Mike And Tricia Marshall's Journal

The engine went back in today!! After having a bottom end rebuild by R & L Engines in Dover, NH (with all parts supplied by Hap!), and Mike rebuilding the head (again, with all parts and advice from Hap!), the engine was mated with the Datsun 210 transmission overhauled by Rivergate, and using their conversion kit.

The front wings, the front panel and the bonnet are still off, so we had plenty of room to maneoevre, but it was still a tight fit! During the bodywork rebuild we had RMR adjust the heater deck slightly so that there would be no chance of the slightly larger Datsun transmission making contact and vibrating, but even so, it was an inch in, an inch down, a couple more degrees, before she was set.

The rear transmission mount from Rivergate was a bit of a bear to get in. The top plate is already mounted on the transmission, which goes in first, then the bottom mounting plate is supposed to just slide into place!! Not so much!! It took a bit of wriggling, and curses, and a tip from Will of Rivergate! We left it alone overnight to contemplate its' unhelpfulness, and low and behold, it just went right on in today!!

We still have some of the ancilliary bits to go on, we need a new pulley for the alternator conversion, and have a new dizzy and coil on order, but she's looking good so far!!