Ryan Family 510 Posted July 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Did the engine run before the work, and if so, did it have the same issue? Was the base of the head milled? I'd say it could have been the head gasket failed. If thats not it, then the head or block could be bad. I've never worked with pitted heads before so I don't know if that could cause failure. I have no history on the engine. But I did take it to a very good machine shop and it was milled. The more I inspect and the more I research the more I think we will put another head gasket on it. Tonight I am going to hand thread the bolts on without the head, heard that they can bottom out? Before they are tight? If that does not work I will continue to look for a replacement head. Thanks for the input so far! Quote Link to comment
shacks510 Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 There should be more than enough room in the block for the head bolts. Seems unlikely that they'd bottom out. You'd see something at the end of the bolt that indicated contact. Possibly gacked threads on the bolt. Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 you would think. But we just finished hand threading the bolts into the block without the head and they do "stop". I took some measurements and I'll say it could be an issue. Not sure. Having only built 1 engine....this one I don't have that experience. I'm sure someone will add a penny or two here. Anyway, we are putting the head back on. Felpro gasket.......and I am going to use some gasket shit around the water ports. I'll let you guys know what happens Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 update!!! Lost the freaking chain tensioner upon re-entry!!!! Muther f-er!!! Chad looked it up on a search and found a post indicating he has been sucessful at getting the tension fucker back in without pulling the cover. He was hell bent to do it and guess what, it happened, we got that little dude back in its hole. But we could not get the cam sprocket on the chain without it popping back out. So guess what we are doing!!!!!! Pulling the front cover!!!!!! We used the wood wedge as instructed, exact dimensions Haynes said to use..........next time I will make the small end .5 inches instead of 1.25 inches to ensure it can get down far enough to hold the tensioner in place. Anyway, the head is back on and torqued. I used the smallest amount of RTV just around a few of the pitted water holes. Work is getting in the way. We will put in a full day sunday....but first, back to the parts store to order more gaskets!!!!! I love it when we "Get" to work on the car...........I dont love it when we "HAVE TO" work on the car. Does that make sense to anyone? More to follow. Im going to bed!!!! Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 sounds like me and overtime. i like it when i don't have to be there but absolutely hate it when i'm told i have to but the same goes for my cars Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 It's all back together!!! Thanks to lots of help from the Ratsun Family!!! And guess what. Bumpers from Futofab!!!!! We just put a quick black spray can paint on them. Good enough for now. We found the vacuum leak. It was the adapter plate for the Weber. !!!!!! back to idling normally. We can't drive it cuz the seats are getting refinished!!! Hard to tell if we fixed the oil in radiator issue. I We are filling and draining. Not sure if anyone has a do it yourself radiator flush method but would like to know. We still need a front end alignment so I may see if the guys at the tire shop can flush the engine block. For now we wait. The boys start school on August 12th. It sure would be nice if they could drive this to school!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 1 Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Hey Dan, remember these? 2 Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 the Boys both passed their driving test yesterday!!!!! The seats were also finished same day (fronts). The boys are taking turns driving all over town. So far so good with the new head gasket. I have not even driven it!!!!! 4 Quote Link to comment
Dantheman Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Those can't be my old seats. Those look too good. Great job guys. Kevin I think you'll be luck if you ever get the chance to drive her again. The boys have to be very proud of all the family unit has accomplished. Have fun guys. Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 They are your old seats! So on the engine update. We flushed the coolant system with Simple Green (about a gallon added) let it run for about 10 minutes and drained then flushed about 15 gallons of clean water through it. Now we drive and wait. I don't have High hopes. I have been reading many other blogs about this same issue, oil in coolant. It seems that most blame the head. The head on our L20b has been machined a lot, it's a U60. I just bit the bullet and bought a W58 peanut head on line. It is completely re manufactured and machined. I have never heard of the company I bought it from, but they are in my back yard (kinda) rancho Cucamonga. California Datsun Inc. Maybe a little on the pricey side considering I machined and rebuilt the entire L20b for 1500. Oh, did I not mention how much I spent on the head? Anyway, it is plug and play. Should bolt right on as soon as I get it.We have way too many things going on in life right now. I did not want to spend that much but I just don't have time to get a used one off to the shop. Having a terrible time trying to find a head!!! Anyway, I'll keep you all updated. The boys are driving it, but just to school and back. I'm afraid of all that oil in the coolant.....can't be good. Quote Link to comment
Dantheman Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Don't wish to pull the rug out from under you, but....... Key word search the company you just purchased from. I don't have personal first hand dealing but read some stuff that didn't give me much confidence in them. Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Yeah, get that head checked or at least look it over yourself before installing. Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Crossing fingers!!! Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 We just had a thread pop up about a "rebuilt" head from that company being bad, guy didn't check it until a year after purchase. Bunch of people chimed in aND the vendor actually popped on with what looked like a form letter. I think the guy got his money back but basic feel I got out of the whole thing was don't buy his engine parts. Brakes are ok, engine parts are kinda.... not so ok. Good luck with yours, hopefully you have better results. I still need to install the brakes I bought last year from him so I don't have first hand knowledge of his quality, just what I've read Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Well, its in the mail so I just wait and see. I don't Facebook but I was able to see a few folks commenting on his, not so great. His eBay comments are not to bad. If its the head in the pic I should be alright. I'll take a good look at it. May even run it out to my machine shop. I can always show up on his door step. I've bought many things for this car on the internet, so far so good! Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Hobo, What thread are you referring to? On Ratsun? Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Last page of the thread because I'm too lazy to get to the first page while using mobile version http://community.ratsun.net/topic/66882-dont-do-business-with-california-datsun-formely-datsun-parts-llc/page-8?do=findComment&comment=1276173 Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Oh boy!! Just read all that! Let's hope the head I purchased is an after the incident product and meets a new set of standards at Cali Datsun! I will take a very good look at it. I'm not sure if I will be able to tell if parts are mixed from other heads, but I'll do some home work. If I suspect issues I'll take it to my guy. Again, crossed fingers!! Quote Link to comment
shacks510 Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I bet he advertised that head with the same photos he always uses. You probably won't be getting the head that was shown in the photos. Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 and that's not the only such thread on here, i think there was one for the old name as well but i can't remember Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 I bet he advertised that head with the same photos he always uses. You probably won't be getting the head that was shown in the photos. Well, we shall see. I read that entire thread, his response as well. Lets see if he is really trying to up his game. If I can use some of the parts from my U60 on the W58 then I will be ok. I hate spending that kind of money on shit.....but let me stop myself as I am not sure that is the case. Shacks, I'm still very interested in your L20b block. I may end up replacing the block and head? Ummmmm, thats a whole new engine! I'll be sure to share with you guys pics of the head as soon as I get it. But it something is a miss, I will call the Al guy and let him correct before posting. So we shall see. Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 and that's not the only such thread on here, i think there was one for the old name as well but i can't remember It's hard for me to believe it can be that bad! It really is. Only time will tell. I am as nervous as all of you to see what shows up on my door step! I'm only 30 minutes from the guys shop. I can always show up on his door step and see if he honors his word in the previous posts. If he doesn't, I will eat it and post about my poor choices in parts selection. As for now, I hope for the best! Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 The big day has arrived!! To me this head checks out. I do not know if this is the right cam for a w58. on the cam it says U20 on one side and there is an M and a 4 on the other. seal look new Quote Link to comment
Ryan Family 510 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Not sure that these rocker arms are smooth enough, but they have certainly been machined. Any thoughts? 1 Quote Link to comment
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