Old school 510

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Bike papa
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Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

It's time to start a build thread and even more important it's time to start building. Thanks for the welcome in the Introduction

I grew up in a 510 family. Two of my brothers and my sister drove them. My first 510 was a 72 wagon. Drove that car for a long time. My current 510 was my brother's first car. And the L20 engine I have in it came from another sister's totaled 610/710 I don't remember. As I mentioned in the intro. The car is straight and pretty much rustfree with the L20 and big 5 speed already installed. So it's a pretty good candidate for a makeover. The plans are as follows: install the SSS twin side drafts, clean up the body and get it repainted, install all new rubber, redo the interior. Freshen up the motor, adding 14" wheels/tires (since my 13" choices are severely limited) I'm also looking at a BRE style front spoiler and maybe the BRE fenders/ flares. Also going to look into updating the suspension and brakes.
progress pics to follow ( of course !!!)
1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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Bike papa
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

These pics were in my introduction thread. gotta start somewhere.
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1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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RonM
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Re: Old school 510

Post by RonM »

ROLlOVER FROM Bike papa's INTRO POST:
Bike papa wrote: Any reccomendations for rubber sources? Is there anyone I should stay away from? C U in the project builds
If you get everything in one big kit it's about $650 for every seal, trim, and plug in the car. I got mine from Rob's 510 parts. I've found him to be reasonable, reliable and nice to work with.

Few things to consider before you pull this trigger; do you need everything? You may save some money only getting what you really need. It may take you a bit longer to track it all down though.

With the kit, you will not get the molded 1/4 window seals for the glass. What you get is one long straight piece that needs the corners miter cut to fit, because no one is making them anymore. I can tell you from first hand experience working with this crappy kit stuff is a serious pain in the ass. If yours are in OK condition I STRONGLY recommend doing anything and everything you can to save them. If you attempt to pull them apart for restoration be careful not to hack the rubber.

Either way you go you'll need make sure to specify what kind of front and rear windshield seals your looking for. There is a grooved version that accepts the stainless trim, or a "Cali" version thats smooth.

Best of luck on your build,

Ron M.
Sometimes people loose touch with subjectivity, because they've got they're heads stuck too far up they're own,,, Reality.
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two_68_510s
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510 rubber

Post by two_68_510s »

Joel

2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX


“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
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PoorMtnKid
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Re: Old school 510

Post by PoorMtnKid »

When you decided to do the suspension and breaks let me know. I have done the 280zx upgrade with ground control coilovers. Also made custom brackets to mount the 280zx rear discs to the car. Whats nice also you can ride in my car with the 250lbs springs and see if you want stiffer or softer. I did not have that luxuary availble to me, as no one i knew in vegas at the time had that done. If I did I prob would have gone with a 200-225 spring.

I also have the Ground control rear coil overs done, so it can give you an idea of what you may want :wink:
looking for pass. side arm rest
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510wizard
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Re: Old school 510

Post by 510wizard »

Was your car always a Nevada car? IMHO, since the car is so straight, I wouldn't do flares, just clean up and paint.
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RonM
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Re: Old school 510

Post by RonM »

I'm with Mr. wizard on this one. A car that straight is gold.
Sometimes people loose touch with subjectivity, because they've got they're heads stuck too far up they're own,,, Reality.
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Bike papa
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

This car started it's life in SoCal. But it's been in LV for a long, long time. It was my daily driver for many years. I've always liked the BRE look butI the thought of cutting the rear fenders has always been an issue. Probably now more than ever. I think a mild suspension drop will give me the look I'm after. The time and effort might be better spent making the stock body xtra nice.

I tore into the weber yesterday. Every jet was plugged and the secondary butterfly was stuck closed. a good soaking cleaned everything up. Hopefully I"ll get it back on the car this week as well as installing the new hoses. Then get it running. I'm sure the gas tank will need to be flushed as well.
1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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okayfine
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Re: Old school 510

Post by okayfine »

Hydraulics will need to be gone through, too.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
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Bike papa
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

Here's some pics of the car in it's new home. Definitely the "before" pics.

these sites are the best resource anyone could ask for when restoring a car.

25 yrs ago all i had was a book on how to hotrod and race your datsun. and the parts guy at the local nissan dealer.

this time around is going to be way more fun

gotta luv the internet!!!!!!!!
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1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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Bike papa
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

just a couple more
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1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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Dave Patten
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Dave Patten »

Bike papa wrote:This car started it's life in SoCal. But it's been in LV for a long, long time. It was my daily driver for many years. I've always liked the BRE look butI the thought of cutting the rear fenders has always been an issue. Probably now more than ever. I think a mild suspension drop will give me the look I'm after. The time and effort might be better spent making the stock body xtra nice...
Bike papa,
I have to agree with you on cutting open the wheel openings for BRE flares. You've got such a clean and sound car, IMO I would keep the original fenders on it and spend the effort on them.

I would also suggest going to 15" wheels if you are going to upgrade in size. A good 14" tire is getting nearly as difficult to find as 13" are and it will only get worse over time.

195/50-15 on 15x6 +24 wheels look pretty good on a 510 with stock wheel opening.

Here is a photo of Terry Hackman's car. It might sway your opinion on tire size and body changes.
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Dave Patten
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Dunbarton, NH
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Bike papa
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Bike papa »

After looking at some project builds I've decided NOT to add the flares. The wheel wells will remain stock.
I wanted that all along but a little positive reinforcement really helps. Thanks to all.
However I will be adding the BRE style front spoiler ( not cutting required!). Still on the fence about the "Cal" style windshield rubber
My windshield trim is in good shape but I still have time to decide.
1971 Datsun 510 2 door
08 VW R32
69 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler
Too Many Bicycles
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Byron510
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Re: Old school 510

Post by Byron510 »

Bike papa wrote:After looking at some project builds I've decided NOT to add the flares.
Yeahhhh! :D

And that comes from a guy who's flared a few of them!

Byron
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because the opposite never works.
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speeder
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Re: Old school 510

Post by speeder »

Your car looks like a great starting point. The body looks pretty dry and solid. I second all the votes for stock flares. There is still plenty of room under there.

Regarding the windshield rubber: I recently did a windshield replacement on one of the 510's in my family. We found NOS rubber that took the stainless strip to keep it stock looking. We found what was probably a chinese windshield through the glass shop here in Santa Cruz. They did a good job pulling the stainless trim and putting it all back in. It looks right and doesn't leak so far, although it hasn't had much water exposure. Like the stock flares, I like the stock stainless steel windshield trim as well. It's a cool bit on the 510!
'72 4 door 510, '68 2000 Roadster
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