waimana Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 Hi Andrew and welcome to Ratsun. I'll let one of our members answer these questions but several just look like easy adjustments and replacing bulbs. Quote Link to comment
Jester Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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? Quote Link to comment
waimana Posted April 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
Swedishcadillac Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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! Quote Link to comment
waimana Posted April 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted April 26, 2015 Report Share Posted April 26, 2015 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! Quote Link to comment
waimana Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Kia ora finally got some photos of the datsun 411 http://s172.photobucket.com/user/waimana/library/ Quote Link to comment
waimana Posted June 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 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 [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http:// [/url]">http://http://s172.photobucket.com/user/waimana/media/dat6_zpsptobcyms.jpg.html'> 3 Quote Link to comment
Datsun Dude Posted June 8, 2015 Report Share Posted June 8, 2015 Very cool. Love it! :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
waimana Posted June 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2015 finally bought a NOS RH lower ball joint came all the way from Cyprus for $80 [/url]">http://http://s172.photobucket.com/user/waimana/media/IMG_6940_zpsvejouilo.jpg.html'> Quote Link to comment
Johnlorio Posted August 2, 2015 Report Share Posted August 2, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted August 2, 2015 Report Share Posted August 2, 2015 You are having remarkable success in finding hard to get parts! Good luck on the rebuild! Quote Link to comment
Johnlorio Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Both my 411s are on the road and driving great. The WPL wagon and the RL sedan. Finding parts took time but they all turned up Quote Link to comment
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