OT: Garage find..., an unmolested Datsun 240Z, 23 years idle in garage Options

[neo914-6]

I'd love to buy it but not sure what it's worth or what to offer. All original paint, optional AC, very little rust that I could see, only one shallow crease in the rear quarter panel, door dings, cracked dash, tears in drivers seat, rusted exhaust, some worn door seals. Everything else is just dirty. It was only outside the garage for the past year.

How do you start cars like this? My guess would be to replace the fluids, filters, plugs, plugs wires, rotor, gas, carb fuel lines, good battery, hand crank it to see if it turns, prime the carbs, and try to start her up...

[Wes V]

I'd personally offer around 2 grand for it. But that may be really off. They may have no idea on it's worth, and also may feel it's a rare collectors car.

It would appear that early Datsuns have become real popular, and I feel it's justified.

As for starting it;

1, Replace all the fluids and filters.

2. Pull the spark plugs and remove the distributor cap.

3. Pull off the valve cover and check the valve train. If in doubt, back off the valve adjustment.

4. Squirt some oil in the spark plug holes. Squirt some oil on the cam and rockers. Hand rotate the engine.

5. Drain the gas tank (drop the tank if there isn't a drain plug) and if it hasn't turned into crap, put in new gas. Drain the gas out of the carbs.

6. Disconnect the fuel line from the carbs and crank over the engine long enough to pass the new gas out of the system. (it should have a mechanical fuel pump on the side of the head) Re-attach the fuel line.

7. Use the starter to crank over the engine until you see oil pressure. There is a "sprayer" bar that squirts oil on the cam followers (rockers) and this may throw oil. It can make a mess, but you should view it to verify that all of the rockers are getting squirted.

8. Hook up the distributor and plug in one spark plug. Rest the plug against a grounded surface and have somebody crank over the engine, while you see if the plug sparks.

9. Put in new spark plugs and adjust the valves. Use a new gasket and put the valve cover on for good.

10. Start the engine.

(ya, I've spent some time under the hood of a Datsun)

Wes Vann