Z engine issue

[GERRY ROOP]

Hello All,

Here is a short story, with a question at the end:

About six years ago an acquaintance of ours inherited her father's 1973 240Z.  It was placed into storage here in Ft. Collins (apparently with fuel stabilizer added) where it remained until last month.  In June a fresh battery was installed and the car was started. It was then driven 2 or 3 miles, at a low speed, to the owner's house where it was parked in the garage.  About six hours later, one of her kids wanted a ride, so she attempted to start the car again.  It not only didn't start, but sounded horrible, like rocks in a garbage disposal!  I showed up a day or so later and she demonstrated the sound for me.  It seemed to be coming from the top of the engine, so I suggested they pull the valve cover off to have a look.  They subsequently removed the cover, and found three lose items inside, described by the Haynes Z manual as "Valve rocker Guides", the top piece on the valve spring assembly.  No further diagnostics have been performed.

Does anyone have any ideas about what may have happened to this engine?

Thanks,

Gerry Roop

Ft. Collins, CO

[ROBIN & MIKE GARD]

Hi Gerry,

Been awhile. Those are called lash pads and they came loose probably because of a lack of lubrication. I would be very careful and not try to start again until it has been determined that oil is flowing to the head. In particular make sure the cam is getting oil or it can be destroyed literally in seconds. But first make sure you have all the lash pads that came off. If you are missing any it's likely they went down the into the oil pan. If you do have them all put them back on the valve stems, and do a quick and dirty valve adjustment. Then take out the spark plugs, remove the coil wire and with the valve cover off turn the motor over to see if oil is flowing from the cam towers over the cam and valve parts. If not, stop and try to figure out why. If the oil is flowing you should be good to go, but after such a long time in storage you might want to get on http://www.classiczcarclub.com and look for a thread called "waking up the Z". Of course if some of the lash pads are missing and likely down in the pan that will require draining the oil (which should be done anyway), and removing the pan which is a thankless job with the engine in. Good luck.

If you would like another set of eyes give me a shout...204-4927. I would be happy to help with this problem. I don't know when I will be available as we have friends coming in from FLA for a brief visit so I have to play it by ear. Let me know.

Cheers, Mike Gard  Brown '73 Z

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[datsunjesus .]

I'd bet money they spun the motor too fast and spit those lash pads out. 

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