Byron's 1968 L13-3 on the Tree L510

[Byron510]

Before starting, I felt that straitening the bumper on the car is best because this is where it was bent in the first place – what better jig than the car itself. However I didn’t want to deal with too many issues at once, so I removed both fender bolts from the bumper. Both fenders had been damaged in the course of previous bumper reshaping. But I felt the dealing with the sheet metal separately would be best.
So I finally found a use for the Mazda 5 outside being a daily hauler – it makes a pretty decent anchoring point! Next I drug out a chain fall liberated from work during our recent shop closure, a lifting strap and a few shackles. Pulling apparently is pretty easy. And it was amazing how little force was required to start pulling the bumper back.

I'm sure the neighbors were looking out their windows at this point thinking I'd lost my mind.

[Byron510]

Now I had to undo the wrinkles after applying the pulling force, in order to have the bumper take its former, original shape. I didn’t want to strike the surface directly, hard rubber might have worked better. What I had on hand was some nice soft pine (funny that I’m surrounded by pine trees here in the pacific North West, but this was Georgia Pine – I must have been shopping at Lows, a company devoted to not buying local. At any rate, I also needed to support the bumper from below. Here is where I jacked the car up, placed the support wood where I felt it was best, used the weight of the car back down on the bumper at just the right tension and then began to strike from the top. I shaped both pieces of wood a bit over the trial. I started on the driver’s side which had more damage, and finished up on the passenger side.

[Byron510]

In the end, I certainly made an improvement. I’d never tried this before. But I feel the shape is closer. I’m sure I could have used better striking equipment. However the method itself proved effective.

One the photos below, you can see that a great improvement was made on the fender mating areas. Both bumper ends were pressing get in against the fenders. Now that the sale is correct, you can clearly see how the fenders have room to also be repaired. I was pretty happy with the set up. When I remove the bumper, I can always work the metal a bit flatter now that the basic curve looks close.

I had less than an hour into the project – most of that was set up.

Now that the bumper looks close to the right shape, I can remove it knowing it’ll make an OK bumper for someone else. Probably my brother's car – mating to the rear one I need to go get from Jordan!

[Byron510]

Here’s the before and after shots.

Thanks for looking.

Byron

[two_68_510s]

Nice work Byron, love that 68 grill

[Byron510]

Funny you mention the grill. Did you notice its different from theb68 deluxe grill that most people have? It's missing the two vertical added bars 1/3 of the way off center on both sides. I've never seen another 68 grill like this one. Apparently the 1600 Standard also had this grill. Like this 1300 Standard, the 1600 Standard would also be a stripper model, missing the stainless trim on the drip rail, no radio, cigarette lighter or glove box lock , more floor mats (less carpet) and possibly no windshield washer like this car was delivered. I've never seen this 1600 model myself, as all of the 68's sold here in Canada were 1600 Deluxe models. But I do have a couple of Canadian sales brochures that show it.
At this point, the Canadian cars were identical to those delivered to the rest of the world. From what I can tell, the US delivered 510's were unique to the USDM in 68. And I do not know the intricacies of the trim options for the USDM delivered cars for this model year. However come the 69 model year, aside from a few options like bigger heater cores and defrost rear glass, the Canadian and US cars were the same for the rest of the run.

Byron

[RONSLYCHUK]

Nice job on the bumper Byron.

[two_68_510s]

You may be pleased to see I also have the economy grill! Or two. I think they look much cleaner.

WP_20140607_002[1].jpg (69.4 KiB) Viewed 4300 times

WP_20140607_004[1].jpg (157.64 KiB) Viewed 4300 times

Rod at Rod's Datsun Parts in San Jose (lots of good used 510 parts, http://rodsdatsun.com) , hasn't ever seen or heard of one!

He also said that he thought most 2-door model cars came with the economy trim package, does anyone know if that is true?

He asks premium prices for his stuff BTW, but sometimes has that part that you really need.

[Byron510]

One little issue on Ole Blue has not been dealt with since I got it over 6 years ago now (!??!).Time flies.
At any rate, it's always been lean at higher RPM's when only the primary is active. This needed to be addressed to make the car more enjoyable at cruise.
I talked to our local resident carb tuning expert, Paul Silva, about this issue last year. And we agreed that it was likely jetting and he was willing to take on the task.

So last week, just before parting for a business trip, I dropped the car off for Paul to take a look at. He did the usual preliminary checks which as always necessary, did a slight dwell adjustment but otherwise he felt the car was in great tune. So on to the jetting he went. I had purchased a carb kit specifically for the 1300 carb and this work. The l13 carb is smaller than the L16 unit. However the kit was either mislabeled, or just plain not correct. Paul did work around this issue, and moved forward with the checking of the carb function, confirmation that all circuits were clear and operational and then went forward with some tuning.
He explained that with a 4 gas analyzer onboard, he certainly confirmed the lean spot in the rev range, but also noted a rich area when the secondary’s kicked in (something I was not aware of). He also felt that the power vale needed some tweaking. So in the end, the primary was richened up, the secondary leaned out and a change to the power valve was made. The result is a very smooth running car. He spent just 5.5 hours on it – and took it for a good cruise through the city and out of Vancouver to Whiterock and back just to confirm that under all loads and conditions, the set up was going to be correct. He’s got it spot on, it’s smoother off the line, a little easier to modulate from a standstill, has no more lean hesitation when revving up at light load, the secondary kicks in a bit smoother – I’m supper happy. And to top it all off, his rates are great and best of all, his friendly demeanor always makes it a good experience, and discussion always great. His ongoing projects can result in a book by themselves. So I guess it’s an endorsement - Paul just did great work and nailed it.

And a little technical info to pass along – were you all aware that the stock 510 jets are the same as a Solex jet? You just learn something new every day. And of course Paul had a selection so there was no modifications necessary, just good honest tuning.

So – here’s to a bit better cruising in Ole Blue in the future. Thanks Paul. BTW – the Super 7 that pulled in right as I was leaving sure looked nice. And Ole Blue drove great in all conditions on the extra-long drive home in the sun today.

Byron

[two_68_510s]

Paul sounds the best kind of mechanic, one that thinks!
Great account of that experience, must be satisfying to drive a car with a truly well tuned engine, which is surprisingly rare.

[Byron510]

Well, I have been casually driving Ole Blue all summer long. We have had a great summer as far as weather is concerned, and I have taking him for at least a short drive every week, sometimes multiple small errand runs in a week – drive it every chance I get and truly enjoy it.
We had a couple of teenage Mexican exchange students with us for the past couple weeks, they loved Ole Blue.
But the night before last, I snuck out for a drive with my wife to go pick up a back pack left behind at a friend’s place a few weeks ago after a party. Their 2 year old saw Ole Blue out on the street and insisted on going to the car - he was "unnaturally drawn to the car" according to his mother. When we all got out there, I opened the passenger door and the little tyke raced across the bench seat - certainly the first bench seat he's ever seen. He promptly sat down, and proceeded to put on the seat belt - honestly for a 2 year old I was a bit blown away but the sure purpose in his motion – it just looked natural and he just seemed to know what’s going on. The he tried to reach for the wheel, but of course couldn’t reach it. So off with the belt and onto the big prize - the steering wheel. It was cute, so I took this shot.
This little guys has to be 5 generations behind me - good to see that the old car is still appreciated

Byron

[Byron510]

I have the unfortunate news that Ole Blue did not fare out wind storm a few weeks ago very well.
In an attempt to feel a bit better after damaging my trailer last week, i went out Thursday evening to get Ole Blue from my father’s place. It had been moved there a few weeks earlier due to the need for space during construction at our place on the garage. Turns out it wore a good sized limb right through the windshield!
Damn - not my week.

I guess I'll find out this week what I my local insurance will do about the glass coverage on old cars! Obviously the only replacement is either Nissan or Pilkington and a new gasket will be required at this point due to age.

Byron

[bertvorgon]

I still have your spare upstairs I think......ransom should not be too bad....

That is too bad, I worried about my Boler during that storm, as it sits under a huge cedar tree.

[510wizard]

Byron, sorry about the windshield loss, but you are very lucky. It could of been a lot worse, remember this;

[Byron510]

Damn - I do remember this storm of yours - and the loss of not one, but two cars!

Hi Keith - I'll be calling you on that one.

Byron