In DQ 1.3, Ted Hedman explored in detail the process for installing a modern Volkswagen Rabbit radiator into a 510. This radiator is the easiest, most straightforward swap of the late model radiators, and for most people works quite well. But if you just can't quite bring yourself to install Rabbit components in your 510, we at DQ thought we should bring you a more complete picture of what your options are when you finally tire of turning on the heater in 100 degree weather and replacing head gaskets every time you change your oil.

While the original Datsun cooling system was sufficient to cool a mildly tuned 1600 cc motor in the traffic conditions of the late 60's and early 70's, it is far from adequate to cool almost any modified motor. Add in the option of air conditioning and the old radiator really starts to get overworked. Drive any modern car, however, and you'll find that even with those extremely cramped front wheel drive engine compartments, those motors never break a sweat in traffic. Yes, cooling system technology has advanced quite a bit since the 1970's, and your 510 can benefit from these advances just as much as modern cars do.

Many owners of stock or nearly stock 510's over the years have found that most of their cooling problems derive not from a poorly designed cooling system, but rather from a poorly maintained cooling system. Old thermostats, clogged radiator cores, defective clutch fans, and contaminated coolant can all contribute to poor cooling, and often the replacement or cleaning of these items can bring back all the cooling efficiency that your motor needs. But too commonly this is not the case.

A typical first resort in the quest for better cooling is to convert the original radiator from a two-row core to a three-row core. This involves finding a competent radiator shop (not always an easy task) and entrusting them with the task of finding a compatible three-row core and then installing it. Many 510 owners have found that previous owners have replaced the original wider two-row radiator with a Taiwanese two-row replacement which has a much narrower bottom tank.. Finding an original 510 radiator will allow you to use a wider core with larger tubes, which can be an advantage over the long haul not so much for the increased cooling ability, but for the fact that the tubes will not be as likely to clog with particulate matter. Typical costs for a three-row core conversion are in the realm of $200.00, not including labor for removal and replacement of the radiator.

The main advantages of going this route are the ease of the process, the lack of any necessary fabrication, and the maintenance of the original look.

For many owners of modified 510's however, the simple three-row core radiator conversion still won't provide enough cooling ability to always keep the motor out of the danger zone. For these people, there are only two real options: run a custom built radiator, one of which is mentioned here, or, find a radiator from another, more modern car which can be adapted to work in the 510.

There are a couple of issues to address when looking at OEM applications for a radiator which will fit a 510 engine compartment. Unfortunately for us, the 510 has a short core support for mounting a radiator to. Most of the modern cars sold today have much deeper core supports that house the radiator. This will eliminate many of the lightweight plastic/aluminum radiators which come in modern cars. But with some searching and measuring, applications have been found which will fit within the 510's core support, and cool whatever engine you decide to use.

Another issue to consider is the compatibility of the inlets and outlets of your motor versus the inlets and outlets of your radiator. The L-series engines have one on one side and one on the other. Most modern cars, however, have both the intake and the outlet for the radiator coming out on one side, such as Nissan's VG30 series engines. Be sure to keep this in mind when looking for your radiator. Prices listed are approximate, you may find a better deal in your area.

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