New Zealand Datsun Club

Hey guys i came home to some sad news to day went to drive my datsun and its dropped a cylinder i cant figure out whats caused it and its smokey as! Soo i figure that the motor is R.I.P.

Anyway does anyone know of any engine rebuilders in Christchurch who are good with the A-series motor or if anyone on here is keen on a little extra money and beers if they can help

Cheers guys

You need to diagnose why it's dropped a lung first.
It might be something simple

thinking the same thing, its probably smokey cause one cyl is not firing, could be anything from a dud plug to a dizzy cap. but id say its electrical for sure. These motors are so reliable and they take a pounding, cant see how it would drop a lung just sitting still.

Im gonna have a good look tomorrow but its just odd how it happened everything just got worse like it running and sucking through the gas then dropping it, i need the rebuild anyway its coming off the road for a shit load of the work over the next 6 months soooo this is more of an excuse for the earlier start haha

The A-series motor or any Datsun motor is easy for any engine re builder to fix, they are more basic than a modern lawn mower engine really. Probably the question you want to ask is the question I should have asked before sending my A15 race engine to a re builder, it took 6 months to get done... Can I trust the engine shop to do a good job for a reasonable price in a reasonable time? ask the auto shops in the area who use the re builder on a weekly basis is my 2C worth.

What is that coating on the exhaust?

There are plenty of good shops around.
The best thing to do, it to break it down into processes. If you drop off a complete engine, and say rebuild this please, you'll have to part with a big wad of money.
Find out why it runs on three, (MUCH easier with it still in the car) then go from there. a basic freshen up might only cost $500 ish.
But if you have to buy new pistons (as opposed to just a hone and new rings) of want to balance the rotating assembly or fit a big cam and matching valvesprings the cost goes up.

I'm getting my engine done at Kennelly cams, he works out of the car aid shop corner of Leeds and Philips st, he's been excellent to deal with, fair price and I've only heard good things from other people who have had things done there, he's a good sort and really does seem to be pretty switched on with the old nissans, has quite a bit to do with Fj powered rally cars

I too have heard really good things about him too.
You really need to find out why your motor is poos, and then work out what you want from your new engine.