2_4680Z Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Hello everyone, I've been a Z lover since I was about 8 and finally bought one. I've been reading the forums for about six months and after test driving two found Layla three weeks ago. She's a two owner car, originally from VA but owned since 1976 from the guy I bought it from. He bought it from a Datsun dealership when it was three years old. He drove it around TX and TN in the 70s and 80s and into the 90s. 159,XXX original miles. I have all of his registrations and most documentation of stuff he's done to it. It has pretty much sat in storage for the past 10-15 years with him spending $2,000 a couple years ago (have receipts) trying to get it back on the road. He said this car has outlived any relationship he's ever had, and backed out of selling it to someone else once before. I'm not going to say I stole it, but he gave me one heck of a deal in my opinion including a military discount. Before I bought it I had it put on a lift and did a dry compression test on the engine. It is "virtually rust free," with the factory undercoating still on it. It was repainted 10 years ago in the factory silver color. There is a 3"x3" patch pop riveted onto the driver's side floor, and 2"x2" hole on the passengers side under the seat, likely from the A/C condensation. He told me he never looked under the car. Not necessarily believable, but I believe some people never do so. I also have the FSM and the Mechanic's manual, not sure what it's called, and the carb balance meter. The interior looks great in my opinion; it has a dashcap with one crack, seat covers, stock floor mats, brand new carpet otherwise. Headliner is original and looks great. The engine compression yielded 145-150 psi in all cylinders except one; 1st cylinder was 135. I would've liked higher numbers, but the engine has a good amount of miles so I'm happy at this point. When I test drove it, the car was a little sluggish, but the guy was just frustrated saying "it's not the car it used to be." He said his local mechanic refused to rebuilt the SUs. Since I've had it, I've done the following things: Things I've done thus far: - Castrol high mileage 10w-30 oil change with "engine restore," Lucas oil treatment, and sea foam. Normally I wouldn't put this many additives in, but the car has basically been sitting for 10 years. - Filled gas tank with 93 octane gasoline and fuel system cleaner to help burn off carbon deposits. (I think I'll go lower next tank) - Adjusted intake and exhaust valves to factory specifications. - Replaced rattling muffler with a Magnaflow Turbo XL model. - Replaced 2 year old champion spark plugs with Bosch platinum version. I wanted NGK plugs to go with my wires but they weren't in stock. Plugs were gapped at the higher end of the factory recommendation to accommodate for the higher octane fuel to 0.035". - Spent two hours cleaning the upper half of the carbs and balancing them to factory specs. I will rebuild them within two months. - Cleaned/degreaser valve cover. - Next steps are to put in new distributor points, condenser, and oil pressure sending unit. Flush transmission and rear end gear oil. Buy a timing light and dial in the timing. Replace/upgrade coil. My first question to pose to you all is about the emissions equipment. The PO told me he bought it from the dealer with it all taken off, i.e. the owner before him did it. I need to know if this was "done right" and how it will effect my engine. Like most people trying to figure out their carbs, I seem to (after a full balance of the carbs) run really rich at idle, and lean further through the RPM range. It pulls pretty good to 90 m.p.h. right now, but I don't know how it should be. I haven't taken it any harder than that yet. After I balanced the carbs, including using the large balance screw as I believe it is called, on the balance tube, there was some slight air hissing/sucking through the port of that screw. I had to loosen the screw towards the end of the process per the FSM, but there is no hose attached to it. A mechanic friend that has had Zs and plenty of other cars over the years told me I need to plug that hole no matter what, and that the car is running entirely too lean. If you plug the hole with your thumb, the car will die. He recommended going back through and enriching/balancing the individual carbs with the hole plugged. Also, when I do this, should that balance screw be tightened or loosened all the way down? Also, the SUs I have are not flat tops. When did flat tops become factory installed? My car dates to right around June 1973 according to the VIN. My FSM says I can use a mirror to see the float levels, but I don't see them anywhere. Another thing I'm going to do is buy a timing light and attempt to do it myself. The car has new NGK wires, points, cap, as of 2 years ago. Thanks for taking the time to read this and any help you may offer. Here are the photos: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleadingbark Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 rip out the SU's and put triple webers in. Ps. thanks for not buying my car Im glad I didnt sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_4680Z Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 rip out the SU's and put triple webers in. Ps. thanks for not buying my car Im glad I didnt sell it. No money for the triple webers right now. Is that your plan? Still going with coilovers? I'm thinking Tokico Illuminas within the next 4-6 months. Btw I'm glad you kept your car too. I'd like to see some pics with the rims. The funny thing is...I bought this Z before that money came in...and now I'm getting the back pay on the first. I prefer to keep the SU's for a while. I don't mind tinkering with them as long as they'll get me from point A to point B. They along with the engine pull hard despite all the fumes. When I get new tires I'll drive it a little more spiritedly. Once I rebuild the carbs and get some 1974 flat top needles or SM needles, I'll make another decision. An L28 with or without a turbo is not out of the question either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleadingbark Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 No money for the triple webers right now. Is that your plan? Still going with coilovers? I'm thinking Tokico Illuminas within the next 4-6 months. Btw I'm glad you kept your car too. I'd like to see some pics with the rims. The funny thing is...I bought this Z before that money came in...and now I'm getting the back pay on the first. I prefer to keep the SU's for a while. I don't mind tinkering with them as long as they'll get me from point A to point B. They along with the engine pull hard despite all the fumes. When I get new tires I'll drive it a little more spiritedly. Once I rebuild the carbs and get some 1974 flat top needles or SM needles, I'll make another decision. An L28 with or without a turbo is not out of the question either. Yep put triples on last week, put coilovers on a few weeks back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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