Did some work on the Datsun tonight. Also, a question.

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
09/23/2014 at 21:21 • Filed to: Bubba's Datsun

Got the rear drum brakes adjusted. The PO WAY overtightened the shoes on the passenger rear drum. The shoes were so tight that I wasn't able to adjust the brakes without removing entire drum. It took nearly 45 minutes of pounding on the drum with a sledgehammer to finally free it. I'm honestly surprised that I didn't strip my wheel studs. That would have been a nightmare.

Incoming potato pics.

The shoes are a bit worn, but still have some life left in them. I'll be rebuilding the brakes, bleeding the whole system and putting on stainless steel brake lines...SOON.

After the brakes were adjusted, I noticed that I had excess brake fluid in the master cylinder. Because I'm a lazy bastard, I grabbed my mom's turkey baster to suck out what wasn't needed. She wasn't too thrilled, but hey it worked.

I've been compiling a massive list of everything that needs to get done to the Z, starting with dropping it off at a garage tomorrow afternoon to get the horn fixed. I'm terrible with electrics right now so I decided the leave the job to the professionals. After the horn is working, a safety inspection will get done and hopefully the Datsun will be registered by next week!

Now for my question. Sorry for all the reading you had to do.

I've recently been having a weird problem with the Z while driving around. The car starts fine and I can drive around for a good 8-10 miles but then it starts to stutter. Seems like a misfire or something, but I haven't been able to diagnose the problem. When it starts stuttering, there's a huge loss of power and the car bucks forward like it's only getting air/fuel to half the cylinders. WHAT COULD MY PROBLEM BE?

I spoke to the president of the Gateway Z Club about it and he thought it might be a vacuum leak of some sort. He said that after driving a bit and letting all the lines warm up, they expand and air could be escaping. Sounds logical to me? I'm probably going to have the garage look into that as well when I drop the car off. I don't know if it's a vacuum thing though because the day I bought the car, I drove it 75+ miles home and it ran like a dream. Any help would be appreciated!

DISCUSSION (29)

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 21:24

When did you buy a Datsun? Please share info and photos.

Jedidiah > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 21:24

Cold stuttering or bogging is the worst. It could be so many things.

It could be a vacuum leak or it could be that the choke was sticking or not opening correctly.

Checking your choke seems more likely and is easier to fix than a vacuum leak, but I don't know anything about Datsuns.

Big Bubba Ray > Jedidiah
09/23/2014 at 21:27

I think it could just be worn vacuum lines or something. I did discover a slightly dried out fuel line that I'll be replacing in the next couple days.

I don't know if it's the choke or not to be honest. The car doesn't have the SU carbs anymore so no manual choke. It's got dual Weber DVG's and maybe they're causing some type of problem. We'll find out!

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:28

I bought it in July! Gimme a minute and I'll try to find my first couple posts about it!

XJDano > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 21:33

when you make a post about the Datsun use a tag, that'll make finding previous posts about it easier..... Its there might as well use it.

Big Bubba Ray > XJDano
09/23/2014 at 21:35

Oh shit I always forget about tags. I'll do that now! Thanks!

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:36

Found the posts! Here's the first post the day I bought it.

Aaaaaand here's the story about how I bought it.

syaieya > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 21:39

Drum brakes are one of the biggest things that would keep me from getting a truely vintage car. I have no knowledge or desire to work with them and figuring a swap would be the first thing on my agenda.

Big Bubba Ray > syaieya
09/23/2014 at 21:41

They're a real pain in the ass, let me tell you. I've worked with them a fair bit though due to my Baja Bug which had drums all the way around. You just have to cut your teeth on them a few times and it gets a little more bearable.

I'm going to swap disks on the rear of the Datsun when I have the funds.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 21:57

let's race on the great river road. My Torino GTS vs your 240Z the great OPPO race.

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
09/23/2014 at 21:59

That would be a hell of a good time. I've never driven that road before either!

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 22:14

Ok plan on when I'm home in October or maybe this weekend get on facebook and send me your number so we can plan this sheet

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
09/23/2014 at 22:17

I'll see what I can do! It all depends on wether I can get the car running properly right now and if I get it registered. Hopefully it all works out!

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 22:55

Does it have points?

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
09/23/2014 at 23:00

It does. Points are all good though. I'm going to be ordering an electronic ignition for it tomorrow or Thursday after I get paid.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:09

God, I feel shitty for not knowing sooner. That thing is so awesome, and reading your story as a car guy got me right in the feels. It's such an awesome car. Are the webers 38s or 40s, or am I lowballing and they are 45s?

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:25

checked the spark plugs? And plug wires?

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 23:26

Haha I'm surprised you missed those posts! I wasn't too active over the summer so I can't blame you for not knowing.

But thank you! I love it so far. It's in desperate need of a suspension refresh and a few other things, but it's still a riot to drive and surprisingly quick.

The Webers are 38's I believe. Not the greatest option for a Z, but they do the job. Waaaaaay down the road I'm going to toss on triple Webers or possibly just some stock SU carbs. Haven't decided yet.

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
09/23/2014 at 23:29

Yep yep! Gapped plugs a week ago and plug wires are new. That's what leads me to believe it's a vacuum leak somewhere.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:31

Nice. I wasn't very active on here during the summer either. I don't know if you know but I just threw on a Weber 32/36. Big difference over the SB 34 Solex.

In two weeks I'm doing a suspension overhaul with Bilstein HDs in all 4, H&R progressive lowering springs, and a 22mm ST sway bar up front. Should drastically change the car's handling. Right now I can rock it from side to side.

You might just want to jump to fuel injection. I'm 20 and for some reason still like carbs, but everyone I talk to says once you make the jump, there's no going back. But trip Webers would look sick. Also, I'm sure you have countless suspension options for the Z.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 23:38

I'm sure the suspension setup you've got planned is gonna make a huge difference. You still running stock suspension on your 2002?

I've thought about just switching to FI, but I like carbs also. The FI conversion sounds like a pain cause I'd have to grab a head from at 280Z then hook everything up. I'm the same as you. I prefer carbs in my old cars. My goal is to learn more about them and how the tune them and what not.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:39

Replace all the lines. Also I'm a shoot you my number.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:43

Still running stock. Now I'm just worried that the 175/13s aren't sufficient for all the Gs I'm going to be putting the car through. Joking, but I do need to address the wheels. The springs will lower the car about 1.5" which I think will look perfect.

There's something about carbs. I don't know what. They are simple and playing around with them is spiritual. If you have time, I'd check the forums and find a jetting prescription. Any plans for a 5 speed, or is an easy swap even available?

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
09/23/2014 at 23:45

Most likely going to be doing that and hopefully it does ths trick!

Got your number, I'll let you know if I get the Z all in order!

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 23:49

Good luck with the suspension. Post an update when you get it all buttoned up!

I'll definitely look into that stuff for my carbs.

No plans for a 5 speed swap right now. I kinda like the 4 and it will be rare that I take it on the highway for extended periods of time so the extra gear isn't necessary for me.

The swap, from what I've heard, is really easy. Just snag a 5 speed from a 260/280 and that's it. There's a guy in the Gateway Z Club who swapped a 5 speed into his 240 and he said it was a pretty easy job.

bhardoin > Big Bubba Ray
09/23/2014 at 23:54

On the brakes:

If your parking brake is clicking more than 3 times when you lift it, you need to adjust the linkage. The parking brake on the car actually turns the star wheel that widens the shoes, so if your parking brake is adjusted wrong the wheels will start locking up. Make sure it's adjusted evenly between the two wheels.

On the bogging:

Vacuum leak seems weird, why would it come on late? That seems more like a cold start valve / choke (I don't know anything about webers) is sticking, making it run too rich after it warms up.

Big Bubba Ray > bhardoin
09/24/2014 at 00:00

I didnt think to check the parking brake, thanks for the tip! Ill give that a look tomorrow after work.

Im not sure if a vacuum leak is the actual problem for the bogging. It definitely could be something with the carbs. Im going to have one of my carb-smart buddies take a look to see if they are the source of the problem!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 00:04

I will be sure to do that. I plan on driving back home from school with a friend. Neither of us have worked on suspension before, but with determination and online blogs on exactly what to do, I think we'll be fine. Just need to do it in about 8hrs because I'm then heading to 02berfest with about 2o other 02 owners for beer and good times.

I am always looking for 5th gear. I might only have about 90 hp, but man, this thing is pulling. I'm frequently doing 90 on the HW. I know it probably isn't good, but the car begs me to drive her like I stole her.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 08:28

even if you don't we still can cruise!