My Island 710 Goon!
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My Island 710 Goon!
Damn this is spreading faster than I thought.
Today, after almost a year since I first saw it, I now own a '76 710 Goon! I am now officially a Goon owner! A 710 goon owner at that. Found this baby about year ago in town. The owner was a great guy and said it belonged to a couple from the states that vacationed up here on the Island and needed a car to get around sight seeing. Probably kept it here or drove it up and back I don't remember but has only 44,000 miles on it. They stopped traveling and gave/sold it to a daughter/neighbor up here and it's been here ever since. This spring I went over to see it and found the old boy had passed but his wife had a new car and was willing to sell. I said maybe in the fall. I said I hoped she found a new owner that would love it as much as I would. This summer there were only offers from kids that wanted a 'neat old car' and wanting the car to be used and not sit around she lent it to her son to drive. BTW his name is Cedric I shit you not! I was afraid he would want it for a winter vehicle or something but he was also glad it went to a good home. The old owner just put a new starter on it this week for me. I told her to get her money back because I have 9 of them at home!
Mrs. datzen and I went over several times to see it and had agreed on a fair price to pay and previously, the owner had asked what I thought it was worth. I told her a minimum $500 because it runs fine... to the right person twice that maybe three times that. To tell the truth I didn't ever expect to be bidding on it because I had just gotten my sedan, so a higher price was fair to her and would scare off some of those that would pay $500 and drive the shit out of it. Well that there cost me an extra $600 but I don't care. It's still a good deal and the widow who lives alone, gets a fair price for it.
Well as for running and driving, it starts perfectly and drives straight and quiet. Tranny shifts smooth and is quiet. Clutch is good, very smooth. Brakes a very good but the front tends to lock, or one side. My sedan has a larger m/c and a hard pedal that I'm used to so maybe I tromped on it too hard. There's a corner on the way home that I drive the sedan around. The goon has more trouble going around it at speed. Likely heavier and soft shocks. The motor pulls very nice in the secondaries but above idle in the primary it has a slight cut in and out like the ignition is being turned off and on. Likely a blockage in the main jet running lean. A carb rebuild kit came with it. Runs fine with the choke on. Temp gauge did not move, will check. Has air but the p/o said it just blows cool not cold.
(that red stuff is primer, I thought it was rust too)
Clock and peddle wear seem to agree on the mileage.
Has the vinyl bag with lug wrench and folding wheel chocks. There is also a hand crank to lower the spare.
Today, after almost a year since I first saw it, I now own a '76 710 Goon! I am now officially a Goon owner! A 710 goon owner at that. Found this baby about year ago in town. The owner was a great guy and said it belonged to a couple from the states that vacationed up here on the Island and needed a car to get around sight seeing. Probably kept it here or drove it up and back I don't remember but has only 44,000 miles on it. They stopped traveling and gave/sold it to a daughter/neighbor up here and it's been here ever since. This spring I went over to see it and found the old boy had passed but his wife had a new car and was willing to sell. I said maybe in the fall. I said I hoped she found a new owner that would love it as much as I would. This summer there were only offers from kids that wanted a 'neat old car' and wanting the car to be used and not sit around she lent it to her son to drive. BTW his name is Cedric I shit you not! I was afraid he would want it for a winter vehicle or something but he was also glad it went to a good home. The old owner just put a new starter on it this week for me. I told her to get her money back because I have 9 of them at home!
Mrs. datzen and I went over several times to see it and had agreed on a fair price to pay and previously, the owner had asked what I thought it was worth. I told her a minimum $500 because it runs fine... to the right person twice that maybe three times that. To tell the truth I didn't ever expect to be bidding on it because I had just gotten my sedan, so a higher price was fair to her and would scare off some of those that would pay $500 and drive the shit out of it. Well that there cost me an extra $600 but I don't care. It's still a good deal and the widow who lives alone, gets a fair price for it.
Well as for running and driving, it starts perfectly and drives straight and quiet. Tranny shifts smooth and is quiet. Clutch is good, very smooth. Brakes a very good but the front tends to lock, or one side. My sedan has a larger m/c and a hard pedal that I'm used to so maybe I tromped on it too hard. There's a corner on the way home that I drive the sedan around. The goon has more trouble going around it at speed. Likely heavier and soft shocks. The motor pulls very nice in the secondaries but above idle in the primary it has a slight cut in and out like the ignition is being turned off and on. Likely a blockage in the main jet running lean. A carb rebuild kit came with it. Runs fine with the choke on. Temp gauge did not move, will check. Has air but the p/o said it just blows cool not cold.
(that red stuff is primer, I thought it was rust too)
Clock and peddle wear seem to agree on the mileage.
Has the vinyl bag with lug wrench and folding wheel chocks. There is also a hand crank to lower the spare.
Last edited by datzenmike on 03 Jan 2011 19:09, edited 2 times in total.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
What an awesome car Mike, congratulations! What are they doing, breeding over there on the Island ?
Jason
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Great find indeed. Please bring it over to the Sept.19 Nissan Show in North Van!!
James
James
The person with the sun in their eyes has the right of way. - my brother
'72 2dr. 510 Turbo
'73 240Z all stock
'71 2dr. 510 stock......for now
'91 Nissan truck *SOLD*
'02 TOYOTA Tacoma
'78 Kawasaki Z1-R
'84 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo
'99 Kawasaki ZRX1100
'72 2dr. 510 Turbo
'73 240Z all stock
'71 2dr. 510 stock......for now
'91 Nissan truck *SOLD*
'02 TOYOTA Tacoma
'78 Kawasaki Z1-R
'84 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo
'99 Kawasaki ZRX1100
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
We'll see. Left me broke for a few weeks. The plan is to have the other 710 on the road until the insurance runs out in Oct and retire it for the winter. We'll use my dad's old car for the wet. Wasn't planning on running the goon till next year. Would like to 'go through it' and change a few things. I thought my sedan was it!!! So I converted it to 90 amp IR alt, EI dizzy and a bigger oil pump.... now I have to do that to this one... (what a shame )
Still have a set of ft and rear coil overs, a pair of Maxima front struts with monster calipers, twin SU's on L manifold...... so lots of things to consider this winter. In the works is a set of 14" rims and rear calipers... maybe. I was going to put them on the sedan but Mrs. datzen pretty much has taken that car away from me. Don't worry it was part of the plan. I got her hooked on the Datsun so I could get the goon. Now we have his and hers.
Still have a set of ft and rear coil overs, a pair of Maxima front struts with monster calipers, twin SU's on L manifold...... so lots of things to consider this winter. In the works is a set of 14" rims and rear calipers... maybe. I was going to put them on the sedan but Mrs. datzen pretty much has taken that car away from me. Don't worry it was part of the plan. I got her hooked on the Datsun so I could get the goon. Now we have his and hers.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Whoo hoo! She likes them! Gotta love that Mike! Wheels and calipers are yours buddy!
Jason
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
We've settled down. She drives it to work so I drive it on the weekends, .... sometimes! We used to leave the house and both start running for the driver's side. In the beginning we were leaving the house to go into town one day and she says "can you check the back door? I think I forgot to lock it?" I come out and shes in the driver's seat with motor running. She's way smarter than me.
And thanks for the wheels!
And thanks for the wheels!
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Well the weather is just great. Below freezing but sunny and not raining. So, today I had my son come over with his shop jack and we lifted the goon a fat foot in the air and blocked it up. Pulled the wheel off and removed the strut on the pass side. Can't stress enough how much easier it is with an electric impact wrench. I know now that in 2-3 days my back shoulders and arms won't be stiff and sore. Sure allows the enthusiasm to keep you rolling when you aren't struggling with stiff or rusty bolts.
Well The reason for the strut removal is to compare it to the set of '84 Maxima Goon struts that I have. So here are a few oics...
Lined up, the obvious thing is the huge surface area of the Maxima rotors. Pads are what looks like twice the size too. No, the stock 710 13" rims don't clear. This is why I was so hot for those S110 factory 5.5 JJ 14" mags Jason was so kind to part with. Thanks again Jason!
Next, the Maxima strut is a couple of inches shorter! ding ding ding!!!
Then the Maxima coil is larger diameter which is a concern for fitment up into the strut tower. In fact when inserted it almost fits but the 710 had camber plates and there would be no side to side adjustment with this large a spring. The bottom spring mount is in the same location on both struts. (though different in size) The 710 mount could be welded onto the Maxima strut and a shortened 710 spring used? This way the camber plates could be adjusted.
I also have a set of front and rear coil overs...
Maxima strut roughly in place. Meaty looking binders eh?
Well The reason for the strut removal is to compare it to the set of '84 Maxima Goon struts that I have. So here are a few oics...
Lined up, the obvious thing is the huge surface area of the Maxima rotors. Pads are what looks like twice the size too. No, the stock 710 13" rims don't clear. This is why I was so hot for those S110 factory 5.5 JJ 14" mags Jason was so kind to part with. Thanks again Jason!
Next, the Maxima strut is a couple of inches shorter! ding ding ding!!!
Then the Maxima coil is larger diameter which is a concern for fitment up into the strut tower. In fact when inserted it almost fits but the 710 had camber plates and there would be no side to side adjustment with this large a spring. The bottom spring mount is in the same location on both struts. (though different in size) The 710 mount could be welded onto the Maxima strut and a shortened 710 spring used? This way the camber plates could be adjusted.
I also have a set of front and rear coil overs...
Maxima strut roughly in place. Meaty looking binders eh?
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Nice Mike, looks like you've gotten Mrs Datzen to let you keep the mags?
Jason
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
SSSSSH! (not so loud) No, not yet. I'll make her an offer for something else later. Have to plan ahead and maneuver events to my advantage. I have to at least appear penitent while actually being patient. When the time comes I'll make my move, no worries.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
OK again weather is freezing but sunny so I'm diving into the strut disassemble. Thought about it last night and if you can bounce a front end by hand you should be able to compress a spring by hand with a leaver. So this morning I found a 2X12 cedar plank (smaller fir would be as strong and probably better but it's what I had) used the strut to leave an impression and drilled holes for the 3 top strut mounting studs to sit up in. Next I jig-sawed a larger hole in the middle so I could unbolt the strut nut. In theory I set the plank under a beam on my wood shed, set the strut upright under the plank with the 3 studs in the holed to anchor it and pulled down on the end of the plank....
And easy as pie it compresses nicely. I look around and there's a 5 gallon pail full to the rim with ice. Hang this on the end of the plank and now free to unbolt the strut nut.
Used my electric impact wrench. Lifted the pail off the end and eased the plank up. It rises maybe a foot higher at the pail end now. With the pressure released I lifted the plank off and collected the parts.
710 and Maxima strut springs...
Maxima strut disassembled...
The first max strut had this up under the top of the spring. It's the rebound bumper. $20 ouch! Have to find something else.
So to finish the morning I separated the second Maxima strut and saved all the parts. The other 710 strut is still on the goon. I plan to shorten the 710 spring at least as short as the Maxima one and maybe a half coil more. This will better fit the shorter travel Maxima strut and stiffen the 710 spring at the same time.
Under 2 hours for finding my extension cord, all tools needed, carrying everything to the back of the yard, building the apparatus, doing it and cleaning up. Hardest part was heaving the pail up to hang on the plank, easiest was playing with the dog.
And easy as pie it compresses nicely. I look around and there's a 5 gallon pail full to the rim with ice. Hang this on the end of the plank and now free to unbolt the strut nut.
Used my electric impact wrench. Lifted the pail off the end and eased the plank up. It rises maybe a foot higher at the pail end now. With the pressure released I lifted the plank off and collected the parts.
710 and Maxima strut springs...
Maxima strut disassembled...
The first max strut had this up under the top of the spring. It's the rebound bumper. $20 ouch! Have to find something else.
So to finish the morning I separated the second Maxima strut and saved all the parts. The other 710 strut is still on the goon. I plan to shorten the 710 spring at least as short as the Maxima one and maybe a half coil more. This will better fit the shorter travel Maxima strut and stiffen the 710 spring at the same time.
Under 2 hours for finding my extension cord, all tools needed, carrying everything to the back of the yard, building the apparatus, doing it and cleaning up. Hardest part was heaving the pail up to hang on the plank, easiest was playing with the dog.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Gotta love a backyard mechanic hey Mike! So, how you gonna find another set of mags for Mrs Datzen, I'm thinking "appearing penitent" may not work in this case!
Jason
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Damn I may actually become penitent.
I had someone up island offer me some aftermarket mags from a 280zx he was stripping. Has to take the rubber off them first.
A little flashy which is perfect as Mrs. d loves shiny things.
I had someone up island offer me some aftermarket mags from a 280zx he was stripping. Has to take the rubber off them first.
A little flashy which is perfect as Mrs. d loves shiny things.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Those are pretty "modern" looking Mike, think they'd look good on the 4 door?
Jason
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Re: I now own a 710 Goon!
Well I showed her a picture and she said "Let me think about it,NO!" Maybe I can swap with her for Canby so I get the sx mags for the goon.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs