What to do with an engine that has sat since 1988

[alordzot]

I was given a 1973 Datson 240Z that was parked in a garage in 1988 because the battery had died. The car was in working order in till then. The car has 100K miles on it and was maintained very well until it was parked. No prep was done to it for storage. My questions are about what maintenance should be done to get it street ready again. Do you know where I might get an engine manual for the car? I will need it for the tune up specks.

Listed below are the Ideas I have.

1. Remove spark plugs and spray some WD40 into the cylinders and turn the engine over by hand to insure that the pistons are not seized. Do this a few times to insure that the pistons and rings do not stick to the cylinder walls.

2. Drain and replace Motor oil. Filling the new oil filter with oil to help prevent undue ware to the motor.

3. Pull the valve cover off and adjust the valves (If they can be adjusted)

4. Install battery and attempt to crank the engine in 10-second intervals to see if the oil pressure comes up. (I believe that this will tell me that oil is flowing through the engine.)

5. Flush the gas tank (empty) and fuel lines. Install new fuel filters and put fresh gas into the tank.

6. Flush the radiator and replace hoses.

If all goes well with the above steps, I think I should be ready to start the motor up and see if it runs. Did I miss something in the steps above?

The next steps I think I should take are:

1. Drain and replace all remaining fluids, I.E. transmission (manual type) oil, differential oil, and brake fluid. Does the clutch have a separate system?

2. Replace Brake hoses and rebuild or replace the calipers.

3. Pull all the wheels off and grease the axles, and Repack all bearings.

4. Grease all joints.

Well that is what I could think of. Any suggestions?

[Daniel]

Your is very good.The changes I would add are Don't use wd40.Put marvel mystery oil in instead in all cylinders.Let it sit for a day or more.Bump the starter and load the cylinders again with marvel.Let it sit.Spray carb cleaner in the carb bowls.The easiest way is spray it in the overflow.Lift the piston in the carb.Spray carb cleaner into the carbs.Check points(new is nice)gap.Clean oxidation on connector wire dist. and coil.Clean battery connections that attach to car(as well as battery)Do the gas tank stuff and crank that baby!.I wouldn't adjust the valves until the car ran.Oh yeah,check your fan belt,also it takes about 2 gallons of fuel to prime and crank a 240.Crank it in neutral,Hate to blow a clutch line and blast off into a wall or something! Have fun!! Daniel

[59ghia]

Been there, I too was given a 240- this a 1972. I squirted oil into spark plug holes. I also removed valve cover and poured half a quart of oil over cam and valves. Also Yes regarding seperate system on clutch. There is a master, below and to the right (when looking from front) of the brake master. And a slave with a flexible line at bell housing. I also used a propane torch to "warm up" the rear end and tranny fluid. Sounds like you've got everything else covered. Good luck and enjoy!! They're fun cars and easy to work on.

[Mike]

Replace the following:

1) Points

2) Rotor & Cap

3) Spark Plugs

Pick up a good manual at your local auto store. Or, get yourself a factory service manual and a Parts Diagram CD from the banner on the top right of your screen.

All of these tools are extremely helpful.

[Daniel]

May I also suggest replace the thermostat while the hoses are off.The 2400 engine has an oil tube that oils the valves.They split/seperate.When you remove the valve cover make sure you check/replace, again is nice.They caused the death of alot of 2400's due to underoiling.The 2800 has it in the cam to eliminate that.Check out the old threads for 59ghia as he just walked in your shoes.Sounds like he's rapidly becoming was 59ghia now '72 240Z'erLOL Another Z bug has bitten.Myself ,I would stay away for torches,cranking an old car offers enough chance of fire for me.Perhaps it was a bone chilling 74 degrees in san fran when he started his carROFL !!(sorry 59ghia I had too!!) Have fun!! Daniel

[jcdozier]

Ditto Daniel's comments about not using WD40 - you should be able to find the Marvel Mystery Oil at NAPA or some other parts store. Haynes publishes a pretty good repair manual - look for the "DATSUN 240Z, 260Z & 280Z - 1970 thru 1978" book at most any auto parts chain store.

With the car sitting for so long, you may find that the parking brake has rusted "shut" and won't let the rear wheels move - had that problem with my 240 after almost a year under a shed. Our fix for that was to wrap a chain around the half shafts and drag it out from under the shed - the back wheels "broke loose" after about three feet.

Good luck with your new toy.

[918/240Z]

Hey nice having a new toy.... get a motorsport catalog victoria catalog....

I found my Z (71 240) sleeping for about 3 yrs... had to do a few things also.

Take a paper and write down the firing order of your plugs the way thay are in your car # your spark wires... my distributor was put in ? 180-- from where its supposed to (nice mech who changed the oil pump ) take your plugs out clean and gap them clean the wires get P.B. Blaster its a penetrating oil...

the best I did this on a lot of cars... spray the cyls let it sit a few days.. in the mean time change the oil... the filter... pour the oil in on top of the vavles(take cover off) put the car in gear dont put the plugs back yet.... rock the car carefully back and forth you might need a friend to free up the rings..slowly.. after they moved youll know(the car will move) put some Marvel M Oil down the plug holes let it sit..move the car... or turn the eng by HAND...let it sit some more you want to break down the ridge of corrosion that may have developed... When you feel that it is smooth enough for you... put a fresh battery in... out of gear ... crank the eng.. without plugs...(no compression) it easyier on the starter and everything else.. build up oil pressure ..

Now put in your plugs ,wires ( the cap is good right?)

I disconnected the gas tank and ran my z from a 20oz bottle..

( didnt realize the z also pumped some gas back to the tank:eek: ) you can open the float bowls and put gas in them fist..to prime... get there any way and clean out the gunk...

Keep a fire extin...handy dont want to lose a Z....

My brakes were locked... (I would do this fisrt before trying to start it..get it rolling).... jack up each wheel one at a time...

try to turn it... hit the rim around the rim with a rubber mallet put a bar..(becareful not to mess up your rims) in a wheel slot stand on it get it to turn alittle in each dir. go back and forth..... on the rears be very careful about hitting the rear drums they are alum. and will chip or crack....

once you know its running then you can change all the hoses and belts..antifreeze..etc...

p.s. DON'T get a Chilton book( toilet paper) Haynes is better but get a few ..for different opinons... I just found out there are two different places you can set valve lash from...

Good Luck Zu soon.... Dave

[918/240Z]

Forgot to say the car will smoke for a little while from the oild down the cyls. also dont gun it when it does fire take it easy... let it run a few sec.. then shut it start it again.. let it warm up...

When you do get it " on the road " keep an eye on the oil level it may lose oil from sticky oil rings alittle Marvel in the gas at fill ups should help...... Later Dave