I've been looking for a project

[z8987]

I've been looking for a project. I've been mostly looking at 4x4 old truck stuff.  The other day a friend of mine asked me to help him move a 1984 veet that he just bought for $500.  When we got there he mentioned there was a 240z there that the guy was also selling.  I looked at the z took a few pictures and today the car is sitting in my garage.  I had no idea my next project car was going to be a z car. I've always loved these cars. I was born in 1960, so the 1970 is just about the time I was starting to see and feel things.  This car was one of my first loves. I've never drove one. This will be the first z I've ever driven.  The man that owned it before me loved it. He drove it for years and then bought the 1984 vet and quit driving the z.  It's been sitting covered for 15 years in his garage.  He passed away and his son wanted the car gone.  No problem.  THe son also turned out to be somebody that recognized me from years ago. Our paths have passed in the past. 

I got in touch with Carl Beck. I knew very little about the car with the exception of how I fell in love with the car years ago.  Carl provided me with enough information for me to make the decision to invest the $3500 in the car the seller was asking.   

[Zup]

Welcome @z8987 !

Tantalizing photo! Hopefully just  the start of your Z story. If Carl steered you, you got sage advice regarding Z cars.

A $3500.00 entry fee into this world is unheard of these days, so congratulations on your purchase. From the photo it looks to be a really nice start. Please post more. (your first project is to adjust the wipers to a proper park position---)

Judging by what you have said, the Z may be among the best bucks you could spend to return to a remembered moment in your life.

Again---Welcome---you've got a lot to enjoy ahead!

[siteunseen]

Welcome aboard.  You'll love how easy they are to work on and all the info that's out there already. Whatever you run into has been done 1000 times before but now with photos. 

[z8987]

I got the left rear wheel off. I had to use a wheel puller. I'm working on the right rear. I just removed the cam cover.

[Carl Beck]

Hard to tell from the picture - but the valve train doesn't look to bad for a 50 year old. Oil bar is still intact.. Looks like a spare from a 260Z. Glad you were able to get the rear drums off - without destroying them. Take your time and enjoy the process..

Carl B.

[Captain Obvious]

The oil spray bar is there, but it's not to be trusted. The tell-tale angle of the tips says it's at high risk of coming apart soon. Especially at the rear.

I'd get a replacement in there before you put any significant time on the motor.

[Captain Obvious]

@z8987 if it's still available, you should buy the (newer design) oil spray bar all the way on the right in this pic:

Parts for sale by @madkaw in this thread:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/60915-various-datsun-engine-parts/

 

[z8987]

3 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

@z8987 if it's still available, you should buy the (newer design) oil spray bar all the way on the right in this pic:

Parts for sale by @madkaw in this thread:
https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/60915-various-datsun-engine-parts/

 

If it's that important, is it possible to get a new one?  

 

[z8987]

I got the fuel tank out. Off to get it cleaned and lined.  A stop at harbor freight to pick up some xl 7mm glove and a crows foot for torquing my valves.   If I was to make a tool for adjusting valves what would it look like ?  has anybody done this, or is there a special tool already made.  

[Captain Obvious]

1 hour ago, z8987 said:

If it's that important, is it possible to get a new one? 

Don't think so. Last I looked, there were a couple people out there in the ether that make aftermarket replacements, but I think the design of the factory parts (the newer version at least) are better. There were two revisions from the factory... The early ones (like what you have on your car) sucked because they fell apart (like what yours is ready to do). The later version (like the one on the far right in that pic) were put into service to replace the early ones and do not suffer the same fate.

I actually don't know if they are still available at Nissan new. I think you should check and report back.  

[siteunseen]

Angled feeler gauge,14mm and 17mm wrenches plus 17mm crows foot is all you need.  I started out rolling my car to get the lobes up but buying a remote starter was a lot easier.

The lobes come 2 at a time so to get it done quicker I made a cardboard, actually a piece of a beer box, template i guess you could call it with 12 spots. Intake and exhaust with the numbers written on there. Do the two and mark them off as you go. I put mine under the passenger wiper. Let me see if i can find it...

Hold the 14mm while you tighten the 17mm. They'll turn on you and get out of spec. 

Good luck. Once and you're a pro, simple to do after you figure it out.

Oh yeah, the motor is tilted. Take a Sharpie and draw a center line on the cam towers to use for getting the lobes pointed up right.

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by siteunseen

[z8987]

1 hour ago, siteunseen said:

Angled feeler gauge,14mm and 17mm wrenches plus 17mm crows foot is all you need.  I started out rolling my car to get the lobes up but buying a remote starter was a lot easier.

The lobes come 2 at a time so to get it done quicker I made a cardboard, actually a piece of a beer box, template i guess you could call it with 12 spots. Intake and exhaust with the numbers written on there. Do the two and mark them off as you go. I put mine under the passenger wiper. Let me see if i can find it...

Hold the 14mm while you tighten the 17mm. They'll turn on you and get out of spec. 

 

Oh yeah, the motor is tilted. Take a Sharpie and draw a center line on the cam towers to use for getting the lobes pointed up right.

 

"

Oh yeah, the motor is tilted. Take a Sharpie and draw a center line on the cam towers to use for getting the lobes pointed up right".

 

I'm not sure what you mean by this.  Can you try explaining another way?  Sorry, I want to understand, I'm just a little slow some times?