Genuine Barn Find! Help/Advice required.

[mattbibbey]

Hello all,

You remember me, I'm the guy who was about to buy a lovely 240Z and then they sold it to someone else! Threaders!! Anyway, I made this find and am bringing her home next week. She's been sitting there with many rats for company for the last 23 years so I'm going to need some direction and tips ( hopefully someone selling spares too lol) from anyone who has the time. Really appretiate any help recieved.
Cheers all

Matt

[MikeW]

From the few pics it looks fairly complete and straight. Rust is always the big issue. There have been plenty of threads here regarding resurrecting cars that have been idle for years so you'd do well to read those for tips on safely getting it running again.

[jr260z]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is that Z an RHD Fairlady?

[mattbibbey]

MikeW, thanks for your help. As soon as I know enough about the car i'll add to your registry! jr260z, I don't think it is but at this stage I wouldn't like to say either way haha. Thanks for your responses so far!

[geezer]

You will get to know her pretty well as you clean off that 23 years worth of dust. She has been neglected too long. Good thing you came to the rescue! Very nice find!

[jr260z]

Mike, It's a great find no matter what, I just noticed your in Britain, so of course the steering wheel is on the right side. We're not used to seeing that too much here in the States. Good luck with your project, and keep the board informed of your progress.

[VITAMIN Z]

Congratulations! from the pics I can this that this lady stands a good chance of you resurecting it!!! just keep us posted and keep the pictures coming.

[Travel'n Man]

Matt-
Great barn find! Congratulation!! There is a great book out there called "Cobra in the Barn"....it's a great read about barn finds, but I'm sure you're not going to be having much time for casual reading.

Once you get that cleaned up be sure to get some pictures posted, we are all excited to see how she looks!! Take your time getting her up and running and be sure to do it the right way. Be ready for a great experience!!........oh yea, don't worry about a budget, just go for it!

[Mr Camouflage]

Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is that Z an RHD Fairlady?

It's a 240z. They did make them with the steering wheel on the right side
He's in the UK if you didn't notice.

[Mr Camouflage]

Mike, It's a great find no matter what, I just noticed your in Britain, so of course the steering wheel is on the right side. We're not used to seeing that too much here in the States. Good luck with your project, and keep the board informed of your progress.

Ah, so you did notice

[mattbibbey]

anyone help me finding one of these? I'm in the UK so bear that in mind. I'm pointing at the bit i mean. Crude i know but hopefully effective.

[HS30-H]

Matt,
There are several people in the UK that can help you to source and fit that kind of front spoiler. Fourways Engineering of Borough Green, Kent are one that I recommend......

But the front spoiler is going to be needed only after you have recommissioned the car to proper working order after its long slumber. I'm afraid it is inevitable that you are going to have to work hard on the fuel and hydraulic systems of the car ( you might even need to remove the fuel tank to remove any sludge in it, and the fuel lines could easily be full of rust ) and many other parts and systems will need overhaul and fettling after such a long layup.

If you think I can help with data or parts ( I might have what you need, or know somebody else that does ) then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Liking the factory green, by the way.

Cheers,
Alan T.

[five&dime]

Matt,

Great to see you on here. Matt and I just became friends on flickr prior to this. Small world!!!!

I am RVAE34 on flickr in case you didn't know by my sig

[mattbibbey]

Alan,
Thankyou very much, your offer of advice is very generous! I'm sure I'll get it home and burst into tears or something but I reckon I'm up to the challenge, I have a dedicated and loyal friend base too!! lol!

Five&dime,
It is an exceptionally small world!! Imagine the chances of finding my project twice in as many days! haha.

Matt

[mgood]

Matt that's a nice color don't change it and you will have a special car. Not many in that color green.

[five&dime]

Too funny. I don't remember who found who or how. All I know is I saw the picture of that Z entitled what to do with it? I think that was the day you bought it. My reply.... "sell it to me"

[WingZr0]

Put me down also as a fan of Green . If your interior's Black you can accent those colors with the Red's of a Rally Clock! Unless you prefer all Black ^_^ . ~Z~

[mattbibbey]

How do i make sure that the colour is like the original when i respray it at the end of the resto? I agree, the green is nice and i don't think i've ever seen one before. Is it a common enough colour?

[mattbibbey]

On my flickr pages there are quite a few pictures of the datsun that i was supposed to buy but got seen off! sob sob. It was for sale for £6500. It was in pretty good nick with a new gearbox and clutch. www.flickr.com/photos/mattbibbey

[HS30-H]

How do i make sure that the colour is like the original when i respray it at the end of the resto? I agree, the green is nice and i don't think i've ever seen one before. Is it a common enough colour?

Matt,
Don't fret about stuff like this. It's something that you can face much further down the line.

Any of the major auto paint suppliers in the UK will be able to mix the exact shade from the data that they hold. All you need to do is identify the exact shade of green and its corresponding paint code number in the Nissan / Datsun paint chip cards, and they will be able to identify the formula that is its equivalent.

Is the paint code sticker still present on the top of the radiator support panel ( near the bonnet prop )? If it is, it will help you - but they are often found to be illegible or removed entirely from most of the UK cars that I have seen.

It could be #113 Green Metallic, #302 Green Metallic or #303 Green Metallic. You can even get a colour matched from a sample ( like a tool box lid ) these days. Don't worry about it. I think you'll have other things to face first, like re-commissioning the mechanicals.

What's the chassis number, and the UK reg?

For what its worth, I think - long term - this green car looks more 'honest' than that red car you didn't get. I'd rather have the green one any day......

Cheers,
Alan T.

[MikeW]

To add to Alan's paint advice: unless a very thorough repaint was done sometime in the past it will be easy to find original paint: up under the dash, in the spare tire well, under the console, behind the door panels, etc. There's a good chance that your paint is original so that will be further reason to keep it the same color when you paint it yourself eventually.

[mattbibbey]

some more of the barn

[J Shara]

what year is your z

[mattbibbey]

It's a '73. Is that yours on your picture under your name?

[mattbibbey]

All the pictures I took of my car in situe where it was found are on my pictures under my name where it says My Z Photos

[KDMatt]

I must opine and say that I'm also enjoying the green color -- very unique. Who knows, perhaps once you get her cleaned off it may not look so bad... perhaps a bit of wet-sanding and buffing will make it look presentable again?

Fantastic find my friend, welcome to the madness.

[J Shara]

yea thats my 73 all the way in maryland, you should post some more pictures of your z once shes freed from her "tomb"

[mattbibbey]

Will do! I'm picking her up on tuesday the 25th so expect to see some pictures of her first jouney in 23 years( all be it on the back of a trailer! haha) Can't wait to see what state she's actually in, when i looked at it in situe, all the wheels were flat so couldn't see any of the underside at all! Hopefully there won't be any horrendous surprises!

Thanks to you all for your interest and comments, it's really great.

Matt

[mattbibbey]

where is the best place to get spark plugs from? Are they different to normal ones that i can get in my local halfords?

[MikeW]

Halfords (online anyhow) at least carry NGK brand spark plugs which seem to be the favourite amongst enthusiasts. The proper number is BP6ES. I don't see that particular number on their site but the numbers may be different in the UK. However, I suspect that new plugs will be a minor concern compared to everything else you'll need to look at.

Edit: it looks like they might be also called number 807 but I only see them in 4 packs. You obviously will want at least 6.

[mattbibbey]

Well! There's good news! The chap I bought the car from has just told me that he's been turning the engine over once a week for the last twenty years! It turns over with no problems or sounds now but doesn't start. I figured with it turning over that's 80% done on getting the engine running lol. Fear not, nothing will be rushed and all will be done correctly so not to cause any damage.

I'm picking the car up tuesday week, I borrowed a trailer from my OC ( officer commanding, I'm in the army) so a small trip out to look forward to!

[MikeW]

That's awesome. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't started mine in several months. We all anxiously await your findings.

[mattbibbey]

So, engine turns but doesn't start. Remove a plug and there's no spark. What do I need to do/replace?

[mattbibbey]

Also, i've bought a new set of NGK spark plugs. Only cost me £9 delivered!!

[Zs-ondabrain]

After all this time, I'd say New Plugs, wires, cap, rotor and condensor. All easily replaced parts and won't blow the wallet up in the process.

Dump the old oil and filter for new 10/30 weight and a decent FRAM oil filter? or what ever is common in the UK. Dump the old fuel and clear the fuel lines and clean out the float bowls then replace the fuel filter. Fill the tank only 1/2 way (about 6 gallons) with mid to super grade. THEN try and start her up. (Adding about 2 ounces of fuel to each float bowl will decrease the starting (cranking) time. If your spark and all is good. Check the Coil as well.

Not sure of the history of the car thus far, but doing the above definately Won't hurt the car.

Dave

[mattbibbey]

Thanks very much! Will i need to replace the fuel tank? I suppose it'll have lots of crap in the bottom.

[d240zx2]

You can likely get good results with a thorough cleaning, but it will have to be removed for that. Don't forget the fuel lines...they get dirty/rusty, too.

Frank

[Zs-ondabrain]

Not likely. Pull the drain plug on the bottom of the tank and inspect the fuel that comes out. Look for red fluid (rust), particles, water (it'll sink to the bottom of the inspection bowl, that you use) You can also pull the sending unit and visually inspect it that way.

If you find that the tank is full of rust or similar issues, then pull it and use the search button here at CZCC to find many write ups on cleaning and repairing your existing tank. Or look around the classifieds (here, Craigslist, ebay) for another one.

Disconnect all the fuel lines, wrap one end of each line with a shop rag and tape it off before you blow out the lines with a compressor. This will stop the fuel from flying all over and also allow you to see what was in the lines, before you decide what to do with them. These are small, effortless things that you can do that will likely save you more time and money in the future.

Dave

[Travel'n Man]

Not likely. Pull the drain plug on the bottom of the tank and inspect the fuel that comes out. Look for red fluid (rust), particles, water (it'll sink to the bottom of the inspection bowl, that you use) You can also pull the sending unit and visually inspect it that way.

Dave

I have put a cheesecloth or an old t-shirt in a funnel and drain into the funnel and then into your container to catch your old fuel. Then you can see exactly what is coming out of your tank.........hopefully nothing! I keep a beer bong in my garage for that purpose.

[mattbibbey]

Thanks very much guys. I am loving how much help I'm getting from you all.

[mattbibbey]

SO! I've got it back to my house. Took me and a friend nearly 2hrs just to get the rear right brake drum off which was siezed. Honestly, I was counting my lucky stars that that was the only one that was siezed! haha. There's a lot more rust than I had first thought but i've set myself a budget (let me know if you think I'm being realistic) of around £6500, that's around $10600. I have no intention of selling the car so it doesn't bother me if I spend more on it than it will ultimately be worth!.

Can't get the boot/ tail gate open.

[WingZr0]

If the hinges ain't rusted then I suggest you have to use the MAN UP KIT . Lift that thing up and knock it loose by tapping from the underside.

[WingZr0]

Might wanna check the strut that holds it up too, see it works rightly.

[mattbibbey]

Ok guys, I've moved the thread to the MISC section of the car forums. It is tagged with:

restoration, barn find, rust bucket, datsun, 240Z.

Hope you can find it and have enough time to still comment!

Thanks a lot everyone.

Matt