Volition77 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 (edited) *Update* The main question I am trying to ask is to decide with a LS or stay L28. What do you guys feel is the situation with parts for the L28? As they continue to age the parts are just drying up, and the LS engines will have parts for decades to come...I feel that the L28 is what makes these what they are, but at the same time, I want this car to last as long or longer than I do...What would you guys say is the longevity and part availability for the L28? Would you let that drive your power plant? Hi all, I have a 1977 280Z, 4 speed L28E. I thought I wanted to go LS based, but looking at price and other factors an I feel like a nice, mostly stock rebuild will make me happy. I don't need it to be a screamer, I just enjoy the L28 as it is for now. Mine has plenty of problems and gremlins that I have been working on, but the great thing is that despite the few dings from all those kind drivers willing to bash their doors into mine and run off, or hit me an have no insurance, she is straight and no major rust can be found. I like ripping through the gears and just cruising in this thing, I can't imagine how awesome it would feel if I cleaned up the suspension so it was tighter and not as sloppy thanks to those dry rotted bushings nor can I imagine how awesome a rebuilt engine and transmission combo would feel. I am not closing the door to the LS base swap. I am trying to find someone near me (Florida) that has either a mostly stock rebuild or an LS or even L28et swap I could check out..Either way, I love this damn car, it's never failed me in the year that I have had it an driven everyday...The PO did an engine swap, but it's just another L28...I did a compression check, pretty much 135 psi average, still trying to find the numbers to see if that is healthy or not...I am sure I have plenty to learn and read, but any input or advice is very welcomed. Looking forward to learning from you all. Wish me luck, Volition Edited June 24, 2015 by Volition77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted June 5, 2015 Author Share Posted June 5, 2015 I have bad weather stripping and had some water get into the floor pans and it was compounded by antifreeze also leaking (I think from the heater core connections) so I removed the carpet and some of the interior to clean it up and get as much moister out as possible. I keep it under cover in a garage now and just have to wipe up antifreeze everynow and then. I think the first order of business will be to get the interior stripped down, all the rust removed and painted/sealed. I want to get the wiring cleaned up too, not really sure where to go for that, I looked at a universal kit from a good company and thought about just eliminating all electical issues with all new connections, wiring and fuse block/fuses. I like to do my own work, so I will probably get a sandblaster or soadblaster and get to work on it. I seen how to repair the dash, so I will be doing that too...More to come...I have a build list I can upload later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naptown Dave Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Looks like a pretty clean car to start with. The valve that controls the heater core is a usual suspect for an in car coolant leak, I used one from an older bronco and just control it manually. The costs for an LS swap do add up but it is a monster even in stock form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naptown Dave Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Looks like a pretty clean car to start with. The valve that controls the heater core is a usual suspect for an in car coolant leak, I used one from an older bronco and just control it manually. The costs for an LS swap do add up but it is a monster even in stock form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Naptown Dave, thanks! I think I will be bypassing the heater core to cut the leak out...Can you or anyone else talk about how the car feels pre/post LS swap? I just want to enjoy the drive and do so in the L28, but I am getting a little concerned about finding parts as these just keep getting older, the LS engines will have parts forever considering how many they have made and how recently they have been produced..I am kinda looking long term too because I don't plan to get rid of the car ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATASS Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I'm having some gremlins with the wiring to. I've got some loose live wires just hanging out in my engine bay. The person who owned the car before me left me a mess with the wiring lol. I recently replaced my fuisible links with those block distributors which solved some problems I was having were my car would randomly die on the road. I recommend you replace those since they aren't too reliable and they corrode easily. Keep me updated with your rewire, I'm looking at making that my next step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 Datass, I am with you on the mess from the PO...I removed my battery and the car still had power for a good while...Good idea on the links, I will/should order them...I think I am going with the 22 Circuit kit from American Auto Wire, it will have everything and more for future up grades and isn't too bad on the wallet either...I will let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) Spent most of today getting more of the sound deadening out and cleaning the debris out of the cabin...Very little rust if any..The PO swapped the engine and it's holding together alright...I had a huge fuel leak off the rail by the injectors but got it fixed...I thought I was going to use a universal wiring kit but thought it might be easier to just build my own wiring kit, anyone up to speed on that?...Any suggestions on the pitting on the one picture? I could cut it out or just grind it down to get rid of it..Also, I am looking at using Lizard Skin's two coat application for the interior...Anyone have any advice on this stuff? More to follow... Edited September 4, 2015 by Volition77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) Thanks to my super awesome computer/cell phone set up, the photos are out of order...but I spent all of today...approx 12 hrs straight, cleaning out and sealing the interior of the gas tank and stripping and painting the exterior...I was afraid the POR gas tank kit I got wouldn't be enough, but it was perfect...the inside looks brand new, I only missed two hard to reach spots that I can see...more to come...Oh and I had one original Hitachi speaker...thought that was cool Edited September 13, 2015 by Volition77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volition77 Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Final shot...I think it looks great, the inside looks even better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendanm71240z Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Nice progress, What does the kit include for the gas tank/ how much is it? My fuel filter is regularly orangish yellow so probably about time for cell or tank restoration. Also I have heard good things about lizard skin, lighter and less expesive to do the car than any sheet style sound deadening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.