2000 Newbie from SF Bay

[#009]

I believe the previous owner sanded the OHC off. I was wondering also after I purchased it. I do like the OEM w/ the raised OHC and will probably just get one later on and polish it.

[spl310]

Someone will want that smoothed cam cover, so you can probably swap it out.

[Gregs672000]

Interesting choice on the cam. Usually guys go for more top end power, but years ago I talked to a guy at Don Potter Engineering who had ground a torque cam for a U20, as the car was focused mostly on autoxing. Apparently it was a real beast down low, and while it ran out of breath at about 5500 rpms he said it was unbeatable until then and could hang with or beat much bigger displacement engines stop light to stop light.
The header appears to be pretty typical (was hoping they went crazy with some custom one we could perhaps reproduce). If you're ever curious you could pull the cam and send it to Delta Cam in Tacoma to get it read to see what the profile is. If you do pull it, BE SURE to number the rocker arms so they go back on the same cam lobe or they will wear each other out.

[#009]

With the current motor setup that I have, I'm curious how it compares with other U20 motor. Unfortunately I'm a newbie and have no basis for comparison in terms of power, low/top end or torque. I'm sure one of these days I'll bump into another Bay Area 2000 owner.

On a side note, I got a chance to meet another local roadster owner this morning. Matt from Orinda, thanks for letting me drive your car. Thanks for all the little tips.

[Dano]

Your car has a nice skyline styling to it.Dig the black rims.If your planning on a stinson beach run send me a P.M. I'm right off highway 1 stop by for a cup of coffee.This site has great resources!

[Dano]

Did your car come from Lake Havasu Az.? Nice and dry there.

[#009]

Dano, yes the car was from Havasu AZ. I'm replacing little things to make it more road worthy. Just replaced the radiator due to a small leak, upper ball joints and ordered a new set of Rota RB wheels. Found out today after test fitting the wheels that I need to either grind down the hub a bit or get the wheels re-bored to slightly bigger size. The infamous wheel not sitting flush has struck me. The black wheels will be for sale after I get the newer wheels. I'll definitely contact you when I head over Marin County.

[Dano]

I know someone who is cost effective and good in Alemeda who owns his own Machine shop and is a Datsun roadster guy.He machined my wheels to fit over the front hubs so I didn't have to use spacers or extended lugs.Look on Alvins wheels link towards the end and I have some pics.Let me know if that's the route you wanna go and we can contact Brian.He's restoring an amazing 67 SPL that sits in the middle of his shop.

[Dano]

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[#009]

Dano, I've actually already trimmed down the hubs and will try on the wheels tomorrow. If it still won't clear, I'll have to do the machine shop route. Thanks

[Dave_Car_Guy]

Belated welcome to you, #009!! Looking forward to seeing your car in person sometime soon here in the Bay Area. Keep an eye on the thread here called "Bay Area Fund Run", because a few of us are trying to get something going in the next month or so (hopefully!).

Also, if you want big dose of Roadster-people, sign up for the Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic event in April. I'll be there, and lots of other roadster-holics with more knowledge than a library full of Chilton manuals.