BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hey Everyone! I'm new to Datsuns and new to the site so I was wondering if there are and special quirks to Datsuns in general. I've just got the 78 280Z I bought a few weeks ago running (needed new injectors do to bad gas) and I noticed none of the gauges work properly (all register lower than they should). I understand that I shouldn't expect everything to work perfectly on a car that's sat for over 2 years and has just been restarted but I was wondering if It might be something that will fix itself with a bit of driving? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 How would you tell if gauges are wrong? Low MPH may be oversize tires. Low temp is likely a stuck thermostat. Low voltage may be a bad alternator. Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Thanks for the tips, Ive been tinkering and I think it might just be a stuck thermostat and varnish/gunk on the fuel and oil pressure gauges Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Gauges in Datsun generally don't go bad. 1 Quote Link to comment
Cpl620 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 have you ever been in love JoeBro? ready your self for it, the datsun is nothing but love! and some times not...post some pics when you get a chance. and welcome. 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 Nissan. Made with love. 1 Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 Thanks for the warm welcome :) I'll get pics up as soon as I can figure out how to Quote Link to comment
Ranman72 Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 welcome to Ratsun on Ratsun pics are a must I am in the sacramento area and have many many z parts if you find you need something let me know welcome to the world of Datsuns 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 ....and varnish/gunk on the fuel and oil pressure gauges The gauges are electrical and seldom fail. Two failures is very unlikely. The temp and fuel gauges are both powered by a small voltage regulator located in the temp gauge. It supplies a steady 8 volts and is unaffected by a high charging rate or low battery voltage when idling with headlights, fan and wipers on. I suppose you could just replace the temp gauge or remove and gently clean the contacts with fine sand paper... 1 Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 Thanks for the tip DatsunMike :) I cleaned the gauges up and wiggled some wires and they're back to their former glory. And thanks of the heads up Ranman72, I might have to take you up on that eventually :) Quote Link to comment
Cpl620 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Damn, that thing is looking clean. Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Thanks man :) not bad for $750. But I have just discovered a new problem that I'm hoping this forum would be kind enough to help me with. Today I took it out for the first time at road speeds and to my surprise the engine felt like it was producing about 10 horsepower and smoke stared filtering up from the hole where the parking break handle mounts. I nursed the car back to my garage and inspected the difficulty to find that the smoke wasn't coming from the engine or exhaust but appeared to be wafting up from the transmission bell housing. The guy I bought it from said it had been sitting about 2 years and it has roughly 80,000 miles on it. Could the transmission fluid have solidified in that time?? P.S. It's an Automatic Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 No it can't solidify in that time. Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 I had a feeling, got any ideas on what it could be?? Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Brakes stuck? Jack up each wheel and see if it spins by hand. 1 Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Already replaced the front pads and rear drums but good guess. My research has started leading me to believe it's a catalytic converter Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted May 29, 2014 Report Share Posted May 29, 2014 Easy enough to test. Unbolt the converter and test drive it. It will be loud but if your power picks up you'll know. Quote Link to comment
BeastlyJoeBro Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 So I pulled the converter and took it for a run only to find A) No change in performance and B) the engine sounds absolutely epic straight piped. So after a bit of a puzzlement I stated to recheck everything again and to my great surprise when I pulled the cap off the distributor and peered down inside its workings I found what appeared to be a silver BB from an air rifle. Turns out it was part of the distributors vacuum advance plate setup which was completely wrecked. The Distributor is only working enough to keep it idling but not actually running when given some throttle. So I'm now in the market for a new Distributor Quote Link to comment
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