sac02

Ok folks, we have a '73 240z (w/ 71/72 SU carbs) that has been sitting for about four years or so. It was started once about a year ago. We are trying to get her back to running (racing!) condition. And keep in mind that our car budget is shared with our beer budget - so everything must be done as economically as possible! So far we have: 1)rebuilt carbs (but not tuned them, obviously) 2)cleaned out gas tank to the best of our ability 3)cleaned out gas lines w/ compressed air. 4)replaced air and fuel filters. 5)new spark plugs, wires seem ok 6)changed oil and filter 7)broke and fixed fuel pump 8)new battery 9)currently trying to connect all vacuum hoses - read our other post and help us w/ this one: http://www.240z.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3257 What else should we do so we don't destroy the engine? Which of these things should we absolutely do before starting (we're very impatient) and what should we do after running it for the first time? We're thinking: 1)adjust valves? 2)adjust timing? - can't do this until car is running right? (The timing on my car is non-adjustable so I don't even own a timing light) 3)tune carbs 4)drain and refill coolant? 5)someone suggested squirting a small amount of oil into each cylinder through the spark plug holes to lube cylinder after sitting so long - good idea or not? 6)can we turn the engine over by hand a few times to make sure everything's moving alright inside? 7)what else do you do when starting an engine for the first time that might apply here? Thanks for all the help, Robb and Mac

hey guys, We're trying to get a '73 240z running again after many years of sitting still. The PO had visions of restoring it and did some disassembly and now we have to play connect the hoses without any idea what we're doing. All we have is a service manual (that looks like it's from WWII) with a few pics, and any engine pics we find on this website. Oh yeah, the emissions control system appears to have been mostly removed. 1)The vacuum advance on the distributor: It looks like it should have a vacuum hose attached to it, but it doesn't. Should something be attached here? There is a stray hose on top of the throttle butterfly on the front carb - could we have a match? 2)The flow guide valve: The bottom hose is connected, but the top isn't. As per the service manual, we think this small hose attaches to the back side of the air filter housing. correct? 3)There are also two connections for larger hoses on the air filter housing. One is connected to the top of the valve cover, right? The other one we're not as sure. The manual seems to suggest that it went to the air pump for the emissions control. Since ours is completly gone, should we just plug this hole? If anyone has a really good picture of their engine with all their hoses and various accessories attached, we'd appreciate if you could post it. TIA, Robb and Mac

Howdy folks, my name is Mac and I just inherited a '73 240z. I need some help to get this car running. Here's the deal: This car ran well and was well taken care of up untill the P.O. parked it (still running fine) about four years ago. It was started and ran poorly about a year ago, then had the fuel tank drained and the (SU) carbs partially disassembled on a hunch by the PO that it might be the carb's fault for the poor running, I'm thinking just bad gas after three years in storage?. What should I do first to get this thing running? Do I need to address the fuel system or just fill the tank? OK, about the carbs: Right now just the floats are off the carbs, otherwise they are assembled. Should I just get a gasket set and put them on the car and see what happens or should I take the carbs off the car and tear them down and start from scratch. I am very mechanically inclined, having built my e30 BMW into a near race car, but don't have any experience with carburation, FWIW. Sorry if I'm not giving you much to work with, I didn't want a super-long post. TIA, Mac "still loyal to the Bimmers" Hooke