240ZBUILTBYME 1971 240z HS-001063 Project Sheena

[Namerow]

If all else fails, contact the folks at Z-Therapy in Oregon.   They've probably disassembled thousands of Hitachi-SU carbs by now and should know all the tricks for getting the needle out of a piston without damaging anything.

[240260280]

I'm with the rubber vice gang but I also think heat is nice too.  Perhaps some propane on the aluminum piston near the needle will help.

[Mark Maras]

 I don't mean to over simplify this but have you tried grabbing the base of the needle (not the tapered part) with pliers and give it a bit of a twist and pull at the same time?

[240ZBUILTBYME]

10 hours ago, Namerow said:

If all else fails, contact the folks at Z-Therapy in Oregon.   They've probably disassembled thousands of Hitachi-SU carbs by now and should know all the tricks for getting the needle out of a piston without damaging anything.

If I can’t get it out trying all these methods I’ll bring it to a carb specialist, Not sure if Ztherapy will hand out free advice, I guess it’s worth a try though

3 hours ago, 240260280 said:

I'm with the rubber vice gang but I also think heat is nice too.  Perhaps some propane on the aluminum piston near the needle will help.

Cheers mate sounds like the rubber vice gang wins by a clear majority!

59 minutes ago, Mark Maras said:

 I don't mean to over simplify this but have you tried grabbing the base of the needle (not the tapered part) with pliers and give it a bit of a twist and pull at the same time?

I don’t want to damage any of the needle, any damage could make them unusable. I tried using a cloth and light pressure with some pliers but no go, too slippery. Rubber will fix that I think

Ryan

[Namerow]

If you have aligned yourself with the 'heat' idea, I recommend putting the piston in an oven at low-ish heat rather than the flame treatment.

Given your location, I think that Z-Therapy might be a bit more charitable with help than might be the case if you lived in the USA.  It never hurts to ask, considering the fact that they're experts and the rest of us are just 'helpful'.

[240ZBUILTBYME]

50 minutes ago, Namerow said:

If you have aligned yourself with the 'heat' idea, I recommend putting the piston in an oven at low-ish heat rather than the flame treatment.

Given your location, I think that Z-Therapy might be a bit more charitable with help than might be the case if you lived in the USA.  It never hurts to ask, considering the fact that they're experts and the rest of us are just 'helpful'.

Yes I did think of the oven straight away as I haven’t yet invested in a propane torch for the project. 

I will send an email and see what they say, I’m about to buy a rebuild kit from them anyway so not like I’m asking for free advice

Helpful is all we need sometimes! 😝

[grannyknot]

EDIT

Oops, I guess I should read other peoples advice before popping in with suggestions that have already been given.

 

Have you tried the vise method?  If you have an old rad hose lying around cut out 2 pieces, they go on either vise jaw, tighten it up hard against the needle as close to the base as possible. Then you have the body of the carb as your handle so you can slowly rotate body around the shaft of the needle.

Edited December 4, 2020 by grannyknot

[ETI4K]

I have used the following method with extremely reliable results.

Spray WD-40.  Heat to about 120F (mildly hot to the touch).  Allow to cool.  Repeat as needed.

On some VERY stuck parts, it's taken  8-10 tries, but it's always worked.....so far🤞

Another technique is to clamp the needle as @grannyknot suggested.  Set up a "permanent" torque on the piston and LEAVE IT ALONE overnight, or longer.  Juice it once in a while with WD.  Many times I return to the shop next day and find no torque on the part and the two pieces are loose of each other.

Good luck.

[240ZBUILTBYME]

Well sorry it’s taken time to get back to updating the needle sitcho. (Oz slang for situation) 

but this little thing has been keeping me busy, she arrived last week. 😍

But I did get round to trying to get the needles out, I decided to first try some rubber and some vice grips as it was the easiest to conjure.

And long story short it worked! Just needed the grip  of the rubber to apply enough torque to twist it free!  The second needle came out by hand. 

One of the needles had N27 on it, the other had nothing. I believe these are 240z needles? 

Ryan

[tyroguru]

3 hours ago, 240ZBUILTBYME said:

Well sorry it’s taken time to get back to updating the needle sitcho. (Oz slang for situation) 

but this little thing has been keeping me busy, she arrived last week. 😍

Obviously I'm pleased you got your needles out but bigger congrats on the safe arrival of your daughter!

Remember: cars are for life but children are hopefully out of the house by the time they're 21 😅 . Have fun!

[240260280]

Congratulations!  They grow up faster than your Z can go....enjoy the journey ahead!

[Captain Obvious]

Congrats on all fronts!

And yes... The N-27 is the stock needle for the 240Z round tops. At least in the US. Not sure about other locations.