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1976 Datsun 280z with Datsun Spirit rebuilt engine

Make: Datsun
Model: Z-Series
Type: Coupe
Year: 1976
Mileage: 95379
VIN: HLS30-308864
Color: Burgundy
Cylinders: 6
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Black
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clean
Item location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

1976 Datsun Z-Series Additional Info:

I’m selling my 1976 280Z, The Eggplant, as i can no longer afford to take care of her.


***I've taken close-ups of the several dents and rusty spots (you can see the dents but not the rusty spots in the photos) but I've run out of photos allowed in the ad. I've added them to the top of my flickr feed, here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140878025@N06/?
If there's anything else you'd like to see, message me and I'll add it to the flickr stream***
***Shipping's up to you, though I'll be happy to help on this end. Local pickup would be groovy.***


Built engine from Datsun Spirit. Specs below. $6095.00, not including shipping or installation. Freer-flowing P90 head from, if I remember correctly, 280zx Turbo, and shaved a little to raise compression to 10.1:1. Engine bored a little so displacement is raised slightly. Stage I camshaft. Fancy alloy rods and pistons. I’m starting the auction at the price of the engine.


I’ll email you the document that came with the engine if you’d like to see it. The specs below are from it.


Transmission replaced with 5-speed from 280ZX Turbo (first four gears match the ratios of the 4-speed that came in the car, with a higher 5th gear.)


Western Racing Hurricanes (I think) with no curb rash.


Upgraded to 60-amp alternator with internal voltage regulator (3/28/15; 86,113)


Front and rear suspensions rebuilt with poly bushings; new strut cartridges. (8/30/13; 71,759)


New front pads and calipers, turned rotors; new rear break lines (3/26/14; 78,063)


New exhaust (4/30/18, ~95,000)


New tires (8/30/13; 71,778, so they’re not worn out but they’re old.


Mileage shown is 95,379, though I assume it’s turned over at least once.


Overall body seems to be in good shape. There are a few bumps from living on the streets of New Orleans and some bubbles under the paint (see pictures.) Generally, needs painting pretty badly. She looks better in the pictures than in real life. The color is not original but where you can see the old paint, she seems to have been Sporting Burgundy Poly, code 611, basically a similar color in metallic.


The dash is in pretty good shape. A few years ago I changed the original one for an uncracked (though brittle) one; it’s since then developed the one crack you can see in the pictures.


As you can see in the pictures, the right window crank is broken. The left on needs the clip that holds it on. The right door latch apparently needs adjustment as it's gotten harder and harder to open from outside, and now won't open from outside at all. It opens fine from inside.


The ignition lock will have to be repaired. Right now I have it removed and I pocket the ignition switch when I leave the car. The ignition and the original key will come with the car.


The car had what I suspect was a dealer aftermarket A/C setup. It needed parts that were gonna have to be fabricated so just had it all removed when the engine was changed. I also took out the hoses when I replaced the dashboard but kept them to use as a pattern in making some more. They’ll come with the car.


All the instruments work, though as you can see the voltmeter is corroding. The clock came with the replacement dash and it lights up a slightly different green from the other instruments. When I changed the dash I replaced all the bulbs with new, brighter ones and they all still work.


Seats are serviceable but not pretty. Carpet’s in pretty decent shape. The headliner’s perfect (the guy I bought it from said he’d changed it shortly before I bought it.) Somebody cut speaker holes in the sides of the hatch lining.


Wipers stopped working recently.


I’ve got the original California blue plates. They’re in terrible shape but you’re welcome to them. Also, lots of receipts.


I also have the original engine block. If you want it I’ll include the block for $175. I also have the original transmission which I’d also be happy to sell you but we’ll have to come up with a price.





(Engine) Overall Spec


L28 (F54) block + P90 Cylinder Head base

87mm (bore) x 79mm (stroke) = 2818cc

Combustion Chamber Volume:appx 43.5cc

Head gasket:Nissan OEM F54 Head Gasket (appx 88.5mm x 1.2)

Piston above deck: 0.115mm

Piston volume:1.4cc

Compression ratio: 10.1 : 1

Main cap Bolts Tightening Torque: 85N/m (High Strength Cap bolts)

Conn-rod Bolts Tightening Torque: 45N/m (Nissan OEM Bolts)

Head Bolts Tightening Torque: 85N/m (Nissan Turbo bolts)

Main cap Bearings: STD undersize

Connecting rod Bearings: STD undersize


Camshaft & Valve Timing


Camshaft: Stage I

Duration 274

Max Valve lift: 12.00~12.19mm

Lobe Center: 108 (IN: 106)

Valve Timing @ 0.50” lift: IN: 1.5 BTDC, 33.5 ABDT, EX: -2.5 ATDC, 37.5 BBDC

Lash pads: IN: 5.5mm EX: 5.5mm



Bottom End

Block:F54 Block, Bored and honed

Crankshaft:L28 crankshaft, straightened to within 2/100”. STD size, journals polished

Rods:L28 rods

Pistons:DSI Stage II pistons. 87mm bore.

Headgasket:Nissan OEM F54 head gasket

Oil pump:Rebuild, and modified to higher pressure setup. It is important to select proper oil with high ZDDP content. As the oil manufacturers change the contents frequently and without warning, please be conscientious about your oil selection. I personally recommend Golden Spectro 4 by Spectro Oil, or Joe Gibbs Racing oil, Amsoil, or Royal Purple. There is also ZDDP additive called ZDDPlus and various others like that, which may be helpful.