My Datsun-powered Mk.1

[benny]

After owning my 302-powered Mk.1 for 10 years, I decided I needed to add another Cortina to my growing stable of cars. I bought this '65 GT which at some point earlier in its life, had been fitted with a Datsun (Nissan) L18 engine.

I didn't know anything about Datsuns when I bought this Cortina, but I have since learned that this is one of the more desirable Datsun engine packages that came out of a SSS Bluebird. The SSS Datsuns were never sold here in the States, so the Datsun-fans go absolutely nuts over this car.....and it probably drove them nuts that I had no idea what I had! http://www.cortina-mk1classifieds.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif

The engine is an L18 (1800 cc), with dual Hitachi SU clones, and a close ratio 'dogleg' 5-speed. The dogleg box has a 1:1 5th gear, so I'll soon be swapping it out for a 280ZX box with a .86 overdrive.

The front suspension is more or less standard, but with coil-over struts, Koni inserts, and 170 lb/in springs. The rear suspension has de-arched leaf springs, Koni dampers, and a standard axle housing. I am currently part way through fabricating an A-frame rear suspension (a la Lotus Cortina) which will use a narrowed 8" housing and 3.55 gears, which should give me some "legs" on the freeway.

The pictures below show the progression from when I bought it, to how it currently looks today.....once it is painted, the paint scheme will be baby-blue with a red stripe, and red interior sheetmetal. The blue you see below is just epoxy sealer.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/Stewart005.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/IMG1.jpg


http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/Stewlow.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/DSC00849.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/DSC01099.jpg

[jewels]

ive got to say benny
thats a first for me

never seen an 'L' series conversion on a mk1 before great idea :)
they were (and are) a great engine

nice fit too
i see you could still retain the battery box too

so originally a 2 door GT ?
geez wish we got them here in Oz


would love one


that body look soooo nice is it bare metal in pic 4 ?

[benny]

Yes, I stripped the the whole car to bare metal, and it sat like that for a number of weeks. It is extremely solid, and very straight.

Did you guys get any 2-doors in Oz? Just Lotus and GT500's?

[jewels]

we got 2 doors just not gts in 65/66

64 2 doors did come but not many rare as hens teeth

[benny]

This car (like my V8) has an incredible number of miles on it. The previous owner used it for many years as his (and his wife's) main form of transportation, and even took it on many long trips.

The L-series engines are a great little engine. Despite having countless miles on it, I can let this car sit for months, fire it up, and rev its n*ts off, and it just keeps coming back for more without a single complaint. I can't wait until I get around to freshening the engine up a bit, it will be a really fun little car.

[jewels]

benny we have converted a few mk1s to nissans engines ourselves

but using CA18 and sr20 turbo and N/A engines

[europatek]

I met a guy in Melbourne many years ago that had a Datsun powered Mk1. It was a 4 door 440 converted to fast road spec and track prepared for sprints. It stood out as it was bright green. It ran an L20 on 45's and 5 speed. It was a neat car and went really well. Haven't seen it since.
Regards,
Matt.

[jewels]

i matt and welcome
i may have to apologise did i delete you as a user some time ago...

i had a flood of mail from gmail that was spam you may have got caught up in it sorry :)

[jewels]

i moved the roll cage etc discussion to a new thread HERE (http://www.cortina-mk1classifieds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=446)

:)

[benny]

At long last, I've got some actual progress to report on my Datsun-powered car. I had the engine machined a few months ago, and it is currently sitting in the garage, waiting for re-assembly with its ported head, Isky cam, lightened flywheel, and slight bump in compression.

Also, over the last two weeks, I put in a marathon thrash of prep-work before sending the car of to the paint shop over the weekend....should have it back by the middle of next week, and I can't wait to see how it's going to look.

Here's the replacement grill being test-fitted:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0219.jpg

Seam sealer being applied:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0223.jpg

Engine bay stripped and sealed:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0231.jpg

Off to the paint shop:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0228.jpg

[zombie289]

Looking good benny.:drool

[benny]

Got the car back from paint today, and I'm excited to start bolting on all the bits that make it look like a car again.

Difficulot to tell with the fading daylight, but the colors are a very pale blue/gray, and a blood-red stripe and interior.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0258.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0261.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0265.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l157/d38781/Stewart/PICT0260.jpg

[pimtina]

Looks good Benny!

[Dr Danger]

Difficult to tell with the fading daylight, but the colors are a very pale blue/gray, and a blood-red stripe and interior.


Not really!

Blood red is blood red no matter what the light!

Looks very nice.

[benny]

Not really!

Blood red is blood red no matter what the light!

Looks very nice.

It's more the blue that people seem to be struggling with....most people think it's white from the pics.

Thanks for the compliments.

[cortundra]

Yup, look forward to some more pics. Luverly car!!

[barngt]

Looks real nice Benny,:drool I like the colours

[64_Estate]

Aww, i thought it looked great in the blue primer, the shot of the RH rear on the street!

Congrats on the paintjob though, looks good.
Now the fun bit, REASSEMBLY!