Sitting 14 years, where would you start?

[LanceM]

Here's the story, bought this car in '80 in Calif one owner, brought it to Indiana and did a complete rebuild on engine and drivetrain, suspension, a friend had it for a year painting it. I got married.... kids came, couldn't afford a new interior and parked it for the winter (a 14 year winter) in the garage. I can afford the interior now but... it's been sitting for 14 years or so...

Breaks are rusty, and don't work, clutch doesn't work, fluid evaproated and left some great gunk behind. Gas tank smells like hell's kitchen, the carbs are stuck (tripple webbers), luckly the motor turns and isn't stuck, the oil is clean. Springs are pretty flat, at least I would expect more than 1" of movement.

I'm thinking of starting by changing the springs and working the breaks/clutch hydralics, I have new springs, I figure no need having a running engine if I can't stop it. From there go to the fuel system and rebuild the carbs and get things rolling, then go to the interior.

I guess I'm looking for any input as to a better order of things to do or maybe something I should look at that isn't on my list because the car has set for so long.

Thanks in advance,

Lance

[carguyinok]

It sounds like you know what it will need for getting it back on the road. You will want to get that gas tank taken care of before jumping into the whole carb deal. Replace it or have it sealed other wise you will fight it the whole time. :tapemouth

I would also look over anything rubber mounts lines so on.

You have a heads up on most people doing this. Being your the 2nd owner that put it away 14 years ago. Most of us find these cars that have been stored for years but know little if any history on the car.

What year and so on car is it anyway? Sounds like you may have a gem here.

[2ManyZs]

You've got the right idea, get the mechanicals in order before you try to get it running again.

I'd advise rebuilding or replacing all the wheel cylinders/calipers as the seals probably are no good with the amount of moisture that is probably in the system. Same goes for both the master cylinders. Replace the rubber brake lines for sure.

I'd also replace most if not all the rubber hoses on the engine and flush the radiator thoroughly. I would take off the valve cover and pour in some fresh oil over the cam and valve train to lube the valve seals and change the oil before you start it up, as it probably has a lot of condensation in it from sitting.

I would also check very carefully for any rust that may have formed or spread while it has been sitting on the undercariage. 14 years is quite a while.

That ought to keep you busy for a few weeks... let us know if you have any more questions before you fire it up.

[beandip]

the fuel systime for sure needs work . POR 15 has a kit for the fuel tank if you fine rust , which is most likely. Be sure to put some oil in the cylinders before y ou start the engine and do as 2manyzs said on the oil on the cam. You might think of filling the oil filter before you install it to speed the pressure and flow at fresh startup. dont forget to flush the fuel pump or pumps. and change the filters.

[tanny]

I recently finished rebuilding a 73 z that had sat for 20 years. I rebuilt the engine(fortunately you already have that done), put in new brake and clutch master and slave cylinders, rebuilt front brakes, new rear brake hardware, new rubber brake lines, rebuilt and jetted triple webers, cleaned gas tank and lines(tried to get away with rinsing out gas tank but ended up puting 3/4" gravel and in the tank and rattling it around to get the gunk out. Worked really well so far: no more clogged fuel filters. Fortunately no sparks to blow myself up. If I could have found someone able to clean it out using a less primitive method in this small town, I definitely would have. Don't skip this one.), new strut cartridges, bump stops and strut bellows, new heater and radiator hoses, radiator and heater unit cleaned and pressure tested, new belt, new endlink and steering rack bushings(should have replaced all bushings on car), new seals on tranny, synthetic oil in tranny and diff, new tires, new battery, repaired rust(bumpers, pan, strut well), and paint job. Many other small odd jobs on both the interior and exterior too numerous to mention. Still needs front seat upholstery. Good luck, Victor.

I guess it is possible your rings could be stuck in their grooves. Not really sure how to check for that other than maybe a compression check or examining them directly. The valve seals and front and rear crank seals may need replacing. Time and use will tell.

[LanceM]

I hadn't thought about all of the rubber hoses, add that to the list. Fuel tank I'll take to a local place to have it cleaned and sealed, went through that rust crap with my antique tractor and I'm not about to be cleaning 3 carbs every time I hit a bump! I figured on rebuilding/replacing all of the break componets that are probably rusted inside, calipers, slaves. I just hope the gunk hasn't plugged the lines as I don't want to have to go and replace all of them. Rust isn't a problem as after I got it the only snow it saw was through a window and during the teardown all of the pannels came off and were rust proofed, underside heavly undercoated, gained some weight but it is still as solid as when I bought it, even back then rust was killing Z's and it wasn't going to happen to mine!

It's a '73 240Z, mfg date of 11/72, I bought it in 79 before I got out of the service and brought it home with me, only had 50K on it when I bought it, has 116k actual miles on it now. Ha I'm driving a 91 jimmy with 185K on it right now! The engine rebuild has about 16K on it.

When I rebuilt it I had the head ported, tripple webbers, header, turbo exhaust, and long track cam installed, along with an aluminum flywheel. Suspension got heavy sway bars, Koni shocks, short stearing arms, hard bushings everywhere and all the other trick stuff. Always called it my street legal go-kart cause that's the way it drives!

Well thanks guys, if you think of anything else let me know I'm all ears.

Lance