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Newbie!

To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Newbie!
From: Matthew Cox <oscilloscope500@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:44:13 -0700 (PDT)
Hello, all...
 
I'm new to all this and have a few questions as I get started...
 
Ok.... Last week I bought a 1968 1600 for $600. Not running, of course... Seems 
pretty original. I know that the brakes are completely shot, the clutch may or 
may not be shot, interior is a joke, radiator looks like its full of gel 
(seriously), has an aftermarket random fuel pump that is bypassing the original 
one, a little minor rust that is fixable etc...  The car has been stored bone 
dry of gas but full of oil for the past who knows how many years. I threw a 
battery in it just to check if the engine was seized and, thankfully, it 
turned. Only spun it for a couple of seconds because I didn't want to mess 
anything up.
 
I want to start it to see if it runs and what I am dealing with (have a manual 
on the way from an online source) but I have a couple of questions (I will also 
have plenty of questions in the future)...
 
I know that I have a lot of money and time that I have to spend on the car over 
the next couple of years to get it up to snuff. I'm seeking opinions on where I 
should start and how much I should REALLY do before I try to fire it up. 
 
I have seen elsewhere a tip sheet on what to do before starting long-idle car 
and this is what I'm thinking. I plan on changing all the oil and H20. Should I 
replace all the radiator hoses and rod the radiator at this time or will it be 
OK to do this in a couple of weeks once I get it running? Belts seem OK.
 
I am not going to worry about the plugs, wires and distributor just yet, but if 
I can't get it firing, that will be one of the first things I look at.
 
I've never dealt with a dual carb before and am not sure of the exact procedure 
as to how to prime it. Any specific tips? Also, is synching the carbs something 
that I can do myself (with the manual, of course).
 
Tips on putting fuel in? Should I absolutely replace the lines, or just check 
that they are in decent shape. I'm assuming that I will have to replace them in 
the near future.
 
Do I need to oil prime the engine?
 
I guess I'm just trying to figure out how much I should do before firing it up 
to see if it's a smooth running engine without putting too much money into it. 
If the engine is shot or has a blown head gasket or something, I will probably 
try to find another car or get a replacement engine rather than try to save it, 
know what I mean? 
 
Any other tips at all are greatly appreciated, especially on the dual-carb 
priming thing.
 
Sorry this is so long, everyone... and thanks for the help.
 
Matthew
'68 1600
Phoenix, Az



                
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