Reviving an L26 - My 1st Engine Rebuild Ever.

[rcb280z]

Hey Joel, great progress man! I have to get down there soon to visit you. But before I can drive my Z I have to bend a new brake line for the right front. I was in the process of installing my steel braided lines and while trying to loosen the brake line nut I stripped it out, bummer. Oh well, guess I know what Im doing in a couple of days.

[HuD 91gt]

I just did all my lines, and the right front was the worst one. I used a copper alloy so it was very easy to bend. Once I got the old one out, I copied the first half of it by matching it to the old one (Master side), then got the line back into the vehicle, and bent the rest of it from there. It seemed to be the easiest way with the engine and all the other junk in there. I don't know if this would be possible with a steel line. Just my experinece.

As for the build, keep the pics coming!

[Nite_Grind]

cool - sounds like you're on the right track.

a nice advantage of doing the engines in stages is that you'll love the L26, then after driving it for a while you'll be even more impressed with your performance build - like christmas x2

HAHAHA Thanks for the heads up Ross.

Hey Joel, great progress man! I have to get down there soon to visit you. But before I can drive my Z I have to bend a new brake line for the right front. I was in the process of installing my steel braided lines and while trying to loosen the brake line nut I stripped it out, bummer. Oh well, guess I know what Im doing in a couple of days.

Thanks RC. Sounds good to me!! It's a bummer surely but add one new part to the car and it's one less to go ! Sorry to hear that genuinely though. Bleeding brakes can sometimes be a PITA. Especially on AUDI, those cars are PILES IMO.

I just did all my lines, and the right front was the worst one. I used a copper alloy so it was very easy to bend. Once I got the old one out, I copied the first half of it by matching it to the old one (Master side), then got the line back into the vehicle, and bent the rest of it from there. It seemed to be the easiest way with the engine and all the other junk in there. I don't know if this would be possible with a steel line. Just my experinece.

As for the build, keep the pics coming!

I'll do my best Hud. Thanks. I'll post some more later tonight hopefully.

[Nite_Grind]

so I had sent my block out to my friends shop to get hot tanked and cleaned, I guess he's a stickler for properly maintaing the fluids, because all my parts came back dingy. EHHHH! GRRR! Some may say that's what you get for being cheap, but I assure you I wasn't. My intensions were good; to support a friends. Should have went with my first instinct. So in the right hands, and some media blast later WALLLLLAHHH!

my old tattered spray bar that's now in a better place

Block and crank return

while waiting for the head to come back ( apparently it has a bent valve so I will order one up ) I ordered the basics. Timing Components

Gasket Kit

[Nite_Grind]

freeze plugs. - note do not buy this kit, can be ordered cheaper at your local parts store.

When I bought my timing kit these were in it..... should have checked this part # 1st. set back #1 2.8L Rings.... ummm could have sworn I asked them for 2.6L! Grrr These will be going back for sure.

Turbo Oil pump to keep oil psi up, I drive aggressive-ish so might come in handy, while I attack fwy on ramps

pistons and rods cleaned up as well

and of course I had to snap some pics of my pit crew ( 2of 3 ), they wouldn't have it any other way.

[Duffman]

Saved the best pic for last! Good looking crew!!

[Captain Obvious]

You are really good with the camera. My pics always seem to come out so utilitarian...

Useful and descriptive, but bland.

[Nite_Grind]

Saved the best pic for last! Good looking crew!!

HAHAHA Thanks Duff. I love them at this age and younger. My 12yr old....driving me up the wall w/ boy talk.

You are really good with the camera. My pics always seem to come out so utilitarian...

Useful and descriptive, but bland.

Thanks Bruce. I figured if I'm going to spend the same amount of time transferring pics from my iphone, I might as well use the same time and effort but w/ my DSLR ( rebel t3i ). If you have one, may I suggest some simple tips? pick a setting your comfortable with, ambient daylight is good - direct sunlight is not needed for things like this; and snap away. These were taken on a semi auto setting w/ flash cancel.

[Captain Obvious]

Only word of advice on the engine build... I'm sure you already know this (and I would consider it "common sense"), but make double dog sure that you get every last molecule of blast media out of the engine internals before you assemble.

I'm sure you already knew that but the only reason I'm mentioning it is that it's easier said than done. All those nooks and crannies where sheets are spot welded together and stuff? Up on the blind underside of the oil pan baffles? Inside the PCV separator? That sort of thing.

And thanks for the photo tips!

[240260280z]

One can dip a block in a rubber garbage can full of water and muriatic acid if in a pinch....

[Nite_Grind]

Only word of advice on the engine build... I'm sure you already know this (and I would consider it "common sense"), but make double dog sure that you get every last molecule of blast media out of the engine internals before you assemble.

I'm sure you already knew that but the only reason I'm mentioning it is that it's easier said than done. All those nooks and crannies where sheets are spot welded together and stuff? Up on the blind underside of the oil pan baffles? Inside the PCV separator? That sort of thing.

And thanks for the photo tips!

your welcome. Everything has been throughly cleaned. This machine shop is pretty on point. It's washed, beaded, washed again, and the air-blow the parts. I've yet to find media in anything they've done for us in the past. I do thank you for the heads up, it has happened before on a trans build I did some 9yrs ago. Keeping the impossible possible, put the respect/care back into perspective.

One can dip a block in a rubber garbage can full of water and muriatic acid if in a pinch....

one can save this knowledge for L31 build. Appreciated.

[Nite_Grind]

Some good info. I was schooled on another forum, which is great, that oil pump posted above is not high vol. I'll need to exchange that. I ordered a turbo pump, but guess what, wrong again. So I'll be ordering a KA24DE pump.

As for the build, here's some goodies all cleaned up, and ready for paint.

yes I plan to rebuild the original 4spd. It's all about the datsun experience.

arrival of the achilles heal - ebay member shorted me a few, but is sending me another full pack. ( vandervell rods, clevite main. )

cough cough round tops have made its way into the build !!! Balance tube will be shaved and welded. Carbs will be rebuilt to compliment the engine.

extras I received

With the block and VC prepped at work I decided to tackle some stuff at home. 4 stages Rattle can enamel.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Nite_Grind