We’re tending to a few things on this Austin Healey. The owner wants us to check on the brakes, some oil leaks, and see what else we see. Old cars, even restored old cars, demand much more attention than modern cars.
Datsun 510 – VG30 Transplant
It fits, and it looks like it was born there. This is a great looking enjoy bay.
Evapo-Rust Evaluation
We tried some Evapo-Rust on some Datsun parts that were rusty. Spoiler — we were pleased. If we had known how pleased we would be, we would have photographed the parts before we put them in the Evapo-Rust so we could show you the difference. Surely, this stuff can’t be new. And, surely someone knows how to make this stuff without buying Evapo-Rust. Granted, all of this reveals more about my own personality than anything else, as I get stuck at “There’s nothing new under the sun” too easily. I suppose it means something that even if I could make it myself, I’d still probably just go buy it already done, just like the guy who pays for 50% coolant and 50% water. Should I be ashamed? I’m not sure and there are other things worth thinking about, so let’s not get stuck. Rusty parts you say? Evapo-Rust is worth a shot.
Datsun 510 V30 Conversion II
Here is the engine bay all tidied up. I’ll fess up and say I like this quite a bit. Some folks like rat rods, but I like clean and shiny. This is right up my alley. Just below is the VG30 that will rest under the hood.
I’m ready to see it installed.
1967 Triumph TR4A Engine Rebuild
We have a 4A in the shop… Dean has pulled the engine and transmission and the engine will get rebuilt. It’ll be good as new (or maybe better).
Good-Lookin’ TR6
I wish my photography looked as nice as this TR6. It’s in for general maintenance and it’s as coordinated as a school uniform. The dark paint and whatever color you call those brown seats are a good combination to me. I hope the owner uses it to drop his child off at prep school.
Datsun 510 VG30 Conversion
It seems to me that the Datsun 510 is gaining popularity among the “old car” crew. It handles well and once you get them straight, they go forever as long as you don’t rust them to death. Chip is looking for a bit more punch from his, so he’s removing the four cylinder and installing a VG30 V6 from a first generation 300ZX. He figures to go from about 95 horsepower to around 160. Since the components are all Nissan, chances are good that the 510’s immune system won’t reject the new mill.
Spitfire
Lots of small jobs added up on this tiny thing. There were jumper wires to the alternator to unhook and put right, map lights to wire correctly, an oil pressure switch to replace, a choke to relocate… my eyes glazed over after a bit. Dean worked on this car for a good while and did a bang up job like he always does. It’s ready to go.
MGB Starter
This little job entails installing this new starter
into this space
in this MGB.
Kettering, we do love you and your electric starter.
Interesting Problem
This TR6 came in for a list of problems to include malfunctioning gauges and a low rpm miss. One of the problems with the car was that the inside of the rear tire is rubbing on the shock mount. See all the rubber pooled around the shock mount in the photo below?
This car has aftermarket wheels and a tube shock conversion that aren’t playing well together, for starters. We may need to look into a thicker spacer for the wheels that necessitates longer lug studs. Chip is on top of it.
