I'm faced with the same problem, but have alternate (but not cheaper solution). The front hub already has a plate bolted to it that the wheel studs run from. I'm getting a machine shop to make a thicker plate to replace the existing ones(original plus spacer thickness). Then I will countersink the holes so that I can run standard size studs. Defiently the long way round, but I'm not a big fan of spacers. More food for thought...

I'm in the middle of moving from that very dull city, and want to spend as little time there as possible. I also can't get access to a trailler in the time I have left.

$2500??????????

I'm in a situation that has made me consider selling my ute. Not 100% sure yet, but I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in having a look. Here it is:

1200 ute, body almost ready for primer(more sanding). Ute bed been painted, no rust in floor. Small rust bubble in tail gate.
Good interior, carpet not so good.

Worked A15, Holley, Extractors, Headwork, Cam.
13" 5 spoke mags

Comes with following spares:
VGC Standard A12
4 speed gear box
Ute tail shaft
Set of front struts & Brakes(disc)
Grill
Rear Glass
LH Door (I think)
2 16X7" six spoke Mags (the instegators of my Stanza/H190 project)
4 TRX Mags
A couple of Steel Rims
A big bucket of small sh!t from the other ute I wrecked
A towbar off another 1200 ute

Ute & Spares in Narrandera, NSW 1 Hour south west of Wagga.

How does $3500 Sound?

I'll throw in 4litres of PPG Primmer and 20 litres of PPG thinners

I've got one I pulled off a ute, everything there. In canberra, can be in Wagga if anyones interested. A six pack of Coopers would do.
I've also got an aluminium bullbar, not for a datsun, more likely a Hilux. Its got mounts, but could be made to fit anything I think. Another bit of scrap taking up precious space. It comes with a rear bar with towbar attached. $50.00 ONO
Cheers

Thanks for the support Phunk, I was almost starting to doubt myself!! I fix diesels (big) on ships, but my Bro is an auto elec, I didn't think he would be telling me porkys!

Has anyone got any good contacts that could lead to a reasonably priced blower (once the type is decided)? NSW/ACT area prefered.
There was a spare Turbo laying around on the last boat I was on, but it had an outside diameter of about 30", which could lead to a few complications. The smallest blower we had was an 8/71, still a bit of an over kill for a 1200.

Like i've allways said, I'm no expert, but I'm sure the supercharger kits that CRS put together work using an electrically actuated clutch(magnetic). Obviously you wouldn't turn it on in the middle of a drag race when you decide you need a little more power!
Is the SC12/14 a good charger to be looking at? I'm after all the suggestions I can get.
Cheers

The heat shouldn't be to much of an issue, theres allways thermo tape and other exhaust lagging that's pretty efficient.
I've seen blower set-ups on pre cross flow engines that have all the hardware on the opposite side of the engine, with a pipe running over into a standard inlet manifold. Not my personnal choice, a few negatives to that sort of set up, but still plenty of power.Water/methonol injection is a cheap and relatively easy option to cool the charge.

I've also seen blowers that work with an A/C compressor pulley, Mad Max style at the flick of a switch. Not what I'm after either, but still pretty cool.

I have a few bonnets lying around, I might cut a hole in one and paint it at the same time the ute gets done. The under bonnet sleeper thing is cool, but I'm a fan of a tasteful bonnet scoop or Carb/airfilter sticking out. (must be the bogan comming out in me)

I know the A12 wouldn't be everyones choice as a base, but I've got one spare thats consumable. Its all a learning thing. And a very fun way of learning at that!!

Along the lines of the current turbo thread thats running, (Twin SU's), would there be any advantage to running a small blower(toyota, etc), for cost and ease of set up. I know they aren't as effecient, requiring more power to drive them. But it would be pretty cool, and you cant beat the sound of a blower drive. Unless you mounted it side ways, I'm thinking a bonnet protrusion would be unavoidable. Thoughts, comments???
Cheers

Sounds like a big engineering adventure. Awesome, something very different from the usual ca18!! Good luck with it, I can't wait to see some pics when its in.