Appraise mine?

[Carl Beck]

I confirmed yesterday that the upper shaft on this one was installed backwards.

How did you do that?

I corrected that and with the engine at TDC and crank timing mark at 0 degrees the rotor points to #1.

The piston will be at TDC and the timing mark will be on "0" on both the compression and exhaust stroke. So you have to also assure that your #1 cylinder is on the "compression" stroke. You do that by looking at the position of the intake/exhaust cam lobs. They should be pointing more or less UP such that the valves are CLOSED.

Keep in mind that if your #1 cylinder is actually on the exhaust stoke - the rotor in the distributor will be pointing 180 degrees opposite the #1 plug. {just as it was before}

I'm sure you knew that - but just for those following along. Very important to confirm the compression stroke.

FWIW,

Carl

[Mikez73]

I heartily and highly recommend Doug! He knows Zs inside and out, even races one.

Sorry, I don't know a "Spot" and there are a couple of "Davids" in the Club. Maybe they've left for some reason, or I just don't recognize the name with the cars.

BTW, if you can get yours running, Baker Tuning is having their Grand Opening on 10 July and are sponsoring an all Nissan car show at their north location (Baker Nissan). They're a big sponsor of the Club and the more Zs, the better!

Hope to see you there!

I've been to Awesome Z once to pick up a vg30 block. David was working there at the time. He owns a shiro and a 50th AE. Haven't heard from him in a couple of years. Spot may have used her given name, Theresa. I think she was an officer of the club for a while. She was a good friend at one time but I haven't talked to her in many years. She owned a fleet of z31's including a beautiful 86t.

How did you do that?

The piston will be at TDC and the timing mark will be on "0" on both the compression and exhaust stroke. So you have to also assure that your #1 cylinder is on the "compression" stroke. You do that by looking at the position of the intake/exhaust cam lobs. They should be pointing more or less UP such that the valves are CLOSED.

Keep in mind that if your #1 cylinder is actually on the exhaust stoke - the rotor in the distributor will be pointing 180 degrees opposite the #1 plug. {just as it was before}

I'm sure you knew that - but just for those following along. Very important to confirm the compression stroke.

FWIW,

Carl

Carl...I may not know as much as you think I know and at this point I'm so frustrated I'm not sure what I really know anymore so all advice is welcome.

With the rotor in the position it's in in the pic above, I pulled the #1 spark plug. I could see the top of the piston. I assumed that was good.

Should I still pull the valve cover and check the lobes? Everything is still as it was in that pic.

[Mikez73]

Why yes, I do feel stupid :embarrass:

Thanks Carl B!

Well... turning the upper shaft around is easy enough. I'd rather do that than change the plug wires around.

And check this out:

I know what it is because I had a couple for my shiro. I didn't know anybody made them for the L though. I hope it was dialed in well.

[d240zx2]

Looks like you're on your way!

[Mikez73]

Maybe. I know that before I turned the shaft around all I was getting was backfiring through the carbs but at least it was trying to start. We'll see. That cam gear reads "Dial-In-Cams". Ever heard of that? The PO didn't know the specs on the cam or anything really about the engine.

[Mikez73]

I went ahead and put up ads here and at zcar.com. I'm leery about putting up a craigslist ad because I don't want to fool with a lot of people who aren't really serious or are just looking for a chance to test drive. I'm probably going to be relocating soon and I couldn't take this car with me. My plans aren't set in stone though. If I stay put and keep the car I'd rather have an L28et.

I know the Webers would have some value but I'm wondering if there a market for a modified L24 and a 4 speed.

[Mikez73]

Looks like I'll be keeping the car. Just didn't get the right offer on the boards and I didn't want to fool with Craigslist. I'm going to try to sell the L24, carbs, header, transmission, and gas tank. Maybe even the perfect dash .

I think I'll look around for an L28et and get a fuel cell and Megasquirt.

I took some underbody pics. It isn't rust free but it looks pretty good for an unrestored car. I used a wire wheel and a grinder to remove the rust and then used rust proofing. I guess I need to find some high zinc epoxy primer and some kind of undercoating. I need to set off a bug bomb to get rid of all the spiders.

[Mikez73]

More gratuitous pics