Project Mako - 1967 Datsun 1600 Restmod with SR20DE Power!

[vorpal]

My (limited) understanding is the MK63 was stock front brakes (single and vented) for some of the larger Nissan models, like the HA30 Gloria. A correct period mod, from the late 1960's when the like of the Gloria was around.

Good write-up on the history of Sumitomo MK63 caliper here: https://www.jdmjunkies.ch/wordpress/202 ... 63-brakes/

[tangoterje]

Ah, that would be great if that was the case. I’ll see if I can find out more. My MK63 setup from Spirit Garage looks good and it centers perfectly over the vented disc, but as said it’s heavy. Another issue is that the piston area is 17% higher on MK63 than stock, which will affect the pedal. It has been said that this increase will possibly work with the stock MC, but if also going up to the next size on the rear cylinders, I bet you’ll run out of pedal. Which requires a 13/16 MC (which is exactly 17% bigger), but that will mean a stiffer pedal.

The Endless S4F on the other hand have slightly smaller total piston area compared to stock (about 2%), so they’ll probably feel better at home with the stock MC.

Only one way to find out, eh?

[ADR]

Hopefully you've been holding back and a brilliant update is just waiting to be released...

There's nothing like a Spriso build thread!

[Stick]

+1... Agreed!

[spriso]

February Update

I appreciate the poke for a quick update on Project Mako-- there are a lot of things in process right now, and I'm waiting on some parts (and time) on others.

Steering:

Jim Tyler from Datsun Restoration Products sold us a beautiful rebuilt steering idler assembly and shipped it out quickly over X-mas break. I then modified it with a counter sunk hole on the top side to provide a little more clearance for our Ron Davis radiators, and then was painted black and installed on the car. Done and dusted.





Then the steering box was cleaned out, re-lubed with Penrite steering box lube, and re-installed in the car:



And all was good, until I put the steering arm back on the box:



As I rotated the steering box back and forth, there was a discernible "click". I did a quick install onto the frame and hooked up the tie rods, and as you might guess, it got worse-- way worse. Not acceptable. So out it all came, I tore the box apart, and the steering worm has a crack in it-- and that is what I was feeling.

I then went into my inventory of used steering boxes and pulled out 5 of them, ALL with one issue or another. So, now I need to find a good worm and peg, or maybe just a good steering box that I can put into the car so I can call the front end complete.

Rear End:

The Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE rear end has been torn down, and basic fabrication completed (including the axles being re-splined), but I am working on a new rear brake solution as the stock calipers are getting to be very hard to find good cores, and even rebuild kits are getting difficult to find. We will be using a 300ZX aluminum rear brake caliper, and then a separate electronic parking brake caliper for the emergency brake-- watch this space for more soon.

Rear Springs

The rear springs were pulled apart, sandblasted, and are now going to be re-arched and repainted and re-installed onto the frame.

Engine:

The S15 SR20DE engine has been torn down to a long block, and now needs a deep clean and re-seal with new parts-- I'll be updating this thread on that process when that gets done.

Customer Cars:

And of course, there are always customer projects that take the priority. The 510 Wagon that I talked about a couple months ago is back with its owner-- he driving the car he has owned for the first time in 20-years-- so that was a pretty good feeling getting that back to him.



And we did some deep winter maintenance on Project Unicorn (and are waiting on it to stop raining so it can go back to its owner), and then we have a 1972 Datsun 240Z that is in to be finished. This is a project where the customer has been working on this car for 10+ years, but can't get it across the finish line, so off to us to finish it. It is 90% there, but as we all know, the last 10% is the hardest part of any project!

And then if that was not all, we had a few RX7 axles to finish up for customers (last one leaving this weekend), and then THIS followed me home a few weeks ago:



Yep, a 1969 Nissan Patrol. I need this like a hole in the head, but I've always wanted one, it was 1 mile from my house, and it was free. Sometimes, as they say, free is too much, but we'll keep this on the back burner or as a diversion when the other stuff gets too boring....

So, watch this space-- we are chipping away at it-- I want to make Mako a roller as soon as possible, but these other projects help supply the funds to keep this all moving forward-- unless one of you guys buys it and we can move it to the top of the list!

Michael

[drieseck]

Many thanks for the ongoing updates, quite helpful for the amateurs. (also obsessed with finding a Patrol, luckily not finding one free, might end in new sleeping arrangements at home.) Do you prefer Penlrite over Corn Grease? Have you found a replacement plug for this box? TIA Dave.

[GoldHawg]

I'm excited to see your solution for the rear brake calipers. That's a definite need and will be good to see your solution.

[23yrRebuild]

February Update

I appreciate the poke for a quick update on Project Mako-- there are a lot of things in process right now, and I'm waiting on some parts (and time) on others.

Steering:

Then the steering box was cleaned out, re-lubed with Penrite steering box lube, and re-installed in the car:



Michael

Hey Michael, First of all, as others have already said, thanks for the awesome updates on your current build, and could you please tell us if this Penrite Steering Lube would be suitable to use in the later Recirculating Ball steering box ?
And if so, where can we buy it ?
Thanks,
Mike

[spriso]

The Penrite steering box grease was a solution that I found years ago for weeping steering box seals. I have heard others call it a corn grease, which is probably similar, but I have not personally used that before.

Penrite can be found in North America on eBay, or I have also bought it on Amazon as well.

It can be used in recirculating steering boxes as well-- if you have a weeping seal and don't want to change it out, this can be a good solution!

Michael

[23yrRebuild]

Thank you, Michael. I'm now confident enough to locate and use the Penrite.
Mike