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78 Datsun 620 build/full restore


620...?

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Hey guys.

Picked up my first datsun. Saved it from being scrapped for metal. It's a 1978 short box. Pretty rotted but it's on Canadian soil so what else to expect.

 

My plan is to basically mimic Chad copeland s 620 build...but with a few minor changes. I will be putting in a ka24de because I have one sitting around from when I swapped a sr20det in my s14.

Already picked up a s13 240sx coupe to use as a donor. I will be using its front and rear subframe, which includes steering components and suspension. Since I am also using the drivetrain of the 240sx I am robbing it of its complete body wiring harness and anything I feel like I can use. I am going to try to retro fit the s13 dash into the datsun if possible just because it's Minty and the datsuns dash is cracked just about everywhere. This will also allow me to use the 240 cluster with simple plug and play.

I picked up the 240sx at a great deal. Should be able to sell whole front end, trunk lights bumpers sunroof and some interior for what I paid for it. Leaving me to everything necessary for my build. Scraping the car will be some extra coin after which will soon also be dumped into the datsun. I would normally never part out a 240sx like this because I simply love them and one less in the world hurts right in the feelings. ..but this thing is pretty rotted. Had shitty patches in the floor all over. Shitty driver frame rail patch. Passenger needed a complete new frame rail. The bottoms of the strut towers were rotted all across with holes. Needless to say it wasn't worth fixing (although before I got a good look at it I had a long debate about fixing and making it into a missile.) The subframes and various other parts are surprisingly in pretty good shape. I will replace a few hydraulic lines but other than that she's golden.

I'd post picks but of everything so far but it's late and I'm having a hard time figuring it out. I don't know if it's my phone but IL get back to it at some point.

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Well. I have a few gear head friends. One owned this datsun with the same intentions but he wasn't equipped for this project. So when he mentioned to another friend (who's building a 510 sr20det) he told him to ask if I wanted it. The friend that had the 620 was told he had three months to get it sold or his father was getting a flatbed to take it away. I couldn't let that happen.

BTW I have a L20B engine 4 speed Tranny still In this datsun. Was told he had it running but it has a Crack in the intake manifold so it's rough. I'm not interested in the engine whatsoever. Is it worth anything. I have an add online trying to sell it cheap but I haven't had any calls. Should I scrap it? I feel like someone may want the starter or alt even though there's no guarantee it works.

PS how do I post photos on this forum

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I'm on my phone. There's no way to just post from my image gallery? I have to use photo bucket or something?

Thanks for that link how to but I also can't see those options on this. I think they were there when I made my original post but now all I see is this reply box with no other options available.

Sorry for the inconvenience guys. Please be patient with me lol

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http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54932-photobucket-ratsun/

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/691-how-to-post-pictures-and-keep-online-photo-albums/

 

One of these posts should get you going.

 

 

Where are you roughly in Ontario? It's pretty big and Kenora might as well be the other side of the moon from Oshawa. Post it here in out classifieds... http://community.ratsun.net/classifieds/category/4-engine/?sort_key=date_added&sort_order=desc there's a link top center of every page. Be sure to include your location so shipping or a trip to get it can be figured out.

 

The stock '78 distributor (remote igniter) is electronic and somewhat collectible because it fits and replaces earlier points ones. The L20B isn't worth much or the 4 speed but it's precious all the same to someone trying to keep their Datsun alive. Once gone... it's gone forever so every effort should be made to pass it on.

 

There are half dozen members from Ontario in Acton, Oshawa, Hamilton, Ottawa....

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As you can see. Floor is gone. It's going to need frame patches in random spots along the whole thing. The frame on drivers side from rear wheels back is just completely useless, IL end up making completely new from where IL have to cut frame and kick it inward for the s13 rear subframe

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So I started tearing apart the car. I began with things I could sell fast. Then I got onto the things I will need

 

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Got dash out and most of interior body harness disconnected. Labeling everything as I go along... love masking tape. Lol

 

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pulled the engine late Friday night. This will allow me to look at everything in detail. Decide if I need new parts and also allow me to plan how to fit it into a much smaller engine compartment.

 

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I forgot if I posted the datsuns engine compartment. So here it is.

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The trouble is rotting over the cab mounts, bitch to fix and the cab sinks if not. 620 has a boxed frame and quite stiff but mine rotted along the inside where it isn't easy to see. Fixed but eventually swapped a pristine '82 720 frame on. (long story)  Mine is a KC but have to admit the short wheelbase looks sportier. Save that 4.375 differential and sell/give away.. it can be fitted to an old 510 goon..

 

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Just trim the inner fenders for room. You can't just secure the S13 struts to the body as it's only hanging onto the frame with rubber mounts. You will need to brace or tube frame some support for them and those fenders will have to come out anyway most likely. Not a fan of strut braces across the engine but in this case it's mandatory to triangulate.

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Yea I've done a bunch of research and read almost everything I can find on chad copeland s build. I have a decent idea of what needs to be done, and I've already taken about 100 random measurements to see the difference in space between each body and whatnot. It's going to be a tight fit. I'm almost worried about fitting the rad in engine compartment. I definitely don't want to extend the firewall if at all possible because it's a short box and I'm 6 foot tall, so for future comfort I want to keep the cab as big as possible.

 

Thanks for tips there. I appreciate the help. IL keep posting as I move along but I work long hours so I do what I can when I can.

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