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

[@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.

[@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

[@LukesJukes]

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

[@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!

[@Twyst350]

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

[@Adrianzx]

Listening to that L28 crank over brings back so many memories

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Right!

[@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!

[@CPthetooladdict]

Great video Kevin is a good man for letting you get to it!! Great video!!

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

Sure is!

[@cassiemoses6591]

Kevin is the best!

[@snoopy4390]

Definitely want to see more on the Z

[@DustyMacsGarage]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@etscrapping9923]

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

[@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.

[@jambacardi2474]

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

[@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.

[@jmistret419]

Junkyard digs sent me. Now subscribed👍

[@diggrduggr1]

Ditto the ditto

[@nukesploder]

subbbed

[@oibal60]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@jayyin88]

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

[@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.

[@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. 👍

[@michaelschulz336]

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

[@jmistret419]

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

[@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.

[@tazz2243]

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

[@lewispaine4589]

15-36-24 a set of numbers I will never forget

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@lukejohnstone101]

Can't wait to see more videos on the Datsun 👍👍

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

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

[@bansheemania1692]

And it has LOUVERS 😻. Any car with Louvers is an Instant Like

[@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.

[@DrVaults]

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

[@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.

[@thecocreta]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@mistermacgray]

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

[@joeychaseable]

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

[@Hajdew]

cant wait to see it riding :D

[@joeychaseable]

Super excited about this one!

[@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.

[@phr3dmcc0y]

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

[@thelegend7348]

I came from his Chanel

[@davidjones332]

No.5?

[@TheYorkMan]

Not his Christian Dior?

[@scottdumon3214]

Love to watch you diagnose the problems.

[@visionsofhere3745]

Ooh, Ford Anglia in the background...

[@Seriouslydave]

Oh the memories.

[@PCDoctorUSA]

Thank God this Z found its way to the Obi-Wan of Datsuns. The previous attempt at JD's was painful.

[@maryellis3661]

Nice to see it been saved and not broken up

[@relyt6308]

I came from his channel as well

[@emmetband4931]

Glad to see the little Anglia is keeping warm.

[@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!!

[@yazanbaddawi9683]

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

[@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!

[@anthonyfeatherstone7696]

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

[@JG-mp5nb]

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…

[@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)

[@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

[@Mike-we3rb]

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

[@MattBangsWood]

Congrats on COTR!

[@voxexsulis9022]

That's what brought me here!

[@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!

[@CoastalAutoReactionCAR]

Right on guys Community Not Competition Love it! Cheers

[@juancornetto8243]

Rumour has it that this guy blinked once. He didn't care much for it and hasn't done it since :)

[@matsottile7718]

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

[@ThisWeekWithCars]

My face when I saw that 😲

[@nigbiker2592]

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

[@JeffLifeInReview]

Glad I got referred over here from Junkyard Digs as this was a great video showing a guy walking through on problem after the other. Most importantly we saw the problem, heard what he thought was going on and his quick solution. Plenty of old 80s cars in this same spot that just need a little attention. This earned a like and subscribe.

[@gilbertlugo234]

Yes we need more the Datsun.

[@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!

[@Darkglobe1977]

Thanks for giving some love to an old Datsun!

[@emilmellow8885]

Kevin sent me too. Thanks K. Look forward to part 2

[@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.

[@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!

[@michaelb.42112]

Very Cool !!! My dad had a '76 280Z 2+2 and it will always hold a special place for me. You're a good mechanic !!! I wish I knew how to work on cars.

[@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!

[@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!

[@angrybill]

Good days work Sir. I love videos like this. Your diagnostic abilities shine out brightly. Give us more please!

[@michaelmason4206]

First time subscriber. Logical, well thought out, great camera work with close-ups.

[@born_again_torinos]

I came over from junkyard digs and was very impressed with your channel so I subscribed. Well done.

[@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

[@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.

[@georgestubblefield7986]

Love seeing the Datsun being restored. They’re great cars and I’m a big fan of the Datsun/Nissan models. Keep doing your thing 👍🏼

[@geoffgreenhalgh3553]

Great job. The old cars have so much room to work on. (Geoff. UK)

[@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

[@danandyong6653]

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

[@1995dresser]

I had a 76 in ice blue with the same louver shade cover on the back window great memories wish I would have kept it still a sharp car 40+ yrs later

[@flycatchful]

Excellent troubleshooting and thorough how to repair what is found wrong. I had many of these Datsuns' starting with the 240 all the way to the 280ZX. Of the four I owned the 280Z was my favorite.

[@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!

[@chrisminter7776]

you explain every step in such detail. great informative video

[@zedwpd]

My first viewing of any of your videos. Very knowledgeable, well paced. I learned a lot.

[@alanpaulick7815]

Awesome watching from sunny Hermanus South Africa 😎

[@prodbybobby]

For my first project car, this. This is what I want to be my first.

[@Bunkers101]

Junkyard Digs sent me here, lovin it so far thanks :D

[@toddodabashian7741]

I've always loved these early Z cars, & glad to see some revival progress on this one as well!