New Guy, 69 1600 build

[Shamus980]

OUTSTANDING brn2rde!!!! I wish I had your talent and Garage.... Lol... A thread like yours inspire me to keep knocking out little projects on my restoration. Sooner or later, the whole project gets done. I like the way you tore it all down and started fresh. I was on that path til some of the other 311 members convinced me to make those winter projects and get them done for the summer driving... sigh... so I'm on the slow boat with the restoration. lol... GREAT JOB.... Looking forward to the end result.

[AustinEngy]

Awesome build and love the color!! If you have more detailed pictures or an album of your build I'm sure we'd all love to see them Can't wait to see it run!

[brn2rde]

Question for those more experienced guys and gals. I picked up a 65 at a great price because it had a couple parts that I wanted to use-primarily fairlady script. Anyways, I noticed that the trim that goes around the 'cab' area- not sure what it is called- between the rear deck and the interior, is a 3 piece stainless on the older cars vs a vinyl piece on our 69. It does fit, but the holes for where the hardtop would bolt to don't quite line up. Close, but not quite. Anyone have experience using this trim on newer cars? It sure looks good all polished up....sorry, no pics. Someone must know what I am talking about? Other than hardtop install issues, will it work?

[greydog]

I have seen the older style trim used on the high windshield cars. Was told it fit but have no personal experience using it.
Dan

[notoptoy]

Several have taken the vinyl off the later models cockpit trim and had it chromed. I believe that others have indeed used the 65 trim- I know I have seen shiny versions of that trim piece on Roadsters - but don't remember if it was an exact changeover from a 65 or chroming the existing part.

[pebbles]

I think 3 holes line up on mine.
Spriso uses this early aluminum trim on their builds.
Drill new holes.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5480/1153 ... 4810_b.jpg

[brn2rde]

Hoping to install doors tommorow- looking for tips and advise for getting them on and lining everything up. Since the hinges were off the doors and the doors and A pillars have floating mounts, I am not sure where to start. Right now the doors are just shells, all the edges of the doors and openings are taped up and I have an assistant(daughter).
I guess I am wondering is there a way to index the hinges on the door so that they are close? How did Nissan do it? Anyways, here are some updated pics. She runs, she drives, she needs doors!

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[Datsuns4Me]

You should brace those door gaps.

[brn2rde]

You should brace those door gaps.

Not worried about that a bit. The car is bolted to the frame, the gaps aren't going anywhere. Doors are going on shortly, and if the doors are what is holding your gaps you have bigger problems...
Now, about hanging those doors???? Anyone??

[notoptoy]

I'd be interested in those tips as well. As an aside, is it possible to remove the fender WITHOUT removing the doors?

[brn2rde]

I'd be interested in those tips as well. As an aside, is it possible to remove the fender WITHOUT removing the doors?

Don’t see how. Three bolts say no! As far as hanging doors, I am going for it. Lots of tape and a makeshift doorcart....we shall see

[notoptoy]

That was my observation - those three bolts - but thought maybe someone out there had a trick. A guy can hope can't he. Just looking for the easy way out!

[brn2rde]

Well, there you go. It actually was not as difficult as it seemed it would be. Lots of go slow and think, and one sloppy hinge that probably should be replaced but I won. Got both doors hung, one all dressed out and glassed.
I found a couple things that helped. First, the magic number for distance between hinges is 14 inches. Get that, and align the bottom hinge 5/8 inches from its indent and the rest kind of comes together. Also I used my pneumatic jack and some padding as a door stand. Having something that holds the door steady at the correct level and could adjust minutely was pretty huge. I had to make a shim to get the passenger door high enough to align properly and the drivers side door was spot on. A few hundred slow open and closes later the gaps are pretty dang close!

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Hinges have a factory 'bend' that sets how they hang horizontally. Add more bend, or shim behind to raise or lower the door at the latch

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Makeshift door jack in operation

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All done. Well, you know, mostly done. Lines are pretty even all the way around. Tomorow just need to dress out the drivers door. After that, the hood....

[pebbles]

No bleeding? You must be doing it right!!

[S Allen]

Looks great! So, I am going to grab this and put it in the tech wiki restoration tips if you give me the okay.

S