sb
Part of things
Posts: 725 
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NOTE this thread starts as all RX7 goodness, but as I wasnt working on it as much as the truck I switched over. Datsun content starts nearer the bottom of this page. Enjoy! A little back story, please avoid if you hate a sob story for attention My first car was a 106, and it was very much the love/hate relationship French cars provide. I was however offered my dads Hyundai Getz for free, and somebody at work offered me £200 for the 106 which was more than scrap so I thought it was win win. However 5 minutes into owning the Getz I realised I had lost massively, it is the dullest car. It may also be the slowest 1.6 or car bearing the word 'sport' on it. It is also yellow... So a few months go by, the person that bought the 106 offered it back to me, I picked it up for £120. It was mullered, I do not know what he had done but the car felt broken in every way... so off it went as scrap leaving me far more sad than a French tin should. Looking through eBay I was doing the usual optimistic searches, R32 Skyline, all manner of datsuns and other classic Japanese metal. Came across an ad for an FC Turbo II convertible, guy wanted £950 for it and so without really thinking I went down and gave him a £50 deposit and woke up severely regretting the decision, told him to keep the £50 as an apology and treated it as a lesson in taking time with these things. A week later I thought Id search for FC RX7's to see if the one I put a deposit on was still around and bam, only a few miles from my house an '89 FC Turbo II coupe, not learning a whole lot from the previous adventure I went to see the car twice within a week and handed him £50 too. This time I didnt regret it and could barely contain myself to count down the days for it to be loaded up on a truck and dropped off. So without me boring you further, Susanna the Savanna: The 'good' side 
The bad side
The comically large exhaust side
 Note the lack of horn and piles of stuff  So a few obvious issues, paint is bad to non existant. Few missing trim pieces, I do have these. Missing tail light, now replaced. Rather ruined front bumper and splitter. No wing mirrors. No horn. Hole in the boot. Jacking points are a broken rusty mess. Battery tray needs rebuilding, its been relocated to the boot. Show cage... held in with 4 bolts, feel like its more likely to kill me. Oh and 0 idea if the engine is any good! Hot starts OK so I'm winging it on that. Battery is dead. Also the stones stuck under the wheels may be a clear point, it had no rear discs and you cant apply the hand brake due the second 'loud' exhaust being in the way (how an exhaust could be louder then the current one I cannot wait to find out, in fact I almost gave him the full asking price there an then when I first heard it start). Theres quite a few more odd bits here and there that will probably crop up, but nothing that scares me. I have done some work to it so will post a couple updates later, currently I'm in the process of rebuilding the splitter, which btw I would love to see some pictures of as it seems very hard to find out if it is standard or what a standard one looks like. |
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Last Edit: May 4, 2017 21:04:41 GMT by sb
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Now when I picked it up he said it had recently been serviced, and the oil was lovely and clear. However the spark plugs were coated in rubbish and the air filter has been changed to a cone filter which doesnt actually fit. So I was guessing the lumpy idle and refusal to settle was going to be something simple to invested in 4 lovely spark plugs  The recommended mix and match for trailing and leading. The idle is now a lot better although temperamental, this being my first rotary I have no idea if thats to be expected but she still seems happy and healthy. Next up the non existent brakes, well technically it was fitting some sort of wing mirror, I have the standards and mazdaspeed ones however no pictures so Ill hold off on that one. Anyhow brakes... I expected this to cost a rather silly sum of money, however we a few parts here and there and two sellers screwing me over on discs that they didnt actually have... these lovely 273 vented discs show up  And rather blew me away, having only worked on a 106 before I didnt expect the shear size of these. So on with the fitting, the seller handed it over with these wooden blocks in the callipers so first things first, hit it with a hammer  And in place, I panicked when I put the retaining screws on as they stick out a few mm however the standard alloys have cut outs that avoid these  Now the cock up, the piston was in the way to get the calliper over, so some money thrown over to China and a few days later  Then the fiddly part of fitting a calliper both pads and trying to hold the spring in with only two hands, I hate brakes...  Lovely  |
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Heres a quick one, got given a tumbler over christmas so gave it a trial on the rear tow eye bolts As they came out  Having a good scrub  After, not a great picture but I promise they do look wonderfully clean in person  And heres a cheeky one of the engine and how she spends most days   |
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Last Edit: Nov 1, 2015 23:22:28 GMT by sb
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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1969 Datsun 521 Pick-upluckyseven
@luckyseven
Club Retro Rides Member 45
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Always good to see another rotang on here, welcome to the dark side, lol.
Looks like that car's had a mixed history; some sensible mods but some neglect too. Cheaps enough though! Mods like the front-mount intercooler and conversion to electric from viscous fans are vital on an FC really. While you're on the hunt for missing bits/bodywork, see if you can track down a bonnet from a Cabriolet model. They're made from alloy and floaty light, unlike the heavier-than-the-rest-of-the-car-combined stock steel one
Has it got a mappable ECU? Or had the stock one re-programmed? General wisdom on turbo rotaries is if you've got modifications to both intake and exhaust then you really want to re-map them. They don't put up with running lean anywhere near as well as a piston engine. One bit of detonation may well break apex seals and then it's engine rebuild time. Not trying to put you off or be the Voice Of Doom, just some advice, like
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Hey I'll take all the advice I can get, I've no idea what I'm getting myself in for. The case is definitely a mixed bag, it's had 8 owners and been sorn every other year.
It was being converted to a track car, so it has no interior and the wiring is totally molested, nothing has escaped being spliced.
Luckily I have all the panels and as for ecu s,the car came with 3 spare, one is a buddy club, the other I believe is standard and the third is in pieces. For some reason none of them work apparently? I'll likely look towards mega squirt, want to spend my penny on a rebuild, maybe porting and looking at bigger turbo, the pipe dream is 300-350 bhp. For now I'm trying to get it road legal and respectable
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Oh the all important mileage too, shell is on 80k ish, engine is on 50, doesn't leak coolant and hot starts ok so I'm thinking is fine but without a compression tester I have no real idea
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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1969 Datsun 521 Pick-upluckyseven
@luckyseven
Club Retro Rides Member 45
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Feb 10, 2015 12:11:34 GMT
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Probably a good thing the re-flashed Buddy Club ECU doesn't work, lol. Japanese ECUs are invariably mapped for super-high RON levels available on the pumps in Japan and tend to be the fastest route to a hand grenade on our rubbish UK petrol. Steve ( goldnrust of this parish) had an FC engine in his MX-5 running Megasquirt so it might well be worth tapping him up if you need any pointers |
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Feb 10, 2015 23:15:12 GMT
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Yes I think Ive seen his thread, but luckily there are so many guides for FCs on Megasquirt. Will also help remove a bunch of horrible spliced wires hopefully if I change to the mega'. I also believe it can handle boost control, but I do have a boost controller, Apexi I think. Also so as not to make this all too wordy, heres the new horn and current progress rebuilding the splitter.  First fix the the cracks, drilled out the ends and dremelled a groove then lots of bumper fill.   Not the same crack, but sanded back  The join is strong and thanks to the filler it can flex too Next to create a large missing section, first a cardboard template  Three layers of f-glass  24 hours to set, then stick the carboard sheet its bonded to in water and let it flake off, the template fell straight off as it was wrapped in masking tape  I have now cut and sanded it to shape and its being bonded in |
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This is an interesting read- I look forward to seeing how this car turns out. Once its up and drivable my one bit of advie is to warm it up for about a minute then drive it nice and cruisy like until the temp is up before thrashing it. Common sense I know but many people don't and its a good way to helping the engine last. A turbo timer is a good idea too if its not got one already. Just 30 secs would be enough before engine turns off.
I like FCs and I think they will slowly go up in value.
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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Feb 11, 2015 11:20:34 GMT
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Thanks, I knew about letting it warm up, I believe it's best due to the seals and housing expanding at different rates. As for turbo timer I was under the assumption they don't actually do anything? Unless you rag it all the way and turn the engine of immediately, so long as youease up well before you stop it will be fine
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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1969 Datsun 521 Pick-upluckyseven
@luckyseven
Club Retro Rides Member 45
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Feb 11, 2015 12:26:42 GMT
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Have to say, I'm not a massive fan of turbo timers. Tend to think just driving off-boost for the last couple of miles while you still have decent airflow through the bay makes more benefit than leaving it revving away to itself heatsoaking horribly. Plus they're an insurance grey area but then I've killed many engines so what do I know, lol  Nice glassing skills, by the way. Look forward to more updates |
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Last Edit: Feb 11, 2015 12:27:38 GMT by luckyseven
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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 Spot the new toy? So yes rather than spend money on the rex I bought a rotten Datsun... and I love it. |
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randywanger_
Part of things
Nissan Bluebird P510 SSS Coupe
Posts: 946
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Brilliant, love them both.
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Carlosfandango.
Part of things
Now with added Suffix B Range Rover classic - another bucket list car acquired.
Posts: 145
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May 22, 2015 23:49:05 GMT
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Ok, need to hear more about the pick up. It's flippin awesome!
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1966 Fiat 1500 fast road/race conversion
1967 Porsche 912
1968 Fiat 124 Spider
1973 Range Rover Suffix B
1993 Series one Discovery 200TDI
1997 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 sport
2001 P38 Range Rover 2.5 TD
Brace of Triumph bikes
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Just needs clear coat, a whack with the stick and some banded steels. Perfect!
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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May 23, 2015 17:45:21 GMT
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So the Datsun, I saw Will advertising it on here and wanted it immediately! Unfortunately it was beyond what I could afford and thought it would go immediately. Flash forward and one day on ebay I see it! A cheeky bid later and I had it. Now I knew it needed work, so I kept my expectations as low as I could and went to see it. I have never taken on a restoration before so when I saw the state of the floors my heart fell a bit, but after a while of rationalizing, or lying to myself, I handed over the money and left happy. A few weeks later I get the call that it has arrived home, so that seems enough words let get some pics in!   This is only the drivers side, the passengers looked better but was complete swiss cheese so both foot wells needed removing So a few days after getting the truck I gave it away again to a neighbor who could weld it up quicker and neater than I.  Apparently I never took any pictures of the passenger side... again. So enjoy more drivers side! Now this isnt everything, the floor still has a few holes and the trans tunnel is badly separated. It also looks to be a bit dicey around both the front and rear window. Theres a couple other holes but in all honesty its not THAT bad, or at least thats what I tell myself! As soon as I pay the small fortune for window seals I should be able to tackle all the remaining rust. So then I set about tarting things up cos its easier! Ordered wing mirrors as it has none  My Mother then very kindly offered to reupholster the bench, so who was I to say no! So here is the test part, I don't seem to have any pictures of the finished article and I havnt test fitted it yet, alas  How the edges should look  The bench itself I set about stripping back to bare metal as the surface rust was almost guarantee'd to give me tetanus, also under the remaining paint I found more rust! Either awful paint or an awful PO   In paint, note the grey ends, as these will be visible I took extra care in painting them  |
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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May 23, 2015 17:48:33 GMT
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Now the bit that people will care about... WHEELS I'm afraid theres no banded steels... yet, it may happen as there are more steels available in this stud pattern than anything else. But thanks to a thread on here I found these beauties  These are 15x7, original steels appear to be 13x4ish  Check out that perfect fitment  |
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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May 23, 2015 17:56:39 GMT
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Some miscellaneous bits... The chrome work looks like itll come up a treat, a little pitting in places and some dents but mostly good nick. Heres a little comparison, the drivers side is as I got it, the passengers is cleaned with nothing more than some soapy water and a brush.   Ive just replaced the tatty door seals as well    Now the truck has an ovre heating issue, so I went to remove the water outlet to get a better look at the jacket, unfortunately I snapped a bolt and spent far too long getting nowhere trying t get it out. So to make it feel like I didnt waste a day I tarted it up a bit.  My real reason for priming this is I was testing out Evapo-Rust and it seems as good a piece as any, have to admit did a great job Also to note the water jacket is a mess! But I think Ive got a plan in order, also got a hilariously big Nissan Pulsar rad to go in after its had a good clean |
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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May 23, 2015 18:01:08 GMT
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Finally the rex, if rotors are more your thing. Progress has been snails pace but I left it before with the splitter, well I get everything joined up and solid and have now started on glassing the front up   Have to admit I'm very happy with the curve! I was going to cut another splitter into it but decided to give it a go. I tape a piece of hardboard at either end where the plastic was still ok and it projected near enough the perfect curve, so glassed onto it and presto! It has now been sanded and cut and reinforced, as to get the radius right where the front meets the top I had to take out a lot of fiberglass and blew three big holes through it! I also tartedup the rear tow hooks in black but no pics |
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