# U20 Build Thread...and now we go old school.
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271
**Category:** Canada Nissan Automotive
**Created:** [March 14, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271 "2009-03-14T23:52:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/1 "2009-03-14T23:52:36Z")
For those of you who don’t know, I have a 1969 Datsun Sports 2000, a.k.a. Datsun Roadster 2000.
I bought this car a few years ago and have been cruising around in it in the summers. I absolutely love driving this car and the best part is, my GF loves cruising along with me. We can spend literally hours on the backroads (go west and head south along the foothills!). The top down, blue sky, sun shining, open road and the hum of the 40 year old U20 engine; bliss!
Fast forward to last August and we have the famous (maybe not for this crowd) U20 Death Rattle. Basically, the timing chain is rattling around in the guides and is a clear (duh) indication to shut the car off immediately before the thing explodes and prepare yourself to spend more money than the car cost when you bought it. So here we are.
My goal is to get the car back on the road (engine broken in properly) by the May long weekend as I am heading to Vancouver to attend the All British Filed Meet (car show). I go for the trip along with my uncle who takes his 1970 Lotus Super 7 to this event every year (some of you may have seen the Lotus out at track events in the past). I park the Datsun in the parking lot while all the leaking British cars roll into the event. I secretly enjoy fending off disparaging remarks from the hoards of British car snobs.
People at this event love to say, “…well ya but they (Nissan) copied the MGB.” I then love to explain that the design of the Fairlady Roadster happened long before the design of the MGB was birthed. Then I get comments about how the various components were copied from British cars. I then admit that yes, some things were licensed by Nissan from British designs but then revel in telling the detractors that while the MGB is a nice car (I lie) my Datsun has 50 more HP and doesn’t leak or leave me stranded on the side of the road with electrical problems when it rains. …no comment comes back.
Okay to the point of the thread…
Here are a couple of pics when I picked the car up in Seattle a few years ago. The paint is a fairly poor garage job from the 80s. It is begging for a restoration but for now I will just be doing the engine.
Here is a shot that Ryan took last summer on Strathearn Drive after a club meet most of you didn’t attend 😉 You will see the crap aftermarket side mirror the previous owner bolted on…that has to go! You will also see after market driving lights up front. Those are there until I can do two things: find the grounding problem that keeps the driver’s side headlight from coming on and until I find period correct lights to replace them.
Here is the almost stripped engine. You can just catch a glimpse of my 69 510 in the background. Love that late 60s colour!
Here is the driver’s side of the engine with SU carburetors and shitty 4 into 1 header still bolted up.
Here is a pic of the bottom end (not too exciting).
And here are the Solexes that will go back on when the engine is done. (Muahhahahahah)
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/2 "2009-03-15T00:21:37Z")
The engine has been disassembled and most of it is now at Bel Engine Services waiting for me to track down parts. These engines are rare and old so parts are hard to find and stupid expensive. I had thought about putting in an SR, KA and even a VQ (see other thread) but decided to keep it original and build this motor as much as I can without going absolutely broke.
Unfortunately, the head is in pretty rough shape so I have had a huge delay in this project trying to track down a better head. The head itself isn’t so bad but the cam isn’t so hot and two of the cam towers are scored pretty badly. I hope to see the replacement arrive here next week sometime.
When I get the head here we’ll check the total cylinder volume and decide on pistons. I’m going to go custom pistons because I can get exactly what I want for the same price as off the shelf ubber-rare U20 pistons. and I can up the compression. I’m also going to lighten things up as much as I can.
The power in these engines is in the head. The intake flows nicely but the exhaust is bad. I am nervous about porting it though because a screw up will mean another 800 bucks and a long wait for a replacement (if I can find one). Regardless I’ll be spending a few bucks on a new header. The one that is there is a pretty rough home handyman job and is a 4 into 1. 4 into 2 is better especially on these engines.
Here is a pic of the head being shipped to me. I got a great deal (assuming it isn’t crap)! There are even bags full of NOS parts for less than 1/3 the cost of getting them from one of the Datsun vendors.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/3 "2009-03-15T00:25:18Z")
More on the lightening…
The machine shop hasn’t checked the crank yet. I hope it is okay. It is 40 years old though so I won’t be surprised if it isn’t. I think knifedging the crank is in order. I was going to get an aluminum flywheel but they are no longer available. There is a place in the US that will make me one but $400 US is a bit steep.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/4 "2009-03-15T00:50:33Z")
Speaking of headers. Anyone have any recommendations where a good place is to get a custom one done? Building one is beyond my skill set and available tools.
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### Author:  [@Voodoo\_Child](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Voodoo_Child)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 12:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/5 "2009-03-15T00:57:47Z")
Freakin’ nice build! There are some shops I’ve seen in my travels, one I can remember is on 142nd st between 118av and Yellowhead somewhere. It’s a custom shop and I’m pretty sure they specialize in exhausts, can’t remember the name though, sorry. I guess anywhere that can do mandrel bends is a good place to start. Good luck with the build!
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### Author:  [@350zT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/350zT)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 8:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/6 "2009-03-15T08:01:47Z")
Verry nice classic. As far as headers go, if you would like I can help you out on that. I built this:
for my turbo 350z. It’s all stainless, and I have all the tools in my garage including a tig welder. I can also get some tight radius 45 deg and 90 deg bends, again all in stainless. You would have to figure out something for a header flange.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 8:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/7 "2009-03-15T08:42:31Z")
> [@Walmart made a big oops....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/walmart-made-a-big-oops/6444/28):
>
> Verry nice classic. As far as headers go, if you would like I can help you out on that. I built this:
> [Photo Storage](http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q204/1997KLDE/?action=view¤t=moreturbo002.jpg)
>
> for my turbo 350z. It’s all stainless, and I have all the tools in my garage including a tig welder. I can also get some tight radius 45 deg and 90 deg bends, again all in stainless. You would have to figure out something for a header flange.
That would be awesome! I’ll PM you.
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### Author:  [@Smokebaby](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Smokebaby)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 9:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/8 "2009-03-15T09:06:05Z")
Very nice Dave! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/9 "2009-03-15T10:28:26Z")
> [@SO I got hypnotized.....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-i-got-hypnotized/6484/19):
>
> Very nice Dave! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Ya me too!
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### Author:  [@MrRage](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MrRage)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/10 "2009-03-15T10:58:13Z")
> [@Walmart made a big oops....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/walmart-made-a-big-oops/6444/28):
>
> You would have to figure out something for a header flange.
Dave, Waterjet on Wgner Rd did my coustom flange for my Renault for less then a $100. Give them a call and see what they can do for you.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/11 "2009-03-15T13:11:27Z")
Just working on my project task list / scheduler today and I got to thinking about engine colour.
The stock colour is a sort of teal blue and I am not sure how I feel about that colour. Here is another build thread with the OEM colour.
[http://www.mydatsunroadster.com/2006\_02\_01\_archive.html](http://www.mydatsunroadster.com/2006_02_01_archive.html)
Thoughts?
I was sort of aiming for a blue colour for sure but I wanted to dress things up by adding blue plug wires, etc., (not going ricey with all the blue wire loom and other overdone things though) and eventually when I do the interior I was going to pull in just a small hint of the same blue into the upholstery…like just the stitching or something subtle.
edit…I just got back from Canadian Tire and looks like the Duplicolor GM Blue will do just fine. second edit…I tried it, didn’t like it and ended up getting a custom colour mixed up.
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### Author:  [@GOT\_SE-R](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GOT_SE-R)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2009, 7:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/12 "2009-03-16T07:38:10Z")
This is going to be a nice build 🙂
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### Author:  [@Sylvan\_Lake\_V35](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sylvan_Lake_V35)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/13 "2009-03-16T15:39:02Z")
Wow looks great. Give us a few pics of the 510! I love classic Nissan/Datsuns I hope to see this in person when your done.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/14 "2009-03-16T17:26:51Z")
Here is the 510 the day I picked it up. The car does have fenders, grill, bumper, etc.
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### Author:  [@Smokebaby](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Smokebaby)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2009, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/15 "2009-03-17T10:03:16Z")
What are you going to do with the 510?
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/16 "2009-03-17T21:29:30Z")
Just make it a track car (autocross). I am not even going to register it I don’t think…we’ll see. One project at a time.
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### Author:  [@Smokebaby](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Smokebaby)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/17 "2009-03-18T06:38:55Z")
> [@Feeler: pool table](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/feeler-pool-table/4233/13):
>
> Just make it a track car (autocross). I am not even going to register it I don’t think…we’ll see. One project at a time.
Nice, I have been looking for one, or an E30 BMW, for that purpose too, kinda holding of for a bit the way things are right now.
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2009, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/18 "2009-03-19T07:53:40Z")
Don’t bother using UPS for shipping anything from the states if you are in a hurry to get it.
One of the orders I placed was sent on the 13th. I think the parts are acting out the life of the Verizon Guy with a twist “can you guess where I am now? How 'bout now?..”
Here is its journey so far…
Location Date Local Time
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US 19/03/2009 2:31
HODGKINS, IL, US 18/03/2009 5:16
WEST COLUMBIA, SC, US 17/03/2009 16:37
KNOXVILLE,TN, US 17/03/2009 5:03
BRISTOL,VA, US 16/03/2009 22:13
BRISTOL,VA, US 13/03/2009 20:50
BRISTOL,TN, US 13/03/2009 17:09
…and it hasn’t even been through the usual hold up at customs yet!
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### Author:  [@MrRage](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MrRage)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2009, 8:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/19 "2009-03-19T08:14:05Z")
> [@98 ls1 into a 82-92 fbod](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/98-ls1-into-a-82-92-fbod/6479/9):
>
> Don’t bother using UPS for shipping anything from the states if you are in a hurry to get it.
I have been avoiding UPS for almost a year. Don’t know what’s up with them but I always ask buyers if they can ship USPS because UPS Always gets stuck in customs and it usually takes longer
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### Author:  [@DatsunDave](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DatsunDave)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271/20 "2009-03-24T17:27:44Z")
UPS finally showed up today.
the 19th was supposed to be the arrival date…today is the 24th.
I asked them WTF?! They said it was because of customs. I then pointed out that according to their own records customs had the shipment a total of \<4 hours between the 13th and the 24th. Bastards.
Anyway, I am still waiting on the head, etc., in the pictures above but my back up parts arrived.
Below are the cam shaft and the jackshaft. I will have these at the machine shop to see how they are beyond visual inspection. There are a couple of small grooves / scratches on the cam journals, not sure if you can see them in the picture, so we’ll see if they are too deep to be cleaned up. The shiny part on the jackshaft you see is from the mechanical fuel pump. I don’t think that is an issue but if it is and issue we can ignore it and so long long as there is not any metal fatigue in the area (where I’d be concerned with future breakage) I can always go with an electric pump.
[Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/u20-build-thread-and-now-we-go-old-school/150271.md?page=2)