Noobie's 510 project
Posted: 09 Apr 2012 16:40
I've been meaning to document the work on my 510 since first getting the car back in August http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=19050.
Now some 6 months later, it's fun to read back on that first post and see just how ambitious I was and if the feelings are still there. While I haven't been very active on this forum, or any forum for that matter, I am quite happy to say that progress has been quite steady. As for emotional attachment, I'm surprised to say that I'm even more stoked about this car.
Before I dive into what exactly I did, I will first say that there is more rust than I originally expected, but not as much as I feared. The front fiberglass fenders should have been a clue... Regardless, it appears as though all of it is quite manageable and I have zero regrets purchasing this car. In fact, I'm still amazed at how easily all the bolts/nuts are come off.
Copying my original post (italics):
Short term plan
- Replace the interior with a new carpet, headliner, seat covers (where/who?) and door panels (where/who?). This is a MUST to get my wife to actually tollerate a ride.
- Remove the Cherry bomb side exit exhaust for a vanilla MagnaFlow-type rear exit.
- New rubber door/window seals.
- Touch-up paint.
- Drive it and enjoy it until she's parked this winter.
Done:
- Interior is almost completely replaced - future post in this thread.
- Standard muffler was installed, I wouldn't mind a resonator to further quiet her down.
- New seals where required (front and rear windshields, side window felt and inner seal).
- LOTS of touch-up paint has been applied!
- I probably put 1500km on her throughout the Fall and enjoyed every minute of it.
Medium term plan - over the winter
- Rear disc conversion.
- 5 speed swap.
- Mount the potential Peanut head from the seized motor onto the fresh L20B with racing cam and Webber 40 carbs. Don't know if that will work yet, or if that's even a good combination. Personally I'm surprised/happy with the L16's mid range torque, I'm assuming I'll be very pleased with the L20B and hot parts.
- Swap the Ground Control suspension over from the parts car.
- Work on any rust that I can find.
- Design & install a Class 2 receiver for my bike hitch (I only use 2" bike hitches). Nothing will be cooler than using my 510 to haul my bikes to a trail ride.
- Drive it and enjoy it.
Done:
- Front and rear disc conversion to a full 280zx setup. Master brake cylinder, front and rear calipers, front struts, ebrake cable.
- There was no Ground Control on the parts car, nor a Peanut head. In fact the only useful part (and that has yet to be determined) is the 5sp tranny which has yet to be installed.
- Front and rear suspension was replaced - a future post
- Hitch is not yet done but am hoping to tackle it in May. I've got some ideas which will make it a true Hidden Hitch
- Because I was so pleased with the 1.6L, I've decided to shelve plans for the 2L and have since sold the Webers/Cannon. I wanted to try something a little different AND run Japanese carbs. As a result, I've installed Yamaha R1 (Mikuni) carbs, it's not done but the car fires up and idles nice. I will repost here but I jumped the gun and contributed to thread of the same topic on Ratsun (http://community.ratsun.net/topic/7862- ... e__st__120)
Besides that, the other substantial item I've added are new wheels, 14x7 Watanabes on 195/60/14 tires, GAWD I love how she looks now.
My goal on this thread is to provide info from a newbie's perspective so that it can be of use for others down the road. It's not just the how to understand and work on the Datsun (which I'm still quite green), but the lessons I've learned in working on a classic (patience... LOTS of patience).
So for now I'll provide a before and after shot while I slowly organise my pictures and notes and post on specific jobs.
Now some 6 months later, it's fun to read back on that first post and see just how ambitious I was and if the feelings are still there. While I haven't been very active on this forum, or any forum for that matter, I am quite happy to say that progress has been quite steady. As for emotional attachment, I'm surprised to say that I'm even more stoked about this car.
Before I dive into what exactly I did, I will first say that there is more rust than I originally expected, but not as much as I feared. The front fiberglass fenders should have been a clue... Regardless, it appears as though all of it is quite manageable and I have zero regrets purchasing this car. In fact, I'm still amazed at how easily all the bolts/nuts are come off.
Copying my original post (italics):
Short term plan
- Replace the interior with a new carpet, headliner, seat covers (where/who?) and door panels (where/who?). This is a MUST to get my wife to actually tollerate a ride.
- Remove the Cherry bomb side exit exhaust for a vanilla MagnaFlow-type rear exit.
- New rubber door/window seals.
- Touch-up paint.
- Drive it and enjoy it until she's parked this winter.
Done:
- Interior is almost completely replaced - future post in this thread.
- Standard muffler was installed, I wouldn't mind a resonator to further quiet her down.
- New seals where required (front and rear windshields, side window felt and inner seal).
- LOTS of touch-up paint has been applied!
- I probably put 1500km on her throughout the Fall and enjoyed every minute of it.
Medium term plan - over the winter
- Rear disc conversion.
- 5 speed swap.
- Mount the potential Peanut head from the seized motor onto the fresh L20B with racing cam and Webber 40 carbs. Don't know if that will work yet, or if that's even a good combination. Personally I'm surprised/happy with the L16's mid range torque, I'm assuming I'll be very pleased with the L20B and hot parts.
- Swap the Ground Control suspension over from the parts car.
- Work on any rust that I can find.
- Design & install a Class 2 receiver for my bike hitch (I only use 2" bike hitches). Nothing will be cooler than using my 510 to haul my bikes to a trail ride.
- Drive it and enjoy it.
Done:
- Front and rear disc conversion to a full 280zx setup. Master brake cylinder, front and rear calipers, front struts, ebrake cable.
- There was no Ground Control on the parts car, nor a Peanut head. In fact the only useful part (and that has yet to be determined) is the 5sp tranny which has yet to be installed.
- Front and rear suspension was replaced - a future post
- Hitch is not yet done but am hoping to tackle it in May. I've got some ideas which will make it a true Hidden Hitch
- Because I was so pleased with the 1.6L, I've decided to shelve plans for the 2L and have since sold the Webers/Cannon. I wanted to try something a little different AND run Japanese carbs. As a result, I've installed Yamaha R1 (Mikuni) carbs, it's not done but the car fires up and idles nice. I will repost here but I jumped the gun and contributed to thread of the same topic on Ratsun (http://community.ratsun.net/topic/7862- ... e__st__120)
Besides that, the other substantial item I've added are new wheels, 14x7 Watanabes on 195/60/14 tires, GAWD I love how she looks now.
My goal on this thread is to provide info from a newbie's perspective so that it can be of use for others down the road. It's not just the how to understand and work on the Datsun (which I'm still quite green), but the lessons I've learned in working on a classic (patience... LOTS of patience).
So for now I'll provide a before and after shot while I slowly organise my pictures and notes and post on specific jobs.