Nite_Grind Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 (edited) Hey Guys my names Joel. I've been on the forum for a few months, browsing and reading a lot. Skimming topics. I've barely scratched the surface on what I wish to learn and things I need to learn, but all in all, tons of good info. around here. Cool stuff in the archive I can't wait to apply to my Datsun as things progress. Clearly I'm a bit reserved posting my personal things but I do document nearly everything. One day I might make an interesting thread; one day. For now I just wanted to share with you all a little bit and maybe inspire someone as I've been inspired. This will be a log covering my first engine rebuild ever. You see, I decided when I bought my Datsun to avoid as many setbacks as possible due to outsourcing, that I'd try to do as much as I could by myself or under watch of a pro. Buying a non-running Z made my step easy and 1st priority....building a reliable heart. So from scrap to key-on here we go!!!! Just a lil background. I bought my Z and it came with a L28 ( uninstalled ). Engine on a stand, with some quick pre-lim inspections I realized the motor was seized. "No Biggy" I thought to myself, because before I even bought the car I knew a 3.1L build was in the future and that would be the core. I set out on CL to find a replacement but the running engines were scarce and all seemed to be in norcal. The rest just had a sketchy w/ parts or rebuild w/ no receipts caption. I'll pass on those. Anyway, I ended up finding a local L26 w/ some extras for $140 I later when on to sell some spare parts for it netting me a positive $20. It was advertised as running, which I didn't believe that for a sec. but I figured at that price it was worth a gamble to me. Either way I needed an engine and I was prepared to rebuild an engine regardless of who I bought it from. Ready to get this thing underway and see where I stood, I hauled my newly found L26 down to our shop where my buddies and I wrench on Hondas to start my inspection. Off loaded and ready for teardown. I've read a lot of people suggesting to begin with this book so I ordered one up. Edited September 9, 2014 by Nite_Grind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Your picture links don't work. No thumbnails, nothing comes up with a click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 Your picture links don't work. No thumbnails, nothing comes up with a click. Thank You. It worked last night, but anyway I was able to get that fixed. You guys didn't miss anything grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) Back to business, Just snapping some photos of components and condition of the longblock was in when I bought it. Due to time being of the essence, at least that is what I once though, I began to tear it down so I could inspect it asap and plan the next course of action. 1stly ripped off these flat tops next the N36 Manifolds, which I later sold with those items out of the way, next was the exh. manifold. Remember I mentioned earlier the honda guy thing, it did not hot me conceptually until teardown that the exh. and intake were on the same side. #mindblown LOL smog equipment? BWHAHAHA I scorn thee More misc. goods I'm not sure I will reuse, also removed. They will be handy templates if I do not reuse them. Then it was time to take the pan off. If the bearings are/were good I'd just do a bearing slap and install the engine in my car. somewhere along the timeline I decided to remove the VC. Amongst all the sludge of poor maintenance I heard a hollow part drop...Hmmmm? that's what it was. A pc. of the oil spray bar Oil pan off, I began removing rod caps to check the bearings. I only have 5 pics but all the bearings looked good; this might be an actual running engine I said to myself. So I was content on just reinstalling them and torquing them a few ft.lbs extra. All I'd need now is a HG and re-assemble. Of course the conservative way out. How could I explain anything less to the mrs. Edited September 10, 2014 by Nite_Grind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spyder Z 15 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Very cool. Have you checked out EmpireZ yet? Ontario meets first thursday of every month at the Denny's parking lot off of Milliken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 Very cool. Have you checked out EmpireZ yet? Ontario meets first thursday of every month at the Denny's parking lot off of Milliken. Thanks Spyder. I haven't yet sir. Datsun is out of commission, but as soon as it's up and running I will. I'm hoping, I can do this all within the next month. On top of this rebuild, I still have to rebuild carbs, get a 3-2 header, clutch and flywheel, transmission mount and mount area repair, on top of rebuilding the current 4spd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 So with the bearings in good shape, I was in high hopes this would be easy, with just a gasket swap. So I pulled the head off. Quiet the carb build up. Front engine components removed - a lot of sludge, not bad for 30/40yrs of being on the road I guess. It was at this point, when removing carbon from the piston tops I realized, with my OCD I'd be digging a ditch. Yearning for a piece of mind would only mean one thing. REBUILD IT ALL. Houston we have contact. Piston to valve clearance was diminished for a moment in time. while I thought it out, I'd continue on to strip the block. I knew a proper rebuild would now be mandatory. paused for a brief moment to inspect cylinders before I continued disassembly. bearings cast away like my dreams fancy crank pose replaced the mains. I Plan to send the block out to get hot tanked, and prep mentally, physically, financially for a rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 The building never ends. The more I stare at this machine the more extravagant I wish to be. A quick reality check, and back to earth, I press-on with the fundamentals. While the block is out for cleaning I decided I'd be sending the flywheel to be lightened and resurfaced, some before pics. Not into researching a performance clutch kit right now. Just stay within the realm of wholesome is what I'm after. letting my boys in on some L6 lovin - poppin freeze plugs sometimes when a man is lonely he gets a lil bit hone-y! 1st pass I ended up doing10fwd 10rev passes - now she's officially ready for the machine shop Fly being sent out for resurface & lightening adding these to the parts to be cleaned pile; w/ the others seen above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 so I had sent my block out to my friends shop to get hot tanked and cleaned, I guess he's a stickler for properly maintaing the fluids, because all my parts came back dingy. EHHHH! GRRR! Some may say that's what you get for being cheap, but I assure you I wasn't. My intensions were good; to support a friends. Should have went with my first instinct. So in the right hands, and some media blast later WALLLLLAHHH! my old tattered spray bar that's now in a better place Block and crank return while waiting for the head to come back ( apparently it has a bent valve so I will order one up ) I ordered the basics. Timing Components Gasket Kit freeze plugs. - note do not buy this kit, can be ordered cheaper at your local parts store. When I bought my timing kit these were in it..... should have checked this part # 1st. set back #1 2.8L Rings.... ummm could have sworn I asked them for 2.6L! Grrr These will be going back for sure. Turbo Oil pump to keep oil psi up, I drive aggressive-ish so might come in handy, while I attack fwy on ramps LOL pistons and rods cleaned up as well and of course I had to snap some pics of my pit crew ( 2of 3 ), they wouldn't have it any other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted October 15, 2014 Author Share Posted October 15, 2014 Some good info. I was schooled on another forum, which is great, that oil pump posted above is not high vol. I'll need to exchange that. I ordered a turbo pump, but guess what, wrong again. So I'll be ordering a KA24DE pump. As for the build, here's some goodies all cleaned up, and ready for paint. yes I plan to rebuild the original 4spd. It's all about the datsun experience. arrival of the achilles heal - ebay member shorted me a few, but is sending me another full pack. ( vandervell rods, clevite main. ) cough cough round tops have made its way into the build !!! Balance tube will be shaved and welded. Carbs will be rebuilt to compliment the engine. extras I received With the block and VC prepped at work I decided to tackle some stuff at home. 4 stages Rattle can enamel. My minions join daddy again. My lil man ( yes I know he's a cute boy LOL ), and daddy's girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dat260 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 nice work, your pit crew is adorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 hahaha Thanks sir! They are also many other things but what 2 & 3 yr olds aren't. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Fib Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Which engine/machine shop did you send your block parts to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datz44 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Totally agree, Nite_Grind. its all about the datsun experience, just like in 1974. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98blackbell Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Great story. Keep up the work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite_Grind Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Which engine/machine shop did you send your block parts to? I used carquest; formally known as graves. Totally agree, Nite_Grind. its all about the datsun experience, just like in 1974. Well at least as close to it as I can get in a slightly updated form. I know headers are not the purist option but it's a sensible one nonetheless. Great story. Keep up the work Thanks sir, I'll do my best. I have to sort a few things out, as life would have it, so this may slow down a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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