Oil for a 1971 240Z, and problem diagnosis

[Commissar]

Hi, my name is neil, i just bought a 1971 240, and im in the process of doing a tune up, when i got it earlier today, it wouldnt stay alive, it would half idle with the gas pressed down a fair way, but after a spark plug change, it will have some semblance of idling, but it does not want to rev, but if you work the throttle a bit, once it gets past about 1500 it will rev fine, is this just a carb problem, what can i do to fix it?

Also, back to my original quesiton, what Type of oil, filter, and how many quarts

also also, can anyone fill me in on how to change the oil in the SU carbs,

sorry for any stupid questions, im pretty new to these cars

thanks

-Neil

Edited May 30, 2009 by Commissar

[Bruce Palmer]

Neil,

Welcome to the wonderful world of....

If you want to clear out the old oil from the carb dampers so you can start out knowing what you have in there, just soak the old oil up with rolled up tissue stuffed down in there. We run ATF and have for years. Refill to about a 1/2" from the top of the tube that rises with the piston. Don't worry arout over filling as the excess will just get sucked into the engine and burnt.

FYI - being new to the Z, we have a DVD ZTV 01 that covers several L series engine related issues you might want to study. It's all round a pretty good teaching tool for new owners. It also covers so Hitachi (SU) carb issues.

Again, welcome to Zs and the board.

[Commissar]

hey, thanks for the info, im wanting to change the oil as well, do you know what viscosity i need, as well as how many quarts? thanks

[sblake01]

5 1/4 qts. including the filter. I use 10W40. Here's a lubricant chart from the FSM:

Edited May 30, 2009 by sblake01

[Commissar]

thanks

[guy_geo]

20W50 for me

[JonnyRock]

I use 10W40

20W50 for me

Interesting the the colder climate guy uses the heavier weight oil...

[bigoak]

Yeah, but we only run on nice days up here...

[JonnyRock]

Yeah, but we only run on nice days up here...

Nice days is all they have in SoCal...

[beandip]

Hi, my name is neil, i just bought a 1971 240, and im in the process of doing a tune up, when i got it earlier today, it wouldnt stay alive, it would half idle with the gas pressed down a fair way, but after a spark plug change, it will have some semblance of idling, but it does not want to rev, but if you work the throttle a bit, once it gets past about 1500 it will rev fine, is this just a carb problem, what can i do to fix it?

thanks

-Neil

Neil, the idle/revving question. This could be timing and or the Carbs are out of adjustment. If your Z has the stock ignition , set the timing at 9 or 10* btdc and for the carbs . Contact ZTherapy they have a video that shows and explains the whole procedure. If you do a search for adjusting SUs there is plenty of info already in the memory here also.

Gary

[bigoak]

Nice days is all they have in SoCal...

What is the right viscosity for earthquakes???

[Zedyone_kenobi]

5wbuttpucker