First time Z owner, any mechanical help/advice, or any idea why???

[79Datsun280ZX]

Hi, well I got my 1979 280ZX, and it hasnt been running for 2 years (so the lady said), I get it towed to my house slap a battery in it, and it starts, easy no problems... tons and tons of black smoke. I let it run for a little while take it around the block. (Knocking noise from the engine, but otherwise no problems) I park it, I start it later a few more times to get the fluids through, (had pleanty of oil and coolant although the coolant was filthy), So I goto pepboys buy all the nessasay stuff for an oil change and a raidiator flush, as well as stuff to clean the engine. Boom doesnt start at all, the starter is turning, it tring to start but doesnt fire up, nothing... battery is good (its new). I know its hard to tell now, especially not being able to see the car, or know any past about it, but If any one has an idea every slightly why I would glady appricaite it.

I have basic mechanic knowledge so Im no expert and would really love to avoid a dealership or ghetto mechanic at all costs!!! please if anyone could offer some places to start that I can do, please let me know. Thanks

(P.S. I will be changing the plugs, plug wires, as well as doing the oil change and raidiator flush.... anyway... thanks and I love my Z!! .. even if it doesnt want to start... cant take away from the look!!!)

[winez31]

first off welcome to nico, was the coolant milky? (headgasket)

[evildky]

welcome to nico,ok so you washed the engine? possible it's just some water in the distributor cap? plug wires?

also you said the starter is turning, is the engine turning with it? could be a bad starter, the starter has to sping and push it's gear out to engage the flywheel, I've seen they still spinning just not popping out to engage the flywheel,

if none of the above, we just need to start figuring out the psoble, are you getting spark? pull the wire from cylinder #1 put a screwdriver in it tip firts and hold it by the handle holding the shaft close to exposed metal while someone cranks the motor, do you get spark?

if you got spark, do you have fuel? try shooting a bit of starting fluid into the intake and then crank it, if it fires up your missing fuel and we'll figure out why if that is the problem

and we'd love to see pic's, T-top or slick top? in CA I am gonna guess rust isn't a big problem?

[DJButton]

The 280 I just picked up had no mechanical problems but lots of corroded wires, so you may want to check that too, for instance it wasn't starting casue the ignition wire wasn't getting connection on the battery, but new battery cables and I was all set. Good to see another new Z owner! and Welcome to NICO!

[79Datsun280ZX]

thanks for the help guys, the original owners I guess wasnt really smart, when I started to change the spark plugs I noticed that they were not gapped properly.... I got some new spark plugs gapped them correctly and presto! it now starts like a champ.... SO all that talk how the car wont start blah blah blah... well all I can do now is thank her for selling me her car for so cheap when all she had to do is gap the spark plugs.

~thanks guys, Robert

thanks for the welcome, and I look forward to going to events and learning from you all!~

[nsrZ32]

Glad you got it all worked out!

Always nice to find the solution to a problem is cheap and easy