Need help with my 73 carbs . . Orange,CA

[New-to-240z]

Hey guys, haven't posted in this part of the forums yet, but i have to now!!

When driving on the freeway, i'll be speeding up to 70, and then when i pull my foot a little back on the gas, the car stays at the last position i was at. ( basically feels like the thottle gets stuck). But, if I tap the pedal the car begins to slow down. I've done some reading and thought it could be the throttle springs (i think) but I've never worked on carbed cars before. So, I called up the guys at Ztherapy (GREAT guys) to order their video and they asked me what kind of carbs i had. Told them stock 73 flat tops. He told me to throw they over my yard and act like i'd gotten rid of a body, just don't tell anyone i ever had them!!! AHAHAHAHA He also told me their video won't do me any good!

I know my carbs SUCK, but I'm going to be swapping out the engine in about 2 months, (need $$) so i am just trying to get this thing at least in tune so i can save gas and not worry about the engine too much. (the carbs where JUST rebuilt about 10 months ago.)

I was hoping there might be someone in Orange,CA or anywhere close that might be able to help me out. I would of course compensate you for your time (Beer, women, . . . . uhhh . . BEER) I just want to have the idle fixed and mixture tuned right.

So, if anyone is brave enough to help and has a little time to spare it would help me out a lot. Plus, if someone shows me how to and explains, I'm sure I would understand much easier then reading a book. Thanx guys for even reading I hope someone can help.

[sblake01]

Elvan at Z Car Specality in Upland, Ca. is pretty good with them as well as all things Z/Datsun related. (909) 981 1074. Give him a call and tell him your symptoms and he can point you in the right direction.

[New-to-240z]

I know of a few guys closer to me that work on Z's, the only problem is they charge me money. I'm looking for someone that can spare a little time and show me a few tricks. I know its asking a lot, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm just hoping someone has time day or night to show me a few things and help me with just setting the fuel mixture and idle. That's it.

But, thanx for the help blake, if i had money trust me i would be having someone work on it right now.

[wfl_colorado]

Who rebuilt them? Maybe they did something wrong and it is an easy fix? Have you looked at them yet w/ the car off to see if things move easily like they should? Sound like something might be binding in the linkage, not a carb problem.

Bill

[New-to-240z]

I literally don't know NETHING about carb setups. It doesn seem like something is getting stuck or maybe even the chock is messed up. I don't know. They were rebuilt by a place called Olive's garage in ornage,CA and the mechanic worked on Z's all the time. Unfortunatly when i went down there, i found out he had left to arizona indefinitally only 1 month ago!!!!!!! I was pretty pissed.

Anyway, i'll try to find the thread that i was reading, that stated they took like 1-3 coils off the springs and it fixed the problem of having to tap the gas pedal to get it to return fine.

The reason i think it is more then just the coil is because the car goes through gas FAST and i don't even press down on the gas at all. Also, if on the freeway and then i gas it to pass someone, i can see black smoke shoot out the tailpipe quickly. And the car REAKS of gas after driving it a while.

I'll take pictures tonight of the carbs and maybe you guys can tell me where in the pic should i check for give or losseness, or what have you. If no-one out here can help my only choice is to take help anywhere i can get it! haha

Thanx for everything u guys. Will post pics in about 3 hours.

[e_racer1999]

have you checked the damper oil? sounds like the needle is sticking. i'd spray some carb cleaner in there. maybe some WD40 (maybe?). also, check and see if the needles are straight

EDIT are you going to the MSA show? i'm sure there's tons of people that can help you...

[New-to-240z]

yea, i'm going to try and make it to the show. I am for a fact going to the breakfast on Sat morning at like 9am, and the moonlight sale on Friday at 6 or 7. The only problem is I work weekends, and i won't have any time to actually goto the show!!!! I'm pretty pissed i couldn't get the days off of work.

Also, about the damper coil . . what exactly is this? where can i find it on the engine?

I was looking into the engine today and notice something. If looking down between the two carbs i see a long screw with a spring from top to bottom on both carbs, that is pushed by the throttle linkage. Could these be the problem? I'll post pics later tonight. I want this thing running good.

(The idle right now is really off!! I'll be driving and then come to a stop and the idle will be around 500 rpms and then it seems like the car just wants to die out so i put it into N (A/T) and rev her a little and then back into drive once the light turns green. Any way to quickly fix that?)

[e_racer1999]

the screws are the balancing screws. the damper spring is found when you take off the domes (cylinders?) of the carbs.

i don't know ANYTHING about flattops

[New-to-240z]

well, is there by chance any explanation as to what the corre3ct amount of oil should be? What oil do i use if it IS low? Sorry for all the Q's, just trying to figure this out as much as i can.

[e_racer1999]

i use 10W30. just unscrew the top and pour. if you get too much, it will just leak out. won't cause harm

[New-to-240z]

so, if i'm looking at the carbs from above, they have a little black screw on top, do i unscrew this and then add oil? ( I use 10W-40 in my car, any diff? Should i jsut use 10W-30 to be sure in the dampers?)

Thanx again for the help.(and quick replys)

[e_racer1999]

yes

shouldn't be a problem with 10W40

honestly, i've heard the best damper oil is 20W. IIRC i blended 10W30 with 30W. i've heard ATF works as well, but i've never used it.