1976 Datsun 280z - Will It Run?

Kevin over at Junkyard Digs picked up this Datsun 280z but after sitting on it for a bit he called me up and asked if I wanted to tackle this car. I went and picked it up and brought it back to my shop to see if I could get it running.
Check out the Junkyard Digs video where this whole project got its start: • Rescuing an Abandoned ...
Want a fuel drip bottle like I am using get one here: amzn.to/3v6aJNa
Don't forget to visit my website for more updates: www.thisweekwit...
This Week With Cars - Episode 0130
#Datsun #280Z #WillItRun

[@streetwise10-73]

My Brother had a 240 Z stored in his garage for years and years. A Complete car, no body work or major work needed, a dual carb 6 cyl. a nice 240 Z. I often told him to sell it to me but no, it was the same excuse we hear from others all the time. (I'm going to fix it up). One day I rode my Harley over to his house to say hi. I saw his garage door open and the Z was gone!. He said Oh, I sold it last month. After a few choice words aimed at him, I didn't talk to him for almost a year I was so p/o. That was 10 years ago. After watching your video...I have decided not to talk to him for another year.

[@Richardspraus]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@thefinalroman]

See that all the time. They are just jealous you'll actually get it going...

[@MegaKencam]

My much older sister had a 70s Camaro and she promised that it would be mine when I turned 16. She got married and traded it in on a small station wagon about a few months before my birthday. The story isn't over... After her death (hit by a drunk driver) I found the car in a field. I dragged it out and trailered it home. While restoring it my house caught on fire and it was destroyed. Sometimes you are just not meant to own your dream car.

[@datto240z]

@@MegaKencam dang

[@timm7885]

Can see you tracking that car down, paying whatever for it, and then driving by brothers house EVERY DAY with horn blaring! got a good laugh out of that... i hit my older brother upside the head with a toy wooden train once when he was messing with me..no regrets!

[@JunkyardDigs]

Datsun definitely went to the right place!🤘

[@flyingbuzzard8868]

Amen

[@flyingbuzzard8868]

Now the 260Z is lonely again😢

[@yapper1480]

I love your videos Kevin

[@jessiebickel2214]

Yes

[@kenwilson2315]

God damn kids!!! Ruining restoration values by overpaying for scrap. The guy with the umbrella is still laughing.

[@LukesJukes]

Came here from Kevin to see the revival, and you didn’t disappoint! Looking forward to the series!

[@Twyst350]

4 months late but I'm here, I'm subbed, I'm commenting, please restore this Z. All Zs deserve to be restored.

[@yapper1480]

I came from Junkyard Digs and now I’m subbed.

[@isaachofstetter508]

Same here and I think I made a good choice

[@azactor]

Me toooooooo!

[@h60memo]

I am probably one of a few that was subscribed to This Week With Cars before subscribing to Junkyard Digs.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Yep me too. He does have a very good methodical approach.

[@johnnyturbo8460]

Same Here

[@oibal60]

My dad had a 280ZX, circa 1981. That inline six was a beaut.I used to open the hood like I was working on a Jaguar E-type. Performance was not great, even with his manny tranny, but, in white, with black bumpers and trim, the car looked gorgeous.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Bluetooth multimeter is genius. I don't want to ask how much that Snap On meter was though. Very patient and thorough work on the Datsun! For a first go-through, that was very systematic. Too bad that thing has so much rust and mouse damage. The restoration will be a labor of love for someone.

[@bobadam7021]

Snap-on: if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. But if you don’t ask we’ll put you on a payment plan of $50 a week for life.

[@Rustbelt_Research]

They're $600. Which is pretty pricy. Although the only thing I can think of that's similar is the Fluke-233, which has a wireless detachable display, and that's $400.

[@pppaybackkk]

You can get a decent "overseas" BT meter for $50-100 off of Bezosmart.

[@jimmywilson4809]

Strip it down, brace it up, turbo racer!

[@ronyassa8512]

I like your style of teaching cause you actually show us up close what you're working on and how to fix it. Most other auto youtube channels just set the camera up from afar and only TALK about what they're gonna fix. Well worth a subscribe from me!

[@lyndonwortley6329]

The thorough explanation is a feature that endears me to this channel and those like Watch Wes Work, Marty T and Mustie1. Always satisfying to see knowledgeable and skilled people work on problem vehicles/and machinery

[@ronyassa8512]

@@lyndonwortley6329 yes exactly. The thorough explanation is great, but more importantly is the close up shot so we can see what exact part/bolt you're working on. ChrisFix and Eric the Car Guy have mastered this concept.

[@Swoldemort500]

@@lyndonwortley6329 I agree. Wes is particularly great at it. I enjoy Chrisfix and Derek over on Vice Grip Garage does a good job explaining things as well.

[@taxidude]

About 40 years ago, I had a 1974 Datsun 200L! I bought it with a big end knock. It was the first engine I ever stripped and rebuilt so I was quite proud of myself. It was a straight 6 and looked just like your engine! I knew nothing about fuseable links! I was a bit green! The previous owner had wired in 4 extra front spotlights without using relays! The links were melted so I replaced them with ordinay wire. I put the lights on and gave the engine a rev! There was an enormous blue flash on the white wall in the front of the workshop! I had blown every bulb in the car including the dash bulbs which was a huge job in Japanese cars of that era! It broke my heart! :(

[@1776Sledge]

My dad had one of these, it was the last car I remember him owning before he passed. Watching these cars definitely helps me remember him.

[@jcknowz5203]

This was one of the best walk through troubleshoots i've seen 🔥🔥

[@seaglider844]

Had a 260Z with the 240 carbs on it....it had a pile of bondo and a paint job and I was young and didn't realize it was going to rust away. I'm in Canada and they didn't last long up here if driven in winter. I loved it while it was working....it had a Stebro exhaust that was very loud 😁 Ah the memories!

[@Adrianzx]

Listening to that L28 crank over brings back so many memories

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Right!

[@petersemple9278]

I moved to TX in 75 from the north. A year later I saw this brand new 280z parked in 2 spaces at the grocery store. It was blue and just beautiful. When coming out of the store, I was on the way to my topless International Scout when I saw that someone had Nailed a nasty note to the Datsun driver door. Something about taking up too much space. Pretty sad it was, and Yes a real nail.

[@Steve-bo6ht]

Just come over from Kevin's channel your work is incredible learnt so much in just over thirty minutes, your approach to problems is so methodical and professional and I really appreciate your time on showing the process and getting the job done right.

[@neilduncan8657]

Get this running and driving, dont worry about how pretty it is. These are very cool little cars. I have a 1984 datsun/nissan s12 that is a fun car!!

[@Adrianzx]

Can't believed I watched all that junk yard episode to find out about the video I really wanted

[@Flim227]

I would definitely like to see more of this Datsun being fixed up 👍👍

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Im rebuilding my wifes Datsun 240z if you care to check it out!

[@Alixstair]

I see a Ford Anglia in the background - that's a real museum piece!

[@southpawgarage4718]

Love how methodical you are into getting those old cars running. No point rushing to get things replaced until you know everything needed before is taken cared of. Not only are you methodical, but you also explain the how and why at every step. Keep it up. You are a good teacher.

[@scottc7764]

It's a good thing Kevin handed it off to someone who knew what they were doing!

[@erroneouscode]

Those sort of checks are rudimentary. Anyone that can't work through the basics shouldn't touch a car as they always make a mess of things.

[@munchmunchie5290]

@@erroneouscode well that’s your opinion

[@erroneouscode]

@@munchmunchie5290 And a qualified one at that.

[@moodiblues2]

Again I am impressed with your diagnostic ability. In the late sixties and early seventies I worked my way through college working in a gas station service center pumping gas, fixing tires, driving the tow truck and doing very minor repairs, mostly tuning cars, replacing hoses, belts and doing oil changes. No one trained me as I had a natural feel for mechanical and electrical devices. Now I’m a car nut, having a 2016 Mustang, a C4 Corvette and a 2002 Thunderbird. If I my wife wouldn’t kill me, I’d be pestering you for a good Alpine. My first car was a 1966 Alpine that I loved to death but divorced it when it kept running thru my money for repairs.

[@TonyMontana-tm7ul]

I've had my 78 for almost 30 years

[@dbrown51967]

that brought back a few memories, 20 years ago i picked up a 260z twin carb and 5 speed manual box. guess i was a bit lucky the body didnt need much work the head gasket needed changing but soon had it back on the road. didnt want to but i did sell it on after 5 years.

[@jambacardi2474]

Great work ,saw Junkyard digs , now subscribed to this week with cars

[@forrestdevine2336]

I had a 98 Civic EK hatch that did the exact same thing with the brake light switch. Replaced the corroded rubber bumper with a little bolt, done dusted.

[@etscrapping9923]

Just got done watching junkyard digs. Can't wait to see what you do.

[@onemorefortheroad]

Saw that ball valve facing the wrong way, figured it was just opened off camera. Nope, lol! My old 71 240z throttle linkage needed a little grease love sometimes but would still give me problems occasionally. But no dual SU carbs to individually tune then synchronize, that makes it so much simpler. Slave cylinder is your problem, swap it and you're probably fine. Next you'll find out you need all new brake system and half shafts. I'd get the clutch tested, clean her up so she's smooth idling and throttling, clean out the interior some, then sell her as a parts bonanza to someone who has a better chassis and body. Fun watching you get it this far though, thanks.

[@snoopy4390]

Definitely want to see more on the Z

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Im rebuilding my wifes Datsun 240z if you care to check it out!

[@rogergrace1047]

I was a big fan of these in the 80 s and I stumbled on to a BIG TIP for you when you get it running right. I always thought these sounds like the timing was slow so I built a bracket that would allow me to advance the timing past the point the stock bracket would allow and it worked , Free Power. Over the next few years I must’ve done this to about a dozen 280 and 260z . I always thought this must have been a way for Datsun to regulate the power of the car but try it, you might be surprised.

[@icerazar713]

Those turbine wheels look pretty good on this car. I was interested enough to follow it over to your channel. This has always been one of my bucket list cars. 👍

[@jayyin88]

Very calm and methodical! This Datsun found a good place to be.

[@tazz2243]

Picking up a 280z this weekend for $800, hopefully I have the same luck you did. Now I know where to start!!

[@grayeagleswolves]

Hi I got your channel from Junk yard diggs and am a Fan thank you for getting the old classic car back on the road

[@KameraShy]

"Someone's been in here and messed with this." Kevin.

[@oibal60]

Watched the whole thing, very impressed at your skills, ingenuity and honesty (fuel valve).

[@mikekooz475]

I'm so jealous. One of my all time favorite cars. Good job bringing it back to life.

[@DrFrankensteam]

I forgot how easy it is to work on old cars! Everything is right there and easily accessible.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

I was looking a Kevin trying to get this one running and he said you would work on it he is right he sent it to the right place. I subscribed to your channel as well.

[@fouadhana2873]

The

[@howardkerr8174]

I had a 76 Z car about 15 years ago, I bought it from a co-worker for around $1500(?). It wasn't until I got around to doing the first oil change that I discovered the frame rails either side of the engine looked like Swiss cheese from rust. They also looked like someone had crushed them. Car ran decently except for the brakes, the previous owner gave me a brake booster he bought...didn't fix the brakes. And the car eventually developed a habit of randomly shutting off. Sometimes it would just restart but usually it took upwards of 20-30 minutes. I finally got serious about troubleshooting the problem and discover the wiring to the battery from the ignition switch was rotting away.

[@Triplenickelmotorsports]

wish you could have done this video a few years ago when my son and I pulled our 280 out of a scrap yard... we figured it out and he has been daily driving it for over a year now. besides the rust it is hard to kill an old datsun

[@fishaussie9112]

Great to see a professional go thru the steps to diagnose each problem with easy explanation for me to understand

[@jmistret419]

Definately like the way you explain things and the way you work. Good job

[@michaelschulz336]

Very good communication style .... Slow, easy and no self promotion .... Good to listen too....well done.

[@fordfairlane662dr]

This car is more than a rust bucket...I just can't think of the words right now!

[@bobadam7021]

It’s a loose collection of parts held together by fond memories and solidified bong water.

[@invictusbp1prop143]

A rust barrel? ...rust drum?

[@Torsee]

Pile of Parts!

[@hankhessig6586]

In the RUST Belt we say its quite the PROJECT

[@Leonidae]

It's Millennium Falcon.

[@jimdale8961]

My very first new car was this exact car, even the orange color. Datsun called the color Persimmon. Even though it appears this car was repainted from purple, I kept trying to see if my aftermarket Pioneer deck was still in it! I even installed the black louver on the back. Bought mine in 1977 from Honolulu Datsun. Wish I could post pics!

[@DegavolverMusic]

really impressed with how informative you were about all the basic stuff. i think that can really help anyone who hasn't built a barn find before and could feel less stressed about how to troubleshoot and get their own project going someday! cheers m8

[@wrendooley]

It blows my mind how informative this video is thank you good sir for making thissss

[@shackman9566]

Thank you. I had a1976 Datsun 620 hustler pick up. It had the same displacement but was still carburated. I was actually working in the parts department of a Datsun dealership. The z,s were little rockets. The 240 and 260 were made a little better. I tried to buy a nice 240 off a guy but he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to keep it. I would probably have cracked it up anyhow I had a lead foot back then.

[@nukesploder]

please keep working on the datsun! We'd love to see more

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Im rebuilding my wifes Datsun 240z if you care to check it out!

[@davidfusco6600]

I had a 1975 280Z back in 1978. What a fun car! I kept it until 1983, when I sold it to buy my first house. The Z was a reliable car, although prone to rust on salty NJ winter roads. I bought it because at the time, I wanted a corvette, but there were none available that weren’t mechanically butchered by previous owners. At the time I bought my Z, 2 cousins, and my brother in law owned them, I made number 4 in the family. I still miss my little Datsun, although I now own a late model convertible corvette. The Vette is a garage queen, where as my Z, a fun daily driver! Good luck on your project!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Awesome to see a update on this car that Kevin from junkyard digs bought

[@alanpaulick7815]

Awesome watching from sunny Hermanus South Africa 😎

[@winnepoo9788]

This was great! Love the Z, and would greatly appreciate more of this series.

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Im rebuilding my wifes Datsun 240z if you care to check it out!

[@strokenumber3]

That was enjoyable . The interior design of this series of 240/260 Z cars is nice; the deeply recessed dials, the chunky steering wheel, the auxiliary gauges .

[@thecocreta]

I like very much how you explain things, show them and keep calm....subscribed!

[@martentrudeau6948]

Brilliantly done, it looked not very hopeful, but you proved otherwise. Thank you. Those old Datsun Z cars were great back in the day, and still are today. IMO.

[@jmistret419]

Junkyard digs sent me. Now subscribed👍

[@diggrduggr1]

Ditto the ditto

[@nukesploder]

subbbed

[@phr3dmcc0y]

I love this kind of thing. I love to watch people bring old cars back to life.

[@doughamm5590]

I think Kevin said had clutch parts in the back

[@DogsInFremont]

Thank you for synchronizing your video with Kevin. That was fun to watch

[@DrVaults]

Subbed to see what happens to the 280. Good job getting that old thing running!

[@billm83army]

Outstanding step by step diagnosis. Real mechanic here

[@geoffreysmith3196]

This old girl is the holy grail of 70's Z car parts. Even if you find an incomplete but clean shell, you could transfer most of the serviceable parts from this one. (Did you see that pristine dash topper pad?) She deserves our love and respect, and a new life.

[@joeychaseable]

It's worth saving and bringing it back to life. Would be a great series to watch!

[@roarlyng]

Well done! Your methodical approach is comforting and educational for the rest of us, I really enjoyed this. Even though it seems like a rust bucket, I hope you'll decide to keep working on it :)

[@nigbiker2592]

Calm, matter of fact and systematic, no added rubbish - great and I am learning a lot, THANKS!

[@FONVash]

Appreciate the details you go through explaining throughout the video. Looking forward to seeing how far you'll take this 280z, whether you restore it, restomod it or just get it up and running for the next buyer. Quality content.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

I love the shape and looks of the 280Z. In high school a buddy of mine had a 280Z but blew the motor, his dash pad was cracked in like 8 places, seats were done and generally the interior was molddy from the t top leaking. The body and frame were in great shape. His friend had an anniversary edition 300ZX Turbo that was frame totalled in a wreck. They took the two and made one. Stripping the 280 to the frame they sanded prepped and painted the body and rhino lite covered the frame and entire undercarriage. They swapped the entire wire harness, computer, motor from the 300 to the 280. Once that was done and it started and idled they stopped for a month of gathering parts. Next the 300Z dash was modified and moved into the 280, they laid new 280 carpet, moved front seats and deleted rear seats for a speaker bix and storage box. They carefully built a new engine harness for the electronics and ran vacumme lines all hidden. With new seals on all the glass and T Tops his ended up a great 280 with the heart and comfort if a 300Z Turbo.

[@anthonyfeatherstone7696]

Would love to see this when he's completely done with it

[@Smittyschannel]

Had a 78 in similar condition from sitting for years. Remove & clean the injectors out before you hook up the fuel pump, so it doesn't push old rust & crap through the lines into the injectors & cylinders

[@melindaortiz9741]

Agree

[@mistermacgray]

These hoses always break on these cars... *Flash back to Kevin ripping the air intake hose off*

[@spagamoto]

I think a printout of 1:16 would make the old man this car came from very happy! Happy place for a car to be, surrounded by other legends.

[@fartzinacan]

1:06 I know he's saying something but I'm too busy looking at everything in the background on racks.

[@Zeem4]

My attention was almost completely on the Ford Anglia.

[@marcryvon]

Man, there's not one but two Sunbeam Tigers in there !! 😳

[@Zeem4]

@@marcryvon I wasn't sure if they're Tigers or Alpines, but I don't care which one they are as they're all beautiful, and I love Rootes cars.

[@ultimateyeetgod8467]

Mine was on the Ford boss 302 . beautiful

[@2112bigpete]

I like your methodology...very thorough. Subscribed..

[@yazanbaddawi9683]

I'm really jealous how kevin is able to find these gems

[@rocky8084]

So much nostalgia watching this z80. Makes me cray and wish I had the honor to own one again.

[@visionsofhere3745]

Ooh, Ford Anglia in the background...

[@Seriouslydave]

Oh the memories.

[@garycorbin2789]

Keep em coming Sir want to see this reborn they command insane prices here in Oz I had a Skyline coupe in the 80's with the 240 in it with a Holley carb , wish I had it now along with my 180b gx

[@MattBangsWood]

Congrats on COTR!

[@voxexsulis9022]

That's what brought me here!

[@Mike-we3rb]

I love how in detail he goes into every little piece. Great teacher

[@kellykonoske91]

Never heard wire loom called "corrugation" before. Thats definitely a new one!.

[@bobadam7021]

I’m wondering if it’s a UK thing. Guy works on a ton of British cars, and uses bonnet for hood and boot for trunk.

[@davidkelly212]

Corrigation is just the term to describe the outer sheath of the cable to stop the inner wires from rubbing on anything

[@tiporari]

Corrugated split loom. Some people call it loom. Some split loom. Some corrugation.

[@TeeLee919]

That was my first car, mine was actually a 78! I saw this and was brought to tears and joy at the same time! Almost the same color, mine was a little more red. Wow! You took me back to such a wonderful time in my life at 20! My dream is to find one and re-do it like you are! I still dream of my car!

[@relyt6308]

I came from his channel as well

[@ernesttbass6420]

I have owned my 2nd '78 280Z for almost 20 years(I owned my 1st one for about 5 years), and I learned some things I didn't even know just from watching your 30 minute video! Nice work!

[@thelegend7348]

I came from his Chanel

[@davidjones332]

No.5?

[@TheYorkMan]

Not his Christian Dior?

[@wavejumpinseadoo]

You know, I never comment on anything but I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your content and your approach to working on cars! So many hacks on here, it's nice to see someone do things to the best of their ability everytime!

[@davidjones332]

Frankly, I'm amazed you could find somewhere solid to jack that thing -what a rust-bucket!

[@VintageCars999]

Not the sheet metal for sure!

[@barryroach1980]

Hi, I'm a new suby to your channel. I'm a Brit living in Russia for over 25 years so seeing bangers given the breath of life is common place but you have quite a knack in not giving the last rights but a new chance for this classic to get out there yet again, great work!

[@Hajdew]

cant wait to see it riding :D

[@danandyong6653]

Great video! I got a 260z barn find, can't wait to get it going.

[@SilverScarletSpider]

More Datsun videos 👍

[@Jmp5nb]

Very entertaining time travel! My Grandfather used to go from lemon lot to lemon lot and we felt fortunate to go along and observe the hi-jinxing necessary to get this car or another going. Usually this entailed picking up used batteries and brazed radiators-and who knows what else. Then we would watch as he’d take a brown lunch bag and enter one business after another-usually restaurants through the back door, be inside briefly before hitting the next one. We’d finally end up at the Auditorium where nightly fights were held and there’d usually be several cops outside who knew him. Then we would wait at the backstage area with all the fight posters while he disappeared for a moment. That would end another day, and to have someone who was a real mechanic like yourself would’ve been hugely helpful…

[@matsottile7718]

who else came from kevins video and watched him rip the intake boot

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

My face when I saw that 😲

[@130000toocool]

I feel like a mechanic now after watching this video. Thank you.

[@DieselWeazel]

He did you dirty not telling you about that spare!! Lmao Glad you got this old car

[@billoc1255]

It was good to see Junkyard not be too full of himself to pass this ride to someone better suited to fix it. Being humble is a quality ! You both seem like good men and so I just subscribed to both channels. (It all started for me with VGG)

[@richardsims1805]

Steve, I owned a '76 280Z in the '70's and loved that car! Mine was brand new, silver with Borani Wire wheels. Thanks for this video of bringing rebirth to a beautiful car!

[@upfactoryracing4148]

Glad to see you guys kept her in the family and am excited to see the progress!

[@assessor1276]

Nice job! I am always amazed when a beautiful car like a Datsun Z that was once someone’s pride and joy is simply abandoned and deteriorates into an old junker. Good for you for bringing her back!

[@bartdaw6681]

I bought a new 1978 280Z in 1978. They are brutal rust buckets. I still have the factory service manual.

[@melindaortiz9741]

Those sell well on eBay