Hey guys been quiet for a long time but have finally purchased a Datsun 1200 ute! Body is pretty well rust free and pretty straight considering the age. Only the 3rd owner of the beast as well. Will be working on this in between getting the L18 Y engineered and registered (will be updating original thread on it as it is pretty well roadworthy and hasn't had any info posted about if for a long time). Tho colour of the ute is the original yellow with brown dash. Plans are to turn it a little bit rad rod cross JDM without mutilating the body, just keeping it how it is with rustproofing and any old rust cut out. I want it nice and low on 12 or 13 inch black powder coated steelies on whitewalls. Preferably twelves with a set of originL hubcaps if I can find a tire to suit but I've only been able to find 13 inch tires. Anybody know of any makers etc? I can find online sites to buy but haven't approached any dealers yet.

Want to have a nice loud side exit exhaust (passenger side) twin tip type, if it will fit! And the usual JDM accessories like front lip spoiler and fender mirrors etc. Plan to make the interior was close as original as I can but have a decent stereo etc etc. That's alll in the long run though.

First of all I need to fix an exhaust leak, extractors are shagged, rust holes in a few spots and paper thin, so I'll be getting a new set put on. What are your thoughts on heat wrapping? Is there anything I can paint of to try and extend the life a bit? I want the whole exhaust matte black with heat wrapping where I can. Thinking of wrapping the extractors all the way through and eventually a bit down the new exhaust as well.

I'll try get some pics up as soon as I can,

Thanks guys, Josh

Heat wrapping can cause them to rust out quicker as it traps moisture between wrap and,exhaust.

Just get new set and ditch this set now.

Yeh I'll still be getting the new set, no way I can extend the life of these ones haha, I was just curious as to whether high temp painting the new set before heat wrapping would extend the life a bit more? I'd imagine the more coats of paint you put on the longer they will last?

Thanks Josh

Went to A1 exhausts and got told a new set won't last any longer than 12 months because the metal cooks, I was always under the assumption that due to condensation moisture builds up and they rust out. Apparently it won't cook the stainless though, what are your thoughts?

Go somewhere else cause my 2nd hand over 10year old non stainless extractors are fine.

Is that wrapped or unwrapped? IM unsure why you want to wrap them, its not necessary in a road car

He said that was wrapped, want to wrap them purely for the look I'm going for with the car.

Josh

Got priced 400 for a new set of extractors installed front wo different shops, so I went digging and found the old pair I pulled off the Y, they were in a lot better condition than I expected! Living next door to a welder has its benefits so dropped them over there to get a dent pulled out, a grinder cut welded up, and a skid plate welded a long the bottom so I don't go singing the new ones again. I want the car to be quite low so I think this is necessary. Then off to the sandblasters and get them read for paint, still undecided about heat wrapping though. Don't want to go rusting them out too much!

Ceramic coat them mate

Just a pic of the ute

Couldnt figure out how to get the image embedded on the post so heres the link:

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz255/j05h120y/iphone252.jpg

Arghh looks like I've blown a head gasket! Driving the other day and noticed it got quite hot, pulled up the hood and there was not a lot of water in the radiator and coolant looked a bit foamy, I'm presuming the system pressurized and blew most of it out the overflow, oil looked fine nothing milky on the dipstick or under the cap though. Thinking maybe I should just pull the head off and change, should be quite easy in the a series conpared to an ohc engine. What other ways are there to check if its a gasket? I've read it can bubble of exhaust is getting in the system but if it had cracked along a bore wouldn't you notice the engine running rough? That could explain where the coolant has been gonn though. Drained the coolant and oil today and oil looks fine, no coolant it.

What are your thoughts guys??

Cheers josh