72 Z with stock motor needing rebuild. Recommendations?

[72ZDave]

I've had this 240 for many years and finally getting serious about getting it back together.  Took it to a mechanic to jump start me by getting the 5 speed I bought mated to the motor and installed.  He did a leakdown test and it's leaking pretty bad.  Haven't torn into it to see why, but want to know who the community recommends for a rebuild.  My mechanic couldn't recommend any of the engine shops in Northwest Arkansas area, so I thought I'd check with the Z community to see who you would recommend for basically a stock rebuild on an L24 motor.

Thanks!!

[Zed Head]

38 minutes ago, 72ZDave said:

I've had this 240 for many years and finally getting serious about getting it back together.  Took it to a mechanic to jump start me by getting the 5 speed I bought mated to the motor and installed.  He did a leakdown test and it's leaking pretty bad.

When did it last run?  

Didn't say what's leaking.  Valves might just be a valve job, head removal.  Rings mean more work.

[72ZDave]

Zed Head, he didn't tear into it yet.  I'm preparing for worst case and I wouldn't mind having a fresh engine anyway.  It last ran in the 80's and of course when I bought it 15 years ago, he said it ran great when he parked it, just needed brakes! 😂

 

My neighbor has a BMW 2002 and through the forums, he found a retired guy that primarily rebuilds 2002 motors.  Thought I'd put this out there and maybe find an L24 guru out there!

[Zed Head]

You can tell where it's leaking from the leakdown test, you don't need to tear in to it.  That's the basic point of a leakdown test.  Figure things out before tearing apart.

It might not need anything.  Could just be dry rings.

Good luck. 

[Mark Maras]

 I'd start with a valve adjustment then a dry compression test followed by a wet compression test.

[SteveJ]

Jims? @S30Driver @Zup

This is great opportunity for you guys to visit and give advice. This is in your neck of the woods.

[siteunseen]

There's a member map on this forum that shows people close to you. I know we have 2 Jims in Arkansas that live and breathe these cars. I'm on my phone and not much help at the moment but can find them tomorrow morning and tag them, maybe they'll respond? Haven't seen any post from them recently though but there still around lurking like Bigfoot. I did what I think is the best way to get a good dependable car. Set a budget and rebuild/replace all you can. Cost me around $5,000 for my '72 but I did a lot of the work myself. I wouldn't be affraid to drive it across the country. 

Edit: Steve tagged the guys I am speaking of.

Edited 23 hours ago by siteunseen

[SteveJ]

In case the Jims don't respond, I also posted in the Ozarks Z Club group on Facebook to see if they know of someone near you.

[w3wilkes]

1 hour ago, siteunseen said:

There's a member map on this forum that shows people close to you.

Can't find the member map. This has come up before and it seems like @Mike fixed it, but now it's gone again (or I just can't find it).

[SteveJ]

14 hours ago, w3wilkes said:

Can't find the member map. This has come up before and it seems like @Mike fixed it, but now it's gone again (or I just can't find it).

I couldn't find the member map, but I did find the club section, where there is a NW Arkansas Z Car Club section.

@Ninjaneer11 is about an hour away from @72ZDave, but he hasn't been on the board over a month.