What are the common problems with the 1977 Datsun 280Z engine?

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The 1977 Datsun 280Z’s fuel-injected 2.8 L inline-six is generally sturdy, but owners routinely see these engine-related headaches:

1. Overheating at idle/low speed – marginal radiator size, aging water pumps, and corroded fins on the original copper/brass radiator mean temps creep past 210 °F in traffic.

2. EFI ‘no-start’ or rough idle – the early Bosch L-Jetronic system needs clean connectors, a healthy AFM (air-flow meter) and tight grounds; cracked injector-resistor pack or bad dropping resistors will kill injector power entirely.

3. Heat-soak/vapor lock – after hot shut-down fuel can percolate in the rail, causing hard re-starts or brief stumbles until fresh cool fuel arrives.

4. Distributor/ignition timing – worn bushings in the Hitachi distributor let timing drift, giving off-idle hesitation and pinging.

5. Vacuum & EGR leaks – cracked hoses or a leaking EGR make the ECU see false airflow and run lean, causing surging or back-fire.

Good news for the car you’re looking at: the seller just rebuilt the EFI, replaced all cooling hoses, added a fresh radiator, and coated the bay—so most of those weak points have been addressed. Still worth checking the AFM harness and resistor pack if you ever have a hiccup.

Need comps, insurance guidance, or help finding another Z? I’m happy to dig deeper!

1977 Datsun 280Z

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1977 Datsun 280Z

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