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Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:12 pm
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:49 pm
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:55 pm
by draker
That's a good tip.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:47 pm
by 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?

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:53 pm
by ArchetypeDatsun
izzo wrote: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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:00 pm
by 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!

Image
Untitled by Muerte541, on Flickr
Image
Untitled by Muerte541, on Flickr

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 5:28 pm
by 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?

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:39 am
by 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?

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:54 am
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 6:05 pm
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:40 pm
by Eagle_Adam
sweet goon!

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 7:58 pm
by ArchetypeDatsun
Eagle_Adam wrote:sweet goon!
Thanks buddy!

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:58 pm
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:06 pm
by draker
Sorry to hear. Does it smell like burning oil?

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:02 pm
by 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.

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:34 am
by draker
Hows the coolant level?

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:50 am
by Eagle_Adam
compression test it and check the coolant like draker mentioned

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 6:10 pm
by izzo
There was a way to tell. Blue is oil, white is water, something something... Paging Micro!

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:28 pm
by 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.

Image

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 ...
:fry:

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 .. :lol: :thumbs: ... 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 :|

Re: Archetype's 1979 Datsun 810 Wagon

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:11 pm
by ArchetypeDatsun
draker wrote: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.