280zx

 Recently, I bought a Datsun 280zx. A classic from the year 1981.

You may have guessed that it has a few problems. And you'd be right. Here's a short list of why the car didn't run.

• The battery was swollen
• The starter motor had seized
• The bougie cords, (send power to the spark plugs), were broken
• There was no fluid in the brakes
• And all other engine fluids were over 2 years old.

So what have we had to do to rectify this. Well, first off we replaced the engine oil and petrol, adding in a lead replacement as older cars used the lead content in petrol as a form of lubricant and is needed to protect compounds in the fuel valves. next we got a battery, to see if the wiring was good. It will need replacing, however it is functional.

after this we got new bougie cords and a new starter motor. The motor we got is a 0.8 kw motor. There are debates on whether this is enough as the original starter motor is 1.4 kw. Let me assure you 0.8 kw is enough. Once all of these parts were replaced and fitted, all we needed to do was turn it on. With our fingers crossed, I turned the key. The fuel pump primed, the dash lit up and the engine roared to life.

That was a joyful moment.

Next time, we'll look at the brakes.