New to the Datsun world. Picked up a 69 roadster

[im2122]

Hello. How do I verify this car is the Fairlady? I just this up for a steal. Regardless of the Fairlady authenticity, i believe I still got a heck of a deal.

What's a guess at the value of this thing?

I just drained the fuel. It was about 15 years old. Any tips to get it all?

[spl310]

That's a 69 2000. The roadsters were all known as Fairlady in Japan.

[mshort07]

Vin number is not only on the drivers side corner of the dash board, but also on the drivers side of the top front frame, under where the carbs are, just behind the mount of the upper control arm. Do a little searching on 311's.org and you'll find pics of where it's located. There's also a vin stamp on the passenger side of the engine block just below the head. It looks like your under hood id plate has been removed, but the other vins should give you the information you're looking for.

You found the best source for Datsun roadster information here at this site. Everybody extremely helpful, so just ask a question and I'm sure you'll get a response.

Getting the old gas out? I'd drop the tank and blow the lines out. Has it been switched over to an electric fuel pump. I noticed, from your pics, that the routing of your fuel supply line in the engine compartment is not stock. There should be a mechanical fuel pump down on the front passenger side of the engine block. The line use to run up and over the front of the head and to the fuel line.

Good luck with the car and keep us posted on your progress.

[jamesw]

I would drain the tank at the very least using the drain plug. Then open the little "hatch" in the trunk and pull out the fuel sender unit. Shine a flashlight down the filler and have a look around inside the tank. Sometimes after you drain them they look pristine - you never know! Then disconnect the fuel line up by the hood and blow it backwards to the tank and make sure you get good flow.

Then change the oil and filter. Put some gas in the float bowls on the carbs by disconnecting the overflow lines w/ a 14mm wrench and fill using a turkey baster.

Then hook up a good battery. Pop off the coil wire and turn the engine over with the starter to get the new oil pumped everywhere. Take off the distributor cap and see if you get a spark when you pry open the points with a screw driver.

If you get all that then try to start her up!

Good luck
James

[fj20spl311]

I would pull the plugs and spray some lube in the cylinders before cranking with them out.

[jamesw]

Good one Phil. I also forgot drain coolant and flush radiator w/ some of that cleaner stuff.

James

[Gregs672000]

And very quickly check the ol evil L for chain strikes, especially on an unknown engine that has not been started or run in a long time...

[im2122]

Awesome! Thanks for all the feedback. Lots of good ideas! I've had the drain plug out of the car for the last week. Should be mostly evaporated now. I'll work on cleaning it now. The flap in the trunk should make it easier.

I will also have to do some investigation to see what kind of fuel pump it has. Is it common to replace the original with an electric?

[im2122]

And very quickly check the ol evil L for chain strikes, especially on an unknown engine that has not been started or run in a long time...

Check the oil level? Or ol evil l? Sorry I don't know what that is. I plan to drain the rest of the fluids this weekend.

[Roman]

Do what the other guys tell you.
And dont worry about electric fuel pump. Stock is just fine.
Go slow and meticulous in getting it running. There's a reason it's been sitting not running for a while.
you have to find and remedy that.

I mean come on! Why would someone park a perfectly good running 69 2000? They're too much fun not to drive.

Find that reason that made them park it, eventually lose interest in, and finally sell it. It could be small, or it could be big.

That's the mission.

Ps. Lucky bastard. I'd love to find a 69 2000 for a steal.
Congrats and welcome.

[msampsel]

Here is a good advice about starting a car which has sat for a long time.

http://www.kaiserbill.com/Web-PDF/Start-Up.pdf
I like to turn it over some with a wrench prior to cranking the stater with the plugs out.

there is another way to prime the oil to the camshaft by removing the dizzy and priming the
oil pump with a drill. I've never done this one and it is not as easy ...

The suggestion in the link is to add a little marvel mystery oil to the gas too.

[Linda]

I think that was written when oil was cheaper
Linda

[bakerjf]

And very quickly check the ol evil L for chain strikes, especially on an unknown engine that has not been started or run in a long time...

Check the oil level? Or ol evil l? Sorry I don't know what that is. I plan to drain the rest of the fluids this weekend.

It's indeed "Evil L". If you remove the valve cover you'll see a maintenance bracket in front of the camshaft. Inspect the assembly as it goes down towards the timing chain. You'll see a "L" bend in that bracket that loose timing chains will come into contact with, eventually sawing them off and causing horrible things to happen to your engine. I'm sure someone here can post a picture.

[JohnnyMac]

Here is a helpful explanation of the Evil L.
http://www.gordon-glasgow.org/Evil_L.asp

[im2122]

Do what the other guys tell you.
And dont worry about electric fuel pump. Stock is just fine.
Go slow and meticulous in getting it running. There's a reason it's been sitting not running for a while.
you have to find and remedy that.

I mean come on! Why would someone park a perfectly good running 69 2000? They're too much fun not to drive.

Find that reason that made them park it, eventually lose interest in, and finally sell it. It could be small, or it could be big.

That's the mission.

Ps. Lucky bastard. I'd love to find a 69 2000 for a steal.
Congrats and welcome.

I talked to the owner. He mentioned on a road trip he noticed smoke or steam coming from the hose in the valve cover. He was worried about a blown head gasket. It never over heated from what he said though.