1965 Datsun Truck

I've been bench building this truck in my head for some time now. This older fella that comes in my store, has a few oldcars sitting around that he's been trying to sell me for years now. One of which is a 1965 Datsun Pickup, problem is it has no motor. Its been a few years since I've looked at it, and don't remember if it has a trans or not, but its a pretty solid little truck.

The thing is, those little motors aren't quite as common as they used to be, and the engine bay is TINY!!! Now the firewall pokes into the engine bay probably a good 6 to 8 inches past the cowl, but I don't know how much footwell area is there.

What motor could I swap in given the limited space? My automatic assumption was a Rotary, but they aren't too common 'round here either.

I'm not looking to make an autoX truck or anything, its just a funky little truck that I would think would make a pretty cool little project. Maybe cram it full of batteries and make an EV out of it? Who knows... if I can get out there in the next little bit I'll snap some pics, its a funky, tiny little thing.

Sometimes the answer IS Miata. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/7446-project-mx520-top-secret/

BowtieBandit wrote: This older fella that comes in my store, has a few oldcars sitting around that he's been trying to sell me for years now.

I officially volunteer to help you with this "problem". What else does he have?

Do THIS!!!

Edit: stuart in mn beat me to it!

I might buy the CF hood from you if you part out this Miata as a donor

I second stuart in mn

In reply to Datsun1500:

That actually looks dead-nuts like this truck. What vehicles do I need to look for as a donor?

Or your original idea....

Search around get inventive.....

What about a little diesel tractor motor? Doesn't Kobuta make a 3 cylinder?

Datsun1500 wrote: In reply to JtspellS: No way those will fit. These have an extremely small engine bay.

Sure it will, you will just need this:

As well as a few more tools......

do you realize how small they are inside? You would have to be 5 feet tall for it to be at all comfortable to drive.

Subaru motor fit between the rails?

Trying to find the original motor would definitely be an exercise in frustration. If length really is an issue, cam in block Nissans like 1200, B210, up to 210 of the early 80's would work.

Head for the junkyard with tape measure in hand. I'd look at Corolla 1600's as well, but the Nissan might be pretty close to a bolt in.

Theres plenty of room in the bed.

Just sayin'

I say you should go with a G13 engine from a Suzuki Swift GT mated to a Samurai transmission.

Osterkraut wrote: What about a little diesel tractor motor? Doesn't Kobuta make a 3 cylinder?

+1

I absolutely LOVE the idea. But it's Kubota. :)

In reply to EvanB:

Again, not too common car, most anything that old in a junkyard around here would have already been crushed. Where we don't have many rust issues, when scrap prices go up, everything goes to the crusher, sadly.

EvanB wrote: I say you should go with a G13 engine from a Suzuki Swift GT mated to a Samurai transmission.

You would also need the adapter from the Samurai to turn the dist. the needed 90* to avoid the firewall.

1098 or a 1275 mg midget motor ?

800 cubic inch john kasse boss 9 with a 14/71 gmc supercharger and a carbon fiber injector hat. I am not sure if there is an adapter to go to the stock datsun transmission available. You may have to fab some parts to make it fit.

Hayabusa? I mean, unless you wanted to HAUL something in it besides arse.

sr20

LS1? I have yet to see an LS1 NOT fit in something... (liberal application of fire wrench notwithstanding.........)

paging 93celica...93celica come in...

100 hp 4AFE from a corolla/celica to a trans of unkown origin - do 4afe'bolt to any RWD trans or is there any common bellhousing pattern that comes close? All I know is that 4afe is a TINY motor...seriously tiny. With a little prodding it wakes up nicely and should be able to haul that tiny truck around easily. It moved my sedan around pretty well...not fast, but definitely quick and fun for a 1.6

Pumpkin Escobar wrote: paging 93celica...93celica come in... 100 hp 4AFE from a corolla/celica to a trans of unkown origin - do 4afe'bolt to any RWD trans or is there any common bellhousing pattern that comes close? All I know is that 4afe is a TINY motor...seriously tiny. With a little prodding it wakes up nicely and should be able to haul that tiny truck around easily. It moved my sedan around pretty well...not fast, but definitely quick and fun for a 1.6

I'm 90% sure that the 4afe shares bolt pattern with the 4age, which opens up some possibilities.

In reply to egoman:

Maybe if I flip the axle upside down, and haul it behind the truck in a trailer? If I were any more stupid, I would attempt it.

If.

SBC

PIITBed