sitting for 20 years

[ricksaia]

Was just given a 1982 280ZX that has been sitting for 20 years. The body is rusted beyond repair, but the engine only has 36,000 miles on it. This is the engine I would like to put in my 1970 Z (without the fuel injection). What should I do before running the engine?

[Ed]

If it's really been sitting for 20 years you should rebuild the engine. When you have it out pull the oil pan and the head. Inspect the cylinder walls. If the walls have any signs of rust then you will need to have the walls worked on.

If you are not going to pull the head then pour some oil into the cylinders via the spark plug hole and turn the engine over a couple of times (that is if it's not siezed).

A few more goodies you should keep from the 82 would be the five speed, the diff and the rear disk brakes.:classic:

[MikeW]

Originally posted by ricksaia

Was just given a 1982 280ZX that has been sitting for 20 years. The body is rusted beyond repair, but the engine only has 36,000 miles on it. This is the engine I would like to put in my 1970 Z (without the fuel injection). What should I do before running the engine?

That seems like a lot of miles for a car that was only driven two years.

[ChrisA]

Questionable mileage aside. Drain all the fluids. Put some light oil down each spark plug hole and let it soak into the rings. Then ever so gently, turn the motor over by hand with a socket on the crank bolt. If the motor turns over, great, if it doesnt you might have a stuck piston or two. That's not fun to fix unless you're into that like me. Your carbs and manifolds on your Z will bolt to the ZX motor. Keep the ZX distributor and go to an aftermarket ignition. If you get the motor in and running do a compression check on each cylinder. Hopefully the valve train is good and the valve stem seals arent to cracked from age and leak into the chambers. Engine will smoke pretty good if those are bad. Keep us informed on your progress. Much luck.

ChrisA