Z refresh/mid life crisis "project"

[benzo]

My first car was a 73 240Z. I dreamed of that car at 16 and was lucky to get one but was young and dumb and didn't stick through to keep it and learn to take care of it so sold it. 31 years later this 75 280Z dropped in my lap. Been casually looking at Z's for a bit but prices were unbelievable or thoughts of attaining one were fading then one day I was at my parents' house and my dad goes your brother picked up a Z and said it runs good just has rust. Week later was having dinner at my brother's and I ask him about it, and he goes it's downstairs you wanna see it? Sure! It was exactly what I was looking for. As much as I or most want a 240 a 280 with fuel injection now suits me more.  Runs well and just has cosmetic rust with slight modifications but good starting point. The car was what we call a street cleaner or space saver where the owner was using it to hold spaces for street cleaning but finally got tired of doing that and let it go to my brother. When I mentioned to my brother I was interested him and my sister and law said you know what? You can have it for what we paid for it which was pretty much like giving it to me. Only thing is my brother is using the car as part of a school project to practice body and paint which totally hooked me up as it will have all the work and paint done by my brother and just have to pay for the material which is way more affordable than paying someone just have to wait a while as he's busy which is fine by me. The cars been in his garage for the last year slowly replacing body panels and doing minor repairs and only recently he and I have been working on it to refresh the suspension and brakes and get it moving so we can bring to the shop space or school to do the body work and paint. Here are some pics of where the car stands now. I may be selling off some parts like struts and springs as going different route than the KYB/Eibachs pictured and some random parts like the flares and wheels when I am done with the work. If any folks here have some Z parts like a 240 front bumper, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Edited June 18, 2025 by benzo

[ggzilla]

On 6/17/2025 at 8:30 PM, benzo said:

31 years later this 75 280Z dropped in my lap

 

looks awesome! wait, that's a 280ZX saying. But it does look awesome

 

Those Long Champ wheels look great

[datzenmike]

Like the S30. Never liked the looks of the later S130.  

[benzo]

@ggzilla Thanks! Going to refurbish the Longchamps and possibly use them on the Z. The Z is a 280 just the previous owner put the flares on which I am removing and going back to the stock fenders.

 

@datzenmike I am more of a S30 fan but some S130's/280ZX's do look pretty good when done up right.

[benzo]

Some of the suspension parts arrived. Picking up where I left off from my first Z. I always wanted to but never got to use Coil overs so thanks to the guys at Ground Control they sent over one of their kits as well as some struts for me to section my strut housings. They have been supportive all these years and despite not talking with them for a while they treated me like family.

 

I am on a budget and as much as I see and like all the suspension goodies being produced I can't afford or see myself using some items so staying with G machine parts as they worked good on my first Z and on my wagon I ordered some items from the Z store/Motorsport Auto. It's a mix of oem, urethane and delrin bushings. Hoping to get the parts fab'ed up and installed and get the car rolling so It can be moved into the shop for body and paint prep.

[iceman510]

Be cautious with those offset lower control arm bushings.  They tend to loosen up and move.  I had a set in my 69 510 and they moved once on a freeway off ramp.  Disconcerting is not a strong enough word to describe the feeling.

[benzo]

@iceman510 Good looking out. Didn't have an issue with my old Z or never heard of that happening until now but never say never. Glad nothing major happened. Either I have to keep an eye on them or reconsider.

[iceman510]

Could have been my installation or improper torquing.  I was a dumb, inexperienced kid in those days...

[datzenmike]

Weren't we all.

[benzo]

@iceman510 @datzenmike Now we are dumb everlearning old geeks haha!

 

Haha Happy 4th Fellas! 

[benzo]

Brothers been helping me and took apart the rear taillights and suspension for a refresh. I'm working on the differential as can tell it had been leaking prior so cleaned it up and checking it and glad no shavings or missing teeth or damage. Will media blast the cover to clean it up more and will order new seals and related parts and clean up.

[benzo]

Received all the parts to replace the diff seals. Bought the axle seals from RockAuto and the Pinion seal and nut from ZcarDepot.  First time using RockAuto and won't be the last. Prices were good and shipping was good. Pretty straight forward job and didn't take long. Waiting to have the cover media blasted so I can polish up and reinstall and put back into the car. 

[iceman510]

So were R200s used in the 280Z?  Or do you think this car was upgraded?

[datzenmike]

 

 

Some Chevy front engine seals are the same way. It's good idea as the seal lips will now be on a fresh surface free of any wear or 'groove' from the old one.

[benzo]

@iceman510 I haven't had much in depth experience with the Z's but seems like the R200 was common or standard in the 280z's and ZX's. Logic tells me it is supposed to be stronger in stock form to mate to the 2.8 liter motor. 

[ggzilla]

6 hours ago, iceman510 said:

So were R200s used in the 280Z?

Yes, some 280Z had the R200, while other 280Z had the R180

[benzo]

@datzenmike That's good to know. I have a Chevy Blazer but never got to that part only replaced the pinion seal on the rear once but agree as that lip can help with seal performance. From an install standpoint it makes it easy to know when to stop tapping or pressing in.

[ggzilla]

From the USA Datsun parts catalog

 

R200

*  260Z 4.111 ratio 2+2 model with MT

* 280Z 3.545 ratio 1975-1978

 

I've heard different things about which 280Zs came with the R200 (supposedly auto/manual or certain years). Per the parts catalog:

* R200 was used 1975-1978

* R180 was used 1975-1978 in both MT and AT models

[benzo]

@ggzilla Good info. Thank you!

[benzo]

Made progress on the coilovers for the Z.

 

Momentary hiccup with incorrect parts from Ground Control so while that was being sorted measured and marked off and sectioned the strut housings to accomodate the shorter struts (87-89 MR2 rear for the front and moving the Z fronts to the rear). My brothers been doing the welding as it's a part of a course he is taking at the local community college, and he is getting better and better!

 

All the correct parts arrived and mocked up and good to go. Have to wait for another round of time and can media blast and powder coat all the suspension parts before assembly and reinstall to get the car rolling.

 

Definitely looking forward to driving the car to get the feels!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[benzo]

One of the front strut assemblies completed media blasting and powder coating. Stoked on the outcome! Hopefully can finish the remaining three and replace the wheel bearings in the next week.

[benzo]

Been quiet lately working on the Z due to work and life. My intent was to media blast the rear diff cover and polish it but second thoughts I had my brother powder coat it. Keeping it low maintenance and simple looking. The fill plug was rounded out so had to weld on a bolt head to be able to spin it off so going to replace with a new one. 

 

Driveshaft had a lot of surface rust so sanded it down and used a wire brush and Emery paper to smooth it out and took off any high spots before cleaning it off and using my bike repair stand to hold it up so I can mask some portions and prime and paint. Used some high heat primer and paint and luckily had some good weather that it all went on smooth and stuck. Let it cure and then added some clear coat. 

 

Waiting for my brother to get back from a trip and can put back in the car so the suspension can be put back in and hopefully move the car to the body shop/space.

Edited October 7, 2025 by benzo

[benzo]

It's been a few months so glad to be starting off the new year working on the Z. My Brother and my nephew got the differential mounted back in the car. The suspension parts got either powder coated or painted and then me and my brother packed and pressed in new bearings and seals for the rear hubs. Went together pretty smooth. We also installed the struts and coilovers and for now hung the assemblies onto the strut towers. Had to take a break but hoping in the next few days we can continue again and get the lower control arms mounted up to the chassis as well the driveshaft, half shafts and mount the disc brake assembly and brake lines.

[iceman510]

Project is looking good.

 

[benzo]

@iceman510 Thank you!