New and need some advice

[funz1z]

Hi, First of all, just want to say please forgive lack of knowledge, I did have a 1972 240z that I purchased in the 80's, and know a little about them, but I just bought this one. I am also a female who wishes she would of paid more attention when all my guy friends were tearing apart and rebuilding their z's back in the day. I am looking forward to learning, though. I have a 1971 240z series 1 that is all original and in very good shape. Very little rust, interior is excellant except for drivers seat bottom, and previous owner cut holes in the back deck (arrgh). I am the third owner, second owner never drove it. It has been garaged. It is an automatic, which of course I don't like. I am wondering if I should put a manual transmission in it or keep it as is, also, should I repaint it, or keep original color. I want to drive this car, and do not really want to modify it other than that. Also, do the holes in the deck take away alot from the value? I really appreciate your help, Toni

[theianmonster]

Welcome to the club, glad to see another Washingtonian.

[Ed]

I am wondering if I should put a manual transmission in it or keep it as is, also, should I repaint it, or keep original color. I want to drive this car, and do not really want to modify it other than that. Also, do the holes in the deck take away alot from the value? I really appreciate your help, Toni

Hi and first let me welcome you to the club, I hope you become an active member. There is a boatload of knowledge here on this site and very many friendly members.

On your car I would suggest keeping it as it is until you work out all the other bugs. Remember the car is over 30 years old and could probably use several other things to bring her back up to speed. Bushings, filters, belts, fluids, hoses etc... The holes in the deck where are they? I've seen holes in the tool compartment doors that are easily fixed by replacing the doors.

Ed

[EScanlon]

Toni:

There have been several new members from Vancouver and Portland in the last couple of weeks. Welcome to the club.

I would venture to say that just about all the items you've mentioned are repairable, replaceable or fixable.

Personally, I would keep it the original color. I'm partial to 920 Gold as your avatar shows, but that's because I own one in the same color. There are also other colors which are equally nice, but just remember that if your intent is to retain value, any paint job you do must be COMPLETE in order to pass as "original". That means removing engine, interior, etc. in order to get paint everywhere the original paint was applied.

As far as an Automatic versus Manual...again matter of choice. There are no identification numbers to belie which one came with the car, but there are many little items which will give it's true venue away to a knowledgeable person. Personally, when I found my first Z, I was disappointed in that it was AT, now I am not complaining.

Not sure what holes you are referring to in the rear deck. Are you referring to the tool box covers or the rise from floor pan to rear deck? Again, depending on your intentions, they can be repaired.

Again, Welcome.

Enrique

[1 Bravo 6]

G'Day Toni,

Welcome to the club.

Refering to the holes in the rear deck. If you could post photos of the problem areas it would make it easier to suggest how best to solve the problem.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[Arne]

I'll chime in to welcome you as well, Toni. My series 1 and I live down the freeway a ways in the Eugene area.

I'll pipe in on the automatic transmission part. I bought a car with an automatic almost on purpose. As your car shows, the automatics are much easier to find in good shape. But in my case, it was my intent to change it to a 4 speed all along - a task I just completed a couple weeks ago. If you are not mechanically inclined, you will need to enlist the assistance of someone who is to complete this swap. I recently posted a tech article on this exact swap, you can look it over here:

http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21274

In your particular case, I'd recommend two things - first get the car safe and drivable, and see if the automatic really bothers you. You may decide after driving it a while that it's not so bad.

But if you do decide to swap, considering how original the rest of your car sounds, I'd recommend finding an early 4 speed like I did, and not a later 5 speed. The later transmissions would require some cutting of the transmission tunnel, which would be a shame to do on a car as nice as yours sounds.

There are lots of knowledgeable people on this web site, and actually a whole pile of Z folks in NW Oregon and SW Washington.

[funz1z]

Hi, thanks for the welcome, I have more problems than paint and transmission right now, maybe you guys can help. My car starts and runs well with the choke all the way on, but as soon as I back off the choke it will die. When I drove it, same thing, it will run with choke on, otherwise will die. When starting from a stop, it has no power, I did drive it on the freeway at about 60 mph and seemed okay but a bit sluggish. Also, when I start it with choke it pours out black smoke and smell very rich. This doesn't make sense to me as it seems like it is not getting enough fuel, but then smells and looks really rich. The only thing I have done is replace to hoses that were cracked, this didn't make a difference. Is it the carbs? They are the SU carbs. Thanks Toni

[zeiss150]

Hi Tony, Welcome! Your carbs might be way out of tune. Depending out how mechanical you are will determine your level of engine repair. The L engines are really easy to work on once you figure them out. I think you just go over the basics of your engine and make sure all the main stuff is working then you'll have a better idea of whats wrong.

Check compression it should be around 150 psi per cylinder or higher(you can get a tester at the local parts place for $15 bucks)

check Fuel, Well, we pretty much know you have that one but replace your fuel filter change your air filter and spray some carb cleaner into the carbs

check spark, I would bet this one is lacking, you probably still have the points distributor and if thoes are the original points thats no bueno. You can get a new breaker plate or just put in an electronic distributor (thats the best idea) change your spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor.

Once you do all that stuff then reset the carbs... there are screws on the bottom of each of the carbs if you turn them all the way UP, then turn them down 2.5 turns DOWN. 2.5 turns down is the basic starting point for tuning your carbs. If none of that works ... well then we look to other problems

Oh if you have a timeing light you should check your timeing too, stock timeing is 7 degrees BTDC but most Z people run at 17 degrees.

Good luck and keep us posted, remember we're here to help

P.S. I have a 240Z 4 speed laying around (it needs to be rebuilt though)

[sakijo]

Toni

Welcome. This is the place to be for all your Z questions. First off, I suggest you start by searching the forum for your specific problem. Then, if youocan't find anything, try posting your problems in the proper forum so that the others can help. Sounds like you have a really nice car and I agree with the others - make it road-worthy first and then think about the mods. My car has seen that already. Looks good from the outside, but needed a lot of work to make it safe - clutch, brakes, shocks, etc.

WELCOME! ! ! !

[kenz240z]

Hi Toni, welcome to the club. Post some more pics of your Z when you get a chance, it looks like a beauty.

It sounds like the carbs are not properly synchronized. Use the search function on the site and you should be able to find some info on how to do it. The carbs are vacuum operated, so it is important to make sure the engine has good compression, the valves are properly adjusted and the timing is adjusted before putting a lot of effort into the carbs. If the previously mentioned items are out of whack, adjusting the carbs won't make up for it. Pick up a factory service manual when you get a chance, it has a wealth of information on all of the mechanical aspects of the Z.

I'd also recommend that you thoroughly inspect the brakes, suspension, steering & tires before spending much time on the road with your Z. Repair/replace any needed items, especially in the brake system.

The first concern with an older vehicle should be to make sure it is safe to drive. You never know what kind of maintenance the vehicle received from previous owners, and you shouldn't take any chances. Plus, a well handling Z with solid brakes, steering & suspension is a joy to drive!

As far as the automatic vs. manual question, I'd also recommend driving the car a while with the automatic before deciding on which way you want to go. Some of the old enthusiast articles (Road & Track, Car & Driver, I can't remember which, exactly...) detail the comparison in performance between the manual & automatic equipped cars. By manually shifting the automatic the car had similar 1/4 mile times as with the manual. My Z has the automatic, and when I shift from 1st to 2nd at 6000 rpms it takes off like a rocket!

[funz1z]

Thanks guys for the help. Sorry about not getting the right forum. I am going to look over the manuals ( the guy I got the car from gave me two) and try to figure this out, it's like a puzzle. I definetly want to make it safe, I just am so excited. When I bought my first 72 z it was in the eighties and it had 54,000 miles on it and I just jumped in and drove another 100,000 miles with no problems, so much fun! I let you know how I do. P.S. Kenny, I added picures to my gallery.

[beandip]

I also want to welcome you to the club. I have a 240 also and with an automatic. This was the first thing I was going to change and go to a 5 speed. That was 5 years ago. Now, I have no intentions of changing at all. I really like the automatic. I guess it's what ever floats your boat . I built my car for the street , and in traffic as well as in the mountains I like the freedom of the auto. There has been a ton of stuff thrown at you on what to check and to do . All are good suggestions for sure. I would like to add that one of the top priorities should be brakes. be sure to check the rubber lines that run from the back of the the wheels to the metal lines on the car. If these are original replace them they will fail. Take a good look at them and bend them with your hands if they show any cracks on the surface buy some new ones. You didnt say , is this your daily driver ? Or will you be able to have her off the road for a while. As to the performance , sounds like a good general tune up is in order , that's all and it is a easy thing to do on your Z . Once you understand the SUs , you will be able to adjust them . No problem . You said that you had a couple of manuals that came with the car . What are they ? Some times it helps if we can reference a certain page of a manual to explain what we are talking about . All the best . Gary