1978 Datsun 710(Violet) project

[T_lopez007]

hey everyone, im pretty new to the datsun scene, but i came across a 710 in decent condition for around $500. im living in mexico but i wanted to see if you had any tips/recs to start my project!

[Bleach]

The 710 is very rare these days, unless for some reason there are more of them in Mexico. You may find it very hard to find body panels for it.

 

The engine and transmission are shared with many other Datsun cars and trucks so you'll have an easier time getting parts for that area.

[datzenmike]

Mexico often got different engines than elsewhere. The 510 got the J series for example. Either way the 710s near you will have the same drive trains. Might be cheaper to buy a complete car (even scrapped) for spare parts.

 

Never throw any part, broken or worn out, away. Once gone.... it's gone forever. There is always something in or on it that can be used to keep the rest of the car on the road.

Avoid turning in any castings if buying rebuilt parts. Brake calipers or alternators can be rebuilt at home at some later date.

The original parts from a wrecking yard vehicle are likely to be better than a rebuilt part from the store. Store bought rebuilt parts are generally very poor quality

If you have the chance to acquire parts for your 710 from another car with similar parts, collect them and store them for later. You should always have a parts 'stash'.

Always be on the lookout for other 710s and Datsuns abandoned, scrapped or just sitting unused in alleys and back yards. They can be a gold mine of spare parts.

Find other owners and trade spare parts.

[T_lopez007]

thanks a lot haha. yea there are actually a couple of 710s around my area that are being scrapped for parts, so I'm going to go scavenging these next couple of days. surprisingly the body panels are in great shape, although I might need to weld some panels in the passengers footwell and the trunk area. there aren't really any scrapyards near me, but there's little street markets that get set up on weekends where you can find literally anything you want so I'm hoping to find some things from there. mechanically the car seems pretty good, starts right up on the first go. my friend that came with me to go buy it, told me it should've costed me at least 1,500 based on the condition and rarity, so I'm guessing i got pretty lucky. I'll try to take some pics and stuff so you guys can check it out, and thanks for the tips!

[T_lopez007]

hey I kinda want to swap the trans from a 4 speed to a 5 speed, do you guys know of any transmissions that will bolt on or need some minor modifications to fit?

[datzenmike]

160J. What engine is in yours?  L or J series?

[T_lopez007]

im not really sure what the difference is, i know that it is a 1600 engine 

[datzenmike]

L series has an unpainted cast aluminum valve cover. The J series is stamped steel probably blue in color.

[T_lopez007]

ah okay, its the j series then 

 

[datzenmike]

There was a J16

[T_lopez007]

Hey everyone, i'm finally somewhat back. I had some problems with the mechanic that was "helping" me fix my car. Unfortunately he ended up taking the money i gave him for new pistons and a new transmission and dismantled my entire car, left it out in a random place. Its been hard but i haven't given up on my 710. I'm a student so im juggling work and studying and saving up for my project. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks i can get back on it. Anyway, since i dont have a trans and pretty much just have the block of my J16, i was looking into maybe buying a new engine and trans. but do you guys have any suggestions about what engines will bolt in? is it a better idea to just try and find another J16?

[T_lopez007]

This is what the car looked like before i made any changes to it, i do have the front grill and both bumpers, it had all doors and most panels without major damage or rust. Although the previous owner did a lot of jank fixes on it. Also it wasn't the original color. 

[T_lopez007]

Some of the work done on it really wasn't great but this is what it looks like now, back to the original white paint, i did the clear coat on it after this, i dont have more recent photos. I did manage to get some Wantanabe style wheels for it, and fixed up a couple things inside of the engine bay. Now i need to figure out what i have to do with the engine and trans, but with some TLC and a loooot of elbow grease i think i can get a pretty good looking and functioning car. 

[Motorvated]

Hey mate,

It's cool to read your thread. That's a rare car. I don't think we got any here in Australia unless people have imported them.

 

That really sucks about what that 'mechanic' did. Sorry you had to go through that. onwards and upwards!

 

I cant see your pics for some reason

good luck with your project

Dom

[T_lopez007]

ahhh, may have uploaded them incorrectly. will have to see what i can do with that. Thanks for the good wishes Dom! yea i thought of selling what i could but i ended up just keeping everything, like u said onwards and upwards!

12 hours ago, Motorvated said:

Hey mate,

It's cool to read your thread. That's a rare car. I don't think we got any here in Australia unless people have imported them.

 

That really sucks about what that 'mechanic' did. Sorry you had to go through that. onwards and upwards!

 

I cant see your pics for some reason

good luck with your project

Dom