Getting an old Z running again

[JRSully]

Helping a friend get his dad's 73 Z RS running again, 6400 orig miles, put away wet in 94, otherwise pristine condition. Thinking the following:

1. Drop and store/put away original tank/sending unit as it is probably rusted/crudded internally etc (car was dealer undercoated unfortunately) Replace with decent aftermarket tank and sending unit (for now).
2. Replace rubber fuel line pieces, keep and store originals if possible
3. Fuel pump probably shot (diaphragm), will check it and replace, store original
4. Orig Radiator has/holds coolant but is very cruddy internally, can it be salvaged.? Thinking of pulling it, replace it with aftermarket (for now) while the original is brought back to life.?
5. Look at Qjet (looks very clean) change filter and observe, rebuild if leaking
6. Oil/filter change , then prime oil system, PS pump looks good, Brake MC looks good (was going to deal with the braking system later on, car rolls fine)
7. check points, belts replace if necessary

Any other tips.? This car is a very true survivor, Friends father was a big time detail nut and everything else on this car is pristine (paint, interior) Obviously the "survivor" aspect of the car is a concern and the more parts we pull/replace diminishes that I would think

Thx in advance for any advice

[enio45]

IMO, i would suggest to pull plugs and lube the cylinders and pull distributor and spin the oil pump with fresh oil to get the flow going.....

[JRSully]

That is on the list as well! TY

[ban617]

Ideally it would be nice to take a bore scope down the cylinders & check for critters first , then put some atf or marvel mystery oil in the cylinders … Also I would pull the valve covers & spray the valve stems with penetrating oil & make sure that you don’t have a stuck valve , Also when you prime it you can make sure all the pushrods are oiling … Then turn over by hand a few times aswell …

[Mr70]

Good list for long sitting starting.

[enio45]

i did the above pretty much for a v12 ferrari motor - cycled the motor by hand with plugs out , lube cylinders again - pumped oil thru the motor, flushed out gas tank, filters and carbs.....set the distributors in a dizzy machine - so we knew they were dialed in and all i needed was to get timing close......once all set - fired in 2 cycles!

[William]

Don't even think of driving it without flushing the brake system and replacing the rubber flex hoses. A bud had a caliper failure on a '68 Camaro SS driving to a show last year.

New tires also.

[JRSully]

He is not driving it until after the engine/systems are sorted, then brakes...

[Kurt S]

Originally Posted by enio45

pumped oil thru the motor, flushed out gas tank, filters and carbs.....

If the car is that original, I'd focus on flushing the tank and the lines, not replacing parts.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Originally Posted by Kurt S

If the car is that original, I'd focus on flushing the tank and the lines, not replacing parts.

x2