Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

[draker]

With those batteries you really have to take care of them. With any battery once they die they aren't the same. I've killed mine once and it doesn't have as much current. It still kicks ass though. Plus, if you charge them you need to trickle charge it! If not you will fuck it up. They are bad ass for sure, just treat them right and they will work well for a long time.

I've killed one.. warrantied it and got another. Still alive and kickin.

[Laecaon]

If an optima ever dies. And it won't except a charge. Get a lead acid battery. Hook it up to the battery charger, and the jumper cable the lead acid to the optima.

[draker]

That's a good tip.

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Sweet man thanks for the tip, the battery that was in it before wasn't a optima but it was in there when I bought the 810 had always started in one turn maybe it was its time but its a yellow and black battery name was something maxx? Previous owners had an optima in there no problems or hassles. I'll keep what I got at the moment since my stock radio don't work lol, I need to see what's up with it. No sound but it does turn in so maybe a wire is loose?

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Right on man. I like yellow tops. Some people say they have turned to shit, are over priced, die quickly or whatever. I have had nothing but good luck. Probably overkill for a standard car. But with bumps in the back I like it. I've killed it twice and it still works great.

It's nice when she fires up with one turn. Makes it feel like a nicely tuned machine!!! Does that one have the gear reduction starter or a standard one? I like the sound of gear reduction starters. Reminds me of an old mopar.

It's a reduction gear type.

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Also got these replacement belts Thursday from Nissan and my fan belt is a oldschool one i hope it won't be a problem or I'm taking it right back!


Untitled by Muerte541, on Flickr

Untitled by Muerte541, on Flickr

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Something weird happened today I went to run a few errands and after I was done I went to start my car and it wouldn't start it was turning over just fine, battery was fine, I had to press the gas and keep turning the key till it finally started but it sounded like it was running on less cylinders. It sounded different like if I had a smaller engine I revved it slowly wouldn't go away so I backed up and drove and then it went back to normal I was thinking maybe injectors or a really bad vacuum leak?

[izzo]

could be either actually... that's strange. a vacuum leak would be a rough idle, maybe ok when rpms are up a bit...
Injectors possibly if it sounds like its missing a few cylinders, or dizzy cap? Rotor ok?

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Yeah I haven't gave it a tune up yet because it was all pretty clean when I got it but I'm thinking of doing everything soon maybe even new injectors and connectors and most definitely get a custom fuel rail from a buddy that makes them.

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Late update, I got around putting in the belts with no problems only had to tighten them a little more had the fan belt squeak in a cold morning to work should be ok now cars runs pretty good now just need to get around doing the rest of the tune up and car should be running a lot better. Also need to get the manifold & exhaust gaskets done soon I wanna get the exhaust done header with 2.5" pipping all the way to some stagger blast pipes may be a bit noisy but until I get it done we will see.

Brakes definitely need to get done and suspension should be after that, just slowly getting her up to date.

[Eagle_Adam]

sweet goon!

[ArchetypeDatsun]

sweet goon!

Thanks buddy!

[ArchetypeDatsun]

810 just started expelling white smoke from the exhaust I suppose valve seals, also real loppy idle at start up for a few minutes even at every start up actually it sounds like it ain't running on all cylinders then it goes away. There are a few things that need to get done I'll try to get a video up soon.

[draker]

Sorry to hear. Does it smell like burning oil?

[ArchetypeDatsun]

No it's like a sweet smell it could be a little water in the cylinders but if so it doesn't affect performance at that bad.

[draker]

Hows the coolant level?

[Eagle_Adam]

compression test it and check the coolant like draker mentioned

[izzo]

There was a way to tell. Blue is oil, white is water, something something... Paging Micro!

[BLUE]

That sucks Arche.
Yup like others said a compression test can be handy for now.

If it were me I'd walk into NAPA and grab a test kit like this one below for $35.
They do work and they're accurate.



Make sure your heater-core hoses/heater core itself isn't leaking inside the cabin area as well (since you can smell it ?) ... not likely leaking, but free to check :-/

Brakes .. since it's a Datsun. I'd recommend compressing the pistons in then pumping them out (slowly and carefully without the brake pads one side at a time while the other side is assembled) to make sure they move smoothly and freely in both directions (yup sometimes they're hard in one direction and easier in the other ). If not it could end up being a sticky caliper like had on my truck.. which aren't fun to drive home in traffic 2-weeks ago ...


I've learned to use Prestone 5-year anti-freeze (just the regular yellow bottle works very well for me)
worst case scenario ... If you have to pull off the head ... I'm not joking when I say this ... pop the exhaust downpipe off + leave the manifolds on + hook the head to your engine crane and make it so ! so so so much easier .. ... then you can pull off the manifolds in your garage where the weather isn't pissin on ya.

Good luck either way Arche and hope it's something small man ... look at all those small details first .. you'll get it !

d*&n it now I sound like a know it all

[ArchetypeDatsun]

Hows the coolant level?

Just did a coolant flush and filled it with 2 fresh bottles of Preston it filled all the way to the top. I started it got up to temp and checked the fluid and it was good. I'll check again though make sure.