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So I'm not real sure how much intrest there might be on this project, but here it is..
I bought this old 78' Datsun 510 wagon from a friend. He has had it for years, I remember running around in it 20 years ago. It's a bit rough, but nothing I can't fix. It actually ran when parked, and the original motor still turns over.
Deal was he wanted me to do something fun with it, cause he had no interest in building it himself.
The first thought that came to mind was a Rotary swap!
I started hunting around for a complete running 13b, but couldnt find one in my price range.
But another friend had a complete 12a pulled from a running 79' SA. (He did a V8, and 8.8 rearend swap) I also have the rear end from the same car as well.
I decided it would be a cool idea to do a period correct type of swap into the Datsun. The whole build is gonna be centered around an 80's style Japanese drift car.
I don't have much more than the car, the motor, and an idea right now. I have the 12a tore down, and mostly cleaned up. Wife is still pissed that it's sitting on the kitchen floor. (That's pretty well all my worldly possessions in one pile)
The rotor housings are pretty bad, but the rest is in excellent shape. Have the new housings sourced out. Then I'll start porting, and rebuild it.
I'll periodically update as I keep going. But plan to take my time building it.
Very cool will be interesting to see your project in the process. I'm new to this site trying to figure out my 12a housings the chrome is peeling in spots. trying to figure out places to get housings. good luck on your prject.
Very cool will be interesting to see your project in the process. I'm new to this site trying to figure out my 12a housings the chrome is peeling in spots. trying to figure out places to get housings. good luck on your prject.
Thanx bud. It should be cool when I get it going.
Are both of your housings bad?
Keep an eye on the classifieds. Good used housings pop up from time to time. A lot of guys upgrade to 13b's, and sell off they're stash of 12a parts.
Hey! yes my housings are shot! I found this bloke in Oregon called Robertson enterprises I emailed him for a price on two of then ill see what he says I found him on CL ads so we will see.
Well it's been a long time since I was on here.
Life happened, and I put my project on hold.
But now I have a new engine, and most of the parts to kick this back off.
I'm starting with a bone stock 12a, but it was affordable. It's a runner, so I'm not gonna mess with it yet.
I hope to upgrade it over time as my build progresses.
I cleaned it up, and painted it. At least it looks nice now.
I also have an SA 5 speed, and a stock FB cooling system. Hoping to get more done to the car this spring, and have it running by this summer.
I also found out that the car is a 79', not a 78'.
My bad.. 🤷♂️
So I don't have much more to add as of yet..
spent a bunch of money replacing gaskets, and other crap.
bought a new alternator, cap, rotor, and plug wires.
I swapped out the intake, and decided to go with the holley 465 RB setup..
I have all the parts to get the engine in the car finally!! I was missing the bellhousing bolts.
Those turned out to be tricky to find.
But hopefully I can update with pics of it in the car over the next couple of weeks.
really? i would think any place that sells nuts and bolts would have them.
I thought so to. But the M10 1.25 thread isn't very common.
Thankfully a freind had some original bolts.. I have no idea where mine ended up? Pretty sure they got thrown away in a garage clean up.
So here's a quick update.
The car is coming together slowly.
The engine bay is prepped, and the car is kinda looking better.
Work, and all this covid stuff have made time hard to manage.
I still have to swap the rearend, clean up the interior, and then start replacing wear items.
But I'm sticking to my plan of having the engine in the car by Halloween 🎃.
As an add on to that.
After I scored my RB Holley 465 setup, I decided I would go a different route with my car.
I want the car to be about sights, and sounds.
So I'm getting weird.. lol
So I made a bit of progress.
I had to beat up a few things, and cut some others.
But I got it set in the car about where I want it.
As a bonus the stock transmission crossmember will bolt right up in the factory location!
One less thing to worry about.
I just need to finish my front engine mount, and plumbing. Then wire it up, and get a driveshaft made....
01-08-18, 04:58 PM
