June BS Thread!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
well boys, another day in my crazy world. i've been working on an 81 datsun pickup for a guy i know, had a blown head gasket and sat for several years. got the brakes fixed awhile ago, and today i just about had it all buttoned up from doing the head gasket, it fired up for a second on the carb cleaner i'd given it for starting fluid, then it made a bad clunking noise and stalled. WTF. so i gave it more carb cleaner and started it again, this time it fired once, made that clunking again, and locked up. now i can't turn it either direction with a 24" ratchet on the crank pulley bolt, i can just tighten the darn bolt, even though i'm giving it all i've got from under the truck. looks like a helluva fun one to have to open it up again, this time from the bottom
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
Wouldn't seize the engine like that though.
As it turns out, the axle on my diesel is a 4.10 and not a 3.55 like the seller claimed. The whole reason I bought this truck was because it had a 3.55 axle and not the 4.10. BruteFord has a 3.55 he'll trade for my 4.10's. Haven't decided if it's worth my time to swap out, as far as mpg gains vs towing capacity loss...
As it turns out, the axle on my diesel is a 4.10 and not a 3.55 like the seller claimed. The whole reason I bought this truck was because it had a 3.55 axle and not the 4.10. BruteFord has a 3.55 he'll trade for my 4.10's. Haven't decided if it's worth my time to swap out, as far as mpg gains vs towing capacity loss...
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
its a chain driven overhead cam, so if the problem were up there, i would at minimum be able to turn the engine the tiny bit of slack that the new chain has. i also watched the top of the chain through the oil cap while engaging the starter, and there was no sign of any flick of tension. it got enough oil pressure to turn off the oil light about a second before the first clunk, but surely this is coincidence, as i only cranked maybe 5 seconds before having pressure, and it got pressure as it first coughed to life.
i'm thinking its gotta be something in the crank and pistons.
the only movement i can get either direction with a long bar on the crank pulley bolt, is tightening or loosening that bolt. that and rocking the engine on its mounts, or the truck on its suspension, but not even a degree of crankshaft rotation.
for the fun of it, i tried pushing it around again with 130PSI of air being blown into one cylinder which was roughly an inch from the top of its stroke, and even with that i couldn't turn it with my bar.
i'm thinking its gotta be something in the crank and pistons.
the only movement i can get either direction with a long bar on the crank pulley bolt, is tightening or loosening that bolt. that and rocking the engine on its mounts, or the truck on its suspension, but not even a degree of crankshaft rotation.
for the fun of it, i tried pushing it around again with 130PSI of air being blown into one cylinder which was roughly an inch from the top of its stroke, and even with that i couldn't turn it with my bar.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
Wow sounds pretty bad.
I haven't been doing a lot, I ordered a fuel pump for the beetle. The OEM pump is in the way and not producing good results so I'm "upgrading" to an electric pump. Eliminate the OE pump, force fuel into the carb, and clear room for an alternator conversion. I drove the bronco again today to get my little sister from her 8th grade formal. I think we impressed her friends and scared off any boys trying to make a move
I haven't been doing a lot, I ordered a fuel pump for the beetle. The OEM pump is in the way and not producing good results so I'm "upgrading" to an electric pump. Eliminate the OE pump, force fuel into the carb, and clear room for an alternator conversion. I drove the bronco again today to get my little sister from her 8th grade formal. I think we impressed her friends and scared off any boys trying to make a move
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Wouldn't seize the engine like that though.
As it turns out, the axle on my diesel is a 4.10 and not a 3.55 like the seller claimed. The whole reason I bought this truck was because it had a 3.55 axle and not the 4.10. BruteFord has a 3.55 he'll trade for my 4.10's. Haven't decided if it's worth my time to swap out, as far as mpg gains vs towing capacity loss...
As it turns out, the axle on my diesel is a 4.10 and not a 3.55 like the seller claimed. The whole reason I bought this truck was because it had a 3.55 axle and not the 4.10. BruteFord has a 3.55 he'll trade for my 4.10's. Haven't decided if it's worth my time to swap out, as far as mpg gains vs towing capacity loss...
Josh could the crank of broken? I did that once in a VW 40Hp. But thinking
about that now I would lean to a rod or a piston.
Sean
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
if the crank broke, i would be very surprised, as i would probably be able to get one end or the other to move at least a little. i'm leaning toward a bearing problem - at least i hope thats all it is. those clunks it made are a little disconcerting, making me fear something like a rod cap that came off or something...
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
Josh I know a bit about those Datsun L series engines, I was way into the old Datsun 510s as a teenager. I can't say what your issue is but the chain tensioners are notorious for being problematic. Also the starters tend to come lose and jamb up. They have a very stout bottom end for an import 4 banger but in my experience the factory pistons aren't all that well made. Bad aluminum or something makes them kinda brittle. Of course there is no telling what sitting for years rusting did. Good luck.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
yeah, with the head off it turned over just fine, cylinder walls were still ok, complete new timing set including guides and tensioners, so i doubt a timing problem. the clunks it gave me right before it locked up have me a little worried, and almost certain that the problem is somewhere in the rotating assembly. i'm gonna drag it home today and see what i find
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
dylan, that would only be possible if either something were broken in pieces, or the cylinder walls had excessive wear, which they don't.
obviously something is wrong, and i'll be pulling it apart to find out. at this point i'm interested to know what it is!
obviously something is wrong, and i'll be pulling it apart to find out. at this point i'm interested to know what it is!