Reviving an L26 - My 1st Engine Rebuild Ever.

[Nite_Grind]

Hey Guys my names Joel. I've been on the forum for a few months, browsing and reading a lot. Skimming topics. I've barely scratched the surface on what I wish to learn and things I need to learn, but all in all, tons of good info. around here. Cool stuff in the archive I can't wait to apply to my Datsun as things progress. Clearly I'm a bit reserved posting my personal things but I do document nearly everything. One day I might make an interesting thread; one day. For now I just wanted to share with you all a little bit and maybe inspire someone as I've been inspired. This will be a log covering my first engine rebuild ever. You see, I decided when I bought my Datsun to avoid as many setbacks as possible due to outsourcing, that I'd try to do as much as I could by myself or under watch of a pro. Buying a non-running Z made my step easy and 1st priority....building a reliable heart. So from scrap to key-on here we go!!!!

Just a lil background. I bought my Z and it came with a L28 ( uninstalled ). Engine on a stand, with some quick pre-lim inspections I realized the motor was seized. "No Biggy" I thought to myself, because before I even bought the car I knew a 3.1L build was in the future and that would be the core. I set out on CL to find a replacement but the running engines were scarce and all seemed to be in norcal. The rest just had a sketchy w/ parts or rebuild w/ no receipts caption. I'll pass on those. Anyway, I ended up finding a local L26 w/ some extras for $140 I later when on to sell some spare parts for it netting me a positive $20. It was advertised as running, which I didn't believe that for a sec. but I figured at that price it was worth a gamble to me. Either way I needed an engine and I was prepared to rebuild an engine regardless of who I bought it from.

Ready to get this thing underway and see where I stood, I hauled my newly found L26 down to our shop where my buddies and I wrench on Hondas to start my inspection. Off loaded and ready for teardown.

I've read a lot of people suggesting to begin with this book so I ordered one up.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Nite_Grind

[siteunseen]

My 1st car engine re-build was an L28. I bought this book, http://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Your-Nissan-Datsun-Engine/dp/1931128030/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410169231&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+rebuild+your+datsun.

I didn't have one single problem and it fired right up, never had to call my Dad for help. He was amazed and disappointed.

[rossiz]

congrats on the purchase - and on the guts to do it yourself. it will certainly be rewarding to have built it from scratch.

+1 on siteunseen's recommendation, a great read and super clear. another companion book to consider, since you're going for more than stock:

How to Modify Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine - Kindle edition by Frank Honsowetz. Professional & Technical Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

good luck, and keep us posted!

[Nite_Grind]

My 1st car engine re-build was an L28. I bought this book, How to Rebuild Your Nissan/Datsun OHC Engine: Covers L-Series Engines 4-Cylinder 1968-1978, 6-Cylinder 1970-1984: Tom Monroe: 9781931128032: Amazon.com: Books.

I didn't have one single problem and it fired right up, never had to call my Dad for help. He was amazed and disappointed.

HAHAHA. Well that's good news, because thats the book I ordered.

congrats on the purchase - and on the guts to do it yourself. it will certainly be rewarding to have built it from scratch.

+1 on siteunseen's recommendation, a great read and super clear. another companion book to consider, since you're going for more than stock:

How to Modify Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine - Kindle edition by Frank Honsowetz. Professional & Technical Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

good luck, and keep us posted!

Thank you, nothing to grand but it's going to do the trick hopefully when it's said and done. I definitely think rebuilding it myself is my core motivator for my datsun and I can't wait to get it done. Already feels good to know I'm in the right direction, because I do have that manual you both suggested.

Edited September 9, 2014 by Nite_Grind

[Zed Head]

Whatever you're using to host your pictures doesn't seem to work. At least on my Windows 7 / Chrome machine. Broken links.

[Nite_Grind]

Whatever you're using to host your pictures doesn't seem to work. At least on my Windows 7 / Chrome machine. Broken links.

Sorry Zed, secret society.

[Nite_Grind]

Back to business, Just snapping some photos of components and condition of the longblock was in when I bought it. Due to time being of the essence, at least that is what I once though, I began to tear it down so I could inspect it asap and plan the next course of action.

1stly ripped off these flat tops

next the N36 Manifolds, which I later sold

with those items out of the way, next was the exh. manifold. Remember I mentioned earlier the honda guy thing, it did not hot me conceptually until teardown that the exh. and intake were on the same side. #mindblown

smog equipment? BWHAHAHA I scorn thee

More misc. goods I'm not sure I will reuse, also removed. They will be handy templates if I do not reuse them.

Then it was time to take the pan off. If the bearings are/were good I'd just do a bearing slap and install the engine in my car.

somewhere along the timeline I decided to remove the VC. Amongst all the sludge of poor maintenance I heard a hollow part drop...Hmmmm?

that's what it was. A pc. of the oil spray bar

Edited September 10, 2014 by Nite_Grind

[Nite_Grind]

Oil pan off, I began removing rod caps to check the bearings. I only have 5 pics but all the bearings looked good; this might be an actual running engine I said to myself. So I was content on just reinstalling them and torquing them a few ft.lbs extra. All I'd need now is a HG and re-assemble. Of course the conservative way out. How could I explain anything less to the mrs.

[siteunseen]

While you 'splainin to the missus, go ahead and try telling her why you need round mouthed carbs instead of the ones you have.

[Captain Obvious]

1stly ripped off these flat tops

Amongst all the sludge of poor maintenance I heard a hollow part drop...Hmmmm? that's what it was. A pc. of the oil spray bar

Sounds like the spray bar had been holding on by a thread and it looks like that rearmost cam lobe may have been running somewhat dry for a while because of that. Is it OK?

[vader]Do not underestimate the power of the flat tops.[/vader]

[Nite_Grind]

While you 'splainin to the missus, go ahead and try telling her why you need round mouthed carbs instead of the ones you have.

yes, I'm working on my powerpoint presentation. I'll explain pros, cons, efficiency, and benefit. but patience they will come.

Sounds like the spray bar had been holding on by a thread and it looks like that rearmost cam lobe may have been running somewhat dry for a while because of that. Is it OK?

[vader]Do not underestimate the power of the flat tops.[/vader]

I've read the flats are great for top end, since I've only experienced driving round tops, I'm intent on recreating that drive that fueled this fire. As for the cam issue, I think the previous owner new something was up, but he still was forced to continue driving the car. The cam will be removed and sent out to get cleaned, inspected, and polished.

[Nite_Grind]

So with the bearings in good shape, I was in high hopes this would be easy, with just a gasket swap. So I pulled the head off. Quiet the carb build up.

Front engine components removed - a lot of sludge, not bad for 30/40yrs of being on the road I guess.

It was at this point, when removing carbon from the piston tops I realized, with my OCD I'd be digging a ditch. Yearning for a piece of mind would only mean one thing. REBUILD IT ALL.

Houston we have contact. Piston to valve clearance was diminished for a moment in time.

while I thought it out, I'd continue on to strip the block. I knew a proper rebuild would now be mandatory.