So my non-auto buddy is gonna split the ownership of his late uncle's 73 240z if I can get it running. The body is pretty clean and the interior is fantastic looking. It supposedly ran when it was parket about 10-11 years ago and covered. What things should I be doing to get this thing going? I am an auto student so it's gonna be my lab car so i am willing to take on anything and everything.

I was gonna start with:

dropping some lube down the plug holes and freeing up the engine

draining old fuel (any tips on easiest/best way to do this)

tires

battery

plug wires/plugs

Bleed brakes (they don't seem to work at all now)

once I can get it to run I'm gonna get it to operating temp on a short drive then change all fluids (oil, trans oil, coolant, etc...)

Anything I am missing? any precautions I should take? Once I get it running what are some cheap upgrades I can do to increase performance?

Thanks a ton

 

There is a drain plug right on the bottom of the fuel tank, that you can use to drain it.

You'll want to replace the hoses and belt(s) as well.

You'll likely find that the brake flex lines are rotted and will need to be replaced.

I would also pop the cam cover off and pour some oil over the valve train and down the timing chain before attempting to start.

When you do go to turn it over, disconnect the ignition first and crank it over for about 8 to 10 seconds at a time, resting for at least 10 second or so between about 5 to 10 times, to get some oil flowing through the engine. Obviously use fresh oil and filter.

You'll just have to check each system over and see what kind of condition it is in, and assess if more needs to be done.

 

Whoa, back up to the "split " part. If you value your friendship you should both agree on the value now and after and what you are going to split. Are you going to sell the car or one of you gets to keep it and pay off the other guy? What if you don't have time or $ to finish it?

 

Basically if I wanna sell it I can but I gotta give him some money. Or I can drive it as much as I want. And honestly I don't think I'm gonna sell it anytime soon.

I got the motor all freed up and replaced the battery and cleaned up the carb slides. I got it to fire up by putting some gas directly into the float. But I determined my fuel pump is pullin so I'm gonna replace that and do oil next. And it is actually looking like this car has not been driven since 1990 and its only got 36,000 miles on it

 

if thats true about the mileage then it should be worth some good money aftet it's finished. good luck with your project and try and keep it as origional as possible.