1978 Datsun 280z restoration
1978 Datsun 280z restoration
Embedded Files
I purchased my Datsun 280z in mid-2017. Hours of hard work, troubleshooting, and love have gone into bringing this machine back to its former glory.
When I first bought the car, it was a true project: rusty and partially disassembled. My prior experience was limited to basic maintenance like oil changes and brakes, but I was eager to dive in and learn.
When I first bought the car, it was a true project: rusty and partially disassembled. My prior experience was limited to basic maintenance like oil changes and brakes, but I was eager to dive in and learn.
As I stripped the interior and disassembled the car, the extensive toll of time and rust became clear. To address the significant body work, the car went to a professional body shop while I focused on rebuilding the engine.
As I stripped the interior and disassembled the car, the extensive toll of time and rust became clear. To address the significant body work, the car went to a professional body shop while I focused on rebuilding the engine.
With the chassis returned, the intensive work of reassembly and repair began. I reinstalled the engine and drivetrain, meticulously re-routed, cleaned, and reattached all wiring, and fabricated new fuel and brake lines to replace the corroded originals.
Once the engine was ready for its initial start, I encountered the first of many troubleshooting challenges. As this was my first engine rebuild, I'd overlooked checking the valve lash, and the distributor timing was off. These issues caused the engine to sputter inconsistently. After extensive personal troubleshooting, I reached out to a friend for assistance. With his expertise and specialized tools, we successfully set the valve lash and timing, finally bringing the engine to life.
Getting the engine running was just one of many problems I've tackled with this car. I've since designed custom 3D-printed parts, like the fuse box cover, and upgraded various systems, including the brakes and air conditioning. This 1978 Datsun 280Z project has been an invaluable lesson in problem-solving, perseverance, and mechanical engineering skills.
Link to fuse box cover.
Google Sites
Report abuse