before so you'll be alright!

That sounds like a plan re: the EFI. Hopefully a lot of the rust is just surface rust on the manifold and fuel rail etc.

Have you got the EFI bible and FSM PDFs yet? If not, I can send them to you, as you'll need them.

What's the long term plan? Keeping the L28?

 

[Crasher76]

Hi

Thanks the EFI bible would be useful however if it is too far gone I will chuck the carbs on following my experience with the old Porsche CIS...

I haven't got a firm plan yet, it is a 5spd manual and will keep the L28. I would like a set of Webers but it is a slippery slope!

Body wise I will CLR it, take off the dead paint and using a paint conditioner / rust inhibitor (Owatrol) to maintain a 'cared' for survivor look.

The interior is mint, even the dash isn't cracked or seats split just needs carpet set.

it still has the original spot welds on the arches so won't attack it with flares, probably fit UK springs to lower it approx 25mm. I have ordered some GRP bumpers and a standard front air dam / spoiler. I would really like a Skillard front grille but will wait until i have decided what to do with bumpers and indicators first.

Wheels will be 14x7 Slots for now.

 

[Robotsan]

Here you go: http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/efisystem/280zfuelinjectionbook.pdf

That's lucky about the interior! The first owners must have kept a protector on the dash. I've just spent 6 months completely redoing the interior in mine, among other things.

Get your carpets from Romas Tamulis in Lithuania - find him on FB. His company is DCW Classic. Restores Zs to a very high standard.

Check with someone more knowledgeable than me about the springs - just as I'm not 100% sure springs from 240s and 260s fit. They probably do but check first.

Ahh good you got some wheels sorted then Will look forward to seeing the progress!

George.