What it cost me to own a $500 car part 21

"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
09/01/2015 at 17:10 • Filed to: None

Hey guys,

Back again!

I’m hoping to make weekly updates so this will be more active then the previous post that were all planned out. Unfortunately that may mean more text, less pictures, more rambling, but on the flip side I will be asking questions/bringing up concerns that I could use some feedback on.

A little catchup to do, but we will get caught up pretty soon. Even bought a go pro, but have to work out a few things before a good drive.

So we left with a running and driving swapped car. Quite a few problems have reared up that needed addressing.

*Clutch had poor engagement, after a longish drive the trans would stop engaging gears. Would reengage after cool down/next day.

*A real noticeable rattle from trans area, putting pressure on the shifter downward makes it stop.

*Hot, real hot inside about 20* hotter than outside after a long drive.

*Fumes, driving for more then half an hour makes you aware you are a bit dizzy.

*Welded rear differential makes it squirrelly and unpredictable at some times.

*Jacking the car up requires reseating the springs.

*Driver side door window does not close all the way

*Driver door hangs low

*Passenger side door is sunken in on the bottom

*Fenders do not sit flush.

*Real powerful mis on full throttle tip in

*Squeaking alternator accessory belt

So what is the first thing to do?

Get new tires and paint the air dam of course :).

I mounted up some BF good ridge rivals found on craigslist on my old gold rims, the profile is a lot smaller, but for the better tire I’m willing to compromise for a little bit. The air dam was also reinforced with some steel rod and aluminum plate, I still need to figure a quick detach system and some additional bracing/blocking to send air towards the radiator. Also managed to pickup a bumper I can use to start building mine.

Lessons learned

Projects are never done...

Parts cost:

200 - BF goodridge rival tires

100 - mount and balance tires

50 - front bumper

50 - paint, spray paint, metal rod and plate

Subtotal - 400

Total spent - 17520

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (9)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > StudyStudyStudy
09/01/2015 at 17:33

Come on, this is what driving a Z is all about:

“Hot, real hot inside about 20* hotter than outside after a long drive.

*Fumes, driving for more then half an hour makes you aware you are a bit dizzy.”

One time our race car Z had a bad fan so we had to drive it really fast with the heater on in the summer (to keep it from overheating) with temps in the 80’s, talk about a hot drive. You are usually okay until the needle starts to migrate from M to P on the gauge.

Wacko > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2015 at 17:36

Are you sure you are not talking about a jeep

StudyStudyStudy > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2015 at 18:53

Hah, very true possibly. Although I want to drive it more and having to take a nap after 1/2 an hour is not good for long drives. I think the fumes problem has been solved, but the temperature problem still remains. It was 111* in the car the last time I took it out. You know it’s a problem when getting out, 90* feels like a nice cool breeze.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/01/2015 at 20:05

I just got a huge all welded aluminum triple core radiator for my 71, works great. I might put some mat in for heat up front, so far it isn’t too bad.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > StudyStudyStudy
09/01/2015 at 20:13

I would say I have spent about that much, maybe over 2ok, I rebuilt the original engine and got triple carbs, rear disks, new wheels (Enkei Comps plus Toyo Versado Noir rubber), radiator, all new rubber bits for everything, poly bushings, reinforced the frame, cut out rusty dog legs and replaced them, got a 5 speed, got the right paint for the grille and light panel, well the list goes on.... keeps going on.... I am putting an ITG foam filter over all three carbs as we speak, I got a red top optima battery a couple weeks ago which is great. Fumes issue is gone, I have new seals and sealed up anything in the rear, including a cracked part in the filler area. I know all about the process!

Kinja'd!!!

StudyStudyStudy > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
09/02/2015 at 14:32

The coolant temps are staying down, I think the shroud and sealing off all the gaps near the radiator really boosted the performance of the fans. I do think I will be adding some heat insulation to the fire wall. I think a lot of the heat in the cabin is due to radiating heat.

StudyStudyStudy > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
09/02/2015 at 14:33

Looks good!

I do miss the carb’d L series, they do make a lovely sound. At the same time turbo spooling and blow off sounds just awaken my inner child. I giggle each time I play with the throttle.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > StudyStudyStudy
09/02/2015 at 18:04

Oh yeah, just feel the heat by the gear change, the inner shift boot is important for that, plus fumes if you have big carbs, seems to go up through there. I think at some point next summer I will get some good mat and do the whole car under the carpeted areas and in the spare area. Also a hint I can give you is to get a small spare from a compact car with that bolt pattern. I think I have a Nissan Sentra or something spare and it saves tons of room and weight back there.

StudyStudyStudy > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
09/02/2015 at 18:19

My spare has been cutout for the fuel cell so I just keep a triple A card. I just added some thermotec cool it mat onto a friends summit order so I’ll give that a shot. I have also been enamored by the EZ cool mat as that seems to have really good reviews.