what to look for on an 80 z...

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

woohoo - 03 Mar 2004 20:20 GMT

hey guys, i am totally new to the Z cars (i have pretty much just stuck with older GM cars untill now) i don't really know a lot about the Z's but i have the oppertunity to get one....

so i was wondering if there were any problematic areas that i should look at.

i just don't want to get a car that is hammered out way beyond use and only discover this when i am 1/2 mile off the lot... then have to dump gobs of cash into it to get a car that runs

in case you need to know it is an 80 z

and thanks fo rthe help guys :)

Reply to this Message

Steve T - 03 Mar 2004 19:45 GMT

> hey guys, i am totally new to the Z cars (i have pretty much just stuck
> with older GM cars untill now) i don't really know a lot about the Z's but
> i have the oppertunity to get one....
>
> so i was wondering if there were any problematic areas that i should look
> at.

Rust.

Other than that they are pretty bullet proof. Rust kills most of these cars.

Signature

Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Reply to this Message

Michael White - 04 Mar 2004 00:24 GMT

woohoo (dyers_eve_one@yahoo.com) wrote on Wednesday 03 March 2004 02:20 pm:

> hey guys, i am totally new to the Z cars (i have pretty much just stuck
> with older GM cars untill now) i don't really know a lot about the Z's but
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> and thanks fo rthe help guys :)

The biggest is rust. If the floorboards or frame rails are rusted through,
don't bother with it. Also look in the wheel wells behind the tires for
rust holes. That'll easily exceed the cost of the car to repair.

Other than that, the engines are usually pretty solid. Just check
compression as you would any engine, and all the other normal used car
stuff.

Signature

Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer, 1891

Reply to this Message

Dallas Ministries - 04 Mar 2004 01:40 GMT

Common(?) Z-probs:
Rust
Leaking fuel injectors/cracked or broken f.i. holders
U-joints on rear suspension, cracked or worn dust boots
Inside trim & dash 'brittleness'

WT
http://www.DallasMinistries.com

> woohoo (dyers_eve_one@yahoo.com) wrote on Wednesday 03 March 2004 02:20 pm:
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
> fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer, 1891

Reply to this Message

geotek - 06 Apr 2004 22:21 GMT

Rust on the frame rails and floor pan. Rust behind the battery tray.
Injectors- leaks and clogs (does it run OK?) Worn out distributor (check
for excessive rotor play.) Oil pressure sending unit probably doesn't work.
Check for leaks around the clutch master cyl., if manual. Does it shift OK
in all gears? (even when cold) Does the clutch slip? Vibrations from the
steering wheel at various speeds. Water leaks from the glass seals. Vacuum
hose leaks.
Geotek

> hey guys, i am totally new to the Z cars (i have pretty much just stuck with older GM cars untill now) i don't really know a lot about the Z's but i

have the oppertunity to get one....

> so i was wondering if there were any problematic areas that i should look at.
>
> i just don't want to get a car that is hammered out way beyond use and only discover this when i am 1/2 mile off the lot... then have to dump gobs

of cash into it to get a car that runs

> in case you need to know it is an 80 z
>
> and thanks fo rthe help guys :)

Reply to this Message