New old 280 ZX owner with a few questions

[Sanguinius]

Well here goes. I'm a new owner of an old '83 280 ZX with the 2.8L turbo engine and I have a few questions. I'm getting ready to do a head gasket and likely a power steering rack.

So my first question (And this is more for my own info as I know NOTHING about these cars) is what exactly would the engine code/family be for this car? I know my Conquest TSi has the G54B engine and my Sentra has the QG18(I think can't remember for sure anymore it was a daily driver but I haven't touched it in almost a year now...).

Next question: As I said I'm going to be doing a head gasket and I'll likely get the head port and polished as well as crack and leak checked but I need to find head bolts. Who carries them? I've done a bit of online searching at the standard auto stores (Pep Boys site SUCKS, AZ and Advance don't appear to carry them) and nothing as of thus far.

Next: The Rack... When taken for inspection supposedly the rack was bad/leaking. Is this a common problem? Is there an easy way to fix/rebuild it? Should it just be replaced? And if it's NOT a common problem then what ARE themore common problems to cause a loss of power steering in these cars? Not trying to pull the whole rack if it's not necessary

Thanks for the help/advice guys I appreciate it.

[DJButton]

It's an '83 so your chassis code is HS130 I believe and the engine is the L28ET.

I'd check with a Robbins or something for head bolts, so far Advance has had whatever I've needed for my '79 though, maybe stop in a store and have them look it up there.

Can't help you with the steering rack, but I haven't heard tell of them being a common problem though.

[Sanguinius]

Well that answers a few questions...

So it looks like I'll be needing to dig into the steering system... I HATE changing racks. I was hoping maybe there was a seal or a line that was a consistant problem in these. Ah well... Maybe I'll be able to find braided hoses to replace the lines when I do the rack. First step though is getting the engine right.

Now what exactly is the chassis code? I mean I know what you told me it is but are there places that need that info? Like the engine code... Everyone knows their engine code and it's fairly common to use that to let people know what you have. I.E. 4G63 and 4G64 are the DOHC 2.0 and 2.4 mitsu engines. But when refering to the car itself usually over there it's always 1st gen eclipse or 3rd gen Galant...

[evildky]

the chassis code is "S130" which denotes all 79-83 280ZX's

the steering racks normally leak due to boneheads using power steering fluid, the correct fluid is Dextron ATF which is much thicker and isn't as prone to leaking out, depending on how bad you leak is you might try draining the system and refilling with ATF also if the banjo bolts on the rack have been off or the hoses replaced with aftermarket hoses try replacing the copper washers with OE washers, I had an issue recently where the replacements were too thin which caused the bolt to bottome out without sealing the banjo fitting

and for your head bolts, summit or any speed shop should ahve the ARP head stud kit for about $130, other than that your stuck with the torque to yield OE's

[Sanguinius]

I don't know if any rack work has been done but I'll replace the banjo washers anyways. Anyone have a P/N for them or an idea where I can get the washers by themselves? I think the guy DID put PS fluid in there... That or brake fluid (He wasn't too bright if you ask me...). I'll try flushing the system this weekend. Is there a drain plug somewhere or does anyone know a good way to do this?

[evildky]

I don't have the part numbers but the dealer should be able to look them up, Nissan washers are not cheap! I seem to recall them costing $5 each! you can take an old one to napa and have them match it to a generic copper washer but be sure it's thick enough or use 3

[Sanguinius]

Well folks we have another BONEHEAD. Yep that's right PS fluid vice ATF.... Go figure...

[sharjt]

Here's the head bolts.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/M...0-KIT

[Sanguinius]

THAT is awesome. And about 1/2 the price of the ARP. Granted ARP is a nice thing to have but perhaps the dealer will actually carry these local so I won't have to wait a month to get them.