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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:44 am 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
Posts: 1373
Location: Webster, NY
It seems that I never really go looking for Zs, more often they come looking for ME!

Here is my winter project, and I may keep this one for a while. One owner 1978 280Z 2+2 waiting in my garage to be brought back to life this winter. Now the 2+2 isn't necessarily my favorite Z, and the automatic transmission doesn't turn me on, BUT this is a one owner, 42,000 mile survivor car that has been parked in a dry garage since 1992. And in case you haven't heard, they don't make S30s any more. :wink:

The original owner passed away last year and his daughter inherited everything in the estate, lock stock and barrel. The house sold, she needed the car gone and word of mouth led her to me. A couple of the valves are frozen, probably due to the length and manner of storage, but the car is SPOTLESS. I'll pull the head this winter and get it re-done. I'm hoping that the bottom end is OK, if not I'll have to decide on rebuilding that as well or transplanting a different L28 into it. Change out various rubber bits, flush the fuel system, dye the carpets and hopefully it'll be on the road again by Spring!

Stay tuned......


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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:16 am 
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Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:21 am
Posts: 973
Location: Somers CT
Looks great John you muzt be magnetic :P

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W.Karl Walton
Somers CT



75' - 280Z - HLS30203249 - #304 Gold Metallic (stockish)
96' - 300zx TT - JN1CZ24d3TX960293 - Black on Black (enhanced)


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:33 am 
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Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:53 pm
Posts: 14778
Location: CT
Don't knock the 2+2s and especially the automatics. Those very cars saved a lot of young Z lovers from having to buy Fords or Chevys when they got married and had kids. The wife could drive the A/T, the kids could sit in the back seat, and the whole family could be air-conditioned. The 2+2 was often the Z lover's only chance of remaining in a Datsun S30 after he acquired a family. The air-conditioned 2+2 automatic was just a really good idea which came along at the right time; a "family GT car".

Bob Sharp raced a 260 2+2 very successfully for a season, beating his own 240z lap records on several tracks. The car was better balanced and had slightly better aerodynamics than the 240z had. Bob drove one of his showroom 2+2 models as his personal car for a year, as well.

Because the 2+2 was less popular than the original-body sport coupe was, fewer of them were made. That's especially true about the one-year-only 260Z 2+2. Because they were basically a "family" sportscar, they were less-beaten or modified than the sport coupe might have been. So the 2+2 cars surviving today have an excellent chance of being in great original shape with lower miles than the old 240s might have suffered.

With everyone wanting an S30 car, and with the original 2-seat coupes becoming more scarce and more expensive each year, the 2+2 *AGAIN* gives Z lovers the chance to drive a Z when they discover they can't get a 2-seater.

Watch for 2+2 prices to rise in our lifetimes. I suspect there is a chance that the very final S30 car to survive the ages might well be a 2+2.

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:51 am 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
Posts: 1373
Location: Webster, NY
I hope you're right on the 2+2s Frank. There does seem to be a very passionate "sub group" of Z fans very loyal to them. And I do think that of all the Z 2+2s, the 260/280 pulled it off the best. Aside from the fact that this car is a legitimate, low miles, super clean survivor car, what really landed it in the garage was my wife! She's really liking the idea of packing the grandkids in the back seat and taking them for a ride on club events!

Happy wife, happy Z life! :D

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:25 pm 
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Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:39 pm
Posts: 697
Location: Long Island, N.Y.
Great looking car John. If there's a great car deal to be had, you're da man to find it. :mrgreen: You always seem to step in it and come out smelling like a rose. :thumbs_up: I'm sure that you and the Z team will, once again, turn it into a one of a kind gem. An extra bonus might be an even more understanding wife. :D :D That IS priceless. Best of luck and smooth sailing with the build.

Howard J

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1985 300ZX- GLL Dark Pewter Metallic - Survivor


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:15 pm 
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Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2016 7:11 am
Posts: 678
Great find! I love seeing survivor cars pop up, it's like finding a really cool time capsule! Have fun and post pics of the progress!

Jay


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PostPosted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:07 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2017 5:34 am
Posts: 62
Only 2+2’s look better dropped. Just sayin.

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Bruce - Early 260Z - 305 Light Blue Metallic


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PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 2:20 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
Posts: 1373
Location: Webster, NY
eclipsedlife wrote:
Only 2+2’s look better dropped. Just sayin.


I agree! That may happen in the future. 2 seat Zs are my preference by far, but this time capsule was too nice to pass on. Besides, my wife it talking about driving it with the grandkids in the back seat! :D

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester


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PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 10:42 am 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
Posts: 1373
Location: Webster, NY
UPDATE:

I decided to keep the car in its totally bone stock condition as it is a remarkable time capsule. Therefore I am fixing the original 42,000 mile engine. My Z engine guru Kurt Thiel is going through the engine and by pulling the head we discovered what the issue is. The car was parked in a garage in 1992, literally parked with no storage prep, and sat untouched until 2016. "Someone" tried to start the car and it seems that intake valves #2 and #5 were frozen open. When the car turned over, it struck the valves and bent them. Luckily the pistons were not damaged as they kissed the valves under a start attempt and not a high RPM running condition.

The head is now at the machine shop being refreshed and the two damaged valves are being replaced. With some luck she should be running in a week or so. Then brakes, tires, flushing lines and whatever other surprises lie in store, as they always are!

Stay tuned.....


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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 6:33 pm 
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Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:21 am
Posts: 973
Location: Somers CT
I hate when "Someone" does stuff like that ? :roll: :wink:

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W.Karl Walton
Somers CT



75' - 280Z - HLS30203249 - #304 Gold Metallic (stockish)
96' - 300zx TT - JN1CZ24d3TX960293 - Black on Black (enhanced)


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PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:29 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:53 pm
Posts: 14778
Location: CT
John, if you want to update that engine to modern applications, now's the time to easily replace those dished 8:3:1 compression turbo pistons with flattops giving you a point or two more compression (depending on which head you have), and maybe shave the head a bit and port it out a bit. Same block, same head, just Geritol inside. Kurt can tell you the same thing. Gives you a chance to replace all the rings and bearings, too. I mean.....as long as you've already got her dress off, why stop now? 8)

If you intend to use a turbo, disregard this advice.

Frank

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PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:17 am 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
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Location: Webster, NY
I thought about it Frank, but my intention is to keep the car in it's 100% bone stock condition. With only 42,000 miles on it, I am looking to retain originality and value. Truth be told, I probably won't be keeping this car forever and I think that its time capsule original condition will make it most attractive, especially being a 2+2. The sale of it might make a good down payment on the 2020 Z Car, if there is one! :wink:

It's the original N47 head with stock pistons, slightly dished. As the bottom end is sound, I don't want the expense of pulling it apart as well to replace pistons and bearings. Unless it needs it of course. Right now the goal it to get it back on the road in sound running condition.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 10:02 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 7:39 pm
Posts: 697
Location: Long Island, N.Y.
I love eavesdropping in on conversation like this between Z Guros. :shock: I'm always in awe of the knowledge that can be retained within a human's skull, and also how little, actually miniscule my knowledge and mechanical abilities are by comparison. It's very humbling but quite enjoyable to read and try to learn from it all. Knowing that you'll have to pull over some times to let the Big Rigs blow on by is just common sense smart and not at all embarrassing. :) :thumbs_up: 8) By-your-leave Masters. Please continue.
Great job John. I look forward to future progress reports. :mrgreen: 8)

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1985 300ZX- GLL Dark Pewter Metallic - Survivor


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:16 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:16 pm
Posts: 1180
Location: Ansonia, CT
SWEEEET! :thumbs_up:

The body looks in great shape. Not liking the wheels much but I think you are doing the right thing keeping this find stock. Will you have it ready this summer for the Rochester gathering? BTW, are there plans for another meeting and trip to the Glen?

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 9:24 am 
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Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:24 am
Posts: 1373
Location: Webster, NY
johnnyZ wrote:
SWEEEET! :thumbs_up:

The body looks in great shape. Not liking the wheels much but I think you are doing the right thing keeping this find stock. Will you have it ready this summer for the Rochester gathering? BTW, are there plans for another meeting and trip to the Glen?


Hey John....

First of YES, ZCCR will be hosting another MOTORFEST weekend, July 7 & 8 this year. Saturday will be a road rally to Watkins Glen for laps (we are modifying it a bit this year, due to the popularity and growing number of vehicles joining it, we are dividing into groups with a "group leader" to get his group down to the track at the same time via different AWESOME routes). Sunday will be the Motorfest Car Show at the Damascus Center in Webster NY. I will post registration information here in the next few weeks.

Back to the 280Z 2+2..... The wheels you see are "period correct" basket dished wheels that have seen better days. I have a set of 280ZX "swastika" wheels that I am having powdercoated and new tires that will be on the car. Much more appropriate I think.

Hopefully the head will go back together this week, get it running, then on to more mundane tasks such as fluids, brakes and cosmetics. And YES, it will be at Motorfest this year!

Thanks for the nice comments fellas.... :)

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester


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