My Little Project On 1974 Sunny Gx

Sumiya · January 25, 2011

Hi Guys

I am planning to restore my 1974 sunny GX again since it has got some corrosion etc and also not in very good condition in suspension brake wiring etc.

I can’t negotiate the time since I am able to work on weekends and week day’s nights and also I am going to do it myself and also depending on my financial situation(planning to take help from my dad if I get stuck in middle) I am not at all a good mechanic or paint guy. I am going to try it and see how it works.

I am Planning these kind works this time:-

1. Remove all the rust and repaint it with different color (at the moment it is avocado but I thinking of putting it original color which is most likely Subaru blue).

2. Repair the brake system with new drums and disks (front) and replace the brake washers liners and also to replace brake fluid piping system.

3. New set of shock absorber and replace the front steering column and rack end system and front ball joint, tie rod end etc etc.

4. Update wheels from 12 “to 13 “with 165/70 X 13 profiles to minimize Speedo meter reading errors

5. need to replace all door lock system and glass winders and also need front driving side new glass (since the

existing one is not much clear)

6. Take the behind axle and differential and oiling it repaint it with thick black and install back.

7. Changing of gear box fluid.

6. Repaint the radiator with black color and change cooling thermostat from 76 C- 82 C and also planning to put new set of hoses and clamps for cooling system.

7. Put up new wiring back specially engine room wiring which is not at all in order.

8. Putting up new upholstery and need to find a set of seat belts too.

9. Making up the Air conditioner working back (which is not possible to do my self)

You guys comments and suggestions are welcome, time to time I will update status and pictures if possible.

Any question occurs related will be posted on the same thread as for easiness and help.

Thanks

Regards

sumith

The Don · January 25, 2011

Hi Sumith,

I admire your determination to do all the work yourself. I'd like to do the same but I think there are some things that you should consider getting done by a professional.

For example, tinkering and removing rust is one of them. I've had work done by a lot of "professional" people and most of them didn't do a satisfactory job. So it requires a certain level of expertise and artistry that not all of us posses so perhaps you should employ a good guy to do the tinkering, and you can do the prep work, and painting yourself. Because you can recover from issues easily from issues though errors will be costly.

Also try to work with what you've got and keep the car in as original a condition as possible. That is what really adds value to cars like this, and are not many maintained in original shape. I mean it's easy to "modify" and try to fix problems and bastardise cars but a lot more difficult to solve problems in accordance with the original design.

So I say,

1. Get the body work done by a professional and keep the car in the original colour.

2. Do replace the drums, discs, and repair the calipers and liners with new ones, and if the brake lines themselves are not in too bad shape (just surface rust) scrape the rust off and give it a good coat of paint. No need to replace the metal brake lines that run the car if they are in serviceable condition.

3. Repair the steering and suspension

4. Don't upgrade the wheels, but re condition the existing wheels and keep the original tyres.

5. Try to repair the door locks (you can get a locksmith to do it, and they are found in many street corners in SL) and polish the glass if it's scratched and see if that helps. If it is laminated glass this might not be possible.

6. Buy a hayes manual for your car, will help a lot in dismantling and assembling stuff.

7. If the compressor needs replacement to get the AC working, make sure you either replace it with an original or a rotary type compressor. Do not use a piston type compressor on a petrol engine, as the engine does not have enough torque to use one properly and you'll lose a lot of power when the AC is switched on.

Just my 2 cents.

kelum_wj · January 25, 2011

On 1/25/2011 at 12:30 PM, Sumiya said:

Hi Guys

I am planning to restore my 1974 sunny GX again since it has got some corrosion etc and also not in very good condition in suspension brake wiring etc.

I can't negotiate the time since I am able to work on weekends and week day's nights and also I am going to do it myself and also depending on my financial situation(planning to take help from my dad if I get stuck in middle) I am not at all a good mechanic or paint guy. I am going to try it and see how it works.

I am Planning these kind works this time:-

1. Remove all the rust and repaint it with different color (at the moment it is avocado but I thinking of putting it original color which is most likely Subaru blue).

2. Repair the brake system with new drums and disks (front) and replace the brake washers liners and also to replace brake fluid piping system.

3. New set of shock absorber and replace the front steering column and rack end system and front ball joint, tie rod end etc etc.

4. Update wheels from 12 "to 13 "with 165/70 X 13 profiles to minimize Speedo meter reading errors

5. need to replace all door lock system and glass winders and also need front driving side new glass (since the

existing one is not much clear)

6. Take the behind axle and differential and oiling it repaint it with thick black and install back.

7. Changing of gear box fluid.

6. Repaint the radiator with black color and change cooling thermostat from 76 C- 82 C and also planning to put new set of hoses and clamps for cooling system.

7. Put up new wiring back specially engine room wiring which is not at all in order.

8. Putting up new upholstery and need to find a set of seat belts too.

9. Making up the Air conditioner working back (which is not possible to do my self)

You guys comments and suggestions are welcome, time to time I will update status and pictures if possible.

Any question occurs related will be posted on the same thread as for easiness and help.

Thanks

Regards

sumith

Good Luck with your project buddy

I too think that it's better if you get the body work done by a professional

nexus · January 25, 2011

hey good luck Sumiya hope you succeed you'r Project all the best

jdnet · January 25, 2011

Good News! hop you keep updating us with more info and pics. It's always nice to see cars getting restored. BTW if there's anything I can help you with let me know. I'm always happy to touch another man's car .

Shameer_EK · January 25, 2011

good luck bro

Sumiya · January 26, 2011

Hi Guys

Thanks you all for encourage and giving your ideas on , , actually i don't have much tinkering work on it only.only think it it doesn't have a good quality paint on it, I admire a professional is needed but last time (2 years back) i spent 80K and got the paint done, if they can charge that much of money and can't do a good paint job why should i pay them any more, that is what i am thinking on guys

there are few things that i can't do it needs oxygen welding etc.. that i might give it to someone else.

Don't worry i am not going to change any thing differ from original condition keep everything as original as a family sedan and make a clean and clear car,

i will post few photos on next week , car is there at my father in laws place(hill country area ), i am gonna to bring it down next week

Tyre size of course i will think twice and decide .. and that is later part

i am looking for a junk air compressor to take motor and the tank i got an engine for it

any one know a place to look around ?

thanks

regards

sumith

LaRa · January 26, 2011

Try to keep the original condition, btw, what's the exact car model?

Good luck!

Sumiya · January 26, 2011

On 1/26/2011 at 6:52 AM, LaRa said:

Try to keep the original condition, btw, what's the exact car model?

Good luck!

It is 1974 Sunny GX

thanks

regards

sumith

heavyD · January 26, 2011

Good luck with your project machan, and post some pics when ya can...

M navy · January 26, 2011

hi dude?

is this nussan sunny b211?

The Don · January 26, 2011

The only place I can think of is the Watta, next to the canal in Panchikawatte.

Having said that you should look into the possibility of repairing the compressor. Its not really done in SL, but I know overseas there are companies which specialise in restoration of compressors.

Also failing which try to see if a brand new rotary (does not need to be original Nissan) from an AC place will fit the car and make sure its rotary. The problem with second hand is, with the car being so old, you can't really be sure of the condition of second hand compressors available in the market.

Sumiya · January 27, 2011

Hi Guys

I want to buy a auto body hammer and few dollies for and sand papers, body filer etc

where is the good place guys ?

thanks

regards

sumith

Edited January 29, 2011 by Sumiya

Sumiya · January 31, 2011

Hi Guys

Here are some pics of corroded ares

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

thanks

regards

sumith

jdnet · January 31, 2011

Machan are you trying to repair the front fender of just install a new one?

The Don · January 31, 2011

Hmm, I hope a lot of that rust is just surface rust, especially on the bulkhead, or, repairing them would certainly be a professional job. See if you can sand the rust out, treat it with corrosive solution and apply filler

360_Cruiser · January 31, 2011

I like what you have planned for this car. Good luck!

I would try to keep it as stock as possible but, found this and thought it might inspire you,

check out the pics of the matte black car:

http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/vehicles-bikes/108518-1974-nissan-sunny-london-model-sale-3

Edited January 31, 2011 by 360_Cruiser

Sumiya · February 1, 2011

Hi Guys

thank you all for great ideas:)

At the moment not planning to buy or replace any body part rather i will try to repair it,

Today brought it for under body service , and alo found a body work hammer and dollys too

probably i might remove radiator tonight for the paint.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

thanks

regards

sumith

Edited February 1, 2011 by Sumiya

M navy · February 2, 2011

On 2/1/2011 at 7:58 AM, Sumiya said:

Hi Guys

thank you all for great ideas:)

At the moment not planning to buy or replace any body part rather i will try to repair it,

Today brought it for under body service , and alo found a body work hammer and dollys too

probably i might remove radiator tonight for the paint.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

thanks

regards

sumith

dude we also have a B211 since 18 years used as the 2nd car...recently we did all tinkering and repainted..it cost 65,0000/=

is ur one b211 or b210?

no matter what you do machan dont change the original things..try to keep it original...

Sumiya · February 3, 2011

On 2/2/2011 at 2:47 PM, M navy said:

dude we also have a B211 since 18 years used as the 2nd car...recently we did all tinkering and repainted..it cost 65,0000/=

is ur one b211 or b210?

no matter what you do machan dont change the original things..try to keep it original...

Hi M navy

I Guess it is 65000 right not 650000, this is B210 1974 GX Sports model things are different inside the dash etc than usual b211

where you see everywhere.

thanks

regards

sumith

M navy · February 3, 2011

On 2/3/2011 at 3:01 AM, Sumiya said:

Hi M navy

I Guess it is 65000 right not 650000, this is B210 1974 GX Sports model things are different inside the dash etc than usual b211

where you see everywhere.

thanks

regards

sumith

hi.

yha its a mistake..its 65000...

in our one there is a little prob in the timing chain.have to find original one now..

sports model?is it 1200cc?

thats what...your car shell is different from our one..is is the original one?

any way best of luck...make the car rocking

Edited February 3, 2011 by M navy

Sumiya · February 3, 2011

On 2/3/2011 at 10:06 AM, M navy said:

hi.

yha its a mistake..its 65000...

in our one there is a little prob in the timing chain.have to find original one now..

sports model?is it 1200cc?

thats what...your car shell is different from our one..is is the original one?

any way best of luck...make the car rocking

Hi M Navy

Yepe it is 1200 but ,it has got more 15 Hp rate than usual b210,b211 engine.

call Hussain Motors at panchikawatha 0776267414 , you may be able to buy an timing chain easily:)

thanks

regards

sumith

M navy · February 6, 2011

On 2/3/2011 at 11:18 AM, Sumiya said:

Hi M Navy

Yepe it is 1200 but ,it has got more 15 Hp rate than usual b210,b211 engine.

call Hussain Motors at panchikawatha 0776267414 , you may be able to buy an timing chain easily:)

thanks

regards

sumith

thanks alot dude :alc:

Sumiya · February 7, 2011

Hi Guys

Over the independent day was free for me to work on initially started with left fender which was bent

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

put a oil primer basic hand cote

Need to put body filler further

thanks

regards

sumith

harshansenadhir · February 7, 2011

impressive to see the work in progress. Few points I would like to draw your attention at.

1. Finished quality of the wheel arch could've improved further and I see some body filler (cataloy?) in the fender. If possible take them off and try to get the body lines on the fender without using filler as much as possible and use very little amount of filler.

2. Assume you've re-fit the panel for accuracy specially to see how head light surroundings lines up with the fender as one side of the head light surrounding is the front part of the fender. If not, re-fit for accuracy and do apply fillers with the panel fitted to the body. minimizes re-work always.

3. saw a crack on the inner line of the wheel arch (last picture towards right side of the wheel arch). Try to solder it using lead or just heat and bond both ends of the crack using a oxy-acetylene welding gun.

judging all this by looking at pictures, so chances are high that I'm wrong in my assumptions but point to ponder is in restoration, always look for minor details. That will definitely pay off the efforts better one day.