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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » My new car is almost ready for the road

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July 3, 2009 1:45 p.m. Mazdax605 Reader

Hey guys,

I bought this car back in December of 08,and have been slowly working on it to make things better,and fix small details. It is a 78 Datsun 510(No it isn't a true 510,think of it as a Stanza) two-door coupe with a hatchback. It is equipped from the factory with a L20B,and dog-leg 5-speed trans. I have pics of it here:

http://web.mac.com/cdirado/iWeb/Diradosite/78-Datsun-510.html

I have added twin SU carbs,and a header with full new exhaust,and I just picked up a brand new set of Konig Rewinds in Graphite 15X7,and brand new Falken Zeix 512's(I think?). Tell me what you think. I want to maybe lower it some to make up the wheel gap,but it is okay for now.

Maybe an 01 on the doors,and the rebel flag on the roof?

Chris

78 RX-7 GS,74 REPU,78 Datsun Stanza 510
July 3, 2009 2:00 p.m. ValuePack HalfDork

Hot damn, don't change another thing, it's so good at as it is. #1 thing that automakers need to bring back:
July 3, 2009 9:27 p.m. TJ Reader

Lookin' good.
July 3, 2009 9:28 p.m. RexSeven HalfDork

+1. I've seen the 510 in person, and it's a pretty nifty car.
July 3, 2009 9:35 p.m. JFX001 Dork

Those rims make that car.

Glad to see that you decided to keep it.
July 4, 2009 10:49 p.m. mrwillie New Reader

Looks great!! Good job!!!
July 5, 2009 7:28 a.m. pete240z Dork

that is really a nice Datsun. The dual SU carbs are awesome and the wheels look great.

usually you cringe at the late 70's 510.....but this is sweet
July 5, 2009 7:50 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

= 4CF seal of approval!!!
July 5, 2009 8:11 a.m. jharbert New Reader

ValuePack wrote:

Hot damn, don't change another thing, it's so good at as it is. #1 thing that automakers need to bring back:

Agreed. I loved those on my old '78 B210.
July 5, 2009 9:55 a.m. Mazdax605 Reader

Thanks for the compliments guys. I just finished up some air cleaners for the SU's,and hopefully I will have the radiator back in the next few days. What is the proper torque spec on alloy wheels? I torqued the new wheels to 90 ft lbs,but I am not sure if that is correct.

I understand no one likes the A10 510's,but after seeing the one on JNC that was fully restored I knew I could make mine look cool. I just wish I could find the Asian spec bumpers,and SSS grille to make it look even better. That and the tag lights mounted on the bumper of the Asian cars make them look better,but I still like the looks of mine either way.
July 5, 2009 1:38 p.m. bamalama Reader

Since mine is such a piece of junk, I just took the bumpers off. I don't think I could bring myself to do that to yours, its too nice of a car.
July 5, 2009 2:02 p.m. M030 Reader

Nice car! I love the choice of wheels.
July 5, 2009 2:27 p.m. Rufledt New Reader

wow thats a good lookin car!
July 5, 2009 2:51 p.m. mad_machine UltraDork

beautiful looking car.. and I agree.. I LOVE the pop out rear windows on my bmw.. I wish the saab had them
July 5, 2009 5:43 p.m. Volksroddin HalfDork

Nice and Clean. Just gota love stock classic car
July 5, 2009 8:48 p.m. cwh Dork

Gee, I'll bet that an L20 would LOOVE a itty bitty turbo!!
July 6, 2009 9:48 a.m. RossD Reader

Thats a great looking car, nicely done! How about trimming some of the bumpers off and tucking them in closer to the body? Stupid USA bumpers.
July 6, 2009 12:39 p.m. MiatarPowar HalfDork

mad_machine wrote:

beautiful looking car.. and I agree.. I LOVE the pop out rear windows on my bmw.. I wish the saab had them

Get a C900

Love the Datsun.
July 6, 2009 12:48 p.m. walterj Dork

How did I miss this post... that thing is really nice looking. I agree with the general populace that those wheels are sex on that car.
July 6, 2009 12:50 p.m. griffin729 New Reader

MiatarPowar wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

beautiful looking car.. and I agree.. I LOVE the pop out rear windows on my bmw.. I wish the saab had them

Get a C900

Love the Datsun.

Yep my '85 900s had 'em, so did my '80 AMC Spirit.
July 6, 2009 1:47 p.m. dimeadozen New Reader

In reply to Mazdax605:

Looks great! As you said, many owners of "real" 510's turn their noses up at these- in most cases, their cars are not in the condition yours is in though.

It's interesting to see one in in such a bright color that has not been repainted a muted metallic color.

Have you considered one of the factory three spoke "sport" steering wheels? I believe the splines are the same.
July 6, 2009 3:20 p.m. Mazdax605 Reader

What does the three-spoke sport steering wheel look like? The one in the car has three spokes,but I would hardly call it a sporty wheel. My garage looks very 70's with the bright Orange Stanza,Yellow RX-7,and Green REPU.

I think my kids are going to like the pop-out rear windows a lot,but I sort of wish the rear windows rolled down instead of popping out. The good news is the A/C seems to blown cold.
July 6, 2009 3:25 p.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

Yeah, it's clean and looks great. My wife had one of those "late" 510s, too.
July 6, 2009 5:21 p.m. dimeadozen New Reader

Actually, I've seen two different styles interchangeably referred to as the "sport" steering wheel. I grabbed the first image of each I could find.

The one pictured above is the more common type, and some had silver spokes instead of black. I've seen these most commonly on B210's.

The second one is far less common. Like I said, the splines should interchange, I'm not 100% certain whether the position of horn contacts and turn signal canceling pins were the same across different models or years.
July 6, 2009 5:56 p.m. bamalama Reader

The second one is a direct swap. I grabbed one out of a 210 for mine. Another plus is that it's slightly smaller. The factory wheel is just way too big.

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