SSSEXXX Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 I know, I know. You damn near pleaded with me. I couldn't take all of the dirt and grime anymore. There are some things I know I need for sure. I need to have holes closed up in the engine bay. Anyone have a few holes they can suggest or perhaps a good before and after picture? I also need to modify the 1968 wiper motor bracket to clear an SR and the hood at the same time. Not going to be easy. Spoke to Icehouse briefly about that one. Having the rear light opening prepped for the GL lights, despite the cry of many a '68 lover. Speaking of which I did order some new goodies. OEM NOS JDM fender mirrors, new parking light housings, a custom transmission crossmember and a second set of GL lights complete with that damn center garnish I couldn't find anywhere. Now I have a set of GL lights for sale with no center garnish or possibly a back up set. (Woooooht!!!) Pictures to come tonight of the parts that have come in. Also early word from the shop is that the engine and transmission are out and have been lovingly given to a fellow Datsun lover free of charge (Give back to our community boys and girls, maybe the SR conversion gods will give us good karma.). The engine bay will be power washed, but so far it looks like almost zero rust!!! The shop will then reassemble the front end and decide what needs to be done. Dennis, you know I trust you and would have preferred to do it that way too, but much like you I am going through some things that have been making it hard to work on the car. I was hoping, sincerely, that this would get me back on track. I don't want a show car, I want a driver's car. Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 New parts in..... NOS JDM bullet fender mirrors.... SR20DET s13 transmission crossmember for Datsun 510 And because I could not find a GL center garnish, I had to buy a second set FML.... Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 These lights and the garnish are no where near the great shape of my other lights, so I had to try and see what I could do... The back, specifically the mounting brackets were rusted to shit too... Did some shopping at home depot and $40 later I came home with this lovely mix... Side by side shot of my first set of GL lights next to the 2nd set's center garnish. Clearly I am way off.... Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Sooooo let's get to it. What's wrong besides the overspray??? Some 320 grit will solve a lot of life's problems... Then it was glass black paint to the rescue.... And that is where I wrapped for the night. Early prediction is that I'm going to have to spray the second set of lights too. The originals are not going to match since they are the unpainted original black. Anyone have any good ideas? Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Should I respray then? Do I coat in clear? I really don't like the way it is looking right now. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Try Rustoleum Acrylic Enamel, It lasts outside well, and seems fairly durable. I always make sure to keep a can. I know you can get it at autozone... Did you mask the silver trim? Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 No, going to mask over it now and then spay a couple of new silver trim layers. Then clear it all. I don't mind the gloss black to be honest. Thinking maybe of doing the JDM '73 grill the same way. Then powder coating the center steel grill in gunmetal to match the Watanabes. What do you think bud? Also, the paint on the center is drying now. It isn't very smooth. Can I sand it down? Like a cars wet sand? Hopefully will have bodywork updates soon. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Sure can sand it! I have had great success sanding spray paint. I then used a polish to remove the 2000 grit marks. I did this to the metal trim that holds the top of the door cards. Came out super smooth. Quote Link to comment
SR20DETdatsun510 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Where'd you pick up the mirrors? How much? Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I should say though, it looks like those parts have texture to them originally, sanding sounds like it would make a mess of that part. Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 @Laecaon - can you break me off with some specifics? Grit? Type of polish? I don't want to polish that, just the center section and the outside portions without texture. @SR20DETdatsun510 - B Projects Japan. I'm pretty sure you can find them on eBay. $300 + $44 shipping. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Depends how rough it is to start. End at 2000. My guess is you will probably start anywhere from 400 to 800. Try 600 and if it isnt knocking it down fast enough go to 400. Then start stepping it up. Just dont get too greedy with the lower grits, you may eat too much. 400>600>800>1000>1500>2000 As for polish, well lots of things could work. I used what I had at the time, just some meguiars scratch-X. But anything that says it will remove scratches should work, its just spray paint. Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Gonna give it a run. Thanks man!! This build thread has gotten so long and drawn out. Is it still worth following?? Sometimes I wonder if it is worth continuing. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Haha. Dont worry. As long as progress is getting done, it is still interesting. This is a site of Datsun lovers. It is not drawn out. It seems that the story is still unfolding. Even if you are just doing little things, it is another thing done, another thing you can say is making the car closer to what you want it to be. I dont have this thread "followed", I dont really have any thread followed. When I see this thread bumped though, I make sure to check it out. Quote Link to comment
Cwilce Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 MOAAAR PROGRESS! get motivated. I made a ratsun account just so I could comment on this. This build is exactly what I want to do when I can get some funds together. I spent the last couple of hours being entertained by this thread, please continue. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
SR20DETdatsun510 Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Nice first post dude! Hello and welcome to Ratsun! Quote Link to comment
Shagy Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Chris, Saw your car sitting next to mine at the shop. BTW...when you get that SR in the car.. custom coil covers... Quote Link to comment
Katalyst Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 nice build so far! Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted July 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 @Shagy - What up buddy!??! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, I have been so, so busy working. I haven't seen any progress yet. How does my baby look??? I miss her lol. That cover looks awesome man. I am going to need more pictures ASAP. @Katalyst - Thank you kindly. Just one step at a time. I'm very much still a rookie. Quote Link to comment
choleaoum Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Looks great! It took me about only 30 minutes to tear out the stock l16 engine too bad it wasnt worth much :( Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Looks great! It took me about only 30 minutes to tear out the stock l16 engine too bad it wasnt worth much :( Stock L motors don't have a huge worth outside the Datsun community, but I would have loved to work on mine more. I don't have space or time at this point. Great motors, simple, and ample parts. The sr20det was definitely ambitious for a starter project and I am so swamped with work, the new house, and so many other projects that the Miracle Whip has been moving slow. Pictures to come this week of her progress at the shop. Not going to be making JCCS this year, but plan on having her ready to drive to the event next year. Quote Link to comment
SSSEXXX Posted July 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Okay, so finally got progress pictures from the shop. I am not the most experience paint and body guy in the world, so I welcome criticism. Good, bad, ugly. You tell me your thoughts... This is the inner, driver's side fender well. There was accident damage that was repaired poorly. You can see better pictures of it earlier in this same thread. The shop said that bondo was the best option because reshaping it in metal would not be cost effective. Youre thoughts... Battery tray needs to be removed. Whole engine bay was treated with aircraft paint stripper and sanded down to the original brown primer. Brake booster, drive shaft and the rest are to be removed soon and work is to begin on the body. Hit me with thoughts and opinions people. Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted August 5, 2012 Report Share Posted August 5, 2012 wow, they used some coarse grit paper on that bay. That is the quickest way but it will require a lot of filler to make it smooth. I wish James would have taken your 510, the quality of work that is being done so far would not be up to par with me. They should have soda blasted it then clean up what the soda couldnt take off. Chemical stripper is ok to use but if that much material was left behind then they either didnt use enough of it or they removed it too soon. I honestly do not think they even used stripper, if they did then why do you have all the paint one to two inches away from the crevices? I would be worried about the quality you are getting from these guys. Also, they have had your car for 2 or 3 weeks and they have only done that so far? You wont have your car back for 6 months to a year. **** edit **** Looks like they took your 510 on at least June 20th if not earlier. So for 1.5 months that is all they have done? looks like an honest 2 to 3 hours worth of work. Quote Link to comment
slodat Posted August 5, 2012 Report Share Posted August 5, 2012 I agree with dennis. Personally, I'd pick the car up now and find a good body shop.. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.