So if you swap in a more powerful engine, well then you gotta upgrade a few other things...that may include a stiffer frame, lol. Lightly modded, perhaps not, though. I remember when these 240s, 260s, 280s were a very common sight and a very cool sight at that. Datsuns rocked!
I'd say check your fuel pump as well...yeah it eventually fired up but it was struggling. Mine literally cranked one turn and fired up immediately. I really do think you should swap out the engine, not so much for power as just newer parts and future proofing it. The L28 is reliable but one problem they had was vapor lock in the fuel rail. In hot weather you could be left stranded in traffic until things cool down. They fixed the issue in the 79s with a hair dryer sized blower and ducting to force air cool the fuel rail. The hood vents helped in normal heat but if it got really hot out and you weren't moving...first hand experience here...it stops. Sure it's only a problem in extreme weather but still. Obviously if you're doing an engine swap you'll need a new radiator but that is definitely a problem right now.
Yeah the fuel pump seemed wired wrong, it wouldn't turn off when in the on position but not started. Regardless that heavy L28 is already out of the car!
Doesn't have to be a 240z to be valuable/collectible. Z-car values are going up by the day. The days of affordable 240's are over and the supply has dried up. This is pulling the 260's and 280's up now. Don't cut the body, keep the L28.
@@windows_down_ I did the rebuild myself, it wasn’t that hard. Got the book “ how to rebuild your Datsun OHC engine”. Had the head rebuilt at a machine shop for about $400 and the rest of the rebuild cost me about $600 for all the parts and tools. Took me a couple months to do the job in my garage. This was my first engine rebuilt. Followed the book and online forums. She runs great. A engine swap will be much more costly
@@av8ferg237 - Nice, well done - Sounds very affordable and a cool learning experience. A swap would definitely be at least 10-20x more expensive, but I'll definitely be doing lots of research before pulling the trigger
Great buy, yep that sun roof....eh! Long as you like it, that is what matters. Bumpers, hydraulic ram mounts, and lower those springs down to 240 Z ,you will be fine. Best thing for that is EZ- Fast, upgrade to a modern ecu. Some sticky tires and 15-16 8 in wheels. You've got a modern 240....great for you! A swap hell no, the yrs and money spent are not worth it. The long block is cheap, don't bore it it's not a Chevy, it will only need the block washed, the crank polished and a good valve job and the motor is good. Put in the EZ Fast and you good. Buy a new gas tank they are available and stocked in the east coast. Look at Z car Depot ( no Chinese parts) OEM or Japan after market parts only. Also suspension from DPracing. 15-16 x8" wheels the rest is for looks
I say no engine swap. These engines are more reliable than people think and this engine just suits the car. These engines sound very similar to V12 Ferraris of the day. I say do an engine rebuild (or build), if you do most of the work yourself it'll be less than $1000-$3000 depending the route you go. Then either rebuild the Fuel injection system or swap it out with an aftermarket FI system or do what I did and just swap to triple webers (less is more). The triple webers will help clean up the engine bay and remove a ton of wiring as well as weight from the car and means you can avoid future problems with sensors and fuel injectors etc... And yes you can daily drive with Triple Webers and when tuned properly runs very smooth and can get above 20 mpg.
Appreciate the feedback Anthony, I do love the way the L28 sounds. How is the maintenance on the webers? Do they require tuning every now and then? Is it something that you can do or have a trusted mechanic?
@@windows_down_ once they are tuned properly you don’t need to touch them. You will need to install an electrical fuel pump that puts out no more than 4psi constant pressure. Get the jetting right and a proper heat shield and your good to go.
So if you swap in a more powerful engine, well then you gotta upgrade a few other things...that may include a stiffer frame, lol. Lightly modded, perhaps not, though. I remember when these 240s, 260s, 280s were a very common sight and a very cool sight at that. Datsuns rocked!
Can't wait to see what you have planned
Cool video mate 👍
I miss my 280z, Ill be following your build.☑☑
Awesome, happy to have ya
I'd say check your fuel pump as well...yeah it eventually fired up but it was struggling. Mine literally cranked one turn and fired up immediately. I really do think you should swap out the engine, not so much for power as just newer parts and future proofing it. The L28 is reliable but one problem they had was vapor lock in the fuel rail. In hot weather you could be left stranded in traffic until things cool down. They fixed the issue in the 79s with a hair dryer sized blower and ducting to force air cool the fuel rail. The hood vents helped in normal heat but if it got really hot out and you weren't moving...first hand experience here...it stops. Sure it's only a problem in extreme weather but still. Obviously if you're doing an engine swap you'll need a new radiator but that is definitely a problem right now.
Yeah the fuel pump seemed wired wrong, it wouldn't turn off when in the on position but not started. Regardless that heavy L28 is already out of the car!
Doesn't have to be a 240z to be valuable/collectible. Z-car values are going up by the day. The days of affordable 240's are over and the supply has dried up. This is pulling the 260's and 280's up now. Don't cut the body, keep the L28.
whooops, guess you haven't seen the following videos lol
I’m in the same boat as you. Just got the car. Contemplating a swap. Looking forward to the build
Nice, swaps definitely aren't cheap. Big changes coming though
i subbed.. smart guy.. i bought a crappy one...the wiring and efi sucks ass.. i bought carbs for mine...
Thanks man, a fan of your channel as well
Would keep the L28 and would get rid of that old EFI a throw triple carbies there...recently bought a 1978 280z as well and thats what im gonna do :)
Nice! Wonder how often those carbs need tuning, have you worked with them before?
Keep the L28, just do a rebuild and you’ll be fine. The EFI on these cars is reliable. Mine runs greats and has no issues.
Thanks for the tip, was yours rebuilt? Curious how much that typically runs.
@@windows_down_ I did the rebuild myself, it wasn’t that hard. Got the book “ how to rebuild your Datsun OHC engine”. Had the head rebuilt at a machine shop for about $400 and the rest of the rebuild cost me about $600 for all the parts and tools. Took me a couple months to do the job in my garage. This was my first engine rebuilt. Followed the book and online forums. She runs great. A engine swap will be much more costly
@@av8ferg237 - Nice, well done - Sounds very affordable and a cool learning experience. A swap would definitely be at least 10-20x more expensive, but I'll definitely be doing lots of research before pulling the trigger
Great buy, yep that sun roof....eh!
Long as you like it, that is what matters.
Bumpers, hydraulic ram mounts, and lower those springs down to 240 Z ,you will be fine.
Best thing for that is EZ- Fast, upgrade to a modern ecu.
Some sticky tires and 15-16 8 in wheels. You've got a modern 240....great for you!
A swap hell no, the yrs and money spent are not worth it. The long block is cheap, don't bore it it's not a Chevy, it will only need the block washed, the crank polished and a good valve job and the motor is good. Put in the EZ Fast and you good. Buy a new gas tank they are available and stocked in the east coast.
Look at Z car Depot ( no Chinese parts) OEM or Japan after market parts only.
Also suspension from DPracing.
15-16 x8" wheels the rest is for looks
Thanks for the tips! Definitely want to keep it on 15's or 16's
I miss my ‘78 subscribed for more Z content
Happy to have ya, much more to come
I can’t get spark with my car
The factory service manual is a great place to start, no pun intended
I say no engine swap. These engines are more reliable than people think and this engine just suits the car. These engines sound very similar to V12 Ferraris of the day. I say do an engine rebuild (or build), if you do most of the work yourself it'll be less than $1000-$3000 depending the route you go. Then either rebuild the Fuel injection system or swap it out with an aftermarket FI system or do what I did and just swap to triple webers (less is more). The triple webers will help clean up the engine bay and remove a ton of wiring as well as weight from the car and means you can avoid future problems with sensors and fuel injectors etc... And yes you can daily drive with Triple Webers and when tuned properly runs very smooth and can get above 20 mpg.
Appreciate the feedback Anthony, I do love the way the L28 sounds.
How is the maintenance on the webers? Do they require tuning every now and then? Is it something that you can do or have a trusted mechanic?
@@windows_down_ once they are tuned properly you don’t need to touch them. You will need to install an electrical fuel pump that puts out no more than 4psi constant pressure. Get the jetting right and a proper heat shield and your good to go.
@@mikegrizwold2522 Thanks for the tips, time will tell which route I end up going
clean jdm muscle 🔥 i would say engine swap for sure, make it modern and drivable.
Thanks, lots of work swapping but should be worth it