OK all thats done and now I'm back and it's time to kick this project off the ground. What I need right now is the name of a few good body / trim shops in Western Sydney who would like to take on the body side as I clearly don't have the time to do this side of the job but as with all time poor people, there's a considerable budget to pay someone else to do it as long as I can find the right person who'se not going to rip me off or do a crap job.

Definitely good cash waiting for the right restorer out there.

Any names, people?

ZM

Just wondering.. you still got those struts up there?

I can come pick up next week..

ZM

Naah, not yet. It's a sloow project. Was going to do body first but now decided to do drivetrain first. Just collecting bits, need those front disc struts and a new carby..

UPDATE Aug 2011:

This project has unfortunately ground to a halt for the time being. Due to various reasons one of my other vehicles required sudden major attention (new motor and now external repaint) and so the Datto project has been postponed to commence in early 2012. Still collecting parts, looking for a new Hitachi stock carby for it next, the $250 ones on Ebay seem a bit steep on price but worth it I guess.

I have found a replacement inlet manifold to suit the A12A motor (actually I found another complete motor..) and started stockpiling internal trim parts.

More in early 2012..

ZM

Thanks for that - I didn't know the mixer could be so small! The mixer in my carby Hilux is quite a large beast. Of course the Hilux has an air cleaer quite distant from the carby (connected by rubber hoses) and so inserting the mixer there is a natural injection spot.

But on the datto the cleaner sits right on top of the carby so as far as I could see the mixer would either have to be very slim and small (looks like thats your approach) or the air cleaer woulh have to be hosed off to another place under the boneet like the Hilux one is.

The conversion to my datto will have to be done by a licensed shop anyway to get the various approvals though needed in Australia - but still it's good to know my options first.

ZM

Would love to hear more on the LPG operation.. using stock carby? Where abouts does the mixer go (i.e. on top of the carby or is there a hose and separate air cleaner etc)

ZM

OK just thought it might be time for an update on this one..

Good news is that I have been able to track down a new manifold of the correct bolt pattern (came with a free motor!). Been busy on Ebay too, now I have got replacement front and side lights, door panels and kick panels, carpets, tracked down a drivers' door and right fender and a rear right light. A new carby is on the way, as the three I currently have all show signs of significant wear and a new one isn't that expensive.

I've decided to upgrade the front drums to disks, and tracked down some. Basically now it's waiting for me to get the damage at the rear repaired, strip the body ready for a respray and then get on with the restore.

ZM

Hmm might take up that offer.

Would you mind keeping them for a month or two and then I can pick up? I have a job up there coming up in around May.

ZM

Yeh I wanna do this too, except Im here in Australia. My project is taking a sedan back to stock, it currently has all drums I'd like to put discs on the front if it's not too hard. Need to have the brakes all done before it goes for rego.

Does anyone out there have a set of stock discs they don't want? Will these bolt on to the existing struts or do I need to change the strut? Also the current system is un- boosted. Will I need to change this to run the discs?

Zordmaker

ABSOLUTELY!

And thats why mine is going back to bog stock!! (well.. maybe not exactly..)

Zordmaker

Thanks all, think I've found one now (whole motor) hope it's round and not oval.
Hope to hear that motor roar soon.

ZM