Ever since I got the car I had in mind that I would like to put it back to having an L20 2 litre - as it would have been from new. At some point in its near-50 year life it had lost the original engine and was fitted with a newer conglomeration out of a 280Z - most likely in the late 1980's when it was imported into Oklahoma by a previous owner.
I do have a soft spot for originality and I have cars which are almost 'as-factory' albeit with period correct added options. I also have a couple of crazy modded weirdo-mobiles which many would turn their noses up at. I love them all in their own unique and not-so-unique way. With this car I have definitely got a hankering to go back to stock, or as near as damn it. When I say stock, I don't necessarily mean as from the factory, but perhaps with a colour change to a period correct colour (and boy, would I love a G nose).
So since this all began I have been looking for an L20. I have spoken to an english speaking import agent in Japan and to a parts importer in the UK. Neither were particularly hopeful in being able to help source and ship an engine due to the hassle involved and the rarity/work to produce the goods. I have no doubt the engines are around in Japan, but without speaking japanese and without a Rolodex full of contacts to find one and stick it in the post, it was starting to look bleak.
Form the very start I did have a lead on a car which had an engine that the owner was looking to break but this didn't come off. Eventually though my details were passed along to Mr Ex Jr who kindly offered to sell me the L20 from his Fairlady Z project. I obviously bit his hand off and ran to his house waving cash money.
Now, before I go any further, I don't know for sure what variant of the L20 this
actually is. I know there is an early low and high compression version for the S30 Fairlady and a later low and high compression. I don't know which this is, nor do I know what my car previously would have had. All this is up for discovery. What I do know is the block, head and cam are all stamped E30. Whether that offers a clue 'in the round', or not.
Today I unloaded it from my van and gave it a quick look over. I won't be getting on to doing anything with this for a while as I have got an impending house move, but I wanted to have a quick look so that I could start to make plans.
Here it is -
Here's the good news: I removed the plugs, oiled the bores and the engine turns over freely with a 1/2" ratchet.
Here's the bad news: I refitted the plugs and the engine turns over freely with a 1/2" ratchet
Now before anyone asks why I didn't check the engine first. Show me alternatives.
I did remove the rocker cover and it all looks to be in pretty good order. There is no obvious wear on the cam lobes and the valves are all moving. The motor has fairly clean oil in it up to the level and there is nothing screaming immediate issues. For now I've fixed it on to a pallet and I'll get back to it another day. I have read US forum threads as old as 2006 with owners of L20's drawing blanks on finding parts for these (pistons, rings etc), so I know this is going to be hard. But at least I have an engine to start with now.
To quote Alan above "The best companions for a Japanese market car are the appropriate factory parts manual and the specific factory service manual." - this is absolutely going to be the case now. If anyone has a lead on these documents then I would love to hear from them. Likewise any suggestion on where to source L20 parts would be very helpful.
A few more pictures:
And by the way - thanks to Mr Ex Jr for making us welcome. We had a cracking dinner up at the Oil Can Cafe up the road too.
My surprise when I saw the varieties of cake on offer -
And I picked up a new customised Monkey Cub to hang on the workshop wall