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My 1st Engine Build Ever ( L26 Refresh Log )


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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. 

 

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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.

 

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I've read a lot of people suggesting to begin with this book so I ordered one up.

 

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Edited by Nite_Grind
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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


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next the N36 Manifolds, which I later sold 


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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


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smog equipment? BWHAHAHA I scorn thee


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More misc. goods I'm not sure I will reuse, also removed. They will be handy templates if I do not reuse them.


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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.


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somewhere along the timeline I decided to remove the VC. Amongst all the sludge of poor maintenance I heard a hollow part drop...Hmmmm?


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that's what it was. A pc. of the oil spray bar


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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.


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Edited by Nite_Grind
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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.

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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.


 


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Front engine components removed - a lot of sludge, not bad for 30/40yrs of being on the road I guess.


 


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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.:cry:


 


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Houston we have contact.  Piston to valve clearance was diminished for a moment in time. 


 


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while I thought it out, I'd continue on to strip the block. I knew a proper rebuild would now be mandatory.


 


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paused for a brief moment to inspect cylinders before I continued disassembly. 


 


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bearings cast away like my dreams


 


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fancy crank pose


 


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replaced the mains. I Plan to send the block out to get hot tanked, and prep mentally, physically, financially for a rebuild.


 


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  • 4 weeks later...
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

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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

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Fly being sent out for resurface & lightening 

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adding these to the parts to be cleaned pile; w/ the others seen above

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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! 


 


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my old tattered spray bar that's now in a better place


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Block and crank return


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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


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Gasket Kit


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freeze plugs. - note do not buy this kit, can be ordered cheaper at your local parts store.


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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.


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Turbo Oil pump to keep oil psi up, I drive aggressive-ish so might come in handy, while I attack fwy on ramps LOL


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pistons and rods cleaned up as well


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and of course I had to snap some pics of my pit crew ( 2of 3 ), they wouldn't have it any other way.


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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.

 

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yes I plan to rebuild the original 4spd. It's all about the datsun experience.

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arrival of the achilles heal - ebay member shorted me a few, but is sending me another full pack. ( vandervell rods, clevite main. )

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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.

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extras I received

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With the block and VC prepped at work I decided to tackle some stuff at home. 4 stages Rattle can enamel.

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My minions join daddy again. My lil man ( yes I know he's a cute boy LOL ), and daddy's girl.

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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.

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