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CanadianST's 1970 Datsun 510 build
- Thread starter CanadianST
- Start date
OP
Thread Starter
#22
Thread Starter
#22
I have never forgotten to order a part......well, only a few times......
Just one time out of thousands of downshifts at speed I missed a gear and over revved the L16 that had many hard miles on it. I sounded pretty bad, pulled off the course, popped the hood off, valve cover, one of the retainers was out of place, put it back, never another issue for another year or so while running the crap out of it before I did the L20B swap, tough little engines!
Have you bumped up the cam timing or modified the distributor? I forget the exact procedures but both are pretty easy to do and help a fair amount.
Just one time out of thousands of downshifts at speed I missed a gear and over revved the L16 that had many hard miles on it. I sounded pretty bad, pulled off the course, popped the hood off, valve cover, one of the retainers was out of place, put it back, never another issue for another year or so while running the crap out of it before I did the L20B swap, tough little engines!
Have you bumped up the cam timing or modified the distributor? I forget the exact procedures but both are pretty easy to do and help a fair amount.
I've heard a number of people say how tough these little L-Series engines are hopefully mine will stay with that trend
I'm actually running an aftermarket Mallory electronic ignition, was considering staying with points but figured I was upgrading everything else so why not. And I haven't touched the cam timing but I'll definitely look into it thanks!
OP
Thread Starter
#24
Thread Starter
#24
Finally was able to get back home and work on my baby! Carb showed up and it turned out I needed an adapter which I also purchased. Also picked up some new retainers and a spray bar for my cam. In the process of swapping the retainers and getting this thing finished before the summers out. Still need to find a header and run lines for my clutch but other than that this things almost done. Wish I could work on it more than one weekend a month ![[thumbdown]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumbsdown.gif "Thumbs Down [thumbdown]")
Out of all the cars, trucks, home and car audio, fly fishing with my own rods and flies, building furniture, gardening, building roll cages, just made my own short shifter today, etc..............my 510 days will always be my best memories and stay that way, just never had the call to go back there but it was the best car times of my life and all my other hobbies.
Thanks for sharing your sweet little car with us, very much appreciated
Rick
Thanks for sharing your sweet little car with us, very much appreciated
Rick
OP
Thread Starter
#26
Thread Starter
#26
Found a header for my girl so that's one thing off the list! Also found out I'm not the only 510 in the maritimes anymore, a really good buddy of mine (the same one i teamed up with on my downpipe/exhaust install) came across one and brought it home! Funny thing is it's the same year as mine, build a month after, and in about the same condition. We're gonna be hitting the car shows together with them hopefully next summer.
His
His
OP
Thread Starter
#28
Thread Starter
#28
VERY COOL indeed
That will be one heck of a pair at the shows!
Rick
That will be one heck of a pair at the shows!
Rick
OP
Thread Starter
#29
Thread Starter
#29
Used some leave days so now have 6 days back home to work on the car, started today by hooking up the wiring for the starter/alternator, bypassing my neutral safety switch, and meassuring for the driveshaft which a buddy might have laying around pre shortened. Decided I had enough screwing around with the retainers so I took the head off to make replacing them easier. Also started playing with an adapter to try and make the Holley carb fit but it's proving to be a pain so I'm leaning towards picking up a set of Mikuni 44 side drafts.
OP
Thread Starter
#30
Thread Starter
#30
Another day another update. Spent most of the day swapping out a complete rear end in my sister's jeep but managed to get some work done myself as well. Bought a roll of brake line and hand made a hard line from my clutch master cylinder to my slave and sanded/painted my header. Tomorrow I'll hopefully finish up the valve spring retainers and drop off the driveshaft to get shortened. The list of things before this car starts is getting pretty small! Also did something pretty unique with my hood, it was in need of a good sanding/paint job and when I finished I just left it as primered which really stood out so I decided to do this
A couple Japanese Manga books put on the hood then clear coated over them. They're absorbing a lot of the clear so I'm going to have to pick up a few more cans before I'm happy with it but it looks pretty awesome so far!
A couple Japanese Manga books put on the hood then clear coated over them. They're absorbing a lot of the clear so I'm going to have to pick up a few more cans before I'm happy with it but it looks pretty awesome so far!
OP
Thread Starter
#31
Thread Starter
#31
Time to update this. Was able to source a complete set of weber 40s, 2 l20bs and a few other odds and ends so picked them up for a killer deal! Was up all night last night finishing up the motor and it's almost ready to go! Rad is installed and all the hoses tightned. So close now!
One of my extra l20s
And another! This one was sitting for a long time and had a lean burn down in cylinders 3 and 4 but the block is surprisingly still in good condition! Going to make a Frankenstein motor out of it by boring the block 4mm to 89, use KA or VG pistons, and a z series crank. Could use z series rods and increase the stroke as well to make a 2.4 litre monster
One of my extra l20s
And another! This one was sitting for a long time and had a lean burn down in cylinders 3 and 4 but the block is surprisingly still in good condition! Going to make a Frankenstein motor out of it by boring the block 4mm to 89, use KA or VG pistons, and a z series crank. Could use z series rods and increase the stroke as well to make a 2.4 litre monster
Dang fun stuff buddy, those carbs look killer, take some tuning, might not have a lot of torque down low but they will sound amazing and have great top end power. Of course it all depends on displacement, cam, venturi size, etc.......as I am sure you know and are having fun with
Great on the L20b engines, I had one with a tricked out head, custom cam, all the other tricks of the day and single DCNF and it hauled but for the era.
Great on the L20b engines, I had one with a tricked out head, custom cam, all the other tricks of the day and single DCNF and it hauled but for the era.
OP
Thread Starter
#36
Thread Starter
#36
Well things have been put on hold for a little and I'm just glad I caught it before damage was caused.
My tired old oil pump which was working when tested decided it had enough of pumping oil. Noticed as we were turning it over that no oil was getting to the head and the cam was running bone dry (apart from some assembly lube) against the rockers. Tore the entire top end off the motor just to double check everything was fine for some piece of mind as I wait on a new oil pump, going to order a Turbo 280zx one that is a direct bolt on but much higher flow which looking back I probably should have done anyway.
While I wait for the pump I decided to trim the lip off my rear fenders and give them a slight pull to fit the 215/60s on the rear slightly better.
Also toying with the idea of picking up some coilovers but they're almost twice the cost of a set of BC's for our cars and I still want those haha. The price of having two cars that are begging for upgrades.
My tired old oil pump which was working when tested decided it had enough of pumping oil. Noticed as we were turning it over that no oil was getting to the head and the cam was running bone dry (apart from some assembly lube) against the rockers. Tore the entire top end off the motor just to double check everything was fine for some piece of mind as I wait on a new oil pump, going to order a Turbo 280zx one that is a direct bolt on but much higher flow which looking back I probably should have done anyway.
While I wait for the pump I decided to trim the lip off my rear fenders and give them a slight pull to fit the 215/60s on the rear slightly better.
Also toying with the idea of picking up some coilovers but they're almost twice the cost of a set of BC's for our cars and I still want those haha. The price of having two cars that are begging for upgrades.
I never had an oil pump issue, none at all, on any L16 or 20, never had an L18, glad you caught it when you did!
It is great you can fit the Turbo 280zx pump, I hope it was not to costly.
I know all about building more than one car at a time, money money money........but worth it
Have you researched coilovers in depth, somebody may of figured out how to fit some lower cost ones to the car, that would be cool to find out, good luck on it!
I am sure you know about this, have done it or maybe kits you can now buy but back in the 70's not much was available, I slotted the mounts for the rear arms to adjust the toe and camber, really helped.
I also put washers in the shifter mount and in the links that keep the struts from pulling back, I had the struts shortened and could use shorter shocks and still have decent travel and they still worked on my winter springs which were pretty tall.
I have considered getting a 510 again but after 10 years with them just never had the calling to do it but came close, looked at quite a few, maybe just all the incredible memories I have are enough but my eldest daughter, my CPA, has always wanted one so if we are ever close enough together maybe we can build one for her, I would love that, she used to help on mine back in the day when she was barely able to come down the stairs to be with me in the shop or out in the garage and she has always wanted one
Keep us updated, loving this thread more all the time!
Rick
It is great you can fit the Turbo 280zx pump, I hope it was not to costly.
I know all about building more than one car at a time, money money money........but worth it
Have you researched coilovers in depth, somebody may of figured out how to fit some lower cost ones to the car, that would be cool to find out, good luck on it!
I am sure you know about this, have done it or maybe kits you can now buy but back in the 70's not much was available, I slotted the mounts for the rear arms to adjust the toe and camber, really helped.
I also put washers in the shifter mount and in the links that keep the struts from pulling back, I had the struts shortened and could use shorter shocks and still have decent travel and they still worked on my winter springs which were pretty tall.
I have considered getting a 510 again but after 10 years with them just never had the calling to do it but came close, looked at quite a few, maybe just all the incredible memories I have are enough but my eldest daughter, my CPA, has always wanted one so if we are ever close enough together maybe we can build one for her, I would love that, she used to help on mine back in the day when she was barely able to come down the stairs to be with me in the shop or out in the garage and she has always wanted one
Keep us updated, loving this thread more all the time!
Rick
OP
Thread Starter
#38
Thread Starter
#38
I never had an oil pump issue, none at all, on any L16 or 20, never had an L18, glad you caught it when you did!
It is great you can fit the Turbo 280zx pump, I hope it was not to costly.
I know all about building more than one car at a time, money money money........but worth it
Have you researched coilovers in depth, somebody may of figured out how to fit some lower cost ones to the car, that would be cool to find out, good luck on it!
I am sure you know about this, have done it or maybe kits you can now buy but back in the 70's not much was available, I slotted the mounts for the rear arms to adjust the toe and camber, really helped.
I also put washers in the shifter mount and in the links that keep the struts from pulling back, I had the struts shortened and could use shorter shocks and still have decent travel and they still worked on my winter springs which were pretty tall.
I have considered getting a 510 again but after 10 years with them just never had the calling to do it but came close, looked at quite a few, maybe just all the incredible memories I have are enough but my eldest daughter, my CPA, has always wanted one so if we are ever close enough together maybe we can build one for her, I would love that, she used to help on mine back in the day when she was barely able to come down the stairs to be with me in the shop or out in the garage and she has always wanted one
Keep us updated, loving this thread more all the time!
Rick
It is great you can fit the Turbo 280zx pump, I hope it was not to costly.
I know all about building more than one car at a time, money money money........but worth it
Have you researched coilovers in depth, somebody may of figured out how to fit some lower cost ones to the car, that would be cool to find out, good luck on it!
I am sure you know about this, have done it or maybe kits you can now buy but back in the 70's not much was available, I slotted the mounts for the rear arms to adjust the toe and camber, really helped.
I also put washers in the shifter mount and in the links that keep the struts from pulling back, I had the struts shortened and could use shorter shocks and still have decent travel and they still worked on my winter springs which were pretty tall.
I have considered getting a 510 again but after 10 years with them just never had the calling to do it but came close, looked at quite a few, maybe just all the incredible memories I have are enough but my eldest daughter, my CPA, has always wanted one so if we are ever close enough together maybe we can build one for her, I would love that, she used to help on mine back in the day when she was barely able to come down the stairs to be with me in the shop or out in the garage and she has always wanted one
Keep us updated, loving this thread more all the time!
Rick
And thanks for the kind words, glad people are enjoying reading this thread!
![[cheers]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]"){kind=icon}
I gotta love this thread with all my years loving the 510 and yours is a great way to go, some go to far with them
I did the slotted mounts back in the 70s's to great effect so most highly recommended.
To bad I no longer have the shifter insert, dash plaque, etc...from when the 510 won the Trans Am championship, my buddy was the team photographer.
If I had those I might part with them for a worthy car
$60 for an upgraded pump, and having the spray bar, dang good investment!
I did the slotted mounts back in the 70s's to great effect so most highly recommended.
To bad I no longer have the shifter insert, dash plaque, etc...from when the 510 won the Trans Am championship, my buddy was the team photographer.
If I had those I might part with them for a worthy car
$60 for an upgraded pump, and having the spray bar, dang good investment!
OP
Thread Starter
#40
Thread Starter
#40
More updates!
Found out my plug wires were bad and shorting out so i went to the local Canadian tire to try and find some. They're in the middle of moving their store and happened to find an old box of Accel plug wires from the 80s that had been sitting behind a shelf for years so i picked them up along with a new battery. Went to start the car and wasn't getting anywhere, engine would turn over, fire, but not run. Decided to swap out the carbs and manifold back to stock to see if that was the problem but ended up being just as bad. As a last ditch effort i swapped out the head with my massive cam for another i had laying around with a milder one and after just touching the key this happened!
Gonna run it as is for awhile to work out the bugs then i'll be swapping over carbs and maybe the bigger head/cam once i work out the bugs with it. 99% sure my valve lash wasn't set properly leaving the valves slightly open.
Found out my plug wires were bad and shorting out so i went to the local Canadian tire to try and find some. They're in the middle of moving their store and happened to find an old box of Accel plug wires from the 80s that had been sitting behind a shelf for years so i picked them up along with a new battery. Went to start the car and wasn't getting anywhere, engine would turn over, fire, but not run. Decided to swap out the carbs and manifold back to stock to see if that was the problem but ended up being just as bad. As a last ditch effort i swapped out the head with my massive cam for another i had laying around with a milder one and after just touching the key this happened!
Gonna run it as is for awhile to work out the bugs then i'll be swapping over carbs and maybe the bigger head/cam once i work out the bugs with it. 99% sure my valve lash wasn't set properly leaving the valves slightly open.
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