Multiple probs..

[Beefcakez]

So i think i need to replace my water pump. Having trouble when i run my car car for a while it starts to shut down ... like its getting no fuel... I am still messing with the carbs to get them right but when i think they are right and i drive it, it does that.. just starts cutting out after its hot... I ran it about...20 mins then it started to do that.. help me... .could it be the water pump or a whole nother problem...

Also I want some good ideas on how to best upgrade my 72 240Z its all stock minus the smog. so any thoughts on that would be great thanks for the help guys..

[Oiluj]

Sounds like perhaps it's vapor lock. Do you have a sheet metal heat shield between the exhaust manifold and the carbs?

[zpizzaman20]

Getting too hot could also be a plugged radiator or thermostat issue. Does it run hot at speed or when idling? You need to get this figured out before you over heat the engine and warp the head.

[beandip]

Before you start thinking of any up grades you need to make it run. Messing with the carbs ? And that means what? You didn't say, is the engine overheating ? You just said that it is cutting out. If the engine is getting so hot that it is shutting down. It is likely that you have already damaged the engine . You could have the carbs so far out of adjustment that it could cause the engine to stop. There is a Datsun Mechanic in Vancouver Wa. on 99th st. 360 573 7314 Gary

[DeesZ]

Ditto on what beandip said.

Put the upgrade dreams aside for a bit, and concern yourself with them after you have a better idea what you are dealing with up front. Assure that you have a sound engine, good brakes, and suspension first. Actually, after you get it running properly you may find that upgrades are not necessary. These cars ran fairly well right off the boat from the factory. Yes, certainly they can be improved, but remember, the 240Z was not designed to compete with American muscle cars of the day that went really fast in a straight line for a short distance with smoke coming off of the tires.... it's strengths lie elsewhere.

If the engine is cutting out, why are you prompted to look into the water pump? Did you mean fuel pump? Or, when you say....

.. just starts cutting out after its hot...

... do you mean "really" hot? If so, how hot does it really get? The first time I read that I interpreted "hot" as "up to running temperature".... others here took you more literally and are thinking hot to the point of doing major damage. Could be either, I guess, until you give some details. Verify that the car is in fact getting fuel; you might have some fuel blockages with junk in the tank or lines. Or it may be getting so hot that your fuel is vaporizing on it's way to the carbs. Hard to say with what we've been given for information. We need some help from you to help you best.

Post some more detailed information and some pictures of what's under the hood so that we can see and hear more about what you are dealing with. If you want to get this fixed, you are at the right place to get it diagnosed. Right now it's kinda like you are going to the doctor and telling him that you don't feel good and that you need brain surgery.... The doctor is going to ask you why you think that would be a solution, and hopefully make some other more simple suggestions before breaking out the scalpels and bone saws.... I have found no better place than this site with respect to knowledge about these cars. A systematic approach is necessary here, so feed some information into the diagnostic process, play 1000 questions with us, try the steps suggested, and hopefully you'll have it running without unnecessary and/or costly major surgery.

Keep in mind that the archives are absolutely full of pertinent information, too. But to make even that work for you, you will need to be more specific to focus a search.... otherwise it's the old needle in the haystack thing.

[Beefcakez]

Ok here are some details on this for ya guys...

when I said hot I meant running temp.. it only gets HOT when i idle for a long period of time...

I say water pump because i am pretty sure its leaking... I have water comin out right where the water pump is. I was worried about head gasket but a friend of mine said he thinks water pump. he used to have a Z so i am hoping he is right.

my carbs were just rebuilt as well.. the guy who did them is a really good mechanic though these were his first SUs i believe.. He is a very good mechanic and i doubt he messed them up in the prossess if that is possible.

And I am getting fuel.. I believe.. I pull off the fuel line at carb and fuel comes out.. its a new fuel pump (Mechanical). I did replace the old rubber fuel lines on the tank and under hood.

I adjusted all the valves. new plugs and such..

So that is round 2 so I hope i am helping you help me thank you guys.

I don't plan on upgrading right now I just wanted some ideas as to whats possible.

[Beefcakez]

I can't get pics to upload to this site for some reason but here is a link to some of what i have goin on under the hood.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/beefcake0012/HPIM0685.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/beefcake0012/HPIM0684.jpg

I will take some better ones but its raining right now so yea.... Thanks again guys.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Fix all the problems first, then write me about wiring upgrades.

I make upgrades for the 240Z's mostly, but it's like putting a rocking stereo into a car that has no floors and does'nt like to start. See what I mean?

Sounds like all the right spots were hit. Heat shield, falty water pump, thermostat, vapor lock on the fuel lines because of heat(heatshield) Ballast resitor overheating and losing contact?

All possibilities, one by one check 'em out. This is how everyone of us has gotten so 240Z savvy. Pay attension to every "ting, bang, knock, hickup" ask the questions or look it up in the search engine, read the possible answers and tell us what you found. After a while, You'll be the one answering questions for others.

Also looks like your chokes need to be hooked up and used.

Good luck,

Dave.

[DeesZ]

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like the radiator shroud and underside splash pan are missing, too. Those two items can have a big impact on the cooling efficiency of the stock fan. Just a thought.

[Beefcakez]

Well the only time it has cooling probs is in traffic or long idle times.. would shroud and splash pan help?

[240ZX]

Well the only time it has cooling probs is in traffic or long idle times.. would shroud and splash pan help?

If your cooling system components are as old as the car, your over heating issue is more than likely caused from years of corrosion build-up. The corrosion I'm talking about is a thin rust colored film that builds up on the entire cooling system....radiator, pump, and the internal cooling passages in the engine. It doesn't look like much of anything when you see it but, it forms a nice insulation layer......preventing the transfer of heat from the engine to the coolant. Coolant will flow freely but, will not tranfer engine heat as efficiently. I had the same issue long ago. It may just be time to overhaul your entire cooling system. There are product that will remove this layer of corrosion.

[DeesZ]

I agree with the scale issue that 240Zx referenced. That is often an issue.

The radiator shroud is IMO a very functional and important part of the cooling system when the original fan unit is still in use. It concentrates air flow through the radiator. You may need that air flow very much when you are not moving.

On the issue of getting the junk out of the block, what product does the job? I should flush out mine, too.