SSSEXXX

So, I have an almost completely factory OEM looking '68. I want to modify it and tweak it. Should I sell it and get a '70-'73? Do you think I could get $6,500 for it? Pictures in my build thread.... Link to Build Thread Here on Ratsun I am legitimately conflicted about this one and more and more people tend to suggest not changing it. In fact, no one has said "do what you want and have fun with it." That usually means something. If I can't sell it for $6,500, I'll just keep it either as is and restore it or mod it how I originally planned.

Thanks for the comments fellas... will check out Prestige Too while I'm up there picking up my WPC treated engine parts!! :)

Yeah, the '68 was quite a unique find. I paid a pretty penny for it too, but I say it was worth it. I want to find a way to keep a lot of the '68 elements in tact while updating the looks just a little bit. I know I want to keep the rear bumper license plate light, the '68 side markers, and suicide wipers... all characteristics I really do love. But a part of me (in another thread) has been contemplating a '70+ valence with the larger euro light front turn signals and a '70+ dash. Obviously I have a fully built redtop SR to put in this thing. I also have the Deluxe tail lights that are extremely rare, too bad my center garnish was stolen!!!!!! ARGH!! But, the problem with using those lights is that I have to cut in to the frame to get the wider lights to fit and that is the holy-ist of cars to do it on.

Normally I would just shrug my shoulders and say "hey, its my car," but with so many members that I respect and who have helped me along the way it is hard to ignore the warnings. The '68 is really pretty complete too. It needs body work and a paint job, but otherwise it is quite solid. Decisions, decisions.... It doesn't help that it is also a CA black plate car with solid original trunk and floor boards, and a near new set of seats... ARGH!!! So conflicted...

I'm looking for sone good info and tips on having my car painted and straightened out. Any good stories, tips, or shops in SoCal I should know about??

I thought they were bigger in 70 no? Pics?

Still have it?? Message me!!

Interested in the Valence if it is '70+ meant for the bigger lights. Located in SoCal.

Would I be evil if I wanted to put a '71 dash in the '68 with a 70+ valence & lights?

So some of you know I just picked up a 1968 Datsun 510 4 door. I had picked up some 70-73 NOS front turn signal lamp lights and now realize that they' are bigger for the post '69 models. My bad, but I like the bigger lamps. Is it a relatively easy swap? I assume I need 70+ lamp assemblies to fit the lenses I bought over. Any help would be appreciated.

Doesn't eBay USA search Australia too??

Thanks guys!! There really isn't a whole lot rust. Mostly surface here and there. One good spot of rust is just in front of the driver's side door at the bottom of the fender. Haven't found anything else yet. Floor boards and trunk are all solid. :) The interior is effectively only 3 months old. Kind of want a '71-73 dash though. I'm excited!!

Look what daddy did.... 1968 Datsun 510 4 door. Will need lots of work, but I'm up to it. Shoot me comments :)

Irvine sir!!! Let's do this!!!

Thank you for all of the help everyone!! You guys are awesome!! I have been checking Yahoo Auctions myself, but haven't had any luck. jefe de jefes - I did send your guy a message, but haven't heard back yet. I don't know anyone in Japan that can get it from Refresh 60, but i am most certainly willing to pay a lil' bit for some assistance if someone is up for it. How does $30 via paypal to anyone who can arrange it??

Hey everyone!! I need a little help, anything would be appreciated at this point. I have the lights already, but my center plastic piece was stolen. Does anyone know where I can look or who I an talk to?? It is the plastic piece that sits in between these lights. Mine was black.

Oh and the newly arrived parts for your visual pleasure... Discontinued GReddy cam gears/sprockets... these were not easy to find.... Cometic head gasket.. 87mm @ 0.40 thickness.. Is it that big of a deal if my machine shop guy said to go OEM factory thickness because he barely took anything off on the deck job?? And last, but not least, my new dipstick guide/tube. Because I am a dipstick and screwed mine up for no reason other than sheer frustration trying to remove it.. Argh!! Wish me luck kids... moving on to the painting of the block and the polishing of the aluminum bits while I let my wallet recover for a while.... Has anyone else noted how much polishing aluminum is likely to cause cancer or is it just me??

Not a huge update, but I prepped the head for paint.... Shot of my dirty head before prep and copper wire brush scrub... (You can also see the painted block on the stand behind :) Full frontal... Exhaust side.... you can see how dirty it is here... The big booty shot.... And finally the nasty intake side... obviously you can begin to see why I found it necessary to paint the head and block... this simply will not due... And the paint prep begins...

I really like Datsport and have heard great things about them, but man their pricing (once you factor in shipping to the states) can get a little bit high. I am legitimately considering their 510 sr20det crossmember because it allows you to use stock s13 motor mounts, which I already have.

No interest in particular to going 5 lug verus 4 lug... was just thinking about saving a few dollars and getting a high performance brake package with a nice powder coated finish out of the gate. Maybe dreaming a bit, but wanted to test the waters... If I had my choice I would go with nothing bigger than 16x7 and 16x8 Watanabe rs-8s in the 4 lug pattern. After doing a lot of reading, I am pretty sure I will ulimately go the 280zx + coilovers route and then figure brakes out later. 280zx struts are not easy to find in SoCal or at least I certainly do not know where to look. Thank you guys for the input.

@dennis - Hello again my friend. Picked up a dremel and waiting on the polish bits to come in and going to try to follow in your footsteps and make some things shiny. Also picked up a 320 grit one too. Should be interesting. No dime yet, still looking for a good 4 door candidate. I am getting eager though and may settle soon. @josh_t - Yeah, I don't like anything being dirty or out of place. The OCD in me is going to have a difficult time adjusting to this engine running, being driven frequently and actually having some dirt around. @wana510 - Nice setup!! Are you running the .64 or .85 AR?? I want to stick with the T25 flanges and go .64, but the local shop guys have been trying to get me to go with the bigger mouth. @darcToken - Thanks man, that is why I have fallen in love with this forum. People seem to genuinely want to help and be interested. The interaction and wealth of information really are priceless to a guy like me who is still trying to learn. Flickr has been blocked by the office, so photos to come soon. Picked up discontinued GReddy cam sprockets, new oil dipstick tube/guide, and a 87mm bore .04 Cometic head gasket. I have a standard bore engine at 86mm, but this seems to be the size that everyone suggested after researching for a while. As soon as I pick my parts up from WPC treatment, I am ready to reassemble!!!! WOW!! I almost can't believe I said that. But I do need a turbo and a top mount manifold and tubing etc. Anyone have any recommendations??? Also my biggest fear is going to be running the tubes on the engine. Any good points of reference??

Okay, so I have been researching this week for my Datsun 510 build project and trying to do a better job of planning out the build. I have already begun work on my sr20det engine and just wanted to make sure I had a budget, a plan, and got it down on paper. In this process I started thinking about suspension. I had intended on going the 280 strut route + coilovers so that I did not have to weld the perches or find someone to do it. This project is about doing as much of the work as I can myself and learning. That being said, I was beginning to wonder if anyone has taken the OEM struts, hubs, rotots, and brakes from a Nissan 350z or 370z and fitted them on a Datsun 510? The brakes come powder coated, are a nice upgrade in rotor size and I believe they may even be made by Brembo. If I could pick them up for $250 per corner like I think I may be able to, how much fabrication do you think will be involved to get them to mount??? I know the 280 option brings in the stance too, so I would have to know what the newer Z models would do with that too. Just wanted to test the waters. You guys would have a better idea of where to look than I would. I searched, but came up empty. Thank you for your help!

Nice.. going to give it a try. Need to by a dremel tool too argh!!! Been putting it off. When does the engine drop in?

Dennis man, I love your work. Can you teach me how to polish parts like you do. Obviously you know I am a bit of a novice, but I would really like to learn how you do it. Tools, product you use, tricks. Anything man. Build looks great!!

Been out of town for the long weekend fellas, more updates coming soon!!