We've come a long way baby.

Hard to believe it's been a year since I last posted here. It would be impossible to describe the last 12 months efficiently with any brevity.

I started rebuilding a KA24DE engine around June '09. The Datsun then had a major power surge due to a faulty voltage regulator that blew out every light bulb in the car and destroyed the electronic ignition system. Instead of investing in the short term fix of the electric system, I invested what little money my unemployed self had at the time in going full-force at the engine swap.

Soon thereafter, my life changed dramatically (breakup, and HEY! A FULL-TIME JOB!). Finished the rebuild in September. Began the engine swap in September. Since then I have been working 9-5 during the week, and working 9-5 on the Datsun on the weekends.

As I began the final prep process in getting the car road worthy, a faulty bolt in the timing gears derailed my project and bent every valve in my rebuilt head. So I bought a new head.

Got it running again, hooked up the exhaust, got the intake and cooling systems fine tuned. Test drove it, and had no oil pressure. Pulled the oil filter and found a nice bit of metal debris in the oil, meaning my main bearings were being thrashed.

So I bought a motor from Japan Engines (with only 45,ooomi! Why didn't I do that in the first place!). Dropped the new/used Japanese motor into the Datsun over a 3 day period, and fired it up. Suffice it to say I am almost done. Just chasing a few strange electrical issues, and crossing my fingers.

IT IS FAST. I have driven the beast over the last couple of weekends without any major issues (yet), and pushed it to 70mph (on city streets, hehe). It's got amazing zip, quick off the line, and can get up to 50 in third gear without the slightest hesitation.

Pictures coming soon, post swap.