My New 71 Datsun 510

GBean

Ancient Datsun FTW!
:
09 Mazda5T, 71 Datsun 510
More pictures HERE

1-6-2010: Got wheels! pics on page 9!

Udate 12-4-2009: Finished my coil-overs today. (Pic attached)
Now just to get them on the car....

Brought it home yesterday. Took a few pics, will take more when it is not twilight.

It is so clean, you have to see it in person.

It runs like a champ.
Specs....

71 2 Dr Datsun 510.
L18 SOHC from 197(x) Datsun 610 bored .030 over with flat top pistons. Electronic ignition, 4 speed manual trans, formerly auto borg warner 3 speed.
Compression ??????
Cams????????
Engine was completely rebuilt 3000 miles ago.

R160 open rear end.

Weber DGV mechanical secondary downdraft carb 32/36 mm venturis

Factory suspension, which for its era, is REALLY good. McPherson Strut front, semi trailing arm independent rear suspension

1/2" Orange Shag carpet, keeping it all classy.

After market Panasonic tape deck w/ digital tuner & 4 speaker quadraphonic sound.


But you dont want to hear anything about that, here are some pictures. Will take more tomorrow. Pic quality is low, since the light is low, and this is taken on my phone.
 

Attachments

  • 176824203525.webp
    176824203525.webp
    151.1 KB · Views: 3,367
  • 176824246021.webp
    176824246021.webp
    107.9 KB · Views: 2,837
  • 176824289157.webp
    176824289157.webp
    121.3 KB · Views: 2,778
  • 176824332549.webp
    176824332549.webp
    124.4 KB · Views: 2,970
  • SN850254.webp
    SN850254.webp
    258.2 KB · Views: 2,513
Last edited:
here are pics of the parts I got yesterday at Pick N Pull. Hooray for 1/2 price weekends!

StrutsBrakeBooster.jpg


Rightcaliperpads.jpg


Leftcaliperpads.jpg


Proportioningvalvesplitter.jpg


PedalsProportioningvalve.jpg


ClutchBrakePedals.jpg

<B>

I got all this for $70!!!!! YAY!
And if you look at the pics closely you will notice that the pads and rotors are almost brand new.
I got 6 clutch/ brake pedal pads off 280Z's for $.25 ea. A Steal, considering what the dealer wants for them.

The Master Cylinder I took apart, polished, cleaned reservoirs and ut back together. May put that and the proportioning valve in today since that is easy.

I tore the struts and brakes down to the bones to clean, strip and paint. (edit -Done 2 yrs later....)
I hope these will fit under my 13x6" wheels, I don't wanna buy new ones just yet.

Attached is a list of parts I want to get, if anyone can help out with something I have on the list, PM me. I will keep the list updated.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
See attachment to post #2 for parts I need!

so here is the list of planned improvements in order of priority..
PLEASE suggest things you think/know will work and will be cool AND functional.


1. Modern seat belts with inertia locking shoulder belts.

2. New Late model Front Seats, from ???? Any suggestions? I can make brackets to make anything fit really. Need to be very side-supportive.

3. Voltage Regulator- possible modern alternator mod, to include built in voltage regulator.

3 1/2. DONE 08/07 5 Speed Trans ( possibly dogleg out of 200SX )

4. 280Z Front struts with coil-overs, bigger vented front brakes, bump steer spacers, and camber plates. In Progress....


5. New faster wiper motor, stock is soooo slow. Fixed bad ground, works much better.

6. Rear Coilovers, adjustable, with custom slotted rear crossmember to allow camber and toe adjustment. -Scratch that, I am gonna go with adjustable shock only for now.

7. CD Deck with iPod integration. Done.

8. R160 LSD from subaru or other compatible rear LSD. Hella hard to find these days...

Crazy mods: But will plan on doing

9. Rack & Pinion steering.

10. s13 or s14 SR20DET swap w/ 5 speed trans. Yay power. Fortunately I have hookup with a japanese core importer, can get me the long block, harness, ECU, trans and cross member for next to free.
SR20's are full of fail - for two reasons: 1 Very Expensive. 2 Everyone has done it.
I am now set on either a KA24DE or a VQ35DE leaning more toward the VQ35DE, (from a 350z or G35)

12. Air Conditioning.Eh who needs that here?
 
Last edited:
congrat!! go with the SR20DET...you should be able to find a good one out there on the west coast!
 
Ahh another nice 510. We have a ton of those that race with us. Nice little cars!

Here are a couple photos:

db_1sy_AMP_car_race_005_rs2.jpg

db_797043631.jpg

db_81223723_UiMdeDja_AMP011.jpg

db_81223742_qoGDcu4U_AMP191.jpg
 
Nice man she looks REALY good. Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Hopefully I can stop by when I'm on my way from Seattle to OC.
 
for sure. you can stop by anytime. I am right on the way if you take hwy 101
 
Thanks for the comments guys! I am totally loving this car so far.
 
So I put a new coil in, hoping that would alleviate the tach stopping at 5100 RPM, and it turns out the new coil I bought was bad. In the process we realized the old Alison 40K volt coil was good, and the old ballast resistor for the original points was bad, so we bypassed it, and viola!, all electrical problems gone, and the dash lights are brighter, slightly.

Now all I need to figure out is why even with a new bulb, the right headlight is dim and the left is not. I am thinking bad relay, but the inner right lamp (brights) is not coming on at all and the pair of lights on each side are wired together somehow.
any ideas?
 
Last edited:
CantCMe said:
congrat!! go with the SR20DET...you should be able to find a good one out there on the west coast!


SR20DET is the eventual plan, but expensive.
I have a a connection for the the motor&trans, ECU, harness, ETC, but all the other stuff.... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
 
gbean said:
Now all I need to figure out is why even with a new bulb, the right headlight is dim and the left is not. I am thinking bad relay, but the inner right lamp (brights) is not coming on at all and the pair of lights on each side are wired together somehow.
any ideas?

Usually with the old cars, a dim headlight means a bad ground.
 
Reitrof said:
Usually with the old cars, a dim headlight means a bad ground.



yeah I thought of that, and put a ground strap from battery (-) to chassis. then checked all the spade connectors between the headlight and the fusebox.
still cant find my voltmeter though, so I will have to take that to it later.
 
BTW sorry I havent gotten new/ better pics up, I have been super busy and my Canon Camera is quickly turning into a POS.
 
hey anyone know if the struts I just got out of a 1979 280zx are the right ones?? They looked right, so I just grabbed them. In good shape at the local Pick N Pull. Only $52 for the pair.
 
not a bad price. Yes any year 280zx struts are good. Just get some camber plates to adjust for the add positive camber (240sx plates work), and get some bump steer spacers and some coil overs and you are good. Did they have all the brakes attached to them?
 
Back