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I'm new and this is my story!


6spd_monte

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Greetings everyone, my name is James and I'm new to Ratsun.

 

I've been looking around for a month or so, and signed up last week.  On the way in to work this morning I saw a 510 wagon, so I figured it was a sign and I should finally introduce myself.

 

What's my Datsun background?

Not too much.

My dad had a '72 240Z and I have vague memories of helping him work on it one time.  My mom had a '79 or '80 810 wagon but I don't remember it at all.  Both of those vehicles went away in 1987.  The wagon was traded on a brand new Maxima and the Z was given to one of my uncles.  At that time I was 7 years old, and we lived on the east coast.

 

My other uncle, who was living in Los Angeles had purchased a '79 810 coupe second hand in 1983.  In '88 we moved to San Diego and as I grew up I developed a relationship with the uncle in LA as he would visit frequently.  I would help him work on the 810, although he pretty much would only let me hold the flashlight at first. 

When I was 16 he taught me to drive a manual trans in that car, as it was the only stickshift in the family anymore.

 

Fast forward 20 years or so and we are still great friends, visiting on average twice a month.  The 810 is no longer his daily driver, although he has logged over 400,000 miles on it. 

 

Sadly, my uncle passed away unexpectedly about two months ago.

 

I have taken over the care of the 810.  He had just begun to start a restoration on it, and we had been discussing details of the plan for years so I have a pretty good idea of how he wanted it to turn out.  I'll do my best to finish it in a way that he would have liked, while putting my own touches on it as well.

 

How about some pictures?

 

I'm not really sure of the year, but I'd guess early to mid nineties for this one.  He would drive the car into the desert on dirt roads (not too far off the highway) for his landscape photography.

5lTgrGF.jpg

 

This one is roughly 2003ish?  At the storage facility he rented so the car wouldn't have to be parked on the street in LA all the time.

gJihCKd.jpg

 

These next ones are current, from two weeks ago when we retrieved it from storage and moved it to my place.

 

Here it is, the tiny Datsun sleeping next to the mid 60's Lincoln Continenlat limousine that also lives at the storage place.

25MOfyL.jpg

 

My lovely wife revealing the 810 in all it's glory.

mMdUcvR.jpg

 

And now parked at her new home.

FY0AwLe.jpg

 

0IvoZNJ.jpg

 

Of course the obligatory engine shot, because we're all car people here right?

Oh did I mention he swapped an L28 into it way back in 1990?

GrN3bfO.jpg

 

 

So that's it. 

My plan includes, in no particular order:

Lower it a bit, get some Konig Rewinds for it.

Clean up the engine bay, because it's super dusty from sitting.

Finish the body work that he had started and get it painted.

Round headlight swap?  Probably yes.

Find some better bumpers?  Absolutely yes.

Sort out the interior.  The dash and most of the trim is still good, but it needs the plastic trim for the edge of the carpet, A-pillars and kick panels.

I think that's all.

 

Thanks for looking!

Questions or comments?

 

-James

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Hi James and welcome to Ratsun. (I'm sorry for your loss)

 

 

Most cars switched to rectangular lamps in '80 or half way through '79 but the 810 changed July '78 which is the beginning of the '79 model year. Nice car and the L28 does not just drop in so your uncle did a good job. Five speeds were an option that year did it get one?

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Hello James,

 

Welcome!!!

 

What a tribute & honor you've embarked upon. Many of us might only hope to have a family member do something similar for our beloved Datsuns when the time comes. It's great to hear that you & your uncle bonded over Datsuns & your interest continues.

 

Keep us posted

 

:thumbup:

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Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

 

.... Nice car and the L28 does not just drop in so your uncle did a good job. Five speeds were an option that year did it get one?

Thank you, and yes it does have a five speed.

 

 

Welcome we need more pictures!  LOL

Any specific requests? 

I'll see if I can get a decent interior shot tonight.

 

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Hi James and welcome to the Asylum. (I'm sorry for your loss (of sanity!))

 

 

Most cars switched to rectangular lamps in '80 or half way through '79 but the 810 changed July '78 which is the beginning of the '79 model year. Nice car and the L28 does not just drop in so your uncle did a good job. Five speeds were an option that year did it get one?

 

 

 

 

Oh and sorry about the family loss too.

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  • 1 year later...
  • 1 year later...
On 9/25/2017 at 5:32 PM, datzenmike said:

Hi James and welcome to Ratsun. (I'm sorry for your loss)

 

 

Most cars switched to rectangular lamps in '80 or half way through '79 but the 810 changed July '78 which is the beginning of the '79 model year. Nice car and the L28 does not just drop in so your uncle did a good job. Five speeds were an option that year did it get one?

 

...why wouldn't an L28 just drop in???

🔧

 

Vicdat

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Oil pans are different between the L24 and L28. The oil pan should fit the L28 but the oil pick up tube is mounted in a different place on the L28 block. You can't just swap the L24 pan and pick up onto the L28. Not saying it can't be done just that it won't drop in. L28 is 2cm taller? Probably not a problem.

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