New Member, New Purchase, some questions (mostly carb related)...

[mimregi]

So, I had a '78 in high school and a '77 briefly while in college (don't ask where they are now, it hurts too much... suffice to say that they are in heaven). It has been years, my wife and I have been sharing a Murano (LOVE that car btw, we just moved to FL, and I have never had such a satisfying road trip), but she's working now and we needed a second car, something we could buy cash to avoid another car payment. I started looking at Civics and whatnot when I slapped myself on the head and realized what an opportunity I had to finally get the car I'd always wanted (or something reasonably close). The hunt began... I really wanted a '72 but after much headache (I was pretty close to a really nice '72 on e-bay but was outbid) settled on a '73 I found in pretty nice shape. Long term, this will end up being a daily driver and I will eventually hunt down a '72 I can rebuild over a long-relaxing stretch of time.

Anyway, that's my story. Where I am now is that I want to do most of the work on the car myself. I have a high general mechanical aptitude but very little actual experience working with cars (above and beyond simple brake pad and oil change related maintenance). I <shudder> had to leave the car unattended for the first week and a half I owned it (the aforementioned Florida trip), and it is running a little rough now, noticeably rougher than when I test drove it. I want to tune the carbs a bit myself and have been shopping for good carb books (have been looking at this and this and this , but am happy for recommendations), but would really love some help identifying which model weber is on my car. I have done a pile of looking on the internet, but most of what you see out there related to webers is fairly advanced, very little for a n00b such as me. The seller still has his website up with some great pics, including the engine. Any advice? While we're on the subject, I'd love any advice on the car at all =)

The car really is in pretty nice shape, and I am pretty happy about the price. I have a growing list of things I want to do to it (mostly small project stuff, fun stuff) -- it needs an AC, that will be my spring project, and I will probably paint it at some point (though I admit the yellow is growing on me, but the blue and red chrome under the hood is still not my style) and re-carpet, the doors need to be re-hung (it's taking in water -- the weather stripping looks OK but will get replaced and I am 99% positive that the passenger door does not match the body) and it absolutely REQUIRES an original shift knob and steering wheel, plus the wheel caps are not Z. I have not decided yet if I want to go back to a stock chrome look for the bumpers or keep them painted as they are (I am surprised to admit that I really like the way they look, and I think that they have been taken in a few inches as well).

<Whew> In any case, I am thrilled about the car and love how much of a community there is around them! Thanks in advance... I'll try to be more brief next post, but this reflects a lot of pent-up enthusiasm!

-m

[mimregi]

Oh, also, if anyone can identify that rollbar (need a front sway bar too...), I need to pad it (it is RIGHT at head height) and if whoever make the bar makes a pad, it will save me work custom-making one. I wish it was as simple as getting one off of a jeep or something, but the part right behind my head that I need to pad is where two bars meet...

Anyway, thanks again in advance =) Just uploaded all the shots to my gallery too...

[GunnerRob]

Hi Matt.

First off, welcome to the club!

What a beautiful Z you've got there. I can't wait to see your pics as soon as they're approved. If the car is as immaculate under the skin as the rest of the car, I envy you. Especially if you paid the price on the sales ad! By the way, I like the color.

Since my '75 280z is fuel injected, I don't have any suggestions for you carb issue, except to search around the club site to see if there's anything that'll help. As far as the roll bar is concerned, have you thought about using a helmet?

[mimregi]

HA! I HAVE thought about using a helmet =) I have also thought about possibly dropping in fuel injectors one day, but every time I do, i tend to back off (ultimately I think I would like to keep the car mechanical and not electrical, but I have a lot more to learn about it and it's low on the list right now).

Oh, and the pics I uploaded so far we just the ones on the site I linked, so nothing new. But thanks for the kind words!

-m

[Victor Laury]

Just uploaded all the shots to my gallery too...

And I just approved them. Very nice! Quite a beauty!

[GunnerRob]

Thanks Victor. :classic:

[Victor Laury]

Adjusting your carbs is the last and final step in tuning you car. Go through the ignition and ignition timing before touching the carbs. it's far more likely your trouble will be found there. Adjustments made to carbs on engines with other troubles lead to big headaches,

[mimregi]

Adjusting your carbs is the last and final step in tuning you car. Go through the ignition and ignition timing before touching the carbs. it's far more likely your trouble will be found there. Adjustments made to carbs on engines with other troubles lead to big headaches,

Good advice (and thanks on the pics too). Is it noteworthy that the car seemed to be running just fine when I drove it from CT to MA (quite well in fact), but after a week or so of sitting outside it coughs a bit, tends to stall without a little choke and stalls if you slam the gas?

Thanks!