Hey,  just bought a 1977 Z that im waking from a long +15 year comma.  Loloking for guidance as to what i should do and in what order. 

Compression check done.  All Cylinder are in the 180s except 1 which showed 145.  I changed all the plugs, oil and filters.  I also drained the old fuel and fuel filter.  Radiator was empty and thermostat had disentegrated cavities in the cooling systme had white powered residue.  Car will only turn over when i jump the starter leads with a screw driver and get nothing, no power when tunring the ignition key,  

So what do you all recommend I do next?  Will post pics of the car when i bought it.  Ive had it about 10 days.  

 

Here's that "template" I bought from amazon.com

Here's a clean spray bar, using a drill to spin the oil pump.

Best I can do on the timing marks for now Zed Head.  When I get back home tonight I'll see if I can find a better close up.

 

Buy a roll of gasket paper, you'll need it a couple of times especially on the spray bar's mounts.  The paper that comes from the '70s is no good today.  Even if they are there they'll be rotted and of no use.  make new ones. 

 

 

 

H&D Construction.bmp

here's those measurements.  If you ever need them I have these pictures in my attachment file on the forum.

They are nice to have, you put wheels on them and can roll the motor under your bed when you have company.

 

 

Okay, got in late last night and went ahead and worked on adjusting he can timing.  I ended up rotating the cam sprocket back to position 1.  It was a bit of a challenge but I think it’s right now.  Here are the photos of the adjustment.  Also when I puked the oil spray bar it appears to be gunked up .  

 

The groove, in the back plate, isn't really visible.  Not sure why.  Not the same as your first picture.

 

Edited March 31, 20186 yr by Zed Head

H

ZH, I agree it’s not as visible.  I looked at the scratches and markings around the groove and compared them in relation to the groove in both pics it apprears to be right on.  

So the new oil pump is primed and installed.  The tang for the the dizzy looks perfect to me now.  What do you think?

 

Here’s a better shot of the cam timing marks. 

Looks right to me. 

The timing chain sprocket probably just has some casting variation.  It's obviously not a super-balanced precision machined part.

Things look right.  If you wanted to be very accurate you could build or buy a piston stop, and verify TDC.  I built one from an old spark plug.  On the other hand, if you're pretty pretty pretty sure that the piston is at the top and the damper notch is right, it might not be worth the effort.

I'd take a good look at all of your cam lobes and rocker arms, wiggle them, check lash if you can.  While you have the cover off.  You might have seen Neb's cam lobes.  It's well-known for the valves to be so sticky after an engine sits for a long time that they hang and a lash pad pops out.  People find them laying in the oil puddles up there after a run up through the RPM.

 

Thanks.  I’m going to buy fresh oil because the stuff I put in 6 weeks ago is already dark black just from cranking.  I found hardened gunk in some of the flat areas of the the head.  I’m going to clean them the best I can. The oil rail is clogged up.  I’m off to Lowe’s to buy some PVC and thinner to let the puppy sit over night.  Also I’m not seeing those tiny holes in my cam for oiling.  I was thinking of putting some cam line to put on the lobes so it’s not cranking dry.   

Edited March 31, 20186 yr by Av8ferg
Spelling error

You can buy a tube of assembly lube for the cam lobes. You'll end up using it a lot more than you think.

I think mine is a moly type made by CRC?

You can buy a tube of assembly lube for the cam lobes. You'll end up using it a lot more than you think.

I think mine is a moly type made by CRC?

Okay I spent the last 2 hrs cleaning the head and valve cover where it had caked oil everywhere.  It’s not perfect but I got most of the debris that I feel confident nothing is going to get stuck in a valve or spring.  Added assembly lube to the cam lobes.  Spray bar is cleaned out and installed with homemade gaskets The dizzy is back and all hooked up.  Whew....