I've been meaning to make a page for my wagon for some time now. I have just been waiting for some work to commence otherwise I suppose it would be pretty boring
. I have already had the running gear replaced and now it's time for the drive chain to receive some attention
. I'm not looking to build a speed wagon, I want to preserve the original quality and aesthetic whilst making some considered improvements that don't detract from this originalality too much. This is my main mode of transport and I love that 'dato' feeling as I cruise around in these old girls.
I suppose I should start at the beginning:
I purchased this vehicle at the start of the year (2012) and it looked really good in the photos and it still looked good when I went to inspect it, though it was obvious by looking at the running gear and engine bay that it had been taken for granted for quite some time. As soon as I bought it I booked it into
Giorgio Mechanical Repairs (GMR) in Caboolture to get it up to scratch for road worthy and a bit more
.
I had all of the bushes replaced with Nolathane, all of the suspension replaced and all of the brakes replaced, bearings.. basically everything within the running gear was replaced. I really wanted it to ride nice and smooth and it does. I opted to go with straight replacements as I'm not looking to build a speed wagon just a reliable daily driver with that gives me that special Datsun feeling as I cruise on my day to day
. I am going to get it lowered and therefore I replaced the front control arms and strut tops with adjustable units from Maddat.
Maddat really know their business, I was really impressed with the quality of the units I received!
Here it is getting some love at GMR (sorry for the quality of some of the photos):
Everything GMR worked on was cleaned and repainted, all of the internal body surfaces that were exposed were cleaned and sprayed with body deadener.
Here is some of the good gear that went in (this one is really bad quality, stupid phone! I should have had my camera with me
)
Here is a photo of it just after I had the running gear replaced (at standard height):
GMR did lower it for me though due to some setup issues I decided to return it to standard height and put lowering back on the to do list. This is what it looked like with lowered springs in the front and 2" blocks in the back:
The main issue was the stupid wheels that were on it at the time, they are early falcon steelies and the offset is incorrect. Anther issue was the incorrect fitment of the exhaust (as purchased) that scraped on any raised bits that the car was driven over. I have since been able to source original 610 steel wheels and I imported some brand new (reproduction) original style hubcaps from USA. They are on the car now and I'm really looking forward to getting it to a suspension shop to get it lowered again. I am getting some work done to it now and a new exhaust is on the list with a request to have it fitted as tightly as possible
Steering box brace supplied by maddat:
It took a few weeks to get it back and as I had only just purchased it GMR had had it longer then I had. I drove it for a while and did a few small things. I had electronic ignition from a bluebird fitted and had the distributor rebuilt and re-curved.
It is such a slug, as it only had a L16 in it
I was able to purchase a 610sss motor carburettors and a 71B 5 speed gearbox and that is being fitted as we speak. I hope to have it back within the next couple of weeks. I am taking the opportunity whilst everything is out and doing as much work as is possible.
The sss engine is being rebuilt, the twin hitachis are being overhauled and pacemaker extractors fitted. All parts have either been acid dipped, hot washed or both. I was there helping my mate with this cleaning process and I was stoked to see everything being cleaned up and I was left with the feeling that my build is in good hands.. I think my mate is a bit of a perfectionist... Who better to work on your car?
Some photos of the work currently being done:
Rebuild bits and some evidence of liquid inspiration
Pacemaker extractors. I'm going to have these painted in a similar colour to the original air box colour.
Wear on the oil pump drive gear. This is being replaced and a new pump unit is coming from
SWmotorsport.
The big bath where clean dreams are made... Man that guy who is making it all happen looks too cool
MMM clean bits...
Some sludge with a very short life left
.
The engine block and sump is to be painted a light blue colour. As I mentioned before the extractors are going to be painted in a colour similar to the original twin hitachi airbox cover. I'm going to have the fan removed from the front of the engine and a thermo fan installed instead. The starter motor is being replaced with a 'reduction' starter. I'm having a new heater core put in as the heater doesn't work at the moment and that is quite sucky in winter, even up here in sunny QLD. Also a new exhaust is going in as well and as I mentioned earlier is got to be taight! because this peaudy is taking the suspension elevator down to low town
.
I'll be posting more pictures as the work is done and there are many other things I am looking forward to doing. I can't wait until I get it back with this current work completed... I am hoping for a special dato christmas present!