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Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

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Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#41

Post by dharmab »

DeathArrow wrote: post #34

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Buy an old car or motorcycle which has service data available to the consumer and uses commonly available parts. Start by learning how to change all the fluids, then start replacing wear items and making repairs.

Some good learning resources:

- Honda Common Service Manual (general motorcycle repair)

- Haynes, Clymer, or official service data for your vehicle

- ChrisFix on YouTube

- Revzilla's The Shop Manual (and its precursor, Motorcyclist's MC Garage)

- The forum or subreddit for your vehicle

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#42

Post by dharmab »

Jeema101 wrote: post #37
DeathArrow wrote: post #34

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Just get an old car and buy some tools and teach yourself. There's a ton of information online. For a lot of cars, you can find step-by-step instructions or walkthrough videos of common procedures. I would start with some easier procedures to get your confidence up, like maybe a valve cover gasket replacement or a serpentine belt replacement. Then move on to harder things. Also, if you live in a rust-prone area (and…

Don't forget the propane torch! With rusty bolts I find I need penetrating oil, heat and a breaker bar or impact gun all together.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#43

Post by dharmab »

kilpikaarna wrote: post #35
DeathArrow wrote: post #34

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Buy an old car. When problems start appearing, learn how fix them. I feel most "car guys" got started this way in their youth, out of necessity. Get something cheap to learn on at first, before spending the time and money on a "classic". Something fairly common, so you can find info on repair online (forums/youtube). Get a Haynes workshop manual for it. Make sure you have access to a garage space with a lift.

The lift is optional for most tasks if you're young enough your back won't hurt- I built my autocross car in my parent's garage on jackstands, including cutting out and replacing everything from the trailing arms back. Only thing that a lift was truly needed for in that car was the clutch and flywheel swap.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#44

Post by NotOffical »

DeathArrow wrote: post #34

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Just a suggestion … start with rebuilding a used lawnmower engine, sell it. Buy a used automotive carburetor, a brand like Holly, rebuild that then sell it. Move on to a used car that Uses a naturally aspirated carburetor. Start with something easy such as the brakes, then rebuild the engine. The rear end would be rather easy and fun to rebuild, then try the transmission. Hayes/Chilton books worked well. Manufacturer shop manuals are the best. I was able to buy a shop manual book for my Datsun 280ZX when I restored that way back in the day (pre-internet). These days, verify the content in YouTube videos you watch with the manuals if you are not comfortable doing it. Buy the tools as you need them. Find a local machine shop for things like head and valve work, cleaning the engine block and checking for cracks, etc.

To answer your question as to where did I learn that, I did all of the above in a class in high school.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#45

Post by sokoloff »

ChumpGPT wrote: post #39
sokoloff wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Start around 38 seconds and watch to 2m13s. Your definition of "in excellent condition" and mine seem to differ greatly. IMO, that car was between "driver" and "restorable" condition and I tend to think it was much closer to the latter.

Perhaps I'm use to people taking parts cars and bringing them back to life....

I’ve driven my share of “push to start” cars in the past, and I’m not talking about the little silver button on the dash of newer cars.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#46

Post by dharmab »

NotOffical wrote: post #44
DeathArrow wrote: post #34

How do you learn how to fix cars and engines as a hobby?

Just a suggestion … start with rebuilding a used lawnmower engine, sell it. Buy a used automotive carburetor, a brand like Holly, rebuild that then sell it. Move on to a used car that Uses a naturally aspirated carburetor. Start with something easy such as the brakes, then rebuild the engine. The rear end would be rather easy and fun to rebuild, then try the transmission. Hayes/Chilton books worked well. Manufacturer…

Kinda hard to find a carbed car that's not falling apart from rust these days. Late 90s/Early 2000s is about where the good stuff is now.

Similar with lawnmowers, the market is mostly electric now.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#47

Post by spacecadet »

mynameisnoone wrote: post #25
mgarfias wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah. Nice looking cars but kind of a pile under the sheet metal. And that L-series is just ugh. Yuck. I hated working on them

Late 70's/early 80's 911's had to drop the engine to change the spark plugs. Dad's work neighbor Porsche shop was printing money left, right, and center.

I would use a 2x4 and the belt from my pants to drop the engine just enough to change them. Amen for Mg and Al engine blocks, boohoo over heating them :O

Back yard swapped many 911s, 914s and VW Bugs, Vanagons, etc. Give me a air cooled flat.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#48

Post by NotOffical »

dharmab wrote: post #46
NotOffical wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just a suggestion … start with rebuilding a used lawnmower engine, sell it. Buy a used automotive carburetor, a brand like Holly, rebuild that then sell it. Move on to a used car that Uses a naturally aspirated carburetor. Start with something easy such as the brakes, then rebuild the engine. The rear end would be rather easy and fun to rebuild, then try the transmission. Hayes/Chilton books worked well. Manufacturer…

Kinda hard to find a carbed car that's not falling apart from rust these days. Late 90s/Early 2000s is about where the good stuff is now. Similar with lawnmowers, the market is mostly electric now.

Thank you for pointing that out and my apologies for my mistake. I haven’t looked at the market since 2019. I did a quick search and found many project cars which would need some body work in edition to what the OP is looking to learn. Learning about fuel injection instead of naturally aspirated it is then with the early 90s/2000s. :)

I would have thought with the replacement of gas powered lawnmower type engines with electric that it would be easy to find a used 5hp Briggs and Stratton to overhaul. A lot of the commercial landscapers around here still use gas powered tools.

The Holley (or Carter) carburetors were pretty easy to find on eBay. Some that looked like they would need a rebuild kit seemed rather inexpensive, in the $50 dollar range.

Looking at the prices of the Datsun Z-Series, wish I kept mine. Who knew they would rise in value so much! I think I paid $2000.00 for a used one in great condition back in the day. They are an absolute blast to drive!

This thread has me wanting to pick up a project truck from the 50s or 60s. Fun hobby, brings back memories of when I worked on restoring cars at Barrett Jackson.

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#49

Post by dharmab »

NotOffical wrote: post #48
dharmab wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kinda hard to find a carbed car that's not falling apart from rust these days. Late 90s/Early 2000s is about where the good stuff is now. Similar with lawnmowers, the market is mostly electric now.

Thank you for pointing that out and my apologies for my mistake. I haven’t looked at the market since 2019. I did a quick search and found many project cars which would need some body work in edition to what the OP is looking to learn. Learning about fuel injection instead of naturally aspirated it is then with the early 90s/2000s. :) I would have thought with the replacement of gas powered lawnmower type engines wit…

I mean, if you wanna be on a high carb diet, lots of great motorcycles used carbs into the 2010s. Hell, Suzuki will sell you a brand new DR-Z400 with a Mikuni!

Re: Datsun 240Z L24 Engine Full Rebuild [video]

#50

Post by hadlock »

hadlock wrote: post #33

Painting cast iron Pro tip if you are going to paint a cast iron block, after degreasing/cleaning, hit the surface with a blowtorch to drive out moisture from the porous surface. THEN apply a primer, THEN paint with a brush. You're only going to do this once, do it right. Do not do what this guy did which was SPRAY paint a block holding on to a lot of moisture. This is exactly how you end up with cracking/flaking pai…

You'll see the iron change color when the water is driven from it
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