Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Boring and milling the deck I'm definitely leaving to the pros. I'd be more qualified building surface-to-air missiles. I was just curious if there was a common piston used in R motors when they are bored out. Something to shoot for and plan for, you know?

Really hard to say what pistons will be available. I'm hearing that new parts are no longer being produced by Nissan for the U or R motors. Find out what you need and post to the list. I gave a way 3 near new U20 pistons a while ago. You may find someone with a decent used 20 over set if needed.

Just got a small influx of cash!!!!! Gonna have more updates soon!

Finally got the engine out. To the machine shop she goes!

Just dropped the motor off at the machine shop. Here's to hoping they don't find anything terribly wrong with it!

Wishing you the best with the engine!
BTW, you may want to move the piece of cardboard away from your water heater, especially if it's a gas heater. Not sure about the various chemicals nearby - anything highly flammable - might want to relocate those too?
OK, off my safety rant.

Haha... no, you're absolutely right. My dad-in-law would scream at me, too.

I had the garage all up in a tizzy while I was getting prepped to take the engine out... tools everywhere, it looked like it was hit by a tornado. I've since cleaned up a bit and moved the cardboard lol.

If only I had another 50 or so square feet in my garage, i'd be set!

speed7bump wrote: If only I had another 50 or so square feet in my garage, i'd be set!

Then you would want another 50, and another, and another.......

Got word back from the machine shop...

The block's not cracked!

buuuut they want to charge me $580 to replace everything else, not including parts. Evidently the block needs milled, cylinders need bored, crank needs replaced, freeze plugs need replaced, brand new pistons, rings, rod bushings, cam & crank bearings, oil pump, etc, etc, etc...

Plan now is to have them do the deck and cylinders, then bring her home and sloooowly rebuild the block with new parts.

So, how many of these parts can I get from the forklift? Who is the forklift expert that I can speak with here? I figure if I'm going to replace them, they may as well be brand new.

(sigh...)

So they are saying the block needs to be decked? I know it is done sometimes, but mine has never needed it... (list, any opinion or direct experience?). I have also NEVER seen an R or U oil pump go bad. New they are not cheap and I would not do it unless it is clearly not functioning. If it provided good pressure before I would just clean it and run it. Otherwise source one used. So they are saying the bores are out of spec and you will be required to go to the next size piston huh? Ask them for actual measurements. The crank needs to be turned, not replaced right? That's pretty typical and important. Regarding cam bearings, they are not under a lot of load I hear, so that too may be optional (I believe I have a set you can have, mine were fine, so no cost to you there other than remove and replace). I assume your pistons were standard size. Perhaps you can source a good set of used 10 or 20 overs.
You make no mention of cylinder head needs. A rebuild there can cost some too, if it needs valves, guides, seats etc.

Take a breath and look at your options. You're looking at somewhere between $1200 and $2000 to build this engine, depending on what you can do yourself and what you need to have done (carbs too?). The cylinders have to have some attention (hone or bore), you can't grind the crank yourself, the block should be hot tanked and the freeze plugs replaced to get all the gunk out of the cooling system. You can't r and r the cam bearings if they actually need to be done (mine have seen a bizzilon miles and are still fine). You can't do the head yourself. You most certainly can assemble the engine, including installing the rings, crank/rod bearings, cam, timing chain etc.

I know you are on a budget, so this is why I am suggesting these things. It may be in your best interest to watch for a good used R engine and have it shipped to you. People have been selling them at very attractive prices.

I would post to the list a request for a good R motor with some documentation and see what happens. Options may present themselves...

I would recommend against getting the bores done until you get new pistons. If the bores are standard and only need honing then it would be OK. What is wrong with the crankshaft? R16 crankshafts should be available.

Stan
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I only spoke with the guy over the phone for a few minutes. I'm going out there Friday to get the details.

Stan is right. If it ends up needing oversize pistons then it would be best to wait, otherwise you may get it bored for 10 over and find that 20s or others are more available!