77' Datsun 120Y Build

[Stevexc]

So Ive had this datto for about 2 years now, and its been through many changes and is currently under going another so thought I would put a build thread up for it this time.

 

Ill start with the history of the car. I originally bought her as a 1st car or my sister, but she soon realised she didnt have the money to get the car on the road and do what she wanted to do with it. 

 

This is how the car looked when I first got her-

 

 

 

 

 

 

First thing the car got was a tidy up, then I had the head reco'ed and shaved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I slapped a 32/36 weber on her-

 

 

 

 

The car stayed like this for ages, then my sister decided she didnt like the colour.

So we went down to Harts paint supplies and picked a new colour.

She chose Belladonna Purple. And I gave it a quick colour change, and the quick part showed, It really wasnt very good, was straight over he old paint, so the runs in the old paint showed and he dents of course showed up more in the darker colour, but looked tidy enough and it stayed like this for a while.

 

 

 

 

Havn't got many pics of it in this stage.

 

Also, During the colour change the engine came out to paint the engine bay and to get a freshen up, and dropped back in with a manual conversion. However this never eventuated and the engine it still just sitting on the engine mounts and the manual conversion gear is in the boot. 

 

I then decided I wanted to try my hand at vinyl wrapping. I found a guy local who sold bulk rolls of vinyl at very good prices. So I picked a colour, Matte Grey, and set about and wrapped the car.

It was surprisingly easy to do and looked quite nice, took me and he mrs about 2 days (short days) to do the whole car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stevexc]

I didnt mind the look of the vinyl wrapping but it just didnt have the appeal of a nice shiny paint job, maybe I should of picked a gloss vinyl but none the less I ripped it off and started preping the car again to be painted again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stevexc]

Flaring the Guards-

 

Cutting the tabs-

 

Before welding-

 

Fiberglass filler to tidy them up-

 

After a quick sand-

 

They still need a lot of work but getting there, and hoping to squeeze 9's under them. With the added help of some coilovers  ;)

 

 

Also been playing around with some bolt on flares, I think I like them better then the tab flared look. They need a little cutting and some moulding to get them perfect. 

 

 

 

 

Cleaned the seats up and vinyl dyed them black. Came up mint, almost look brand new!

 

 

Done some high fill and a coat of surface primer over most the car just got the front guards to do.

 

Went to a swap meet and found a Camaro chin lip, fits quiet nice on the datto and looks pretty good, its a little small but looks okay. Only sitting in place in the photos.

 

 

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Also went and looked at a donor car for my datto tonight. Want to swap back to standard guards, not liking the flared look and has a mint engine and manual box in it so I wont have to rebuild mine. Picking it up Thursday night and hoping to have it in and running that night or end of Friday at the latest. Then prime the guards then off to paint in a week or two. 

 

Ordering new carpet as I type this then just to to tidy up the pillar trims and roof lining and the interior will be mint!

 

Also got a heap of a12 and 120Y stuff for sale. A12 engine, auto and manual gearbox, whole car of parts check my topics for details.

 

Also with the Yen being very good atm Ive been bidding like crazy on wheels, unfortunately looks like everyone else is too and they are will to spend more then me  :( I did however win a pair of SSR Techno Phantoms. Not the best sizes but theyre rare and they will be widened.

 

Specs-

SSR Techno Phantoms-

14x6.5 + 5

 

 

 

And after I restore then will look like this-

 

Picked up a donor car.

Donor car before I picked it up-

 

 

 

 

 

[Stevexc]

And my car as it sits right now-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Few of the spares-

 

Interior- Very dusty from the sanding

 

Seats- Need a clean as well

 

So that brings it up to how the car looks now.

Still a fair bit left to do but on uni holidays now so should be able to get back into it.

Still to do-

Clean and repaint engine/box

Might repaint engine bay while its out (currently blue metal flake over black but might colour code it to match the car once i pick a colour)

Install manual pedals

Get engine back in and running

Finalise flares

order kenmeri or hakosuka chin lip and mod to fit

Find boot bob tail as well

widen wheels to fit flares

do final high fill and surface primer

paint (choose colour light grey, charcoal or teal green)

fit new carpet

finish vinyl dying interior

 

That should get her on the road and at a standard im happy with. Might do s13 coilover/brake conversion later down the track.

 

 

['70dime]

I like the wheels on the spare car!

[Stevexc]

I like the wheels on the spare car!

They're actually for sale, already have a set of them so dont need these ones haha. Too bad youre not in Australia. 

[izzo]

man id love to have a tach

[Stevexc]

Managed to get a bit done today on the Datto before I head to work this arvo.

Got the engine and gearbox fully cleaned and laid some fresh paint on them.

Took so long to clean the 35 years of crap off them but look 110% better now.

Also got all new bolts, washers and nuts for re-assembly and ordered my new gaskets. 

Was hoping to get the last of the vinyl dying done and get the manual pedal box in but just ran out of time.

 

Hopefully will get the manual pedals in and the interior all finished on Sunday (would love to get the engine back in but still need to chose my colour and re-spray the engine bay)

Then it will be back into the body work and deciding what im going to do with these flares. 

Found some smaller (4 door Hakosuka) flares on Yahoo Japan as well as some "universal" ones that look like they might be better as they aren't as massive as the ta22 flares. 

Might get a set and a hakosuka chin lip added with the next lot of wheels I bring in. Will have to see what the bank account says first though haha

 

Anyways here some photos from today-

 

Before-

 

 

After-

 

 

 

 

Anyone got trick to get the alternator clean?

Ive used brake cleaner and a rag but it just get the dirt off and it look so out of place against the freshly painted engine.

Anyone painted the housing before? Ive got a few spare ones here so guess there no harm in painted on.

[Bentaxlebob]

 Nice work. For alternator shine  since it has been a while ( God knows what that alt has gone through or how much life it has. Days may be numbered.)... I'd just get a replacement one. Get a remanufactured one which comes with warranty.  Will look good and give you peace of mind.

 

 Great job !

[Stevexc]

 Nice work. For alternator shine  since it has been a while ( God knows what that alt has gone through or how much life it has. Days may be numbered.)... I'd just get a replacement one. Get a remanufactured one which comes with warranty.  Will look good and give you peace of mind.

 

 Great job !

I have 3 alternators here all in good working order, just dont look very pretty. Might try painting the housings of one of the spares and see how it comes up. Dont really wanna spend money on a new one if it can be avoided. 

And thanks :) 

[Stevexc]

Spent the morning on the Datto today.

Got the manual pedal box in and the engine bay sanded back and primed.

Half finished the flaring on the other front guard as well.

 

Tomorrow im going to finish cleaning the interior and vinyl dye the last few things.

 

Hoping to get the colour mixed this week, thinking of going with the teal green. Then During the week I can paint the engine bay, door jams and under the boot ect and drop the engine back in and get her running again. 

The engine and tail shaft are all cleaned up and painted ready to go just waiting for the engine bay to be painted. 

 

Does anyone know if the manual gearbox X-member bolts onto an Auto car? I think ive read that new holes need to be drilled? Not sure if thats right or not. Doesnt really matter just thought id ask here as I cbf going to look atm. 

 

Also, I noticed there isnt much info/photos on doing things to 120Y's. So I took enough photos to make a write up for changing the pedal box, and will get some for the whole manual conversion. Not the hardest thing to do but a write up might help a few other people in the future. So after ive finished the conversion ill make a how to guide up and post it on here for others in the future. 

 

Few pics from today-

 

 

 

[Son_of_a_Datsun_Guy]

I painted part of my alternator on my wagon before it finally kicked it. I shot black on the front "fans" and then wirebrushed and sanded the body, looked pretty good. 

... now I have one from a VG... and it's ugly green, haven't messed with it yet though. 

[Dguy210]

Looking really good.

 

Don't suppose you'd be interested in shipping one of those front bumpers to the USA by any chance? :rofl:

[fisch]

Great posting. I love your wheel collection and really love the wheels on the spare car. I am a sucker for torq thrust style wheels. Any chance you know the maker of them and name?

[Stevexc]

I painted part of my alternator on my wagon before it finally kicked it. I shot black on the front "fans" and then wirebrushed and sanded the body, looked pretty good. 

... now I have one from a VG... and it's ugly green, haven't messed with it yet though. 

 

Yeah I painted one of my spares, looks mint just hope it lasts haha

 

Looking really good.

 

Don't suppose you'd be interested in shipping one of those front bumpers to the USA by any chance? :rofl:

 

Thanks :)

Umm I could, Dunno how much shipping would be though. I can try to find out if youre really interested.

 

 

Great posting. I love your wheel collection and really love the wheels on the spare car. I am a sucker for torq thrust style wheels. Any chance you know the maker of them and name?

 

You should see how many more I have on the way from Japan then ;)

6 more pairs are on boats at the moment and have bids on a few more. Some pretty rare stuff too :P Will be sure to post some pics once they arrive (1st lot should only be a week or two away, 6-9 week sea shipping always feels like forever :( )

 

The ones off the donor car are made by Dragway, If im correct theyre called Dragway Splats. Pretty common wheel over here, I have another set which you might be able to see in the background of some of the photos. They are a pretty cool wheel, but im a sucker for the old school Jap wheels. 

 

Anyways hoping to get the guards sorted today, a few more coats of primer on the engine bay and the interior finished (still need carpet, there was a stuff up with the last lot I ordered and my money was sent back :S so need to re-order soon) Which will leave her ready for colour and the engine dropped back in :).  Just need to wait to a more reasonable time to start pissing the neighbours off, dont think they'd like me grinding and running the compressor at 7:20am on a Sunday morning haha

[Stevexc]

Interior is all ready for new carpet and re-assembly! well after the door jams are painted too.

Got some turtle trim restorer for the dash and it came up like new! Meant to last 3 months so its not a permanent solution but I can handle doing it every three months haha

 

Hit all the trip with some sugar soap then wax a grease remover and plastic sprayed it. Looks a lot tidier then before!

 

Also gave the seats, roof lining and pillar trims another coat just to be safe!

 

Unfortunately I got stuck into cleaning and re-organising the garage so didnt finish the flaring on the guard or the last coats of primer but only working a half day tomorrow so should get it all done then.

 

Plastic trim-

 

 

 

 

 

Dash-

 

 

Unfortunately I didn't take before pics, but the dash was barely black, its was more grey from fading. Still need to get into the hard to reach places (air vents ect).

[Stevexc]

Had the paint mixed up today, and sprayed the engine bay, door jams and under the boot ect.

Pretty happy with the colour, just very hard to get a photo that shows what it actually looks like, comes out more blue in the photos then it is.

 

Still need to do the underside of the boot, bonnet, fuel flap ect and clear coat it all. Should be done and running Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

Love how its looks against the black interior.

 

 

 

 

Its more green then it looks in the photos.

 

After Monday I should have the engine in and running, and the undersides of the bonnet, boot, fuel flap ect all finished off, then its just the body left to paint.

The new carpet should be here soon, so can put that in and put all the interior back in. Need to go get some speakers and a cd player for it, has nothing in it at the moment haha

 

Still a few other small things left to do but Its finally looking close to being finished!

left to do-

 

-Carpet

-Replace boot and door rubbers

-New interior light as the original one is the ugliest thing ever

-Cd player and speakers

-Clean up the exterior parts (lights, bumpers ect) Thinking of doing black bumpers as it will go better with the green then chrome will, Have two sets so might paint the set in the worst condition to see how it looks.

-Might so something better with the front suspension, maybe some low king springs and short stoke shocks or maybe a coilover conversion if I can do it cheap enough.

 

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, no doubt more that ive missed but theyre the main things. So not too much left to do.

 

Should have more to update on Monday, hopefully with a video of her finally running again!

[fisch]

Dragway Splats, that is a new one for me! Funny how what is common over there can be a mystery to us. Man I an jelly of your shoe closet for sure!

 

Yeah I painted one of my spares, looks mint just hope it lasts haha

 

 

 

Thanks :)

Umm I could, Dunno how much shipping would be though. I can try to find out if youre really interested.

 

 

 

 

You should see how many more I have on the way from Japan then ;)

6 more pairs are on boats at the moment and have bids on a few more. Some pretty rare stuff too :P Will be sure to post some pics once they arrive (1st lot should only be a week or two away, 6-9 week sea shipping always feels like forever :( )

 

The ones off the donor car are made by Dragway, If im correct theyre called Dragway Splats. Pretty common wheel over here, I have another set which you might be able to see in the background of some of the photos. They are a pretty cool wheel, but im a sucker for the old school Jap wheels. 

 

Anyways hoping to get the guards sorted today, a few more coats of primer on the engine bay and the interior finished (still need carpet, there was a stuff up with the last lot I ordered and my money was sent back :S so need to re-order soon) Which will leave her ready for colour and the engine dropped back in :).  Just need to wait to a more reasonable time to start pissing the neighbours off, dont think they'd like me grinding and running the compressor at 7:20am on a Sunday morning haha

[Stevexc]

Dragway Splats, that is a new one for me! Funny how what is common over there can be a mystery to us. Man I an jelly of your shoe closet for sure!

 

  

Haha Its getting there, still a lot on my list to get, but most being rare its taking time waiting for them to pop up for sale. 

The first of what I have coming landed in Sydney Thursday, should should be at my front door in a few days :)

Got my eye on a few others too :P-

 

 

Wish I had the money for these :( Original gold barrelled 7.5" and 8" Star Sharks!

 

 

But seeing theyre a little out of my price range im settling for these to match the other pair I have coming-

 

Got a bid on them so hoping Its high enough to win. 

 

Anyways these are what I have coming-

 

SSR Super Stars- 14x6.5+4

 

 

 

 

 

SSR Star Formula- 14x6.5

 

 

 

 

SSR MK3s (Full set)- 14x6.5 type B-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SSr Mk2s- 14x7.5-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Techno Phantoms I posted earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

They all need some cleaning up but got them cheap so wont complain, with fresh paint, a good high speed polish and touching up the outer lips will come up nice.

The Phantoms will be re-barrelled to make then around 9-9.5" wide to use on my Ta22 celica (need to fill the flares) and the Formulas will go to about 8.5-9" for the front.

Will post better pics once I get them all and clean them up.

[Stevexc]

So got the engine back in today!! 

 

All was going well...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until this-

 

 

 

The gear box cross-member doesnt line up!!

Its about 2" towards the front of the car. 

What do people do to fix this? Thinking of getting 2 6" x 2" strips of metal and bolting them where the crossmember chould bolt to and bolt the crossmember to the front of that.

Will be a easy fix, just 2 strips of think metal plate and 8 holes to drill. Just annoying as there rest of the car is 110% ready to run! Just need to bolt that up and put the tail shaft in. If I still had the auto cross-member I could just add something on top and use the original mounting holes and just have it mount to the gearbox further back than the normal manual cross-member does. Might be able to mock something up to do what as well, do both to ensure its not going anywhere haha

Hopefully get some metal tomorrow and have it all cut ready to put in Wednesday. 

[Stevexc]

No updates on the Datto atm but cleaned the Techno Phantoms up...

Stripped the centres, repainted them, new bolts and a polish.

 

Before-

 

 

During-

 

 

 

 

 

After-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now trying to win another pair of Phantoms to make a set. 

 

Hoping to get some metal tomorrow to make up this crossmember so I can get the Datto running soon!

[Stevexc]

So this is my plan for the crossmember-

 

 

 

 

Bolt this 12mm thick piece of metal to the three holes that are currently there for the x-member and bolt the actual x-member to the end of it.

Do that on both sides plus run and horizontal one (how the x-member would normally bolt on) and add a rubber block for the gearbox to sit on just for extra support on the end of the gearbox.

 

It should to the job. Have the metal all cut to size just need to measure it up for the bolt holes. Have tomorrow off so planning to have it all done and the car running tomorrow!

 

I put a battery in to test all the lights, and found more things to fix. Three fuses arent getting power, they are the        "Head L"        "Tail L / Park L /  Ill L"        and      "Horn Stop L"

 

Anyways The headlights are not working, the indicators are just staying on (grounding issue maybe if not the fuse?) and the horn just stays on and no wipers (wiper fuse is getting power though).

Didnt check tail lights ect. But basically only things working up front are the parker lights and the dash lights are fine. Im assuming the 3 fuses that arent getting power are the cause, funny thing is I havn't touched any wires that come before the fuses. 

Didnt really look into it too much, hoping its just some loose grounds or something, shouldnt be too hard to figure out, just another thing to add to the list. 

[Stevexc]

SHE'S RUNNING!

 

Took a couple of weeks longer then I anticipated but none the less she's running again!

 

Still a few little things to work out, like the fuel isnt pumping, Dont know if its the fuel pump or if there is a blockage somewhere.

Will have to run the fuel from a cup the test the fuel pump, hoping it is the fuel pump as a have 2 spares and its a lot easier to fix then finding and clearing a blockage in the fuel lines/tank.

And there is an exhaust leak where the manifold meets to the exhaust. Hoping to find some extractors anyways and running a new exhaust so its no too much of a drama.

Other then those two things all went well. Hopefully sort out the fuel issue on Monday so I can take her for a little spin :P

 

The home made X-member seems to be doing the job. Might make something a little better up later on but for now it works well.

 

Didnt take any photos today, was on a mission to get it done and by times I had it all done and cleaned my mess I was running late for dinner haha.

 

Hopefully all 100% running Monday and Ill finish painting under the boot ect then shes ready for the body to go off to paint!

 

Finally coming together :)

[Stevexc]

Some wheels have arrived :P

 

 

[Stevexc]

Finallllly found some time between work and uni to get the paint started on the Datto.

Got most the paint down, just need to finish tiding the flaring on the front guard up and paint them then its all done.

Came up fairly tidy for my second attempt at panting a car, not perfect by any means but good enough for a daily driver.

 

Just need to finish the front guards, install carpet, and ordering some mild 30mm side flares from Japan as I still want to go that route. Also have a 240Z bobtail spoiler coming to play around with. All should be here in the next week or 2.

 

Planning on doing black bumpers rather then chrome as the light colour would contrast better with black and the flares and bobtail will be black so would all fit together.

 

Anyways here are the photos from todays efforts. Note its reallly hard to get a photo that shows the actually colour of the paint, But the colour is more the green colour not the blue in the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

Also latest wheels to arrive from Japan =)

 

Ill break out the DSLR camera tomorrow to try to get some better photos.

Also hopefully have the guards all done and the rest of the car buffed.