What did you do TO or FOR your Datsun today?(Roadsters only)

[bchen]

Got the speedometer to work! It's functioning for the first time in who knows how many years. This was a huge victory for me because there was no speedo or tach cable when I bought the car and I've just been driving while using the force.

The whole process was an ordeal. I tried it a couple of months ago and realized that my 1600 doesn't have a 90-degree adapter which made the cable run too low under the car. It took a couple of months to find an adapter, then I spent 2 hours under the car this weekend using only one hand (not a lot of space!) to connect the adapter then the cable, or the adapter with cable pre-attached. But I just couldn't get the pin to seat in the correct orientation and had to stop due to cramping, frustration, and general griminess.

I tried it again today (had to jack it up to change the diff fluid anyway) and skipped the 90-degree adapter. I ended up tucking the cable against a frame component in about as tight a curve as I felt comfortable with. Took the roadster on a short drive and saw the arm move smoothly from zero to 40 and back. So satisfying.

I'll take another try at the tach next, but I had a really rough experience in my previous attempt. After removing the seat, steering column bolts, and working upside down, I couldn't connect the cable to the wobbly connection point on the back of the tachometer. Too much stuff still in the way and not enough joints on my fingers.

[Stick]

Working on anything under the dash is a tough gig. Uncomfortable position to start with, limited lighting, tight spaces and no room to maneuver hands/tools.
Keep at it and you'll get it!

[Curtis]

Working on anything under the dash is a tough gig. Uncomfortable position to start with, limited lighting, tight spaces and no room to maneuver hands/tools.
Keep at it and you'll get it!

Seat removal is essential. When first putting my car back together I don't think I had more than two nuts on the seat for quite some time. Jack up the car and in 5 or less minutes you have the seat out. A cordless drill or impact can being your friend.

Kept the steering wheel nut finger tight too.

[theunz]

Heck, if you’re any good at working blind you don’t even need to jack it up to remove the seats. Pulling the steering wheel only takes a couple of minutes as well and makes ingress and egress easier. Still a PITA to do most any under the dash work!

[Bigtaku]

Buffed out 4 years of swirl and scratch marks on Mothra for the Mount Shasta meet. I was taught how to do it when we painted but hesitated even while I knew it was needed. It is not hard to do, don't hesitate like I did. I bought the harbor freight red DA for around $80 and it did a great job. Two layers of ceramic and she is a happy car.
See you all in Mount Shasta!

[Nded]

Restored the flat dash finish on SPL311-00054 and put her back together. Planning to install next week.

[DAC21]

Very nice! What were the OEM clips that held on the stainless / chrome? bezel that surrounds the dash. The dreaded speed clips like the ones that hold on the Fender emblems?

TIA

[Nded]

Very nice! What were the OEM clips that held on the stainless / chrome? bezel that surrounds the dash. The dreaded speed clips like the ones that hold on the Fender emblems?

TIA

I removed/discarded the speed clips. Went with the vacuum hose pieces to reinstall.

[ppeters914]

Very nice! What were the OEM clips that held on the stainless / chrome? bezel that surrounds the dash. The dreaded speed clips like the ones that hold on the Fender emblems?

TIA

I removed/discarded the speed clips. Went with the vacuum hose pieces to reinstall.

I also discarded the speed clips. My OCD didn't feel confident using vacuum hose pieces, so I threaded the posts (long, slow, tedious process) and used nylon nuts and washers.

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[ppeters914]

After several long, tedious, frustrating days, I finally finished installing the dash pad, dash twisties for tonneau cover, and the rear mirror mount.
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20240615_180000_HDR.jpg

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Still have to reinstall the items that restricted access, but this has been a major PITA progress blocker.

EDIT: This is a DatsunParts.com (aka Dean) dash pad, Item #1292, that I purchased back in June 2018.

https://datsunparts.com/products/datsun ... 9227936032

[davdav2000]

PetePeters- This looks great. This car's gonna be great. I get to drive it, right?

[DAC21]

After several long, tedious, frustrating days, I finally finished installing the dash pad, dash twisties for tonneau cover, and the rear mirror mount.
.
20240615_180000_HDR.jpg
.
Still have to reinstall the items that restricted access, but this has been a major PITA progress blocker.

Is that a restored OEM Dash pad? Or one of Deans? It looks nice.

[Nded]

Tell us more about the dash pad please.

[Curtis]

Disassembled the non op drain valve and cleaned it up. Greased the inside and replaced the rusted spring washers with a copper and stainless ones. Spins like crazy now. Put the newly painted and highlighted timing mark pulley on.

20240615_125355.jpg

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[vorpal]

After several long, tedious, frustrating days, I finally finished installing the dash pad, dash twisties for tonneau cover, and the rear mirror mount.
.
20240615_180000_HDR.jpg
.
Still have to reinstall the items that restricted access, but this has been a major PITA progress blocker.

EDIT: This is a DatsunParts.com (aka Dean) dash pad, Item #1292, that I purchased back in June 2018.

https://datsunparts.com/products/datsun ... 9227936032

Excellent! Been there... drilling into my expensive new dash pad to fit the front twisties required nerves of steel

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