I suppose I should have a thread going here instead of cluttering up general.
This was a 1 owner car, I've just bought it from the husband of it's late owner. 49k miles. I think it may have been off the road since 76!
My initial plans are to fix/upgrade the brakes, which are in pieces in the trunk, and get the 1600 running again. It turns over but needs the carbs looked at and fuel system cleaned at minimum. Once it's in drivable condition I need to redo the soft top or source a hard top. From there I will drive it a bit before deciding what direction to take it.
My 70 1600 sat in a shop for 12 years in east Missoula because the po had bought it in CA, driven it home, then could not get it to start again. Turned out to be the connector in the harness just by the clutch master that goes down to the starter was "green" with corrosion. I soaked in a tuna can full of vinegar, blew off with air hose and plugged in, Vroom! Of course I did that after I had done all the things you probably are going to do before firing it up. One thing I did after confirming it would still turn over was squirt some oil in each cylinder, carefully note where the distributor was, pull it, make a long steel dowel with blade and use my drill to turn the oil pump until it showed on the gauge. Anyway, got her running and drove her stock for several years before Stroking it, then just this year dropped in a U20. Glad you found this one, one owners are rare as hens teeth anymore.
Thanks for the input Scott. The PO told me he oiled the cylinders and rotated it over, but didn't mention running the oil pump.
I called one of the JDM importers this morning and was informed they almost never see SR20DETs anymore. It's looking highly likely that when it comes time for a motor swap I'll either be overpaying for one of the few SRs left or trying a new path.
I looked a little into using vintage plates in WA and I might be able to use the one on it, that would be cool.
After exploring rear brake options I decided it's best to just get them working as drums. I ordered the 510 cylinders and need to track down the adapters now. Or maybe just run new brake lines. The shoes and drums included with the car look like new.
I'm still looking at the 2.3 Ecoboost hard. There will be some fitment issues but I think they can be overcome. Tempted to just pull the 1600 and get right to it.
Dropped the tank. Just as nasty as expected. Threw a fuel cell I had around in there just for giggles. Only 5 gallon though. Started removing the brake wheel cylinders, no need to worry about metric threads on the 510 cylinders, need a whole new brake system anyway, everything was breaking off.
Apparently I have a few roadster parts waiting at my front door but I'm still a few hours away, driving back after picking up a hood and rear bumper near Portland and a hardtop from @greydog, (thanks again!)
After checking the WA law on vintage plates, I was all excited to restore the original license plate and reuse it. I went to remove it today and found a big crack halfway across. I don't think my aluminum welding skills are quite up to snuff to fix it. It might be relegated to wall art instead.
Gregs672000 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:26 pm
Man that's an ugly Tank! I've always been very lucky with the tank. This should be quite the transformation, have fun!
It's nasty but the steel seems to be in good shape so I think I'm still in business. 44 years is apparently well past the expiration for gasoline.
greydog wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:07 pm
Looking good Mike.
Glad you got home safely.
Dan
It will be tuff on all of us to wait 3 months but what a journey it should be! 310 hp in a roadster? You will be a ballistic missile or can you say Bullet Bike? Can't wait
