carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Fast forward to this fall and I found a couple NOS exhaust sections I thought would come in handy for fixing Cooper. And for the first time in about 15 months, I moved the car into the garage. This was NOT easy mind-you as the clutch master cylinder had given up the ghost, the clutch was frozen to the flywheel, and the rear brakes were frozen to the drums! I did get it started back up though without too much trouble. http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2019_11/10042019_cooper_(1).MOV.5c0c2a8a9ebdd853fdca47602f68b945.MOV With no helpers around to push, I actually had to drive the car into the garage using the starter! Cooper was not happy with me leaving it outside for a year without driving it. The mechanical stuff I understand but the worst part was the mold in the cabin. So sad... We'll get you fixed back up buddy! This might be the last hydraulic part that was unchanged since I got the car. It was pretty nasty! While checking over the car, not only was their moisture on the inside which caused the mold, but one of the left rear fender well was full of water! I ended up drilling a small hole near the "vent" since it was no longer doing it's job. http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2019_11/10042019_cooper_(2).MOV.06241db68cb65f59ff4179e062db0550.MOV Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) You remember this mess: And the failed muffler as well I was actually able to pull the muffler off the end of the tail pipe kind of like the skin of a burned marshmallow I started by separating the old Y-pipe from the exhaust (which is still in good shape) Rather than cutting up the NOS exhausts I bought, I found a really nice Y-pipe in my garage from one of The Twins so I took it to work and sandblasted it in preparation for installation. Looks like pretty much everything on the old exhaust was leaking! Fits like a glove! Full disclosure - after connecting everything back up, I realized the tail of the old Y-pipe was missing. I pulled it back apart and found a 2" section of pipe free-floating a couple inches down the exhaust pipe. So glad I found that at this point in the process! Edited November 3, 2019 by carterb 2 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) I thought about welding this up myself but I'm just not confident enough yet and didn't want to take my half done crappy welds to the exhaust shop - which I figured I'd have to do anyway for the muffler since access was going to be pretty tight back there. This ended up being a VERY good decision. In the mean time, the parts came to fix the hydraulics and the broken windshield wiper. I decided to double up on the hydraulic order so I have some of this stuff "in stock" as replacing hydraulic components seems to be a regular part of my datsun ownership experience. In the process of buttoning everything up, I found another issue. The Longchamp wheels were dragging on the 280ZX brakes. I don't think I had ever run that combination before and just put them on quick when I stole the Jilba Racing wheels for the green FJ car. I had these 1/16" spacers in the garage which worked perfectly! October 19, 2019 - I was able to take Cooper for a drive around the block http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2019_11/10192019_cooper_(1).MOV.35cbef776584c41a4d6c5caa36355ef9.MOV Next stop - exhaust shop! Edited November 3, 2019 by carterb 4 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 On Wednesday I got a morning appointment at A-1 Muffler Service in Everett. I've talked up Wayne and his shop before and I'll do it again. Great guy, great work, and great pricing! After explaining what I needed done and handing over the new Cherry Bomb muffler, it was up on the ramp for some quality time with a welder. Wayne at work: http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2019_11/10302019_cooper_(1).MOV.0cc4961f668bc4372b4708976eec027e.MOV He had to do a little re-shaping of the old tail pipe to make room for the Cherry Bomb. It was a little long for the stock muffler location. Look at those floors! This car is in such awesome condition!!! $65 later, I was driving back to work. Sounds awesome! Amazing how quiet the Cherry Bomb is unless you are really deep into the throttle. Really lets you hear the SU's. I like it! I'll take a video soon so you can hear it and tell me what you think. 3 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 So weird driving Cooper after a year of driving the FJ car. They are totally different. Not just the engine power - that's obvious. The biggest difference is the drivers seat. The Prelude (or whatever) seats in the FJ car are pretty low and stiff so you feel like you are sitting IN the seat - a part of the car. The stock seats in Cooper feel more like a couch. Actually, like s spring filled exercise ball. Every time I turn the corner I feel like I'm going to fall OFF the seat. I can't believe how long I drove this car (and every other stock-seat 510 I've had) and thought this was normal. Now it feels completely alien! The soft springy seat amplifies every movement in the car and I feel like I'm driving a trampoline. I have seen the light. I need new seats! Other than that, the car is awesome - just how I remember it. And I'm so glad to be driving Cooper again - even it it does still need to be taken off the road for restoration. Sunsets are pretty! Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 A few weeks ago, I mentioned to my friend Pat that the SSS shift knob I got from him years ago had de-laminated and the roundel was separating from the knob. He had a knob with a small flaw in it that he gave me just because he is so awesome! This is great because the old knob was getting uncomfortable. Every day's a Datsun show at Electroimpact. 2 Quote Link to comment
edekalil Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 (edited) Bluebird Coupes are my favorite! Maybe before I die I’ll get one or two or three! For now all I could afford was a steering wheel. Edited November 3, 2019 by edekalil 1 Quote Link to comment
the510keeper Posted November 3, 2019 Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 Feels good to drive a Coupe. I feel your pain, just drove Commando 30 hours on stock seats. Now back to Evo Recars 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 Speaking of Recaros... I was getting tired of the stock seats feeling like they were falling apart underneath me... My other coupe Trouble isn't getting used and has a nice set of Recaros installed. Hmmm... Seat swap!!!! I pulled the seats from both cars and recorded the part number of the seat base frame while it was in full view. Bases installed in Cooper (you can even see part of the broken stock seat spring in this pic) And in with the seats. In addition to the failing seats, the left rear quarter window was also flopping around. The old latch had failed so it wasn't held shut in tension and would *thump* every time I'd hit a bump. I had in mind to fix that right. Here is what was left of the old one. (it was zip-tied together) This turned out to be a bit of a chore! As best I could tell, there is a difference between the new and the old (coupe vs sedan?) who knows, but lots of creative work to get spring pins in and out on the bench and in situ and in the end, I had to make an assembly of half new and half old parts in order for the latch to close properly. A satisfying evening's work. 3 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 The installation of these seats - which park your butt right in the center of the seat - reminded me how far off-center the seats are from the steering wheel. It was so strange driving for the first week or so. I felt like I was driving sideways, and the steering wheel rubs on my left leg. It doesn't help that the seats mount kind of high. But I was reminded that when I put a pair of Recaros in an old 510 wagon I had - that I had to customize the brackets to shift the sets toward the tranny tunnel. Oh well, I'll deal with that later. More pressing things now - I popped the hood to check the oil or something and it just flapped in the breeze! Turns out the right hood hinge failed. Fortunately I had easy access to a replacement, still attached to a front cut behind the garage. Good as new! 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 And now - courtesy of mother nature - Winter! Driving back and forth to work in the snow and ice was an experience. The LSD helped me get up the hill for sure but it sure made the car lively! I call this one - Bluebeard! 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 We made it through the snow unscathed... Pretty sunrise a sign of things to come? Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 A fellow Bluebird-er in CA sent me this unsolicited gift for helping him with his car. Reproduction Bluebird Coupe tail light badge. How cool is that?! 2 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 My Coupe has been operating in stealth mode since it's first test drive. The horn would sound with any movement of the steering wheel so I had to disconnect it. Finally, after ten years (!!!) it was time to fix this safety issue. Boy did I feel silly when I removed the steering wheel to find that horn actuator was just hanging there by a loose screw (the steering wheel nut was only finger tight as well) So I tightened it down and cleaned things up a bit. Then cleaned the back of contact ring on the steering wheel as well. Before: After: Then I plugged the horn relay back in and voila! We have horn! I am Bluebird - hear me honk! 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2020 Oh yeah, Jeff finally got the SR20DET powered Chocolate Covered Circus Peanut on the road!!!! But it's still cold out! I'm ready to shed these winter tires and welcome some Spring weather!!!! 3 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted March 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2020 It seems I just can't get away from exhaust issues at the moment... A couple weeks ago, Cooper started emitting the tell-tail click click click of an exhaust leak. Within a day or two I was able to get a wrench on the nuts but they were all tight - unfortunately. Since the 620 engine replacement was still taking up the garage I would just have to live with it for a bit. Yesterday I was finally able to drive Bruiser out of the garage under its own power and pull in the coupe for a look. Once up on jack-stands I fired it up and felt around the exhaust to be sure the leak was at the Y-pipe flange. It was. Once I was able to drop the exhaust, this is what I found. The gasket was separated and you can see the carbon signature (oops, we're not supposed to leave those) left by the escaping gasses. While working on the 620 I found a brand new Nissan Y-pipe gasket so I figured that ought to take care of it! Mmmmmm.... Shiny! Unfortunately, my drive to work this morning notified me that the leak is still there. : ( Back to the drawing board... 1 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 The nuts may be bottoming out on the stud with such a thin gasket, try a couple of lock washers to keep the nut higher where the threads are better. Better yet replace the studs and nuts. The down pipes should be sticking out of the flange slightly. And the ends fit up into the manifold to help seal. 1 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted April 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2020 The fitment is good and I thought about the washer issue. Pretty sure the exposed studs are fully threaded. Certainly enough to get past the flange on the Y-pipe anyway. I may have a bent Y-pipe flange. Checking that is my next step. Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 Just been driving back and forth to work during the COVID19 fun... What looks better? B&W? or color? What if we add cherry blossoms? 2 Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 Jeff and I went blossom hunting at lunch a couple weeks ago. We swapped cars on the drive back. These guys with the SR20DETs may be on to something! http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2020_04/IMG_9759_04082020_coupe_cruise.MOV.4fccdac4f28f1eaf339e500ab103d501.MOV Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted April 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 And... Just so you know what spring time in the Northwest is like: http://datsun510.com/uploads/monthly_2020_04/IMG_9643_04152020_hail.MOV.3986c2eecc5908ee4406007dda5b31af.MOV Quote Link to comment
WAGON JON Posted April 29, 2020 Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 ...Yeah rain...turn them wipers on!! Quote Link to comment
carterb Posted January 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 Sadness... I have not been driving Cooper and the rain here has been relentless! Mild too, it's only just touched freezing a couple times this winter. I guess that's just what mold likes. : ( Had to clean it up and bring it inside for a week to dry it out and de-mold. I ended up pulling the cloth covered Recaros and will keep them indoors for now. Jeff and I have been dreaming about carports for our non-garaged cars. Does it help? Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I bought some damp-rid and placed it in my cars outside. So far so good! Keeps the moisture levels down. car ports do help, but they will still get moist inside from the temp changes and condensation. My 1200 got a little moldy last winter. It was in a car port. But it definitely helps!! Edited January 21, 2021 by Draker 1 Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 I have had cars go moldy in my shop. Would definitely suggest damp rid or something similar to pull the moisture out. Bought some at the rv store one time 1 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.