My first resto project - all in

[mshort07]

Pictures of parts. The unknown part - Looks to me like one of those bolt retaining plates with the tabs you fold over so the bolts don't back out. Maybe it dropped down in the engine when they were doing the first engine repair? Why was it ripped off at the holes though?

[mshort07]

Before and after of the mods to the rear deck behind the seats. no more soft top. Hope it doesn't rain

[msampsel]

Very nice Matt! I'm still dreaming what a "targa bar" back there would look like ...
I've found if you drive fast enough you won't get wet without the top! Seldom put mine up in the rain

[mshort07]

targa bar, hmm. At one point I was think of grafting in the double roll bar hoops found on a Mazda Miata to match up with my Miata seats, but now I'm thinking going a different direction. I like the clean, minimal look and think I'll eventually go with low back seats. Maybe I'll modify my Miata seats to have low backs.

[notoptoy]

^Or you could just go with early model Roadster seats - will look good and certainly are low back enough to fit right into your project.

[orangedawg]

mshort,

That first photo you posted that you found in the oil pan that looks kind of like a dog bone, I believe, though not sure, that part goes on the front of the upper tensioner to lock the bolts holding the upper tensioner to the head.. At least I think that is what it is.

[mshort07]

It's been a good weekend. The Datsun's looking more like a car now that I've got the floor pans back in it. They're not original design, but what is anymore on the car? The metal work is close to the end and I couldn't be more happy! I got the seats in there and mocked up. I'm pleased with the look.

[Potato_Head]

Hello Matt,

Very cool project. I'm subscribing to glean more insight from you as I restore my '65.

Thank you for posting!

[mshort07]

Got some more stuff down. I completed (for the most part) all of the body mods and rust repair so I landed the body on the frame to make sure everything still fit. It's been 3 years and countless cuts and welds since the body's been on the frame. It fits and has raised my excitement level to push on and get it done. The 14" wheels and low profile tires left a large gap between tires and fenders. That lead me to Master240sx, a semi local Datsun guy selling some great stuff, to buy some parts include lowering springs.

I got some work done on a homemade dash pad, an idea I had for a while that seems to be working out. I started with thin sheet metal to shape first, then fiberglass, filler, and will be finally covered with black vinyl. I like the way it turned out, it just won't have the pad that goes beneath the dash.

The big accomplishment was getting the car media blasted today. I went with the Dustless Blasting as seen on My Classic Car. I'm really pleased with the end product. The guy even let me give it a try. I'll be epoxy priming the car and panels tomorrow.

[pebbles]

"some stuff" lol.
very nice work Matt.

[mshort07]

Got the car in epoxy primer today.

[mshort07]

I covered the dash pad today. I'm not an expert upholstery guy, but I'm pleased with the finished product.

[mshort07]

I modified the Miata seats yesterday to lower the tall backs. I cut the foam and metal core, and re-welded in a shorter section. I'm going to the local upholstery shop to see about modifying the original seat covers.

[mshort07]

I installed my new Datsunparts.com lowering springs and lower spring isolators I picked up from a local Datsun guy that was selling off his parts. They were brand new, never installed. They lowered the frame 2 1/4".

[mshort07]

It's been a good couple days. I took a break from working on the body of the car to turn my attention to the interior. The seats are still at the upholstery shop getting the seat covers modified to match my changes to the seat backs.

I've completed my restoration of the '67 gauges and lower dash keeping with my "budget built" guidelines. I cut off the crimp on the bezels, took the gauges apart, cleaned and touched them up, bead blasted the bezels, painted the bezels, tested the gauges, and put them back together. I used JB Weld to hold all the parts together now that the crimps are gone. Who knows, maybe in the future I'll treat the car to new gauges.

I also cleaned up the lower dash, cut out some rusted areas, and gave it some fresh paint to match the color on my appliance mesh wheels.

I made a glove box liner out of some thin sheet metal I had laying around.

Finally, I assembled it all together. Of course, somewhere along the line I lost a switch. I tore the garage apart and I can't seem to find it. I'm baffled.

I'm very please with the end product. The only issue I'm having is with the glove box door. I can't get it to open easily. I have to grab an edge and pull while I push the button. I've greased the button and adjusted catch but still issues. The spring on the door hinge must be weak. It needs a popper like on a gas door. Any ideas out there?