Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I finally decided to get off my butt and start a project thread for my 71 510 4dr. I have four boys, the oldest which is twelve, and decided last year to find a project car to work on for the oldest to drive when he turns 16. My first car was an 83 RX7 that had a little motor work done and I drove that car like I stole it until I blew up the motor 4 years later. That car ignited a passion in me for lightweight sports cars. When I began to look for a car I had it narrowed to three choices - VW Bug, BMW 2002, and Datsun 510. So in July of 2014, I ended up finding a 4DR 510 on a side yard in Phoenix that had been sitting after it blew a head gasket in 1989. Being an Arizona car its entire life, It only had some surface rust and some workable body damage and was a good canvas for a project car considering I got a great deal on it even though I originally had my heart set on a 2dr. It got a thumbs up from a raced out miata driver in a bout 5 minutes on the trailer on the ride to our home, The boys were so fired up. 7 Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Looks like a great find! Welcome to the fun. Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 I decided to pace myself as this is the first project car I have ever done. I consider myself mechanical and a quick learner for anything mechanical and plan on doing most of the work myself. Rather than rebuild the L16 I found a L20B locally and picked it up for a good price. New-Used L20B I have never puled an engine before but it was pretty easy and I didn't need any help. 2 Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Ugh - L20B and won't turn over by hand. Cheater Bar solves the problem. I got the L20b started and running but this what your cylinders in an L20b look like when your radiator is spewing coolant from a blown head gasket. 2 Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 So I decided to do a rebuild on the L20B after head gasket and smoking issues. I went with .40 over L18 pistons with and open W58 head. The motor is coming along nicely for my first rebuild and I am having a blast with the build. 5 Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 That's gonna be pretty high compression with L18 pistons. With the open chamber head, you may run into detonation issues. Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Finally done!! minus the flywheel 3 Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 That's gonna be pretty high compression with L18 pistons. With the open chamber head, you may run into detonation issues. At stock bore an L20B with Open Chamber and l18 piston gives around 9.2 - With the 86mm over bore my calculations come to 9.42 which should be just right. Were you mistakenly thinking Closed Chamber head? 1 Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Nice find. My 510 story is similar to yours except mine already had a sickly l20 with smoking issues and its a 2 door. Be glad you got a 510, my signature will tell you why... Quote Link to comment
Ed-datsun521 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Looks good bro can wait to start a project for my son he is only 4 and already knows a bunch of different car makes and models I'll be following this Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Nice job but why not paint the mounts and clean the Alternator and fuel pump before putting in. Not bashing looks good just would be so much better. Also are you cleaning the engine bay also.Looking good :thumbup: 1 Quote Link to comment
toylet Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 I have a 4dr 510 parts car in mesa if you ever need parts Quote Link to comment
Dirttrack510 Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Lookin' good man, keep it up. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Nice job but why not paint the mounts and clean the Alternator and fuel pump before putting in. Not bashing looks good just would be so much better. Also are you cleaning the engine bay also.Looking good :thumbup: I know - I usually get one day a week to work on it between coaching football and baseball and initially never planned to clean up the motor the way I did. I think I just have been getting the itch to get it put it and got over anxious. I am contemplating just painting the engine bay the new color right now before I put it in but I am torn because I really want to get it on the road and drive it. I have started sanding the bay with a 2" hook and loop pneumatic sander and may just go ahead and prep it and paint it. Is it weird that I have actually have had dreams of driving it? I have a 4dr 510 parts car in mesa if you ever need parts Awesome - I do need a few things - Doc has been super generous with help on the build and miscellaneous parts. I will PM you for some things I could use. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Dust2glory Posted April 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 Decided to paint the engine bay before I put the new motor in. Spent about a day and a half prepping the engine and I am still not quite ready to prime. Engine bay prep is a lot of work! I need to decide on a final color also. Quote Link to comment
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