Hello all.

I have a 260z that I put a 1977 280z engine in about 12 years ago. I have dual weber carbs on it. The car has sat for the last 12 years and last weekend I finally decided to get it running.

I was able to do it by:

1) changing the oil

2) emptying gas from tank and filling it with new gas

3) changing the battery

It started after sitting for 12 long years! I did notice that it was running a little hot, or it seems to. Along with that, it is making a tick noise from the heads. Do you think something might be sticking in there because it sat for so long? Maybe the oil got "gunky" and a valve or something is sticking?

Twelve years ago it didn't do that....it ran nice.

Would you recommend I remove the head and clean it? If so, what is the best method for that?

Thanks,

Rick

Axefreak,

Welcome to the club!

Before you tear apart your head, take a look at you intake/exhaust gasket to make sure it hasn't come apart (this was the source of the clatter from my head).

Also, take a look at the following link for other potential solutions.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15076

This forum's search feature is very good and you'll often be able to find answers to many of the questions you might have.

Welcome again.

Cheers,

Hello all.

It started after sitting for 12 long years! I did notice that it was running a little hot, or it seems to. Along with that, it is making a tick noise from the heads. Do you think something might be sticking in there because it sat for so long? Maybe the oil got "gunky" and a valve or something is sticking?

Thanks,

Rick

It is vary possable that you have a blocked oil passage and the overheating could be caused from lack of lubercation. The '' ticking '' sound could be the valve train running with no oil. Or , The over heating could be just from the thermostat being suck closed or the coolent not being pumped through the engine because of a air lock . When the engine is at idle , remove the oil filler cap in the valve cover and shine a light in and see it the oil is flying around coming off the cam . You dident say but did you replace the oil filter ? After 12 years there several things could be the problem . Gary

I had a simular thing only a little worse after a 18 year sit. One valve would stick bad enough that it would throw the rocker, talk about a racket! I cured it by adding about a pint of Marvel Mystery oil and starting and letting it idle with some low reving until it came up to temp, after a week or so of this once a day I changed the oil and the problem hasn't been back. I think it may have just been gunk on the valve stem or maybe a little rust that had to clean itself up, the Marvel is thin enough that more of it could bypass the seals and lube things a little better and clean things up.

My $.02

That is a good idea with the Mystery Oil. I was thinking of trying something like that too. I will try it and let you know if that works.

Thanks again for the help.

Rick

The valves on the z cars are adjustable. My 260z ticks and my tech said it is probably the valves he said it was pretty easy to do myself and that it would probably quite the ticking. Dont know if this is your problem but would n't hurt to adjust them. You would need a new valve cover gasket (about $20).I have the gasket and plan to do mine soon.

Chris

Check your valve lash adjustment. I have a 240 that sat for 12 years before I bought it. The lash was loose and the motor sounded like a thrashing machine at idle. After setting the lash, the motor was real quiet at idle........

I cured it by adding about a pint of Marvel Mystery oil

A quart of tranny fluid will work as well. It is very high in detergents and is equivalent to 20wt. It will clear any stuck rockers and such.

Do I put the tranny oil in with the rest of the oil and let it run for awhile or??

Thanks,

Rick

Yes. Just pour it in.

My fairlady sat for many years too.

I just found out a few things with my car Ill pass on to you.

As for overheating, I found a large obstruction by my

thermostat housing.

Start by trying to remove the top housing first, and

then the thermostat. Mine upper and lower where fused together (aluminum from age) and from sitting.

I then just removed the whole lower housing from the block itself. Easy, 2 bolts basically.

When I did, I found a huge blockage of "something" in the water passage in the block. I dont know exactly what it was, but Ill show a pic later.

I pulled out much of it with my fingers, and then flushed out rest of the block by just running water into the top of my radiator. After a few mintues of that the blockage was totally gone and the water coming out of the passage was clear again.

I installed a new upper/lower housing assembly and thermostat and have had no problems there.

As for lifter clatter, you can pull the valve cover off in about 10 min and set the lash.

I pulled my cover off because of the noise too, and found 2 followers completely off the top of the valve springs!

Im going to finish that project tomorrow and I should be fine. New oil can quite things down a little too if yours is getting thin from age.