Still in the Family

[earthallen]

Howdy all,

I inherited my father's roadster about two years ago now, and am finally making significant headway in restoring it. Before it was my dad's it was my grandmother's. I'm 33 now and in my life it had not run until about 5 weeks ago. My dad has been towing it around the country with him for about 38 years, and he passed it on to me when he left the country with his new French bride. The car started its life in Delaware as a 1970 Sora Blue 1600. It is currently in Albuquerque NM, with a 68 U20 engine and a five speed in it. Current color I would call Desert Blasted Silvery Minnow. (Plans for paint are in the works)

This site has been a wealth of knowledge so far, and I am hoping to do a little extra "mining" of information and possibly parts here as well.

Currently my big next step is a fuel tank. I just got one, but it is an early model tank, with a pickup but no return line. Can anyone tell/advise me on how to modify the early tank with a usable return line? I'm trying to figure out what size line and connections to weld on, and if anyone has done so successfully. Or if by chance anyone has a late model tank they would be willing to trade for an early model tank, that would really simplify my life. Early tank came with a sending unit but no float, any thoughts on a remedy to this would be great as well.

I'll try to get a few pics up soon
Thanks all in advance,
Dana

[notoptoy]

Welcome always glad to welcome new members, especially with such a neat and storied history!
Bring on the questions. If you are set on the return line, it probably is easier to source an newer model tank/sending unit than to cobble and find replacement parts. Otherwise find a sending unit for the existing tank as I don't believe the return line is a necessity, you can plug up at the carburetor end. I'm sure someone will correct me if I got that wrong!

[Linda]

Welcome. There are Datsun owners in your area, and they have been known to provide an "intervention" for fixing up the health of a Roadster. Make yourself known and they will likely assist. Isn't that great?

Good luck,
Linda

[Datsun.David]

If you are running SU carbs, I think the return line is a nice to have. Most Solex or Weber users don't bother with one... And +1 on trading vs fabricating. Welcome!

[sfdaugherty]

Welcome. There are Datsun owners in your area, and they have been known to provide an "intervention" for fixing up the health of a Roadster. Make yourself known and they will likely assist. Isn't that great?

Good luck,
Linda

Contact made!

We can get you going Dana.

Shannon

[Gregs672000]

So great! I was just saying to my step daughters friends (who were being introduced to me for the first time while I'm typing away here), my Datsun has led to nearly all of my friendships over the years, and now a new one starts for you!
Welcome to the family, long lost cousin!

[OldYeller]

Welcome! It seems you are well on your way to roadstering and i suspect you'll find more without looking too hard. This forum and it's denizens puts a smile on my face. It's like a little ray of sunshine the way that members rally around others to help with advise, encouragement or parts.

Love to see some photos of your car and it's progress!

[earthallen]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Anyone happen to have a late model tank (maybe even with a sending unit) they would like to trade for an early tank in great condition, with a new sending unit?
Pics of tank and my car coming within a day or so...
Dana

[earthallen]

A few pics of where I'm basically starting from now that it kind of runs (still need a fuel tank in it). Yes there are two windshields on there...




And a few pics of the fuel tank that I would love to trade for one with a return line...


And the NOS sending unit (no float)


Will add and update pics as work is completed, and oh is there ever work to complete...

Dana

[notoptoy]

Great starting photos, you'll love having that down the line when you are enjoying the ride!

[Gregs672000]

Fun stuff! If you want to keep those wheels, try hitting them with some Easy-off oven cleaner, let them sit for about 10 minutes until it bubbles up nice, then scrup them some with metal polishing (light to medium) steel wool, and buff with a buffing wheel chucked in a drill with some Mothers or other such metal polish. I think you'll be very happy with the result. Beware that oven cleaner can remove some paints and will remove clear coats, but the black can be sprayed on again if it removes some. You can reclear it if you want, or just polish them a few times a year to keep them nice and shiny/protected.

[Daryl Smith]

That sending unit doesn't look quite right for an early tank, might be my memory.....
Any way to get a better picture?

[sports imports]

That is not a stock fuel sending unit.

Ross
sports imports

[earthallen]

Thanks for the info on the sending unit and wheels. I will take a few more pics of the sending unit and see if I can figure out what it is.

[earthallen]

Here is a pic of the sending unit including the resistance for it. If anyone knows what it belongs to, or wants it, I think I'm selling it. I'm pretty sure I have a line on a correct model tank for my car that will come with a sending unit. Once I have it, I will be looking to unload the older model tank and this sending unit if anyone is interested. Resistance on this one is 30-240 ohms.


On a separate note, Shannon stopped by the High School I work at, where I'm working on my car as well, with his 68 monster. The kids loved it, and you're all in for a treat at Solvang, beautiful piece of car he has there.


I will add updates as the car progresses.