Ok, I've had 2 weeks off after my first little baby boy was born and done stuff all on Datty! I had some stupid idea in my head I'd have the engine in by the end of the 2 weeks! Boy was I kidding myself! I had to spend a couple of days on the excavator as well to get our block ready to build on so that robbed me of some time but I dunno what happened to the rest of the time!

No updates regarding the engineering side of things unfortunately. The normal Vicroads guy is apparently overseas so my engineer is chasing it up through someone else.
To be honest I've given up on getting it engineered with the turbo on it. I'm just gunna do it anyway and once it's done I'll decide whether to try to get it running without the turbo for engineering purposes or just get it registered under the new Vic club permit scheme. The other option is I just use it as a track car or drag car. God, I really have no idea what I want from poor rusty little Datty!!

In terms of work on the car I've spent most of my time trying to set up everything to do the work. I've bought well over a grands worth of tools over the past month! I've got my welder all set up finally and have been practicing a bit of panel welding to get the hang of it. It sure is easy to burn holes on thin little Datsun panels!

I've pulled the front cross member out and removed the engine mounts (lots of bloody spot welds). Totally stuffed a brand new spot weld drill bit in the process. The funny thing is that the SR would actually perfectly sit onto the 1200 mounts. Slight problem of being about a foot too high though!

I've pulled out the dash to start the wiring process and clutch/brake hydralic setups. I've got a Coupe dash I'll be putting back in with modern guages of some sort. Surprise surprise there is quite a bit more rust up behind the sill panel (on the inside) I guess where the wazter leaks through the external rust holes.

I'll put up some pics as soon as I get time.

congrats mate

Keep at it Ewan.
Remember - perseverance is the biggest requirement THEN comes the skill.
I sent you some plenum repair pics at work.
Thanks again for the datto bits.
Larry

Thanks guys.
Thanks for picking up the bits Larry. One thing to be checked when you go to use the engine is the engine mount spacing. When I dismantled the crossmember yesterday to make up new mounts for the SR it looks like a new section has been welded on to space the engine either forward or back. It didn't look standard so please be mindful of it! Thanks for the pictures, I'll check them out Tuesday when I'm back at work.

Congrats on the bub mate.

Don't stress about getting the car done as there are more important things in your life now.

I basically parked my 1200 for 12 months after my daughter was born.

It will still be there.

Congrats on the bub and I beleive I have the record for the longest build 5 years and counting (its finished just need to go to the engineer no $$$) My Girls is 3 and loves to come out and help daddy in the garage but usually just gets in the way and complains about the noises LOL

Thanks blokes.
I'll definately re-prioritise my life but I won't be able to just completely put datty on hold. I'll try but......
5 years is definately a good stint! If I get my engine in by 3 years I'll be stoked!
Here's a few foters-

Crossmember mid modification (took original 1200 mounts off) just need to work out what will suit SR. Thinking angle iron at this point.

Took off front skirt and cleaned off surface rust.

Took out the dash for wiring and clutch/brake setups.

More bloody rust in the floor.

And inside the firewall....

My confined working conditions.

Started playing with wiring.

Some practice welding to find the threshold of milo tin esque panel tin!

Big rusty bloody hole for front bumper mount plate.

I really need to focus on one thing at a time but I'm hopeless with time management!!!

Oh, and the lad! He doesn't seem to comprehend the efforts I'm going to out in the garage for him yet! In good time I'll have him out there with the welder!!!

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That beer is making me thirsty......

congrats on the young bloke! all the best..

ahh the wiring, its great fun i just finished mine, ill be happy if i never see another wiring loom for the next 10 years! lol

Matty, that's not beer mate, it's liquid inspiration!
It's the lubrication to get my joints moving when I couldn't be stuffed!
It's....... Aaah you get the point!

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