New Here, Just got a Series 1 w/No Mods

[madkaw]

Nice find on the car, ----how do you know the valve is bent?

[dclamm]

When cranked it was obvious one cyl had no compression. Took the cam cover off, #2 intake was down (rocker was pushed to the side). Tapped the valve w/punch and hammer thinking it might pop up, it just stayed down further, won't come up. Soaked it with penatrating oil, still down. Can't think of anything else to try before pulling the head...

BTW, the cam lobes look pretty good, not allot of wear at all. If this had 177K would lobe wear be obvious?

[madkaw]

I have seen more then one Z do this, that's why I asked. The valves on the earlier car had a sticking issue. My car did it, and another car i worked on did the same thing. The valve sticks and then the rocker displaces which caused 0 compression. Keep at it with the penetrant. That car sat for 18 years and most of the cylinders came back strong . At the airport the mechanics would have to "shock" the valves on some of the recip engines by actually hitting the valve with a hammer(making sure the piston was clear).

[spitz17]

Welcome from NorCal!

I actually e-mailed that seller when I saw the post on CL. Congrats on the purchase, and don't let the problems get you down. A few tweaks here and there, and she'll be running! Goodluck!

[dclamm]

Thanks, will keep trying the penetrant.. not ready to pull the head yet. But if it's stuck, it's stuck good. I have tapped it down with a hammer/punch and it just goes down further.. never comes back up (valve spring almost fully compressed now). Tried gently prying it up through the spark plug hole and not a budge.

See you're in Avon. I did some time in the Indy area late 70s and 80s.. Carmel, Brownsburg, then south to Bloomington. Still lots of friends back there..

[dclamm]

Thank you Spitz, been awhile since I did a "fixer" like this, and should realize after doing due diligence, add 20%-30% for unknowns. This one had/has allot of unknowns, some I'm finding out! Had to go out and polish a little to make it look better and me feel better about the purchase. Five years from now I'll know every inch of this car!

[madkaw]

Doesn't sound real good does it, maybe she's really stuck. When i took my head in from my early e-88, the guides were ready to fall out-so the machinist said. So maybe yours are about the same and the valve is in a bind.From Bloomington, now up in Avon-small world!

Good luck

[dclamm]

Forgot to mention in my first post/intro, worked at Motorsport Auto around 84-85. First task they gave me was to dismantle some Z wrecks and stock the parts in the "used parts" section (not sure if they do used anymore). Learned so much by taking them apart! Later worked at Mazda HQ in Product Support/QA dealing with quality issues and vehicle problems. Was there for the Miata Launch in 1989, 20 years after the Z. Part of the job was to drive the crap out of them to see what we could break!

Anyway, Cheers, and thanks all for the comments on my first post. Hope I can contribute to others soon.

Dave

[ajmcforester]

So you know these cars fairly well then. I'd suggest taking the head off even if that valve comes back up just to be on the safe side.

[madkaw]

just noticed your signature ajmcforester. I was actually born and raised Moorestown NJ. Loved hanging out at the cherry Hill mall and my parents still live there. I was ever so glad to get out of that state.

[ajmcforester]

I grew up in Colorado and was living in Flagstaff AZ before I came to this state about 5 years ago I lived in the Maplewood Apt for a little while and moved off route 70 now. What was I thinking, no actually I don't mind it hear I go out in the woods and no ones their, I can put a whole day in the woods at work and not see anyone (I could rarely say that in Colorado). Their is someone on the boards from Moorestown he drives a nice 2+2 and has a 240z, but he love that 2+2. He is a real nice guy. If your coming to visit your parents send a PM if you like I don't see many Z guys since I left the Southwest.

[dclamm]

Valves (2) have un-stuck with lots of soaking for a week. Two cylinders low on comp (~90 psi) one that had a stuck valve, one that didn't. Does get oil pressure when cranking over for comp test (guage comes up and oil on cam). One carb has a stuck piston, need to disasemble and clean. Also need to clean fuel tank and replace rubber lines and blow it all out (smells like turpentine in there).

Sure wish there was an easy way to tell if 77K or 177K (or 277?). Head is very clean inside and out (may have been redone). No sign of knock noise when hand cranking. Will be going slow so as not to hurt anything.

Haven't been able to spend too much time on it yet due to DYI bath remodel and wifey wants the other bathroom back (so do I)!