V8 in a 510

[Z chopper]

since you don't have an engine in it why not clean up the engine bay a bit and repair the tail light panel and what ever other rust/cancer you can find then paint it

[derrick719]

i havent got it home yet so its still needs a look though.

i also have 2 other project on the go and dont want to start another one this would be a time killer waiting on rare parts

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/44300-derricks-69-datsun-1000-build/

[Wicked Saint]

For those that say it would ruin a 510 I would like to point out Pete Brock's V8 510

 

http://blogs.motortrend.com/whacky-engine-swaps-part-ii-datzilla-2290.html

[derrick719]

that would kick the crap out of my build if i do a v8

[HRH]

Note also that Pete Brock moved the dash back 12 inches to fit the V8 in the proper position. Sticking it where the current L20 is, is not a good idea for handling.

[goonfan]

Fuck what other people say. Do what you like.

[derrick719]

I know my car my rules I'm restoring a rare Datsun I'll have fun with a rusty common datsun

[Guest 510kamikazifreak]

Tube frame is the only thing that will hold that one together.

[goonfan]

I was curious and looked into the 215. It is light as a feather, guys picking up the block with one hand. There is a big following for these, mostly in the UK. A stock 4.6L Rover (same block, sort of) is 225hp/280tq stock. Easier to find 4.0's are down about 50/50 stock. The earlier versions are carb'd, I don't know if one could convert the 4.0/4.6 to run off a dizzy and carb.

 

There are some versions that have issues with head gaskets, pre-96 blocks.

 

This was just with some quick searching....

[derrick719]

Ya im not sure what year the one that was in this one was from. They used this as a template till he found a 2 door now it's forgotten about and free for me:)

[goonfan]

Well that Buick 215 was around way back in the early 60's up into the late 70's. "215" could mean anything up to a late 90's Rover motor, the block stays the same externally but the accessories, heads, valve covers, mani's can change a lot.

 

Rovers have factory SS headers, btw, kinda cool imo.

 

Look into and post what you find out! I'm thinking if a 4.0L Rover motor can be had for <1K and you either do the go with the stock injection or find out if you can swap over to the earlier motors carb setups (UK had quad SU's on some performance models) than that's a pretty sweet way to get a light weight motor with an ass ton of torque cheap.

[DRIVEN]

You now have my attention. I thought a SBC was a bad idea but the Rover/Olds/Buick has some merit. Still not sure your particular car has enough actual steel left. Hopefully it's not as bad as the pics indicate.

[RedBanner]

its rusty, get it home, part it out. Take the old lady to canadian redlobster, brake her off a dirty one when you get home, sleep well and forget the whole thing.

 

 

[goonfan]

You now have my attention. I thought a SBC was a bad idea but the Rover/Olds/Buick has some merit. Still not sure your particular car has enough actual steel left. Hopefully it's not as bad as the pics indicate.

 

Isn't that pretty sweet though.... he's already setup for it even. The aftermarket is a little weak for heads but cams are out there and since we are talking a 510 200-28-lb of torque coming in by 3k is plenty and that's from stock pickings. It's hard to say where his frame is at, I sold a wagon (to Izzo) and looked very similar to the pics he posted of his 510, the frame and the rails were straighter than any 40yr car I've ever seen, they were perfect.

 

Personally I wouldn't want to do the EFI thing... I'd look for the carb option.

[RedBanner]

Sssr20det had one, way back, it was cool as hell. Even tho it was box flared.

[derrick719]

I'll work on getting it home have to move some stuff and fix a few others before I can do anything. I'll keep up with some updates. It may be hard to find a 215 but u never know I know of 2 olds cutleses that's may have the engine in them

[Bubbamatt]

Don"t try putting a V8 into a 510 if you don't have the time, skills, money, and expertise to do so. It is possible to install a V8 into a 510 without it being a nose heavy, ill handling beast. It cannot be done as an enginge "swap". You need to plan the whole design changes before cutting anything. It is possible to put a Ford V8 into a 510 with better balance than the stock car. The stock weight distribution of a 510 is about 56% front and 44% rear, the car in the pictures is 51% front and 49% rear. It's a daily driver and has 45000+ miles as a V8 mod. V8 510's can't handle? We have a lot of 510's in the SoCal area, but very few ever make it to the autocross events. Take that beast out and have some fun, they are meant to be played with!

Enjoy the ride!

 

 

 

 

 

[VintageRice]

Exception. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ :)

[derrick719]

The v8 prob won't happen the car will prob sit in the back for a while till I find an engine. Maybe I'll drop my spare vg30et in it.

[derrick719]

found this on kijiji in van

http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1973-Datsun-510-V8-conversion-W0QQAdIdZ394048241

[datzenmike]

215s are great for the V8 sound but that's about it. A KA would be easier, more hp., lots of cheap parts, newer EFI, Would make more hp with a turbo. .

[Ranman72]

if its set up for v8 and thats what you want to do let it sit till you find an aluminum v8 and then have fun

[goonfan]

There's a 4.0 Rover motor for $325 in a JY near me.

[nemesis]

if you're gonna do it-go ALLLLLL the way! balance the car out by putting an olds toronado drivetrain front AND rear! 4wd!!!!!! twin 455's!

[derrick719]

Haha know of a corvair with a tornado drive train. I'll be going l28 getting an engine and trans for $75 on sat. The v8 used the original 510 engine mounts so easy to fix