So here's the short and dirty intro, since I haven't really posted here before. I'm a freelance theatre and computer guy in the San Francisco Bay Area, who had a Datsun 260/40 Z (260 with a 240 block & SUs) about 15 yrs ago, and always had a lingering desire to get another Z, or 510. Autox'ing in the miata, we saw some beautiful 510s, and met Peggy and Dennis Hale, and some of the other nasa-x folks. So, when a project 510 came up on craigslist last year, Kaboom was born.
As someone who is more familiar with motorcycles, I normally have a Suzuki SV 650 as my primary transport. Something about having a modest 78 horsepower (perhaps) simple moto, that takes very well to swaps and suspension modification, can run a track day, then commute to work the rest of the week - is a blast to ride ragged, and aggressively, whilst still looking like a bit of a sleeper -- well, that's music to my ears. Given that the SV has an unknown amount of miles on it's second or third motor, is clothed in Kawasaki 636 bodywork with Yamaha R6 headlights, suspension from a GSXR 600, 1000 and 636, and inspires either bemused or confused glances from most, has been rebuilt many times, and can never be sold... well there you have it.
So when I went back to four wheels, the 510 was a perfect choice. Just about the same age as me, with a stripped interior, no heater or fan, a dreadfully uncomfortable Butler Built seat from a circle tracker or something, a rollcage that might make NASAx, but certainly not any SCCA event, and a "510 Again" sticker on the windscreen.
Then I proceeded to gut and tear it apart as one might a project car, all the while keeping it a a daily driver, commuting 80 miles/day. This leads to some very interesting and entertaining tales, certainly. Several electrical fires later, we gave up trying to rehab the 38yr old wiring, and pulled everything.. Often times the only thing that was actually hooked up was the stereo (making a 40mi freeway drive in thes morning bearable in a car noisier then most motorcycles. (almost - I don't wear a helmet and earplugs in the car) Anyways, last night I finished wiring the new fuse/relay panel and ran essential wiring (lights, turn, wipers) at 2:30am. Five hours later, I stumbled out of bed, flipped the ignition, and everything fired up first kick. Took off for work, and seized the motor 3 miles later on the freeway.
Coming back to the house on the flatbed a few hours later, it was obvious there was a sizable oil puddle in the driveway that hadn't been visible at 3am.
OK, so that brings us to now. Under the constraints of a obstinately 'daily driver' project car in a un-budgeted, emergency situation - I'm looking for a local (San Francisco Bay Area) L series motor that can be swapped in with a minimum of fuss, quickly and cheaply. Haven't pulled the head yet, but current block is a L-16 with a 2.0 SSS head, and Weber DGV. I don't have a garage to work in, but weather has been awfully nice this week, and I can dig up an engine hoist.
Well, as it turns out Troy just pulled a L16 from a customers car, condition unknown but running when pulled. $200. We'll pick it up later today.