Need motivation in New Year...HELP

[derk]

Many of you remember I found the proverbial Z in a barn.... a California 71 240 with no rust. Has been parked for 11 years.

I have done little with the car because of other issues in my life and feel pretty overwhelmed with the project right now. I don't know where to start.

The car has some surface rust but nothing else that i have found. I've turned the engine by hand and all appears well in that regard.

In what order should I do things to get her going? I've got bad tires, awful brakes and of course 11 year old gas. Any suggestions to get me off center?

Gratefully,

Derk

[2ManyZs]

Guess the first thing would be to put her up on jackstands and drain the gas tank, blow out the lines and change the fuel filter. While you are doing that, you can replace any of the rubber fuel lines that look a bit dry-rotted in the engine compartment.

Then after that, you could go with a full brake inspection, replacing the rubber lines if they are cracked, then on the each wheel one at a time. Once you have replaced and/or inspected the brakes, then it would be on to any other engine related things that need to be checked/done before you try to drive it. Such as a good flush of the radiator and block, changing the oil and filter, new plugs etc....

The tires would be the last thing on the list, not much sense in spending the money on them if the car isn't ready to drive....

I wouldn't worry about any surface rust on the outside of the body until you are ready to take it all back apart for a re-paint or repair. While you are on your back under the car whild it is safely on jackstands, take the time to look over the underside carefully for any hidden rust pockets or any spots which may need attention soon.

Make a list of things you want to do, and just cross them off one at a time, that way you don't forget anything and have to take something apart after you have put it together.... For instance, don't put the wheels back on until you have checked to make sure you have no leaks in the rear brake cylinders after you service the brakes and bleed them.

Saves a lot of time and aggravation.....

[MikeW]

The first step will probably be a new battery. You'll want to drain the old gas. I've done this by hooking a long fuel hose to the output of the fuel pump and putting the other end in an empty gas can. Turning the engine over will use the fuel pump to drain the gas tank. Hopefully it's almost empty already.

You may want to replace the fuel filter (mounted to the inside right fender near the fuel pump). Once you have fresh gas you may be able to get it cranked after spraying some starting fluid into the carbs (after removing the air cleaner and cover plate).

I bought my '72 in 1985, drove it for 5 years/40,000 miles and then basically let it sit in the garage for 12 years (after buying a new 240SX in 1990). However, about 4 years ago I went through the above steps to get it running again. I also had to replace the fuel pump, master cylinder, brake booster, and clutch master cylinder. I drove it a little but the suspension needed a little work and I kind of gave up on it again. Just last week I charged the battery again, added about a half gallon of fresh gas to the almost-empty tank and got it started fairly easily. I made a bumpy and vibration-riddled 5 mile drive to my mechanic and left it with him. This time I'm just going to let someone else do some of the long-needed work. I'm guessing new struts, springs, and suspension bushings (and perhaps new wheels and tires) will get the suspension in good order at which point I'll probably see what I need to do to the engine. I'm not interested in a show car but rather just something I can occasionally have fun driving. After all, that's the whole point ...:classic:

[derk]

Was thinking of dropping the tank with contents in it rather than hooking up a battery and blowing the junk thru the lines.

Then have ordered POR-15 gas tank kit to redo it. Any thoughts about dropping it as is?

[2ManyZs]

If you are going to drop the tank, you might as wel go ahead and get all the hoses you will need to replace the vent lines and possibly a new fuel filler hose as well. You don't need to use the stock replacement vent lines, you can use other fuel hoses to do the job.

The filler hose is more than likely hard as a rock, so it might be best to figure on replacing it as well. Blow out your lines after you pull the tank and remove the old filter to make sure they are clear.

Be sure to soak the mounting bolts on the straps that hold the tank with a good penetrant for a day or so before you try to break them loose, with all the rust, road debris and perhaps some of the undercoating on them, they can be a PITA to get off. And the J-bolts are welded to the straps, so if one breaks, you have one more thing to repair.

Be best to pull the tank drain, it's hard to handle when dropping the tank with any gas in it, unless you have a good set of helping hands.

[Bambikiller240]

2ManyZs posted:

..............Be best to pull the tank drain, it's hard to handle when dropping the tank with any gas in it, unless you have a good set of helping hands.

Amen! Drain the Tank First! There is a drain plug at the bottom, center of the stock gas tank. Drain the gas into a bucket, then drop the tank. You'll be glad you did!

[dero]

mine sat for 2-5 years with gas in it, i got lucky and just drained it and was fine, also drain the carbs.

bambi killer can you email me at dero_one@yahoo.com alwyas looking to meet new z people, are you familar with tuning SU carbs at all? if your from pleasanton you should check out my 240 since i live so close........

[Mike]

Originally posted by derk

I have done little with the car because of other issues in my life and feel pretty overwhelmed with the project right now. I don't know where to start.

The car has some surface rust but nothing else that i have found. I've turned the engine by hand and all appears well in that regard.

In what order should I do things to get her going? I've got bad tires, awful brakes and of course 11 year old gas. Any suggestions to get me off center?

Yea, forget the rust and the bodywork. Get the car on the road and deal with that stuff later. Where to start? Get that engine running. From reading the other posts, I assume others are in agreement here.

After it's running... make it safe to drive.. Tires, brakes, etc.