Byron sent me here. Great save for the Bluebird. I'm amazed it isn't rusted out! I've owned 2 Series I Bluebirds (sedan & wagon) & my dad owned 3 Series I Bluebirds & all of them were pains in the arse. Rust being the main one. Check the bottoms of the doors & tailgate for the drain holes & make sure they aren't blocked. Usually there's a bit of crud at the bottom. Best to get the fish oil out & do the bottom part of the doors. Use a drill if you need to enlarge the drain holes. Check the drainage channels for rust as that's a killer too. The Nissan/Datsun engines of the period were susceptible to head gasket problems but since you're rebuilding it, you shouldn't have any problems. The big problem with those engines was ADR27A the anti-pollution system. You get carbon buildup so the best thing to do is get "creative" with the anti-pollution system. If it were me, I'd keep it as original as possible. It's not worth it to Barra-ize the engine as there will be a ton of mods you have to do. There would be hardly left on the road now & you should once rebuilt, get it on historic plates & take it to car shows. Okay it's not a GTHO or a Monaro but there will be a ton out there who remember when their parents bought these new & remember the trips in them. My best memory about my wagon was that after a night out on the old sauce, I flipped the rear seats down & carried 12 of my mates in it back home. Lucky it was only a short drive.
Honestly mate, these are the best cars. I had one that got used as a shop hack, (2.0 L20B auto), and it was flogged ruthlessly by everyone. It died of rust, ( l/h roof seam eventually broke all the way down), and it was at 380,000km, with only a head gasket and a timing chain replaced.) I damn near cried when the Hiab truck took it away. I've had several of these, inc. a 1.8 turbo saloon, and I can definitely say that the wagons handle better that the sedans and coups, even though they're running a live axle. Saw a mint one of thes, as well as a 720 King-Cab ute, both running P76 V8s. I'd have another 910 Bluebird wagon in a heartbeat, but few and far between now in NZ. Lucky you!
I'd say, keep it OG. It's just staggering how clean it is. Ok, for its age its no concourse example, but it would be easy on the up keep and overall costings.
in 1986, a new nissan factory was opened in my home town in Sunderland, UK, + it built bluebirds... but they were FWD... but there was a turbo version, damned fast... now they build re-badged renaults + milkfloats [EVs]
We had one carby model, the shut off solenoid kept tripping a fews and wouldn't idle, also cracked the hose rubber hose short story it cought fire 😂😅 ,thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones
Rebuild the whole car engine and the whole lot - keep it all original clean and the lot. From Bill. My 1984 Nissan Urvan - Diesel camper van - 5 speed - Column Shift - Manual. 805P Nissan White. Almost completed - Nearly ready to start hitting the road for holiday trips coming soon.
I would say keep it standard because even if you bolted an SR20DET engine in it for example you will still have problems with one side of the rear axle tearing itself of the right hand side of the subframe if they're anything like the sedans were which have had any of the turbocharged fours bolted into them. I have heard of someone who bolted a 350 Chev into a Bluebird wagon (series 1) in my local area & there was a lot of major modifications which needed to be done !
@@AutomotiveKarnagea mate of mine who was an old school mechanic working on those said that’s why the ringing’s were in 2 peace’s and the pitting unleaded fuel after leaded disappeared caused a whole lot of issue rings pitting Etc
Absolutely love it! I wish I had bought something like that instead of the Civic Wagon 😭. While while returning it to original would be pretty cool, that NL Fairlane you found recently would be a very cool donor car, as the 302 Windsor should fit in the engine bay no worries 😁
Those duel spark carby motors were a nightmare when new. They didn't improve with age. Leaning out was one of the biggest problems. Anything but that motor mate.
The good old CA20 in a Series3 Bluebird Been there done that The L20 in the Series2 was a way better engine But from memory totally different even including the gearbox Great car to fix up being so good I’d lean towards an L20 engine and box if it can be done All the best with it
G'day, good save from the wrecking crew, a four cylinder engine is an easy rebuild but at what cost , engine exchange, swings or roundabouts, your choice, look forward to seeing what you decide, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
Always wanted to put the EFI engine from the Pintara into it - worth about an extra 20% power but much nicer to drive - the carbed engine always had a flat spot at low revs. Not a powerhouse but a neat upgrade…
The Z Twin Spark motors also run like shit when the coil leds on the dizzy are actually reversed, generally by accident. They have 2 different timing set-ups, running at a different advance. I had one in a C20 van, (JDM import, bought cheap because it ran like shit), and once I worked out why I was getting truly savage backfiring, it was a powerhouse. Passing cars going up STEEP hills, in 5th. Rust killed that, too.
Oh,I forgot to mention, convert it to run on unleaded petrol with hardened valve seats & a regraphed distributor if the advance mechanism is vacuum operated. I think that the detonation occurred either from the use of 91 octane unleaded fuel or an air leak has occurred which caused a lean condition & which is common for it to have on the inlet manifold of the CA20S engine !
Its a great example of the these old cars, it looks good but there is also something hidden to stump you up. HAHA. It will be great in the end. Like Byron said, low n slow.
I bought a heap of not running Bluebirds in the late 90's for peanuts, most were blown head gaskets but sometimes they were just vacuum leaks or pcv valve. Be interesting to see what ya end up doing with her mate.
kia ora from Rangiora bro, love the originality and keeping with with ca20, if it ends up costing too for the ca20 rebuild you could look at the ca18det, realitively easy to fit with a change of the ca20 mounts onto the ca18 and wireup is pretty simple. FJ20 would be cool as fuck but a cunt to fit as custom mounts would be needed, LS is dope, Barra, so many options. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Maybe try and find another used engine (of the same type). I know you run the risk of it being in similar condition but if it’s cheap enough it might be worth the gamble
I’d personally put a rb30e in at least give it a little bit more power and EFI it’s still a Nissan motor. Then if you ever decide to modify it later on the motor has plenty of bolt on parts.
From the comments of people who had these , I would think put the whole engine in a box, so that it stays with the car and look for a bigger, better Nissan engine, skyline ??, just be sure it comes with the complete wiring harness and dash components.
Bought a series 3 TRX back in 85. The CA20 was no rocket but the thing had excellent brakes and handling. Put 300 hard ks on it before the cancer got it.
Byron sent me here. Great save for the Bluebird. I'm amazed it isn't rusted out!
I've owned 2 Series I Bluebirds (sedan & wagon) & my dad owned 3 Series I Bluebirds & all of them were pains in the arse. Rust being the main one. Check the bottoms of the doors & tailgate for the drain holes & make sure they aren't blocked. Usually there's a bit of crud at the bottom. Best to get the fish oil out & do the bottom part of the doors. Use a drill if you need to enlarge the drain holes. Check the drainage channels for rust as that's a killer too. The Nissan/Datsun engines of the period were susceptible to head gasket problems but since you're rebuilding it, you shouldn't have any problems. The big problem with those engines was ADR27A the anti-pollution system. You get carbon buildup so the best thing to do is get "creative" with the anti-pollution system.
If it were me, I'd keep it as original as possible. It's not worth it to Barra-ize the engine as there will be a ton of mods you have to do. There would be hardly left on the road now & you should once rebuilt, get it on historic plates & take it to car shows. Okay it's not a GTHO or a Monaro but there will be a ton out there who remember when their parents bought these new & remember the trips in them. My best memory about my wagon was that after a night out on the old sauce, I flipped the rear seats down & carried 12 of my mates in it back home. Lucky it was only a short drive.
Honestly mate, these are the best cars.
I had one that got used as a shop hack, (2.0 L20B auto), and it was flogged ruthlessly by everyone.
It died of rust, ( l/h roof seam eventually broke all the way down), and it was at 380,000km, with only a head gasket and a timing chain replaced.)
I damn near cried when the Hiab truck took it away.
I've had several of these, inc. a 1.8 turbo saloon, and I can definitely say that the wagons handle better that the sedans and coups, even though they're running a live axle.
Saw a mint one of thes, as well as a 720 King-Cab ute, both running P76 V8s.
I'd have another 910 Bluebird wagon in a heartbeat, but few and far between now in NZ.
Lucky you!
I'd say, keep it OG. It's just staggering how clean it is. Ok, for its age its no concourse example, but it would be easy on the up keep and overall costings.
That has to be my favorite feature of this car aye, just how clean it is.
first car i ever bought with my own money, was a 1985. blue bird station wagon. loved it. so many great memories.
Dude that's wicked. Love to hear these sorts of stories.
CA18DET - bolts straight in, relatively easy to do so long as you have a donor (front cut etc)
I had a s3 GXE sedan in the same colour. A great car which took plenty of abuse and never gave up!
Nice dude.
Cool car, can’t believe it was going to get crushed just a shame it’s a wagon but it’s still an awesome find.
Dammit! I find this just as I need to get to bed. Will watch this week. I swears
I have a feeling you are gona love this one mate.
Great to hear your aim (at least so far) it is to keep original!!
Look forward to see how you go!
in 1986, a new nissan factory was opened in my home town in Sunderland, UK, + it built bluebirds...
but they were FWD... but there was a turbo version, damned fast...
now they build re-badged renaults + milkfloats [EVs]
Brilliant video mate, looking forward to the progress
Cheers mate. Also thank you for your help behind the scenes.
We had one carby model, the shut off solenoid kept tripping a fews and wouldn't idle, also cracked the hose rubber hose short story it cought fire 😂😅 ,thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones
Rebuild the whole car engine and the whole lot - keep it all original clean and the lot.
From Bill.
My 1984 Nissan Urvan - Diesel camper van - 5 speed - Column Shift - Manual.
805P Nissan White.
Almost completed - Nearly ready to start hitting the road for holiday trips coming soon.
Killer video lads, well done!!
I would say keep it standard because even if you bolted an SR20DET engine in it for example you will still have problems with one side of the rear axle tearing itself of the right hand side of the subframe if they're anything like the sedans were which have had any of the turbocharged fours bolted into them.
I have heard of someone who bolted a 350 Chev into a Bluebird wagon (series 1) in my local area & there was a lot of major modifications which needed to be done !
Probably valves changed in the 90’s pretty sure they were leaded fuel then ran hot on unleaded burnt a valve back in the days
very possible.
@@AutomotiveKarnagea mate of mine who was an old school mechanic working on those said that’s why the ringing’s were in 2 peace’s and the pitting unleaded fuel after leaded disappeared caused a whole lot of issue rings pitting
Etc
Love the custom bonnet strut! Used to have one of these back in the day.lovely comfortable drive. Not very quick though.
The seats surprised me with how soft and comfy they are.
Absolutely love it! I wish I had bought something like that instead of the Civic Wagon 😭. While while returning it to original would be pretty cool, that NL Fairlane you found recently would be a very cool donor car, as the 302 Windsor should fit in the engine bay no worries 😁
Good idea. Winsor power.
Oh man, Did you have to remind me of that civic. I still have a soft spot for her. 302w in the Bluebird? not a bad idea.
Those duel spark carby motors were a nightmare when new. They didn't improve with age. Leaning out was one of the biggest problems. Anything but that motor mate.
yeah bit of a odd engine alright.
The good old CA20 in a Series3 Bluebird
Been there done that
The L20 in the Series2 was a way better engine
But from memory totally different even including the gearbox
Great car to fix up being so good
I’d lean towards an L20 engine and box if it can be done
All the best with it
G'day, good save from the wrecking crew, a four cylinder engine is an easy rebuild but at what cost , engine exchange, swings or roundabouts, your choice, look forward to seeing what you decide, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
So true man. I have planed out, and gone over so many deferent options.
Always wanted to put the EFI engine from the Pintara into it - worth about an extra 20% power but much nicer to drive - the carbed engine always had a flat spot at low revs. Not a powerhouse but a neat upgrade…
doing the efi swap did cross my mind too. Quick easy way to get a bit more power and reliability.
Awesome work mate
Thanks for your help stripping it down, and the use of your shed, and for storing the car, and for picking up the car. Anything else? lol
All good bro 👍
The Big fella and i cannot wait to catch up again
Do you think anyone would be interested in a Christmas live chat ?
@@downtheshedwithbyron I know I would bro!
The Z Twin Spark motors also run like shit when the coil leds on the dizzy are actually reversed, generally by accident.
They have 2 different timing set-ups, running at a different advance.
I had one in a C20 van, (JDM import, bought cheap because it ran like shit), and once I worked out why I was getting truly savage backfiring, it was a powerhouse.
Passing cars going up STEEP hills, in 5th.
Rust killed that, too.
My 2 cents worth would be to rebuild it, but hey it isn't my car ha ha. Cheers DJ, clean old wagu for sure
Another vote for the original engine. could do.
Oh,I forgot to mention, convert it to run on unleaded petrol with hardened valve seats & a regraphed distributor if the advance mechanism is vacuum operated.
I think that the detonation occurred either from the use of 91 octane unleaded fuel or an air leak has occurred which caused a lean condition & which is common for it to have on the inlet manifold of the CA20S engine !
Nice! Last of the Bluebirds Pintara engine…
Its a great example of the these old cars, it looks good but there is also something hidden to stump you up. HAHA. It will be great in the end. Like Byron said, low n slow.
I bought a heap of not running Bluebirds in the late 90's for peanuts, most were blown head gaskets but sometimes they were just vacuum leaks or pcv valve. Be interesting to see what ya end up doing with her mate.
That's awesome dude, you wouldn't happen to have any parts left?
@@AutomotiveKarnage from memory they are in a big old firewood box buried in the back of my shed, will see whats involved tomorrow to try get to them.
Be an old granny's car that grandson give a flogging on old oil lol keep her original none left I haven't worked on one in years
One vote for original.
if you guys spun the engine constantly so the straps tightened, that would've been high enough to lift out XD
Haha I didn't think of that.
First comment, and holy shit that Bluebird is clean as hell!
Second comment haha
Looking forward to seeing this bluebird “fly” again 👍🏻
So clean.
@@AutomotiveKarnage Indeed! Might I suggest a Holden slant six swap?
Put a Barra or ls in it that would be a sick cruiser or burnout car
That's in great condition. Love the classic red exterior/brown interior combo. RB swap?
RB is a option. We have two in the library.
G day lads had a couple of these back in the day thay go better with 98,2 percent of anti pollution gear stored in the bin go hard lads 👍👍🇦🇺
the anti pollution gear on the ca20 is insane!
kia ora from Rangiora bro, love the originality and keeping with with ca20, if it ends up costing too for the ca20 rebuild you could look at the ca18det, realitively easy to fit with a change of the ca20 mounts onto the ca18 and wireup is pretty simple. FJ20 would be cool as fuck but a cunt to fit as custom mounts would be needed, LS is dope, Barra, so many options. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Chur bro. so many options to choose from, its a good size engine bay.
Maybe try and find another used engine (of the same type). I know you run the risk of it being in similar condition but if it’s cheap enough it might be worth the gamble
I’d personally put a rb30e in at least give it a little bit more power and EFI it’s still a Nissan motor. Then if you ever decide to modify it later on the motor has plenty of bolt on parts.
How do we find such clean examples of these old things
You got to keep it reet 😂😂😂
The old Magna I had one of those new with the v6 in it
I think the pitting dj is detonation marks
You know an rb30 will fit straight in
I’d keep it original, but make it ultra reliable, add a set of period alloy wheels, and use it 👍🏼
Thats mint mate, id say put some other engine in it, would be too boring to drive otherwise
but what engine? We have many to choose from.
I'd say a barra, because I want a tutorial on how to do the barra swap, or something jap rb30?
I had one of these in Diesel Got great service our of it but it had no power steering
I've never seen a 910 with a CA20 in it here in NZ.
I had one of those during 1990 to about 2000, These were very reliable, until someone decided to make them into a sports car.
what happened to it?
Get rid of the AP controls and get it too breathe and it will be much more nimble/nicer to drive,,, cheap to rebuild and lightly modify
Was actually considering buying that car a few months ago ahahha
Head gasket looked blown between 3-4 cylinders
yeah there was all sorts going on the poor girl.
eBay turbo. Don't worry about an intercooler or wastegate.
From the comments of people who had these , I would think put the whole engine in a box, so that it stays with the car and look for a bigger, better Nissan engine, skyline ??, just be sure it comes with the complete wiring harness and dash components.
Yeah that is one of the options. It is a bit of a unloved engine. RB's on the other hand.
Bought a series 3 TRX back in 85. The CA20 was no rocket but the thing had excellent brakes and handling. Put 300 hard ks on it before the cancer got it.
Wow you got one new off the lot? That would of been so cool. Especially being a TRX.
Someone has fked the timing on it and ran it advanced
Send it to low standards for a rotary turbo and some lowness😁
how many people to lift a dato sump off?
My Nissan 1985 blue bird wagon, ran unmodified until about 260,000 kms with very irregular oil changes. Can I buy it in its original condition.
Pretty strong motor then aye. It may be for sale soon.
Go the wagon, love it
Why whould you wreck that look at the shell it says limited edition on the side and its in good condition
even got air-cond
Yeah man.
I've got a motor that would keep it Nissan. Only it's a V6 VG30 from a Nissan 300ZX? Let me know if your interested?
Oh wow that would be a great engine in this car. is it the single of the twin cam?
Keep it original…not many of them left these days
Keep it original!!
keep it stock , can you sauce a good used motor or to old ?
A bit of hunting and looking around may be in order.
PS: I can't type for shit.
Drop a SR20 turbo in the bluebird
One of the motors I don't have in the collection, but would love to have one.
and now its on facebook market
Keep it standard take your time to source the relevant parts
OG...
keep her stock and orgional
That is one of the options, If we can find parts.
why would u crush and old girl like this in a good as a condition as she is and its a wagon plz save her
That's what I wondered
Dud.. please don’t spend any money on this 🙏🏻
13b Mazda motor
Swap it
What engine would be your pick?
Put something else in it CA20's we're crap