New Guy in the Chicago area

[U20Racer]

Guess I am the second new guy in Batavia. I raced Bill Wessel's old #20 1600 until the cam broke then decided to go with the 2 liter. My experience with trying to keep the 1600 alive convinced me to have the next engine built by someone who knows what he is doing. His name is Brad Thomas and he has a shop in Sterling, IL. 815.625.5749. I went to Brad based on fellow racer recommendations and the fact his racing team runs an Big Healy, Lotus 11, '65 vette roadster and he is working on his very own 2 liter Datsun. Figured I would use his experience and interest in his engine on mine. The engine he built is still running strong after two seasons of racing.

If you want machine work you can also call Kim at Machine Tool in St Charles.

I have enjoyed reading the knowledgeable comments and good info available on the list and decided it was time to jump in. I'd also like to thank the Dairyland Datsun guys for chearing me on last weekend at Blackhawk Farms Raceway. I love seeing these cars live and breathe.

PM me if you need anything.

John Wierz

[spl310]

Welcome John! Mark D has told me a lot about you. Some can even be repeated here! Just kidding of course. Enjoy the nuthouse!

[DCooke]

Chris, Did you ever get your motor overhauled? Mine needs some work this year, low pressure in cylinder 2, oil leak I can't find & 2nd gear syncro is gone. Time to pull it & get it refreshed. Looking for local options...

[notoptoy]

Welcome thanks for sharing, any pictures of your car?

[U20Racer]

I used Randy at PER race engines to cut the 2L crank for my race engine. His number is 815 254 2333 and the shop is off Rt 59 in north end of Plainfield. I also know a fellow racer in DeKalb which has a few interesting Nissan engines sitting around his barn waiting for a new home. One is from a Maxima. He also has several Z cars which would be interesting donors.

BTW there is an open track day next Sat and racing on Sunday at Blackhawk Farms in S Beloit. There will be at 2 roadsters, a couple 510s and numerous Z cars running wheel to wheel so come out and talk Datsuns with us.

PM me if you'd like additional info.

[JR311S]

Welcome Chris. This site is awesome as far as the 311 info that is available, I'm another Roadster newby who is learning a lot, and finding that I'm not a lone Roadster owner in the midwest. lol
BTW, if you, John or any other Chicagoland enthusiasts are free on June 10, 11, 12 the Midwest Z Heritage Show will be going on, a car show is planned for Saturday at the Bolingbrook Pomenade. I'll be the White 260 with Ohio plates, a electric sunroof and 7" L.E.D. headlights, hope to see you. Jim Roark

[kenw]

Hey Chris, Welcome.
I'm one of the WI owners.
I try to get up to Road America a couple times a year and usually do the lunch time track touring in my '67. Loads of fun.
I had my motor freshened and the trans rebuilt and eventually replaced by SOS Transmissions just south of O'Hare in Stone Park a few years ago. They hadn't worked on a Datsun engine before, but he was "the guy" to go to for manual trans problems, apparently. Might be another option.

[Starleaf]

I've been kinda busy working on my other cars (1967 912 Targa, and an Alfa spider).... But I'm still keeping my eye open for a sound Datsun Roadster Engine available in the Chicago area. Also I look on Ebay often.

I answered an add in Craigs list for a 70' 2000 roadster that is 1.5 hour drive from my house. He says the car is complete but needs a full restoration. $1500 obo.

Well, that old saying that a car will look MUCH better in pictures couldn't be more true! The Roadster is pretty much a roach. If the car had been stored inside for 12 years it would still be a solid car.

[Starleaf]

However, The 2000 engine seems to be complete (don't know were the air cleaner is) and the car has 44k on the odometer.

I am going to think about it and then offer him a price to haul the car away. All I want is the drivetrain.... But it couldn't hurt to have a parts car handy when I dive into my roadster.

again, the car is much rustier and sun fried in person. It's a shame the car just sat there in his back yard and went to waste.

[notoptoy]

It does look very complete - original paint even.

[DCooke]

Yeah, I saw this on CraigsList last night, glad to know someone might save this, at least part of it

[EarlQHan]

If you are looking into swapping a SR, give the guys at TF Works a call. 847-690-1262. They're located in Arlington Heights. I used to work over there before I went back to school. They specialize in 240sx's and got started by swapping SR20DET's into 240's. They might be able to do the entire swap, but their fab guy just left so I'm not 100% sure.

[Starleaf]

Well i made up my mind to just rebuild my existing 1600 motor.

I found a great machine shop near my home (20 miles) in Troy Grove, IL.
spent the afternoon re-arranging the barn and I started the process of pulling out the motor. I'm kinda pumped....

the plan is to just leave the car up on jacks throughout the winter as I go through the brakes and suspension etc.

Haven't worked this hard on a Datsun roadster in 25+ years, I'm reminded how tight the engine compartment is and how little access there is to the carb. and manifold bolts.

[DCooke]

Let me know how the motor rebuild goes. There's a guy up in Madison looking for someone to build his 1600 motor as a stroker. And, I've got to get my 1600 motor & trans pulled this fall to have them both gone thru over the winter. Let me know some more info on the engine shop, pricing, etc.. if you don't mind.

[Starleaf]

Pulling the motor was pretty straightforward.
Took me a few afternoons of casual work.