Surly_Z

Damn, wish I could have made it!

Here's our Pug Murphy. Adorable, but can get in the way of backyard mechanics!

Sigh..... I hate when this happens! The engine has sorted itself overnight....! Checked linkages as Dimitri suggested, and they were all fine. All I can guess is that is something in the ignition system, as I had to disconnect coil, cap and dizzy in order to do the compression test yesterday. Dimitri, you think I should put that spare electric dizzy on? Maybe that and new leads it may sort the issue.

yeah maybe, but it was a strong motor and then literally overnight it does this. My old engine I knew was "wearing" old gradually, this one just seemed to play up at a sudden. I'm starting to think maybe it a fuel delivery thing as Dimitri suggested. I'll check it put again in the morning.

I will do, and let you know! Thanks

Sparkies are new. Cap and rotor are fine. Leads haven't been changed in 3yrs. Still doesn't explain my missing oil and water!

Ok, have completed a compression test. Results as follows: #1 = 120 psi #2 = 110 #3 = 110 # 4 = 110 # 5 = 115 # 6 = 115 This was a dry comp test, as my battery ran flat before I could do a wet one. Firstly, these seem to be pretty low numbers right? Shouldn't I be looking for 140-160 usually? Or at least about 120? If I can get my battery charged (leant my jumper leads!) I assume then these numbers would increase across all 6? I guess it's "good" that there is no significant difference between all 6? All 6 sparkies look fine too. All I can guess is that it my be my dodgy intake and exhaust manifold which may have a small leak or two. I'd rip it off, but I need to get two bolt drilled out, plus some custom washers due to a 5mm difference between intake and exhaust manifold thickness. This doesn't explain the power loss on opening the throttle. Any ideas?

This is the "newer" engine. Was running perfectly, apart from needing the inlet manifold needing two new bolts. Lurch, you're right - I'll do that and let you know how I go.

Car started a little rough a week ago, so haven't started her up until yesterday. Symptoms are as follows: - loss of power - loss of oil, around 700ml - loss of 1/4 of coolant - oil is darkish, but no smell or trace of coolant - coolant is green, has a tinge of brown but I think it may rust from radiator not oil. - NO overheating - Oil pressure was good until it ran rough. Funny thing is that I knew there was a small oil leak at the sump, but not enough to worry about. No visable external water leaks either. Posible head gasket problem?

dazzed! You're a legend! My mate and I got valves adjusted in 10mins, and now runs perfectly. Seriously, I have no idea what the Hayne's manual was talking about. It's method was incorrect, so were the clearances for both Hot and Cold gaps... Anyway, thanks again. Can't wait for the rain to clear so I can go for a fang.

I will do, thanks. I've got a mate giving me a hand on Wednesday, so hopefully we'll get it sorted. I think your process is a lot quicker than mine! I pretty much rotated each one and adjusted, bit silly really. Fingers crossed it's just my bad adjustment, and not anything else.

Yeah, whoops! I drove her again today, and the tapping has come back slightly - so hopefully just another re-adjustment and it should be fine, I've got a feeling I hadn't done valve 5 properly. So to clarify, on my L28 N42 head that the gaps for intake HOT = .30mm, exhaust HOT = 0.25mm, with appropriate cam lobe in up position.

I can find the thread, but the site is here: http://www.imcdb.org/search.php the search function is down at the moment, but it's a good resource.

Just re-adjusted, with the Haynes gap sizes, but NOT by their instructions. Seriously, if anyone has read their method is doesn't make sense. Anyway, no more machine gun sounds, just a nice L28 purr! Thanks for the clarification guys, it was just a simple job that got me confused!

I've gone by the Haynes instructions, which seem a little vague - It doesn't mention to rotate each valve you're adjusting, just to make sure Cam#1 is up for 1,3,7,8,9,11 are adjusted, and when Cam#1 is down, then the rest. So just to clarify, all adjustments therefore need to have the appropriate Cam in up position. Eg if I'm doing valve #2, then Cam #2 must be pointing up?

Argh don't say that, Ive just put the engine in! I've gone by the hayne manual, so I'm checking them correctly. No 7 had sludge and after loosening nut found it sat properly. I'll go have another play with it monday and get some photos. Thanks for the help guys - it's one of those things that should take me 30mins, but has ended up being quite annoying!

I'll try get a photo up soon. Essentially there's the lock nut which holds theadjustment, then the pivot which is the height. The above ones are tightened, therefore increasing lash gap, but they're at their max so I can't increase the gap anymore, yet there's no clearance?! Photo soon!

I've just put this old/new engine in, and after a good service and 100kms I noticed valve 'tapping'. I now adjusted the valve clearances a second time (one cold, then one hot) and have discovered: - intakes 3 and 8 have 0.00mm clearance - exhaust 6 has 0.28mm - exhaust 12 has 0.00mm I assume that because I cannot adjust the pivot nut (as it has no more room to adjust) that there maybe some head work to be done? Second question, does anyone know a good shop around brunswick/city/fitzroy area? I should probably get it sorted soon, the thing sounds like a machine gun!

Well, not live action - but a pretty impressive stop motion!

I used to own a Z31 and found quite a few people wrecking them here. http://www.auz31club.com/viewforum.php?f=40&sid=81329e56e817682b274f3176707822d0

That's what I love about this forum, everyone seems to benefit. I'm stoked that my smokey old $50 motor has been put to good use. I'll be keen to see it next Z meet.

Good to see my old engine nice and shiny! And not blowing smoke clouds... REALLY BIG smoke clouds!

My old housemate had a Kombi one - same model he owned and restored. I wish I had a photo of it, as it filled the entire front of his shirt.

I'd love to see a 432 in the flesh, however I'd imagine it would cost me a plane ticket to Japan. I don't suppose there are any in Oz?!!

Oops, I didn't finish reading the thread! My apologies!