some good pics to share
nismo retro 70s pics

how do you copy them?

i've got some fender mirrors for sale. (bris)

Pulled down the rest of the motor.
Dr Mark bought down some of his specialist surgical equipment.
Time for a measure up.
now just bear in mind Francis has over 455000kms on this bottom end.
measured all bores
worst #4 over sized by 0.0045"
will need to be bored 0.020" unless someone can sell me some cheap new 0.010" pistons and rings
measure big ends
worst #1 0.0005" under.
will need 0.010" larger bearings
measured main bearings
all ok!!!

pics soon

just an update.
Surgery on Francis has started, because of the delicate nature of Francis(high miles) and Terrys' worry about the insides, I've called in an expert, "Dr Mark"(race engine builder and tuner(Qual eng reconditioner 15yrs, and mechanic)and I will be assisting(I'm only a mechanic), with Dr Mark's record for last year(average engine build last year produced 399.4 rwhp) Terry aggreed Mark the right man for the job.
I started the by removing the very dirty heart(reminded me of working old trucks....DIRTY).Engine out, no problems. Removed clutch and Flywheel(2nd clutch for francis ..still asbestos type)clutch at 40-59% worn(will be reused). mounted onto a stand and started the delicate surgery..
Carby - 2.5 mm of shaft play(not sure now how francis even ran with that size vacuum leak), will need replacement.
Inlet man. Just dirty.
Exhaust man. bottom bolts came off like they were ust put on. hot box flap 3mm of play will need to be removed and holes plugged and manifold HPC coated(black)
First complication!
removing head bolts 3 were finger tight!! 2 snapped at the head, all others undid normally. One head bolt although undone wouldn't come out of the head.
Terry started to get worried when Francis wouldn't let the head come away from the block.... Emergency procedures were bought into play (brass drift) and after 20 mins the head finally came away.
with the head off it quickly became obvious that francis had a blown head gasket no2(clean piston). inspection of head revealed blown head gasket also (just) on no4 and a badly burnt ex valve on no4.
I

Actually Francis' name comes from francis the talking mule.
Terry received a 'bobble head mule when he first bought the car.
It's still on the dash(maybe a little worse for wear.!!)

just had a brief chat with Terry. He and Francis first came together on the 18/12/70 for the princely sum of $2200.00.
A little distressing information I found out is that the last oil change that Francis received was on the 6th day of janurary in the year 1991.! Terry informed me by this stage Francis had a drinking problem(oil that is), and was drinking 1 pint (600mls) per 1000miles, so he figures just topping up would suffice, and francis never complained.

as you can see in this pic Francis is sporting one of the older style long oil filters(genuine)


After removal and a quick degrease (I believe these longer style filters have been NLA for over 10 years)

Francis is Terrys' daily drive and together have clocked up 282841miles (455000kms) on this engine. Only having a 100000mile odometer its on its 3rd run around.

Just want to introduce Francis the datsun to you all.
Francis is owned by a good friend of mine (Terry), who bought Francis brand new in 1970.I'm helping Terry to sort out the issues bought on by Francis' mid life crisis(40 this year). During this 'make-over'I'll relay some of the adventures Terry & Francis have had together, some of the things we find in the make over and some of Terrys' Datsun "facts".
Terry Contacted me approx. 3 weeks ago because the original radiator core had corroded that bad water was actually running out.( from the early eighties terry only ever put tank water int the radiator)the mechanic that was attending to Francis couldn't find a new core or replacement. So Terry contacted me(slightly distressed) I was able to source a new 3 core core and a slightly larger bottom tank(that didn't have a drain).I supplied this for Francis and within a week they were both out and about again. now at this stage Terrys' mechanic put coolant into the engine.
I saw Terry at a club meeting and he told me that Francis' new radiator was leaking. It certainly was, so the next day Francis arrived at my shed and the radiator removed.The next day I got a call from the radiator shop, the top tank wasn't 'tinned' properly. when I picked it up they told me the new radiator, after 1 week was 3/4 blocked with oil and gunge. Bad News.
After further consultation with Terry we decided to do open heart surgery.
Engine Out