the judge Posted May 25, 2014 Posted May 25, 2014 When someone says "I WANT one of those" cars, this is an example of someone who gets the one they want. applause and fantastico tooSavvy 1
Semi-C Posted May 25, 2014 Posted May 25, 2014 As well as being a strain of Bluebird, I reckon 510 is also the number of blinks I will have achieved before you're receiving the first UK mot paSSS on this wagon.Truly exceptional stuff + Distinction.
vulgalour Posted May 25, 2014 Posted May 25, 2014 Your cataloguing of tiny parts puts me in my happy place, as does all the other work undertaken thus far.
meggersdog Posted May 26, 2014 Posted May 26, 2014 Not only is this a fantastic thread I can see it being very informative as the restoration continues.I look forward to further developments.
drum Posted May 26, 2014 Posted May 26, 2014 There's a Datsun 510 being restored on sky channel 526 right now. Seems like one of these annoying American fly on the wall over dramatised shows called Restoration Garage.
mercrocker Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 Highly impressed with the level of organisation here, its what we all know we SHOULD do, but I so far have not reached anywhere near this level. I started to with the Cowley, even to the extent of getting a new shed before starting but so far I have not progressed beyond the empty fag packet stage and old baccy tin stage. Still, at least they are labelled even if some of the fasteners MAY* be in the wrong tin already...I shall watch this thread with interest and learn!
Ratdat Posted May 27, 2014 Author Posted May 27, 2014 To be honest, this is the first time I have ever bothered doing a thread like this on a forum but I thought it worth doing as I can document a fairly comprehensive rebuild in a relatively short space of time. I'm determined to keep it organised otherwise I'll just end up getting in a mess and the whole thing will take much longer. After I have this one back together, it'll be time to finish my 710 SSS which has been in bits for quite a few years. I did bag and label some parts and fasteners as they came off initially, but unfortunately I wasn't all that thorough, so it's going to be a bit of a challenge putting it back together. To a degree, doing the 510 first will help though as they are both quite similar cars technically. Yesterday, I din't get much more done as I only had the afternoon, much of which was spent sorting and storing all the bits off of the car. I shift them out of my workshop to make a bit of space and it also stops them all getting covered in crap as everything in my workshop seems to do. At the back of the building I keep my cars in, I have an area racked out (about 20' x 30') which is where I attempt to keep some kind of organised parts storage for both bits of cars that are 'in progress' and spares I've collected for them. There was just enough shelf space to box up a lot of the 510 stuff and get it shelved. I reckon half of this shelving is taken up with bits off of cars that are unfinished projects ...my two 510s, two 710s, Dodge van, Herald and a few bits from my MX5 that have yet to go back on it... Back in the workshop, I had to get the engine off of the crane so I could chuck the crane outside as it's another thing that takes up too much space when not in use. I made a little trolley to put the engine in out of a little metal legged table, which I inverted and fitted with some castors I bought at a carboot sale yesterday morning. This can sit in the corner with a cover over it whilst the body gets sorted. Next the 510 got a taste of daylight again. It's outside for this week as I have another job to do, plus I'm going to hire one of those big ass steam cleaners to attack it with. Hopefully this will remove most of the old underseal and loose paint. It's going to rain this week but it doesn't really matter it being out in it...it has been for the last 30 odd years so another week isn't going to make much difference. The reason I need the workshop this week is it's time to lay a bit of hot MIG love on this and get it MOT'd... danthecapriman, eddyramrod, Mr Lobster and 7 others 10
Ratdat Posted May 27, 2014 Author Posted May 27, 2014 There's a Datsun 510 being restored on sky channel 526 right now. Seems like one of these annoying American fly on the wall over dramatised shows called Restoration Garage. I'm to tight to pay for TV but I'll wager it'll appear inline somewhere shortly. I'd be interested to see it.
mat_the_cat Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 To be honest, this is the first time I have ever bothered doing a thread like this on a forum If you're anything like me you'll find it a motivational help, when you know people are reading and liking what you write. Plus it's always useful to hear hints and tips from others, although I usually only get that *after* I've struggled through a job! No TV is perhaps part of the reason you seem to get so much done - I don't actively watch all that much (I grew up without one) although often there is a bit of 'domestic' pressure to spend at least some time in the house when I get back from work. In which case the TV is usually on; that's when I tend to go online. Bit of a conversation killer though. KruJoe 1
cort16 Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 It was red with black steelies. It looked great and all the spanner monkeys in the garage seemed genuinely impressed by it. This was it before
Ratdat Posted May 27, 2014 Author Posted May 27, 2014 If you're anything like me you'll find it a motivational help, when you know people are reading and liking what you write. Plus it's always useful to hear hints and tips from others, although I usually only get that *after* I've struggled through a job! No TV is perhaps part of the reason you seem to get so much done - I don't actively watch all that much (I grew up without one) although often there is a bit of 'domestic' pressure to spend at least some time in the house when I get back from work. In which case the TV is usually on; that's when I tend to go online. Bit of a conversation killer though. Normally motivation isn't too much of a problem, it's remaining focused, which is why I tend to end up with too many projects on the go. I basically try to do too much all the time. This is why I sold most of my cars over the last year and a bit. If I have no more projects waiting then I have to just get on with what I already have! I watch very little TV these days. I do spend too much time online but if I wasn't online, I'd probably be reading books or magazines instead.
Ratdat Posted May 27, 2014 Author Posted May 27, 2014 That looks quite nice, not over restored. I was expecting a lot of tuning and modifying to be honest as that's generally the norm for 510's in the States. It's nice to see it's mostly stock.
drum Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 More pictures of the American 510 herehttp://www.guildclassiccars.com/projects/70to80/1569project-1970datsun510-theguildofautomotiverestorers.html Ratdat 1
Ratdat Posted June 2, 2014 Author Posted June 2, 2014 No actually work on the SSS to report but I just got an exiting delivery from Uncle Sam. Check out these.... the quality looks amazing! They are made from some good thick metal too. I hope they fit well. I might try the front valance for size in a bit just to see! These arrived much faster than I expected.... if I had known they be here this soon, I wouldn't have started on the Pony. Not to worry. The Pony is progressing but it's proving to be quite rusty as you might expect. Most of the drivers side sill need repairing as it's rotted all the way along the seam at the bottom I've knocked it on the head for today as I've just sliced the back of my right thumb open cutting some sheet steel. Some expletives were forthcoming and there was blood everywhere. It turns out, it's quite difficult to make and apply dressings to you right thumb without using it to do so. No work tomorrow as it's Mrs Ratdat's birthday so it's got a day and a bit to heal up then I'll get on and finish this side. I've also got a plating kit in transit which should arrive in the next couple of days I hope. Then I can have a go at re-doing the yellow passivate coating on things like the wiper linkage and all the brackets under the bonnet. It'll be interesting to see how that works out as I've never done anything like that before. Ok, apart from maybe copper plating a 6" nail in chemistry at school, in between lighting the gas taps and fusing up lab-packs. Fortunately, the part of my workshop that this will occur in is made from a steel container which should contain any subsequent explosions. Bobthebeard, Skizzer, scruff and 9 others 12
cort16 Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Is the pony pickup going up for sale ratdat? It's one of my all time favourite cars ever for reasons I can't seem to understand or explain. eddyramrod 1
Ratdat Posted June 2, 2014 Author Posted June 2, 2014 Is the pony pickup going up for sale ratdat? It's one of my all time favourite cars ever for reasons I can't seem to understand or explain. It will be eventually as I need cash to plough into the SSS. It'll be about the nicest one around too I'd think once this rust is all gone!
Ratdat Posted June 2, 2014 Author Posted June 2, 2014 I decided earlier I had to check out the valance for fit so I dug out the NOS wings I'm going to use on the SSS and whacked it all together... Impressive fit. The factory alignment holes in the front panel and valance line up perfectly, as do the holes where the wings bolt to it. The fit with the wings is perfect... I reckon these must rate as the best pattern panels I've ever bought! Even the seam lays nice and flat against the front panel... Amazing. At this point I got a bit excited and dug out this NOS bonnet from the shed... Mojo level maximised! I know it's still a rusty old shitter under all these new bits but it's nice to see it with all straight bits on the front end. I'm glad now I stumped up the cash for this rather than try to salvage the old one. I think it deserves it, especially as all the other front end panels are new ones. I'll still save the old valance though...useful in an emergency. I can't wait to get back on with it now! greengartside, danthecapriman, Jim Bergerac and 15 others 18
DeeJay Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 I was chuffed looking at the way the panels fit, I bet you were dancing around your garage. Ratdat 1
xtriple Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 There's nothing like banging a few new bits on to a resto project to restore the old enthusiasm, very needed sometime. Those bits all fit an absolute treat, bloody impressive not having to spend three hours with a hammer and dolly trying to get crap to line up.
Sudsprint Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 Fantastic stuff. I am with you all the way on this project (from my armchair...... sipping a mug of tea..... and eating jaffa cakes) tooSavvy and ShiteRider 2
Ratdat Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 It's been a while since I updated this but that's because I've been busy with other things, primarily fixing a rusty Pony. That's been subject to a number of delays but is now progressing as it should. All of the rot in the right hand rear arch and sill has now been exchanged for fresh metal. I'm hoping that this is the worst bit as the other side doesn't look as bad. I do still have the rear chassis legs to tackle which I'm sure will be a right bastard of a job but I've got to get this done and painted so I can get back on with the 510. I also need the money from the sale of this one to pay for the blasting etc on the 510. I'm not about to start posting up progress pics of this all over my 510 thread but here's how it's looking at present... In other news, I finally got my zinc plating process all set up and pretty much ready to roll. I hope nobody peeks in through our spare room windows while we're out as they think it's a bomb factory or a meth lab or something. I'll probably start doing some bits next week as I'm going to try it out on a few under bonnet parts for the Cherry Europe. In my exitement, I also purchased this, an ultrasonic cleaner. I had a little one of these before that came from Lidl and it was really useful. This time I parted with a few more readies to get one big enough to fit a carburettor in as that's one of the things it's most useful for cleaning. Also, this one has a heater which should make it much more efficient. À bientôt! beko1987, Alexg, scruff and 5 others 8
nacho man Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 You should do a thread for that pony as well. It looks well ace! 500tops 1
dollywobbler Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Aye. I'd love to know a bit more about the work on the Pony. I'm guessing you can't just buy sills and repair sections off the shelf for one of those.
Ratdat Posted June 25, 2014 Author Posted June 25, 2014 No, sadly not. I tried to find some sills and even had a rummage through a massive load of NOS pattern sills for assorted old chod to try and find some similar but no real joy. I found a pair that were close but I'd only have gone that route if I was replacing both sills completely but it doesn't need that. I'll get some pics uploaded and sort out a thread if you're interested. It's not a massive basket case resto or anything. It's probably got about the average level of grot for it's 25 years and it has all got to be fabricated which I guess makes it a bit more of a challenge. I think, apart from some work on the brakes and exhaust, all the repairs on it will be bodywork related as it's not really in bad shape.
dollywobbler Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Fabrication tales are always fascinating. I can't really get my head around how folk like you turn a load of little plates into something that looks like one piece. Wonderful stuff.
mat_the_cat Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 +1 for a Pony thread! I've still got that Hyundai badged radio to finish it off for the sale too - I feel like I'm justified in keeping it all these years if it can be of use to you.
Guest Breadvan72 Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 Zinc plating ker-wowza! This is some of the finest "bloke in shed doing amazing shiz" stuff that I have ever seen.
Parky Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 This is the best thread EVAH! Is the plan to paint it in the original colour or try something else?
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