If only I had...
Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68
- jonny8
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
- Location: Belmont, CA
If only I had...
...replaced the battery strap...
So a nice drive ended in a lot of smoke but fortunately not a fire. Battery slipped and shorted out on a number of things. The net-net is this front wiring harness melted, cables Alternator, regulator & battery all much melted.
Mine in SPL311 of later 1965, Vin # 368
My questions for the humble hive mind that the 311s is
1) How or where can I get the Alternator tested to see if its fried (in the Bay Area)
2) Ditto for the regulator
3) I have the early 3/4 inch square connector harness - I don't see a source of these parts anywhere. See any issues using the later rectangular harness?
4) What else do I need to check that could have been fried at the same time? Battery?
So for a $6 battery strap, and a lot of original parts... I now start the next phase of restoration. I'm stupid!
-Alvin
So a nice drive ended in a lot of smoke but fortunately not a fire. Battery slipped and shorted out on a number of things. The net-net is this front wiring harness melted, cables Alternator, regulator & battery all much melted.
Mine in SPL311 of later 1965, Vin # 368
My questions for the humble hive mind that the 311s is
1) How or where can I get the Alternator tested to see if its fried (in the Bay Area)
2) Ditto for the regulator
3) I have the early 3/4 inch square connector harness - I don't see a source of these parts anywhere. See any issues using the later rectangular harness?
4) What else do I need to check that could have been fried at the same time? Battery?
So for a $6 battery strap, and a lot of original parts... I now start the next phase of restoration. I'm stupid!
-Alvin
1965 Roadster 1600
- Datsun.David
- Site Supporter
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- Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:18 am
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Contact:
Re: If only I had...
Ouch. We have all been there...
67.5 SRL311 #00050 - Silver - SU
67.5 SRL311 #00544 - Sora Blue SU
68 Roadster Race Car
69 SRL311
69 SRL311
72 PL510
74 260Z - Silver
67.5 SRL311 #00544 - Sora Blue SU
68 Roadster Race Car
69 SRL311
69 SRL311
72 PL510
74 260Z - Silver
- Linda
- Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
- Posts: 7807
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: If only I had...
For connectors: vintageconnections.com.
Or eBay has them too
Linda
Or eBay has them too
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
- Gregs672000
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
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- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:47 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
Re: If only I had...
Our resident guru Curtis can probably help you out. Sorry to hear of the difficult "learning opportunity" you're experiencing now... as others have said, been there, done that. Many years ago I fried my harness and amp gauge on the freeway while driving to work (the lack on an insulator for the hot wire off the alternator caused a ground). As I jumped out of the car to pull the batter cables off, a semi drove by and the wind from its passing pulled the door out of my hand and hyper extended the hinges which had no limiter, bowing the door... just adding insult to injury.
All you can do is grit your teeth, try to have a sense of humor about it, and learn in any way you can...
She'll be back!
All you can do is grit your teeth, try to have a sense of humor about it, and learn in any way you can...
She'll be back!
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
-
- Roadster Fanatic
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- Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:10 am
- Location: Denver, CO
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
Re: If only I had...
Funny, this happened to me just a few weeks ago. I had an over sized optima battery that sat on the tray instead of in it. I adjusted the mount to what I had hoped was a more secure position. (spoiler: it was worse) I am coming down a mountain when my radio started turning on and off and the amp meter went haywire before shooting through the roof. I pulled over and... Smoke! Fire!! the bar for the battery tiedown had shorted on the positive and turned into a heating element. Luckily i was with a group and someone had a fire extinguisher to put it out or I may be writing a different story.
The fire melted through an ignition cable and luckily i had a fuse on the alternator that saved my amp meter and likely all the other electronics in the car. I also now carry a fire extinguisher in the car with me
The fire melted through an ignition cable and luckily i had a fuse on the alternator that saved my amp meter and likely all the other electronics in the car. I also now carry a fire extinguisher in the car with me
2016 Audi TTS
2005 Honda S2000
1968 Datsun 1600
2005 Honda S2000
1968 Datsun 1600
- Gregs672000
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
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Re: If only I had...
Whew! Yes, fire extinguisher is a good idea for a vintage car. Well done on the fuse... would have saved me back in the day. Had one ever since.
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
- peeeter
- Roadster Fanatic
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- Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: Cupertino, CA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
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Re: If only I had...
Glad to hear there was no fire! Any good recommendations for a battery strap? Mine doesn't feel very secure either...
- mraitch
- Roadsteraholic
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- Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:03 pm
- Location: Lake Balboa (SFV) - CA
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Re: If only I had...
depending on size, but AutoZone seems to have a one size fits all, bought one last week.
glad to hear the car is ok, but I do not get why ANYONE would have an old car without a fire extinguisher , as clearly demonstrated, if not for you. but for someone else.
AND NOT in the trunk either.
glad to hear the car is ok, but I do not get why ANYONE would have an old car without a fire extinguisher , as clearly demonstrated, if not for you. but for someone else.
AND NOT in the trunk either.
Peter Harrison
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
- jonny8
- Roadster Fanatic
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:36 am
- Location: Belmont, CA
Re: If only I had...
The fire extinguisher was the first thing I brought when I got my Roadster.
I caught the melt down before needing the fire extinguisher. Glad I fitted the battery cut off. But that was the thing shorted out.
Anybody have recommendations for alternator rebuilds in Bay Area. Looks like Rallye no longer has stock and DatsunParts needs modifications to make theirs work.
I caught the melt down before needing the fire extinguisher. Glad I fitted the battery cut off. But that was the thing shorted out.
Anybody have recommendations for alternator rebuilds in Bay Area. Looks like Rallye no longer has stock and DatsunParts needs modifications to make theirs work.
1965 Roadster 1600
- mraitch
- Roadsteraholic
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- Location: Lake Balboa (SFV) - CA
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Re: If only I had...
any decent auto electric shop should be able to handle it.
Peter Harrison
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California
1970 1600 (Stroker) - TOAD SAN (Eliza)
1970 1600 (Stock) - As Yet Unnamed
Lake Balboa (SFV) , California