Datsun 620 Ep.6 - Engine Rebuild + Cylinder Head Porting

We turn our attention to the scuzzy motor that was in the abandoned Datsun and do some investigative work! What secrets does it hide? Where did it come from? Will it ever run? Pretty much none of these questions answered, but I still put them in the description, because nobody reads this anyway!

[@connerjones5039]

I can not tell you how much this video has helped me out, schematics and repair manuals only go so far so it’s nice to see how you took everything apart and then threw it back together

[@tinygaragefab]

That's awesome! I'm glad I could help.

[@LooseFab]

Just found out the 620 I bought for my channel has a seized engine. this video will be super helpful if i decide to go the rebuilding route. thanks for sharing

[@aluwisnason9926]

Simple and straight forward explanations. Looking forward to more

[@colinwatt00]

Hey, I’m just leaving a comment to help with the KZbin algorithm. I’ve enjoyed this video series. Thanks.

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

[@bakerrr333]

Real creative lmao

[@julioambriz646]

Looks amazing 👏 Definitely enjoy watching you're videos. You explain everything nicely. Can't wait to watch more!

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@samlouie7754]

I’ll be referencing this entire video when breaking down my l20b thanks bud

[@tinygaragefab]

You're welcome! I'm always looking forward to having to build engines for my channel. Seems to be my highest rated content.

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Looking good! That’s a nice trick with the soda straw, on the valve stem

[@kikelinares1957]

I agree on that I was thinking the same 😅

[@antonypereira3853]

This are the engin I use to work on when I was a boy, best of luck!

[@Chodfather1107]

Dude, this engine turned out beautifully. The Pontiac blue is perfect!

[@tinygaragefab]

For sure. I'm super pleased with how it turned out. 😊

[@upfactoryracing4148]

Pretty slick engine!

[@theuntouchables808]

wow lucky that broken bolt came out so easily . you really went to town on that head . great work

[@tinygaragefab]

I was quite lucky! To see an engine where I wasn't as lucky, check out my Toyota 22R-E video (part 2 has the repair)

[@durley2067]

Great info. Straight forward. Thanks

[@SideGigSquid]

As someone who just got a 620 you’re videos are awesome. Picked mine up from Puddin’s Fab Shop. Build begins next month. I see you are a Navy Chief as well!

[@tinygaragefab]

Sweet! I was chatting with Jacob a few weeks ago, he's a solid dude. I need to get back into my 620 hard and heavy, because I'm headed to sea soon. One last tour and I can retire to do this full time!

[@donaldking8288]

Your an amazing engine builder, those motors will go for ever if taken care of !!

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you! This particular engine is going to get some additional mods to fuel and spark, both of which should make it last even longer.

[@donaldking8288]

@@tinygaragefab i had a couple Datsun rigs, my 78 Datsun sedan had the L20 motor, paid $500 that little car got me through hell and back, but it never used a drop of oil and the transmission auto transmission was great, no idea how many miles was actually on it, always wished I could of kept the motor and transmission and put it in a pu but didn't work out, that Datsun will always have a place in my heart, your build will last forever 👍

[@leachim69420]

The only helpful video I've found on datsun 620

[@tinygaragefab]

The other videos in my series are definitely helpful if you want to upgrade front suspension and brakes! I'm getting back to the project and new videos are coming soon.

[@kikelinares1957]

Great video 👍🏼😀

[@OldManTruck]

On my 73 the head was always a problem. These engines seemed to me to eat head gaskets. Anyway. miss mine. New sub. love it so far.

[@tinygaragefab]

This is my first Nissan/Datsun, so I'll have to see how she acts. I'm just stoked that I got a version of the A87 head with closed chambers! The internet says that the US never got this head, so somebody somewhere imported it, apparently.

[@calumjacobs6000]

Looking good so far

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks dude! Wait until you see the suspension and wheels! It all looks so damn good.

[@andyo4757]

I have that same color combination on my 280zx's L28. Only difference is I used crinkle paint on the valve cover. Looks great!

[@tinygaragefab]

I really like this combo. I still have to do the intake, which will be wrinkle black. I generally do all my engines with a wrinkle red valve cover, wrinkle black intake, and satin black pulleys. Block color is usually whatever that manufacturer's original color was. It is the one constant in my aesthetic.

[@EricDolinar]

Putting in work bro!

[@tinygaragefab]

You know it!

[@danielleahy6584]

Great video. Nice job man.

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks buddy!

[@carlossaysroar]

Great work dude

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you! Not much longer before I put the engine in the frame and really start to have fun with it.

[@joseamadomartinezjimenez7908]

Great video, keep up the good work

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks! I'll be fitting it in the frame soon...I can't wait to get the intake built and see if it runs.

[@janbill79]

thks for the video I also have a A87 HEAD FROM 1978 620 to clean up and check for straight. Good job getting those broken bolts out how ever you did it after drilling. on the exhaust -intake bolts. That is funny about the broe off head bolt not being stuck

[@tinygaragefab]

I always seem to find something to fix whenever I build an engine. Some day I might get lucky and not have anything broken....

[@jeepingneatus]

Looks great. I learned lot.

[@mattewiegand9896]

Great video man!

[@tinygaragefab]

Glad you liked it!

[@dattepo7534]

I would recommend refinishing the rocker arms I was having problems with my cam getting destroyed because of the rocker arms.. also wash the cam out bad head gaskets cause gunk to build up in the cam leading to oil not lubricating properly

[@hectorsarmiento8840]

Nice engine. I am from Honduras greetings

[@monogramadikt5971]

amazing job man, my 720 has a sd25 deisel in it which i want to take apart and rebuild, thing is ive never pulled an engine apart and im not even sure where to begin ? lol. i wont let small details like that stop me though ;)

[@luisa.gonzalezr.7569]

Good work, I have one question, abaout the camshaft is of competition o modify for more power? and did you have more power by debasting the head ignition hole? thanks.

[@mdtransmissionspecialties]

Good work. I’d have just went the full length and tore it the rest of the way down and had it hot tanked. Mine was in the same shape.

[@plantpoweredhealth9383]

A87 were all closed chamber ,at least in Australia? We have U67 and V91 as open chamber..

[@noptas]

Tengo ese motor en mi camioneta y es realmente hermoso ✌️ya tiene muchos años y funciona de maravilla gracias por mostrar tu trabajo

[@tinygaragefab]

Gracias por ver

[@paulmagruder376]

Keep it up!

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks! I can't wait to get back to this engine, because what I have planned is going to be epic!

[@critterpower]

how much would you estimate this engine is worth after the rebuild? I just rebuilt mine similar to yours and would love to get your professional input on this! Thanks for your videos, without them I wouldn't have been able to accomplish the rebuild with such attention to detail!

[@georgeappleby1905]

good stuff

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks! It was a blast to build.

[@jasonrobertson6373]

Looks amazing!!!! How much hp can you expect out of a l20b stroker 2.2/2.3 efi mildly ported/polished 10 to 1 compression for street gas. Thankyou Jason.

[@tinygaragefab]

I don't really know, but maybe 125-130 hp.

[@nickwehman7537]

Look good 👍🏻

[@tinygaragefab]

Thank you! It will look 1000x better when the intake and exhaust finally arrive on scene. I have some cool stuff planned.

[@aluwisnason9926]

Are L18 & L20 oil pans interchangeable

[@impshyco]

How much can an engine like this weigh? I want to restore the engine and I need a stand to start the project. So I need to know the ideal resistance. Also, I don't know if it's an L16, L18 or L20B. I have a single carburetor and 4 pistons and the engine model is between 77-79. It is difficult for me to find the exact model because it happens to be in a 1952 Jeep Willys CJ3a. In any case, my engine is very similar to yours. I have no doubt about it.

[@user-hh5oy2le8o]

We’re did you order a head bolt from mine snapped same place

[@JamieBainbridge]

Cool budget rebuild. I'm surprised you went to all that trouble with the head but didn't lap new valve seats.

[@tinygaragefab]

Yeah, I agree 100%. The last two engines I built I've had issues with due to simple oversights like this. I vow to be more meticulous on all my future engine rebuilds. And there will be videos...

[@ryanthomas8996]

I just inherited a 521 and am watching to see if it's worth restoring the engine or Honda swapping it. My motor is in rough shape! It was sitting for 20 years without a valve cover and carburetor so there's dirt and grass in the cylinder and the same around the rockers and springs... I'm leaning towards just swapping it because it'll probably be cheaper and more reliable? What do you think?

[@tinygaragefab]

If it's a K-swap that your thinking about, it certainly won't be cheaper. Those are hard to do for under $8-10k, even doing the work yourself. But they are sooooo badass

[@requiem4adream19861]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MrRotaryrockets]

I was wondering if you lapped in the valves before you assembled the engine..?

[@tinygaragefab]

I did not lap these valves. Since I did not change the seats or the valves, and this was a recently rebuilt head, it did not need lapped.

[@user-qg4ut8cs5v]

.nice

[@mean1flyer]

i landed here by mere coincidence and i really enjoyed the progress on your build, i just got a 74 Datsun 620 pickup and i am considering redoing the engine just the way you did yours but mine will have some polished aluminum parts witch i already did i.e. valve cover intake manifold brake and clutch master cylinder and also the SU carbs, anyway very nice video thanks for sharing. do you have the STL files you used for the 3D parts you made? would be great if you shared them. thumbs up well deserved

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks for stopping by! I've enjoyed this build so far, and have a lot of footage that I need to edit still that show some crazy stuff that I've been doing on my 620. If you are referring to the 3d printed heater hose bulkhead fittings, I do have those STLs and I can post them to Thingiverse. I'll just have to remind myself to do that soon. There will be a LOT more 3D printed parts in the future as well!

[@mean1flyer]

@@tinygaragefab yes. i was referring to the #D printed parts you made for the heater hoses. your build is amazing i wish i had the place to do mine but i am still doing some cool stuff to mine, just takes time. i am redoing the entire interior, geting rid of some surface rust and i will use some por-15 coating before painting it

[@ZikrilHakim7075]

🎉🎉🎉

[@panisimo77]

Call me weird but I read the descriptions on most the the videos. I love my 76 620 pickup

[@tinygaragefab]

Lol, that's awesome. I totally forgot that I wrote what I wrote until you commented. My channel is actually full of "Easter Eggs"

[@samuelleialoha4558]

What size bolts do you use for the .engine stand to the motor

[@tinygaragefab]

I don't remember exactly off the top of my head, but a lot of Japanese engines use m12x1.25 and I think that's what this used. Length will depend on your engine stand.

[@nv1685]

Gotta have that.....Wuuuuussaaaa..........

[@donwest5387]

exhaust manifold nuts should be 12mm

[@rangerup1804]

Noticed you didn't put in new rings or crank bearings. I'm assuming you compression checked all the cylinders for factory guidelines. Good vid, enjoyed it.

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks for watching. Yeah, I didn't replace that stuff. This was clearly a reman engine and it appeared to have almost no miles on it, so I took a chance and didn't replace rings or bearings. I hope I made the right choice.

[@rangerup1804]

@@tinygaragefab Hope so too. Those are good engines. Owned one that was in a pickup truck. Ran fine, never a problem.

[@aaronfox5808]

Nicety

[@patkelley2190]

Nice work but will it run .

[@tinygaragefab]

I firmly believe that it will. Just wait until I get this project spun up again. The rest of the engine is gonna be wild!

[@patkelley2190]

@@tinygaragefab good to here thank you .

[@raymondjr.1080]

The bolt broke when it was being torqued previously,. If you know you can get it without loosening the others if not you leave it and hope it sealed.

[@tinygaragefab]

I don't know WHO broke the bolt, but I wondered why they didn't do anything about it. Just like my 22R, I have bad luck with head bolts on new project cars. And this is why I always pull the engine, even if it "ran when parked."

[@raymondjr.1080]

@@tinygaragefab , great question, the 22Re were notorious for stripping and sometimes the bolts would not hold the torque. It's been a while since I worked on these 18, 20 22 but, I could easily get 400k out of them

[@cristopherbalamcardenasher9947]

Hi bro You did a great job! I’m restoring a pick up like yours, with the same L20B engine, could you tell me where you bought the engine head bolts? 🙏🏽

[@tinygaragefab]

Oh, I don't remember exactly. I think it was an online Nissan parts place. Search for OEM Nissan parts and several options should come up. Or go to a Nissan dealer and have the parts department order some.

[@josemenjivar7103]

I have a L20 is hard to overhaul I need help

[@tinygaragefab]

L20 is exactly the same as this engine, so there is a little bit of info in the video that can help you.

[@kikelinares1957]

I was thinking to do a swap on my Datsun 620 but this video may me want to rebuilt my engine instead

[@tinygaragefab]

Thanks! I still think about a KE24 from time to time, but mostly because it's too hard to find a 5-speed for an L-series engine.

[@novricristian8048]

Size valve sir ,please

[@tinygaragefab]

Standard L18 valves. I don't have the size available right now.

[@FernandoGonzalez-zm7ud]

nice to,,me.

[@circlemeracing8543]

Sending my engine to you lol

[@tinygaragefab]

This is easy work, basic hand tools. I believe you can do this every bit as good as I did.

[@circlemeracing8543]

Tiny Garage Fabrication but you did it in 15 minutes in your video 😂

[@danbasta3677]

Don't need the advertisements, they suck.

[@tinygaragefab]

Sorry dude, but a guy's gotta eat. Ads are the main way KZbinrs make money.

[@danbasta3677]

@@tinygaragefab I rather get into what your doing with the engine and how your rebuilding it. That's what is much more important here than advertisers.

[@tinygaragefab]

I understand that, but pretty much ALL youtube videos have ads, so do you comment this to everyone? Honestly, I've never seen them because I pay the $10/month for KZbin Premium so there are zero ads on any videos.

[@danbasta3677]

@@tinygaragefab Doesn't matter. I try to skip over the ads as quickly as possible. I'm here for educational reasons, not for advertisements.