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Opportunity to get a 411 that needs work - What am I in for?


waimana

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Kia ora good people

 

I have an opportunity to pick up a 1968 Bluebird 411 that has a reconditioned engine, but needs extra body work etc to get it legal to get on the road

 

Engine runs beautifully, but clutch is not working and here's the list of issues that need fixing to get it certified for roadworthiness in New Zealand

 

1.      Repair structural corrosion in rear underbody and door apertures under bonnet, also corrosion in firewall top panel

2.      Right hand front door not opening easily

3.      New clutch required

4.      Secure battery

5.      Left rear indicator lens needs replacing

6.      No number plate plate light

7.      Left outer front headlight not working

8.      Rear brakes binding

9.      Rear & front brake hoses need replacing

10.   No wash system, Wiper replacement

11.   Outer tie-rods worn

12.   Worn right hand front lower inner ball joint needs replacing

13.   Replace two front tyres

 

I'm not a car mechanic but am very handy with electrical systems and vehicle maintenance etc

 

How big a job is it to address the issues above and are any of these parts very difficult to find or replace/modify?

 

Your advice welcome

 

Cheers

 

Andrew

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So, is this a new possible project, or something you have had sitting around? 

How often do you see or hear about this model near you? Finding clean donor material may be interesting. Are you able to possibly have some shipped in? 

 

Sounds like a pretty cool little car. Do you have any pictures to share? 

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This is a new possible project offered to me by a family member. I see a couple of models coming up regularly on TradeMe (NZ version of ebay).

 

Wanting to know if parts such as clutch, brakes, tie-rod and ball-joint are available via shipping or replaceable with parts from other related models

 

No pictures as yet

 

Cheers

 

Andrew

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Check out rockauto.Com

 

It's a USA based site but that will give you a general idea of what is available. At least here in the states. Shipping could be nuts.. but at least for us.. if rockauto doesn't have it, your either going to have to find used... or do some serious searching.

 

As for the clutch and tie rods.. this are likely really easy to find still.

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Lower ball joints, brakes, and tie rod ends are very rare. It is possible, but if you are not super determined to make this vehicle a priority chances are you might hit a wall. I have found most of the really rare parts on Japan auctions and had to have my old brake shoes relined. I actually have a set of NOS lower ball joints that I'm selling, but I think I already have a buyer. With all that being said we demand pics!

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Thanks for all the advice people, very helpful, especially roackauto. I'm not too concerned with using original parts, what ever it takes to get it legal at this stage.

 

Found these replacement ball joints on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/291421763209?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Anyone found them to be a good replacement?

 

Unfortunately, car is 400 kms away at my mothers, so no pics until I make a trip down there in a months time

 

Cheers

 

Andrew

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Regarding your number 12 item.  If the ball joint is so worn that it needs replacement please consider replacing them as a dual unit, possibly also the uppers also as long as you have the car up on the stands for a replacement.  The upper and lower ball joints were, for a short time available through "Rare Parts.com" but they sold out quickly!,  The upper ball joints were at that time listed for US$71.99 plus shipping.  The 2 [different part numbers] lower ball joints were listed for US$200.99 each.  As you can see, expensive but these were new manufactured parts and the Rare Parts site just might have had enough recent inquiries to consider remanufacturing them.  Good luck!  We need more 411s on the road!  If these new parts are not currently available consider that the 411 was sold in Okinawa for several years after the apparent cesation of offering in Japan and the USA and Canada.  They might be the RL411 Super Sport Sedan variant since Okinawa was still under US administration but the suspension parts are the same as the P411 sedan!

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  • 1 month later...

ok, that didn't work so well...new to photobucket...trying again

 

interior decorating by my surfer girl cousin who owned the car for many years

 

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I've managed to find all the suspension parts through EBAY and rockauoto. Tie rod ends were easy upper ball joints too lower ball joints took time. You can interchange the LHS and RHS ball joints if you're willing to redrill one hole in the lower control arm. a very expensive option is Carl from New Datsun Parts who sources NOS parts in Japan. He's great to deal with but not cheap. Perhaps you can get another Low ball joint from Cyprus?

 

I'm looking into putting twin SU/hitachi carbs on my WPL wagon using an MGB manifold. I'd be interested if you find an SS 411 down in NZ for the carb linkage and setup.

 

John

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