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Trent's Datsun 1600 Project
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Author:  hailest [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Hi All,

I have been following this forum for a long time and wanted to finally introduce myself.

I'm just starting on my 1971 Datsun 1600 build. The story so far (with pics)

I didn't want to get a car half done and tweak it I wanted to take the long road and make it a challenge...hmmm maybe a financial challenge one as well...

I had purchased the car from Tasmania June this year and had it shipped over, start wasn't good with a whole lot of parts stolen from the boot of the car on the way over (or in the docks). I have spent the past few weeks pulling everything apart and assessing the damage.

As the community support is so fantastic here, I thought that leveraging peoples experience and sharing my findings along the way, it may help me and future builders as well.

I have been taking pic's every step of the way so will update the forum each time something is achieved.

Right now I try and spend 1 hour per night on the car as well as a full day on Sat each weekend, if I can squeeze a bit more in here and there I will. I have also just booked into a car restoration course at Docklands for a bit of body work guidance (Currently scares me).

I have had a lot of support and help from one member here already (won't name names) just in case they don't want to be identified, but really helped a lot with boosting my confidence for the project and point me in the right direction.

So my plans:

- Nice street 1600 (Nothing crazy)
- I have a SR20DET S14 currently sitting at a friends factory (no space in my garage)
- I have purchased the R31 rear brakes/disks etc
- Plan on spending a small fortune with Datsport :)
- The SR20 will be stock to start with..we all know how the story goes.
- Fix the rust in the usual places...(bodywork not a strong point at all)
- All important colour will = white

- Still, so much more to do I have just purchased a mig welder and made the rotisserie this past weekend and will now start on the body work.

So my findings so far:

The car before I started had a CA18 (not in when I purchased the car) in it and I have learnt a lot from the previous owner

1. The previous owner had holes EVERYWHERE, Swiss cheese in the engine bay. Need to put something in the bay?, why on earth use an existing hole when you can bust out the drill and create A NEW bigger hole...LOL
2. Apparently silicon can fix rust, holes and is better at holding panels together than welding, I had spent a solid 4 hours wire brushing out all of the silicon and I'm sure I have still missed some.
3. If the spare wheel well in the boot is rusted, perfect solution, replace with Perspex! WTF!!! (I have a replacement wheel well ready to go)
4. 25 mm of bog is perfect for hiding some really bad metal work in the rear quarters

Oh...there is so much more, however I will keep the first post relatively short.

Overall the car isn't too bad, the rear quarters have me a bit scared but all in all I'm wrapped about my new project and will keep the posts coming if anyone out there is interested in reading them :)

BTW, I'm in the eastern suburbs Melb.

Cheers,

Trent

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Author:  1600 head [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

looking good mate glad to see another one pop up in melbourne.
That spare wheel well is a classic. one of my 1600's has half the well cut out to fit mufflers.
Some people.

Keen to see progress :thumbsup:



jonno

Author:  hailest [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Thanks Jonno, really excited about getting it up and running. I have had two in the past approx 14 years ago and finally now get to do it all again, however this time around not on apprentice wages :)

It's incredible the lengths people will goto to do a crummy job! still fixing it will be great fun and I cant wait to start putting it back together. I shouldn't get ahead of myself a long way to go....

Cheers,

Trent

Author:  MYDATO [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Lookin good mate. Can I make one suggestion. Weld in some RHS between the two engine stands. This will stop flex in the body and also will help keep everything standing upright when you start flipping the body around. Happy rustoration :D

Author:  hailest [ Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Thanks for the advise! was thinking about that will do so this weekend, last thing I want is body flex.

Author:  hailest [ Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Hi All,

Small update:
- Bit of welding in the rad support area and chassis rails
- The previous owner has gone crazy with the hacksaw/angle grinder and removed a good 50% of the rad support. I want to do the job properly and can't accept putting in the cooler and radiator around this mess. So yes WTB will add in a rad support request, any people have one? You can see in the pics the mess...
- Repaired the front driver's seat frame, I did get a bit carried away with the welder and stitch welded the support behind it. Actually the driver's seat frame was a mess, I'm sure at some point the driver's seat was held on with rivets and silicone.
- Note the cut that was made for the old 5spd gearbox......
- Had the replacement wheel well blasted today by A1 Blasting in FTG, very good result and not so bad condition, the just one patch to cut out. Expected some rust here.

Weekend plans:
- Add some RHS between the engine stands, cough...." rotisserie"
- Repair the spare wheel well, should be an easy fix, just need to find a place and purchase the steel, any ideas in eastern suburbs?
- Fill more holes in the engine bay, start patching the firewall.
- Start on the passenger seat support
- Start on filling the intercooler holes from the previous owner. what were they thinking....

Still lots to go, all feedback welcome :)

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Author:  SR20Datsun [ Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Nice work Trent. Will have to pop around and give you a hand soon.
Try R.P. Steel Supplies in Bayswater.

Author:  hailest [ Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Hi All,

Small update from the weekend. I only had about 4 hours so not a whole lot of process, will make up for it this week and next weekend :)

- Finished passenger seat support welding
- Made up some brackets like I did on the driver's side and welded them in for additional strength
- Patched the spare wheel well, awaiting Nik's keen eye for approval :) Actually came out really well, I think....
- Started to cut out some rust in the engine bay area. Take a look, basically a nasty spot here but should be quite easy to repair.
- Oh and the big news, after some paint stripper, I'm the proud owner of a right rear door with no rust and no bog, I can't believe it....A Datsun panel which isn't stuffed.

All feedback welcome.

Cheers,

Trent

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Author:  SR20Datsun [ Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Looking good Trent.

Author:  hailest [ Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Thanks Nik,

Didnt get any work done last night however I think I have some crazy idea about getting the spare wheel well in. Will show you and see what you think.

I have no work tonight so will be back into it :)

Author:  burubado [ Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

it's sad seeing the dodginess of some people.
I'm glad you're putting the effort in to fix it.

This is why i hate idiots chopping up cars for intercoolers.

Author:  DatsAndy [ Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Some Awesome work there mate, Progressing very well Keep it up.

Author:  hailest [ Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Thanks DatsAndy :)

So yeah big intercoolers in the front of the car destroy the look, but that's my opinion, each to their own I guess. It's a shame, I have another previous owner pic!

Take a look at the front bar, perfect in every way until you take a look underneath, half of it's missing. With all the space in front of the radiator.... WHY.... Anyway, I sourced another bar from ebay, small dent in it but at least I can get it repaired.

Small piece of work tonight, met with Jono (Thanks for the rad support :) :) ) I might be able to salvage some bits from.

I actually needed to make up three pieces for the repair here. One more left however 9pm and I don't think the neighbours want to hear my grinder going. Will finish tomorrow. I have to say all those episodes of watching biker build off on Discovery channel have paid off, was a great help when making templates for the metalwork and also shaping...

Before anyone points out, yes I know... the welds havent been cleaned up yet :) Tomorrow. I had to spot weld so it's a little messy

Cheers,

Trent

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Author:  hailest [ Sun Aug 22, 2010 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

Hi All,

Paint stripping! Unfortunately nothing to exciting going on, very sore neck (4 years of leopard karting = destroyed neck) so just stuff where I can sit down and take it easy.

Just wondering how far do you go? I spent HOURS on stripping the door (Also some garnet blasting as well) I still have a tiny bit inside, however getting the silicon/glue off was a killer inside the frame. About 4 hours today, 2 hours the other day then the garnet blasting. I'd say I have 100% all off on the outside & frame however only about 90% off the inside of the door. Just a few tiny spots. At the end of the day I will have some sound deadener of some sort in there just wanted to know how far other people went with it all.

Also, 90% finished the valance for the w/screen wipers. Very fiddley piece, and I'll finish that tomorrow night. The door is off for etch priming tomorrow and there are a few small dents that need to be sorted. Have started on the other rear door as well.

Also, check out the pic of the right rear quarter, would like some community feedback, basically it's stuffed.

1. (I have looked) Are there any replacement complete rear quarters about that I can't seem to find by searching :)
2. Maybe someone out there has one.... Maybe off a car they are wrecking....

All feedback welcome

Cheers,

Trent

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Author:  1600 head [ Sun Aug 22, 2010 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trent's Datsun 1600 Project

hey trent,
looking good.
I spent around 10-20 hours stripping on each of my panels.
I didnt worry too much about the inside of the door skins, just gave it a decent sand.
I'll dig out those rear quarters for you through the week if you want to come around
for a looksee. not promising a great panel though :roll:



:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

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