10 years in the garage

[ZOVER]

I just trailored my father-in-law's (now my) 1973 240z home. It was last started in 1993. It was mechanically sound at that time. He was the original owner and the car has 50K miles. I have been told different things as far as what I should do to get the car running. Anything from put in a new battery and see if she starts to drain all the fluids, including taking off the gas tank, replace all the hoses and pull the spark plugs and put a light oil in overnight to lubricate things.

The last thing I want to do is screw anything up, but I also dont want to do things which are not indicated.

Also I will need to get new tires, what are good tires for this car?

Zover

[JEFF]

"Anything from put in a new battery and see if she starts to drain all the fluids, including taking off the gas tank, replace all the hoses and pull the spark plugs and put a light oil in overnight to lubricate things."

IMO, Forget puting a new battery in it and trying to start it. The rest of the information is a good place to start.

After letting the oil soak over night - Remove the cam cover and oil all the lobes and rockers with motor oil. Turn the engine over by hand by using a socket on the crank pully bolt ( spark plugs still out ). IF it turns over EASY - it may start after a full cleaning of the carbs - ( remove the float bowls and clean the float needle valves with carb cleaner - let them soak in it while you clean the rest of the carb parts by disassembling them and carfully removing any deposits you may find. DO NOT bump/bend the needles conected to the pistons. Be sure the piston bores/pistons are clean and slide easy and they don't rub on the sides. put a 1 ounce of light oil ( I use 5w-30 motor oil ) in the shaft hole in the top of each carb piston before installing the plunger. remove the needle valves from the carb cleaner - blow them off - reinstall them. Check for spark after cleaning the distributor cap - use new spark plugs. Check the air filter to see that it is not falling apart.

Good luck with the Z!! All of us will help anser any questions you may come up with.

- Jeff

[26th-Z]

Good advice, JEFF.

A car that has been sitting that long will have lots of little problems and you will end up doing all these things sooner or later. Lubricating everything is essential. I wouldn't be surprised if the clutch and brake hydraulics will need some help, also.

If that car has only 50,000 miles on it, there is no reason to think that all this work would result in a very dependable, fun car. Datsuns have that reputation, don't they!

[LanceM]

Just got mine out after 15 years of sitting.

Clean the fuel tank, unless it was put away dry you will have some really nasty stuff laying in the bottom of the tank. Bleed the brakes and the clutch, flush out all of the old fluid. If after the bleeding they don't work expect to buy new masters, don't bother with the rebuild kits, they are a waste of money, been there done that.

I replaced some fuel lines & filters, cleaned the carbs, changed the oil and filter, I greased up the cam for the first start and dumped the last two quarts of the new oil on the valvetrain. She fired right up! I've still got some carb problems but I hope to cure them today.

Good luck on your new project!

[beandip]

I agree with the lubeing of the cam and the pistons, Change the filters both the oil and fuel ,Get some carb cleaner and at least spray some in the over flow of the carbs . Get some starter fluid and spray it in the intake of the air filter. when you start her up . Dont pump the old oil through the engine !! Watch the carbs closely as the floats may stick and if so flood fuel . Also watch the water pump the seals have a tendancy to dry out and leak , they can swell back but not likely just a heads up , just be aware of all the gauges oil pressure and timp and so on .. my 2c:classic: