datto_610

I have looked into that but probably pretty hard to come by. Was also looking into using an exhaust cam on the inlet side but really need adjustable cam gears to get the timing spot on.

Finally got the head off last Sunday, not quite as bad as I thought but still bad enough, It would appear that small chunk of ali has gotten into the engine somehow and #4 piston has smashed it into the head which is the cause of that ticking sound. There is a little damage to the top of the piston but should be ok with a little bit of a scuff. Got some quotes today for the repair work and all were pretty much the same so head is now at HPE and they'll start it on monday, might get the cams ground while they're out too. So all going to plan once head is fixed I'll be able to fire her up again and have no horrible noises!

Think they are still around, haven't heard otherwise. And no paint does not come off in our acid bath I have no idea why people think that. Ours is sulphuric based which we use to clean rust, and scale off steel, I can loosen paint in one of our caustic baths but depending on the type of paint it's usually just easier to use paint stripper.

Pretty much, I can go over it with a wire wheel but can be a pain when we are really busy as I have to stop what I'm doing and give it a quick buff. Otherwise the paint will stay on there and you'll have bits of paint on your nice and shiny parts. Really depends on you how good you want it! If it's scratched up to fuck then they will still be visible unless you polish it up etc. Obviously the better the prep the better the end result. But if it already has anodising on it then no point polishing it as it will need to be stripped off first. We can do satin and bright finishes and our colours consist of Silver, Black(which are our most common ones) and Gold, Red and Blue. The red and blue are not cheap though, as it's something we don't do a lot of. Hope that helps.

Paided!

In more positive news. Nick Murchison did an amazing job of welding a platform onto my front struts for the threaded sleeves to sit on. They are now back in the car and will get them crack tested closer to cert time. With the special control arm pins made and slot made in the head for the locking bolts I was able to mark out where the adjuster bolt holes needed to be drilled and tapped into on the camber adjustment side. Started to drill the hole but due to the position of the plate on the crossmember I'm going to need a really long drill bit to get it all the way through. But at least it's all marked out and ready to go. For the toe adjustment I marked out where the hole needed to be and was easily able to drill a small pilot hole. I'll be getting two M8x1.25 flange nuts to be welded into the crossmember for the toe adjuster locking bolt. Once that is all done rear crossmember will be going back in along with my diff and axels so I can then measure up my driveshaft length. May make a start on front and rear brake lines but will see how I get on with my engine woes. Forgot to post up a few pics of the fuel lines when I fitted them a while back so heres a few snap shots pretty pleased with how they came out.

We have a minimum charge of $25 but if you want to give it to me I'll get it done a bit cheaper for you. Mon-Thurs 7:30 - 4:15 Fri 7:30 - 1:30

Have found the problem... Went home feeling pretty bummed out but at least I can move on and sort it out now. Had some CA fiends pop round yesterday with a bore scope was pretty cool having a looksey inside. #4 has what we think might be some material from the head sitting on the top of it also has a quite a few dings from what are thinking is a bent valve hitting the top of the piston. Timing was not actually correct was out about 2 or 3 teeth out so set that back up properly but there is still interference when turning it over by hand. Also re did the compression test on #1 and #4 and came out with about 130psi. Head is definitely coming off now. Will be on the look out for another to swap it over after I get hardness tested etc. So once that is done hopefully it will run properly. For now I'll be focusing on front and rear suspension. Have had a platform welded to my front struts for the threaded sleeve to sit on. I didn't like the idea of welding the sleeve to the strut itself incase I needed to change it later on. Pics to follow.

Thanks Emma but unfortunately still trying to track that dam noise down! Had cam covers off last weekend all the lifters appear to be primed with oil, plenty of oil getting up top. Did a compression test and came out with 150psi on all 4 cylinders. Checked timing and all marks line up. Going to drain the oil tomorrow to see if anything is floating around in there, also have a mate coming round with a bore scope to have a geez at the inside. So it's not lifters, doesn't sound like a run bearing(from what other people have told me), did think about a valve hitting a piston, other than something flying around in the block/head I can't think of anything else that it could be. Would hate to have to strip it all down but I may have no other choice

Yep we have a hot acid tank to clean rust/scale/old zinc plating etc.

Spose I better jump in here as my name is being thrown around a bit! I do the full monty indeed. Zinc, Nickel, Chrome and Aluminium anodising. It all really does depend on the look you are after. Chrome does come up a lot better if polished but if its clean enough to start with can come up ok without just won't get rid of deep scratches etc zinc can also be pretty shiny if its not a haggerd as fuck piece of steel and will also give better rust protection against chrome plating. I wouldnt give anything to Escort to strip as it will most likely come into my work and they probably put a fee on top of what we charge. For a better idea on price just come into my work: Chch Metal Finishers on Kingsley St Sydenham. Hope that helps. Ps don't ask me for prices as I only do the plating side of things not the pricing etc. Also if it has paint on it please try and remove it as we don't have the means to at the moment.

Rego done will pay this week

Yeah think it could be an empty lifter, will pull cam covers off next time I'm out there and investigate. Super stoked that it actually started with no hassles! Filled with oil disconnected ecu, removed coil packs, cranked over a few times would've gone home happy with just that happening. Hooked everything back up turned key heard fuel pump prime then it started!!!! Mounted my new fuel and send lines yesterday pretty pleased with how they came out, in all the excitement I didn't take many photos so will put some up when I'm back with the 180. Will sort that noise, plumb up IC hook up rad hoses fill with coolant and all the other niggly bits then start her up again

Today I achieved something pretty amazing. For the first time ever I fired up the CA18, so happy. I'm pretty much speechless so I'll just let the 180B say it for me Oh and yes there is oil in the engine just forgot to remove the label due to all the excitement

Took the C31 for it's first wof whilst in my ownership. Only failed on front brake pads so pretty chuffed with that. Getting some in overnight through BNT so all going to plan they'll be in tomorrow. Was having a look at the carb the other night and noticed some slack in the choke cable adjusted that up a bit also noticed that the vac advance hose going to the carb had split and was no longer attached have no idea how long it had been like that for possibly the whole time I've had it? It was running super rich when I got it still is really but got some new vac hose and all appears to be well Was good to know if I needed anything done on this as the Datsun club is heading to Nelson and Blenheim for queens birthday weekend and brakes are the last thing you want to fail while driving on hills! Wof inspector noted that it had some rust repairs done in it's lifetime said it look all gravy to him but someone else might not think so. Also have some superficial rust coming through on one of the sills so will get sorted at some stage too.

Ahh missed out on so many posts, just went back and read everything. Going to be soooooo sweet can't wait!

Will be fastening my new send and return fuel lines to the underbody of my car very soon. Is there any specific fastners I need to use ie self tappers,rivets or a bolt and nut? Think the factory line was held in by screws. Cheers.

Nice Y man, Do you have any pics on how you mounted the central locking solenoids? Have the same kit for my 180B just haven't got round to mounting the motors.

Bit more progress has been made. Have pretty much got all the things I need to finish my fuel line yay! John(broke from NZ Datsun) attached some special fittings to my fuel rail and fuel cradle and mocked up the line under the car to see how long it needed to be so very soon I hope to be able to start her up! I forgot to mention that I fashioned up a bracket to keep my radiator filler level it's now been plated in black zinc but don't have a pic of it plated. Also found some steel pipe at work to use as pipe joiners for the rad hoses cut them down and James put a few tack welds on them so the hose can't slip off, and of course I plated those too hehe. Hopefully next update will be more exciting! Swish ali fuel filter I'm going to need to space my fuel tank up about 20mm so I can run the hoses from the cradle underneath the tank and out through the factory hole in the floor for the original fuel line. Just need to get some P clips to secure line to the underbody then its fingers crossed!

All sorted now. Cheers

I'll be flying up to Wellington and meeting up with Dom(SunnyCoupe) then taking his Starlet up. Too poor to drive a thirsty L24 powered beast up.

Hey guys, I've recently befriended some French dudes and the van they've been travelling NZ in has crapped out, Suspected blown clutch. They have tried to get the gearbox off but it doesn't seem to want to budge. Van is 1989 Lite Ace 1.8 2Y engine. Is anyone keen to come have a look and help them out?? It's been off the road for over a month now and they really want it sorted. I would help them myself but I'm going away for a few days tomorrow and have a stag do on saturday. If anyone is able to lend a hand just pm me and I can put you in contact with them. Cheers

Dylan needs to get this finished so we can have sweet C31 photo action!

I'm keen to come along to some chch meets. Would be good to meet more OSer's.

Yeah did think about that, yesterday was the first time it rained while I had it. The old guy I got it off said he always had it covered up but you never know what's lurking under there until you get the screen out. Cheers man, I'm still pretty stoked with it just the realities of buying an old car I guess.