Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Great looking car you found. It looks to be in really good shape. Welcome to the forum. This site is the best for Datsun roadsters. Keep us up to date on the rebuild.

If you REALLY want to have fun, a Rover V8/T5 will fit. Use the later style 4.0 and up with the internal oil pump. Looks like minimal metalwork, and it's 75-100 pounds lighter than the stock engine. I dummied up the 3.9 in place, the external oil pump was the only issue, solved with the later engine.

That's interesting! Let me look that up, my wife and I both drive Rovers as are regular cars so that sounds fitting

I'm going to look into that one right now. Spent the day stripping the car down further, pulled all the wiring out, the dash etc etc but damn if I still can't get the windshield and the fenders off.

Tell you this, not sure what the deal is with my car but I think they made the bolts out of butter. The heads strip off way too easy and 3 snapped. Oh well, got most of them out but I had to stop as I think I lost too much blood....kidding! I'll send more pics once I get it pulled apart a little more. Thx!

universal roadster bolt tip. Tighten 1/8 turn, then loosen. I thought it was a myth, but it works. Also, don't know if you were aware, but generally the engine and drivetrain is metric and the body bolts are standard. as far as I know, nobody has done a Rover conversion. If you decide to try, let me know, we can figure it out together.

These are 2 great sources
http://www.britishv8.org/
http://www.aluminumv8.com/index.htm

HAHAHAHAHAAHA....NO KIDDING???

I wondered what the heck was going on. I have 12 wrenches in my car right now and had so much trouble, so funny that its both Metric and SAE, what a kick! I ruined quite a few bolts today so guess I'm going to buy all new ones, oh well.. I thought I was crazy, couldnt find the right open end so my son hands me a 7/16 and the damn thing fit. I thought the prior owner just grabbed any bolt he could find, what a pain but nothing comes easy I guess

So day two, dash is completely apart, windshield is out (should of looked up instructions on that one, didnt know there were two bolts in the middle)

Brake lines out, all wiring out, gauges out, all Heater controls etc are out. I'm not sure I will even replace all the blowers and heaters as this will just be a nice date car for the wife and I. dont plan on taking it out on cold days with no roof anyway. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get the motor and trans out and that's it for a while as I dont get back until mid Month. Still can't get these fenders off, huge hassle with these soft headed screws, I'll take another stab at it tomorrow.

Fun fun...

One thing for sure, you sure don't waste much time!
Keep documenting your work, at this rate you'll be done really quickly! (and then have to start another)

I'm not sure I will even replace all the blowers and heaters as this will just be a nice date car for the wife and I. dont plan on taking it out on cold days with no roof anyway.

I just read that part to my wife and she said "he obviously hasn't driven convertibles". So I say you'll want the heater, and seat heaters, as well as a 12-volt electric blanket! Don't forget that a top down drive at night can be a lot of fun! ;^)

Even on a warm day it can be cold at 70+ mph.

Had a couple of convert's but never one that has such a small windshield, your probably right... Seat Heaters would be very nice and some type of heater.

As far as my pace... You caught me, I hate to wait but I'm working on it I've owned that Nismo for 6 weeks and its been apart from day one. I'm going to slow this one down once its stripped apart but I wanted to get it all apart so I can send the frame out for Mod's and the body to paint. Figure the sooner I get it to the shops the better off I am. We all know how body shops are, may as well get it there sooner then later.

Having a heck of a time finding parts, seems tid bits here and there but it takes some hunting. No problem, same issue with the Nismo since its so new, I have time. Thank you for the comments and ideas.

i am amazed at how fast you work. i hope you are taking lots of pictures so you have a refernce for putting things back as you found them. wish i lived close to you, so i could get a good lesson on dissasembling one of these.

one day, i must tear mine down, if i want it perfect. no way, i am doing that till i have to. good luck, and keep posting pictures. this is fun.

Nice job. Keep up the motivation. embarking on such a large project can seem overwhelming at times. I wanted to complete mine in 3 years. I'm going on 5 1/2. As far as parts go, I would contact the various vendors and start building a relationship with them. Also post questions here. I have found many options for parts other than Nissan or the vendors. Be prepared for a reality check when you find out how much these parts are going to cost. I'm close to 7K over my original projected budget. And keep asking questions. Many friendly and knowledgeable folks here.

Kyle

Thank you and yes, I really like jumping into things and knocking them out.

I have a knack for remembering things, I recall every bolt on this car so far but since I'm going to basically build my own car around this body I'm not terribly concerned. I'll likely just adapt a wiring harness from the motor I go with and run it with just the basics. No crazy power windows, heated seats but not sure which ones just yet.

Short of it is... I don't want to ruin the lines of this car, love the looks but I definitely want to bring the mechanical portions up to date. Still having fun and that's all that counts!

shifty wrote: 12-volt electric blanket!

Now that's an idea I need to look into!

Thanks

fj20spl311 wrote:

shifty wrote: 12-volt electric blanket!

Now that's an idea I need to look into!

Thanks

I have one I got from JC Whitney, love it! More importantly the ladies like it!!
The one I got has a timer so you don't have to worry about leaving it connected. They really do work! I think I paid $20 bucks for it, one of the best $20 I ever spent.
Tom

http://www.jcwhitney.com/12-VOLT_ELECTR ... 010968;0;0

Linda's birthday is coming up...This works.