Noob and his 1979 Datsun 200L

[My_200L]

Greetings - Ratsun forum noob here. I am the owner of a UK market, imported to USA, 1979 Datsun 200L Laurel Sedan. Think 70's Tokyo taxicab and you're not far off. I bought the car from a JDM car guy in San Diego who had a really clean Datsun B210 Honeybee as well as a mid 70's Subaru 4WD Wagon. I drove the car home with the intent of fixing her up enough for me to use as a mail delivery vehicle (I'm a rural mailman), but shortly after I bought the car the post office I work in started to provide us all with postal trucks.

 

As of now, after sitting for a few years, the car is in so-so shape, and can use a few items to get her on the road again.

 

That is my main motive for joining this forum.

 

Right now, the car is sitting in a storage lot here in So Cal, awaiting some mandatory repairs to get her drivable. The 2.0L single carb inline six and 3 speed auto tranny are solid, as are all the electrics (except for the clock and the console mounted cassette player).

 

My initial issue is brakes and suspension. The car is in need of new hydraulics and front struts. Since this car is probably one of less than 5 in the country, finding parts I feel is going to be my biggest problem. The parts look real close to what's used on an 810 / 240Z, but are different enough not to be a direct swap (I think). 

 

Anyone know of a possible USA source for Datsun Laurel parts?

[flatcat19]

Oooo. Want pics. Now!!!

 

 

 

Z car stuff may work?

I don't know enough about the Laurel to give a solid answer.

[TENDRIL]

s20 engine?

[Tristin]

I would bet it's a G-series.

[ArchetypeDatsun]

S20 engines didn't come in the sedans only hakosuka gtr's and Z432 fairladyz's.

[ggzilla]

1979 200L came with a L20 six.

[ggzilla]

Parts are easy to get. Rockauto sells them

 

The smaller brakes are same as Sentra/Pulsar and larger brakes same as Datsun 910.

[My_200L]

On my previous pick a part trips for other parts, I did look a little at the 910 struts and suspension as well as the 240Z, and they are very close... so maybe a little imaganeering will get me something that works. As for motor, it's a L20 with a single downdraft 2 bbl carb. 240Z valve cover and some of the heater/thermostst hoses did work when I replaced them a few years ago.

[datzenmike]

If you have a '79 a 280zx or Maxima strut is probably closer. You don't have to swap the struts either. Today you can simply replace the guts inside with shock inserts. Hell it probably still has the oil filled struts with internal valving. Just dump the old thin oil out and replace with thicker 20W motorcycle shock hydraulic oil. Way under $20 a liter and there's enough for three struts.

[MikeRL411]

The Japanese Nostalgic Car site has a few Nissan Laurel entries that you may want to explore. Lots of Aussie inputs but not OZ unique. However our Aussie friends have alot of experience with Laurels!