240ZBUILTBYME 1971 240z HS-001063 Project Sheena

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

Rear diff carrier frame welded up 

And bolted in place 

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

In this one I removed the hatch glass and started breaking down the rear suspension. Hopefully the last dismantle video for a while...

 

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

So I’ve decided to start doing some small parts restoration at home. As anyone who is following along knows, the car is not at my place but about 35-40 mins away. I only work on it once a fortnight, basically a day of my R&R. So to keep motivation and progress rolling I’m doing these mini projects. 

First Mini Project is...

 

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

As you all know I’ve never done any of this before so I’m relying on you wise sages to correct my mistakes and give your worldly advice...

I was thinking about doing one SU at a time just to have one to reference off when rebuilding but I’ve taken a lot of photos and feel confident I can put them back together using those. Let me know your thoughts. 

Planning to:

-order a Ztherapy rebuild kit

-vapour blast intake manifold, bodies and dome

-replate hardware

-new hoses 

let me know if I’ve missed anything critical

few photos of dismantle on front SU

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

Anybody got any advice on getting the needles out of the piston? They seem pretty stuck in there. The Ztherapy rebuild kit will have new needles but I’d rather not damage anything just in case.  And before you ask yes the grub screw is out...😝

Ryan

[Captain Obvious 2,354]

I was going to tell you to get those needles out of the pistons as soon as you could. I didn't like the way they're sticking out of the pistons laying on the bench like that. Too easy to damage them.

So I'm no carb expert, but for pulling stuck needles I've had good luck using some thin pieces or (grippy) rubber sheet on the needle and clamping down with a bench vise. Sorry, but I don't have any pics.

The rubber sheets will hopefully spread the force out over a large enough area so you don't dent the needles, and the stickiness of the material hopefully provides the friction required to get them to move without slipping. Clamp the whole needle length and a little twist-and-pull. I've had good success with that.

[Racer X 256]

15 hours ago, 240ZBUILTBYME said:

Anybody got any advice on getting the needles out of the piston? They seem pretty stuck in there. The Ztherapy rebuild kit will have new needles but I’d rather not damage anything just in case.  And before you ask yes the grub screw is out...😝

Ryan

A vise with rubber soft jaw inserts should be suitable for holding the needle without damaging it. I would also try some penetrating oil where it inserts into the piston to try and free it up too. After sitting for so long there is most likely some corrosion where the needle seats in the piston, so take your time, and be patient.

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

@Captain Obvious @Racer X

Cheers Cap & X

that was an idea that flashed through my head the other night, I have some 5mm rubber sheet rubber at home, yet to try it. I was going to soak them with kerosene prior. Will let you know how I go! 

[Captain Obvious 2,354]

Your 5mm sheet sounds perfect as long as it's hard enough. Oh, and you really want smooth jaws in the vise. if your vise has serrated jaws you could put two small pieces of flat sheet metal on either side to smooth out the jaws.

Good luck and here's hoping they come out without much fuss.

[Namerow 466]

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 2,147 1 Vehicles]

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 1,103]

 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 54]

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 466]

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 54]

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 1,787 2 Vehicles]

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 40]

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 54]

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 2]

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 2,147 1 Vehicles]

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

[Captain Obvious 2,354]

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.

[Racer X 256]

9 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. 😍

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

Congratulations Ryan, especially for the arrival of a healthy child.

Awesome!

[Patcon 1,927]

Man that's great!!!

Enjoy, nothing like beautiful baby girls!!

[240ZBUILTBYME 54]

@tyroguru @Racer X @Patcon @240260280 @Captain Obvious

Thanks heaps fellas! It’s the greatest project of them all! 

[w3wilkes 232]

Congrats on the new baby! Your folks must be thrilled too. They probably bribe you for shed space. Have to bring the grandkids when you work on the car.