DatsunFlyer Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Alright guys, I've been working on my goon as much as possible but I do have a couple questions and I know this is the best place to ask them so here they are. 1) My car has a problem with a smoking tail pipe. It happens a little on the start but even when it gets warm it'll smoke as I drive. I've changed the oil to 5w30 but what to know what oil is best to run/ how i could fix the problem? It is a white/ grayish smoke. 2) I have seen and read a lot of engine swap stuff about the goon. I am currently on break for school so i don't drive it very long distances, but I'll need to get this thing driving and running well at freeway speeds. I'm pretty sure I have an L20 and was wondering if I can put mods or should swap it to make it a little more reliable at high speeds. Any advice? I want to make it my daily drive and need it driving as best as possible. 3) Are there any good stores or websites for parts? I need a good amount of little things? I am always checking the ratsun classifieds and ebay but its not the best resource. 4) I live in Orange County and think it would be sick to meet some of you guys. So if there are meet ups or something please list below. Thanks for all the help in advance. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 1. Rebuild the engine. Rings, gaskets r all u need 2. Keep the stock engine. It'll do 75 MPH all day long. It is safe to run the engine to 7000 rpm 3 oreilys and rockauto Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 2 freeway speeds - do you have a five speed? That will help with the freeway cruising. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Won't help, won't make it go faster, makes acceleration slower. Put yure foot down, let it rev up. It was designed back when the speed limit was 75. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 No argument with your points gg, but OP says running and driving well at freeway speeds. I would say overdrive helps with driving well at those speeds. But yeah, it should come after a re ring and probably a good carb cleaning and/or rebuild. 1 Quote Link to comment
dr.feltersnatch Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Hop on facebook there are a ton of datsun groups in your area. Rockauto.com has a decent selection of parts. Before you do anything else do a good tune up and a compression test both wet and dry to see the health of your motor. And motor swaps are not cheap or easy so stick with the l20 they are good motors. Quote Link to comment
kelowg Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Short of rebuilding, put thicker oil in it. At least 20/50w. 5 is like water,meant for modern engines. Consider installing oil press gauge so u can see what she running at. check compression and do compression leak down test. That will tell u more about motor problems. Quote Link to comment
paradime Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Pulling the head on an L is an afternoon's work, and that will tell you everything you need to know. Although your L16 is more than up for 75mph, If you decide to swap an L20, unless you know it's history, I'd pull the head before installing it. Easy work for massive peace of mind IMO. Quote Link to comment
dr.feltersnatch Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 He said he has an l20 Quote Link to comment
DatsunFlyer Posted April 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 Thank you for all the responses! Yes i have a L20 but will pull the heads off and look at everything. I will go with a thicker oil and yes i do have a 4 speed and I have been constantly thinking about a change to a five speed. A big thank you for places to buy parts, it is a constant struggle. And please keep and advice and tips coming it is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment
dr.feltersnatch Posted April 21, 2015 Report Share Posted April 21, 2015 White smoke usually means water. Bkue snoke usually means oil. Black snoke usually means fuel. Check your intake gasket. Make sure its not seeping coolant into the intake. Then check your head gasket. You can use a "block tester" they are pretty cheap and easy to use. Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 They rent block testers and compression testers for free at O'Reilly auto. You put down a deposit but it's all refunded when you return the tool. But there is a fluid you have to use with the block tester. You have to buy that. It's like 8 whole dollars Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Do NOT run anything 5w. It's only good for below 60F and too thin and watery. Run 15w40 Shell Rotella T or Chevron Delo 400. At the very least run 10w30 but no less. How many miles to the quart of oil do you get? If better than a thousand then the smoke is not from burning oil and may be something fixable. L20B??? you can find out by looking on the top of the block just below the head directly behind the dip stick handle. It's stamped right there. It's safe to drive at any speed as long as it has lots of fresh oil in it and it's not allowed to over heat. As for anything that makes it more reliable? Well the later '78 and up L20Bs had an electronic ignition (EI) distributor and coil. It runs without points and has more voltage output. Always good. Quote Link to comment
q-tip Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 As usual mike comes in with the answers I had so...what mike said... Quote Link to comment
DatsunFlyer Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 Quick Question: When talking about replacing gaskets in the engine, are talking all the gaskets in the engine? or are we talking gaskets to oil pan and header gaskets? Quote Link to comment
paradime Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 You'll know what gaskets you need to replace when you decide how far you will tare down the motor. Getting the full gasket set is cheaper than getting a few individually. It's like $65 for everything. Quote Link to comment
Dantheman Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 If you are still running a points destributor I have plenty of spare cap, rotor and points you can have if it will help you out. I'm in Orange County also Quote Link to comment
Tametamale Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 What's up man! I'm also in the Orange County area as well! Specifically Garden Grove Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted April 29, 2015 Report Share Posted April 29, 2015 datsunflyer\ take things slow if you dont have another car to drive to work then dont bust tthings down unless you know what your doing and have acces to parts right away. swapping gaskets ?do your really thing its going to change all that much? What I learned is buy a spare motor on the side and get it rebuilt at your leasure then swap out in a weekend. 5 wt oil is too light. monitor the oil consumption this will give a indication of a motor rebuild besides oil leaks. read everything on olddatsuns.com the tech section Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 30, 2015 Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 External oil leaks are usually (in order) Valve cover (sometimes excess blow-by from cover vent but this isn't a gasket problem) Oil pan Front timing cover crank seal Oil pressure sender Fuel pump All these are easy to replace with the engine in. Pressure wash the grease and oil off problem areas then use brake cleaner to clean even more. Run engine and check often to see where fresh oil appears. Valve cover oil can somtimes flow hoizontaly anong the block before dripping. Quote Link to comment
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