The Multi-State Grand Datsun Classic

[Fairlady66]

We just hit the 50 mark with 3 days to go!

If you haven't registered yet and are thiking about it, you are running out of thinking time.

Register and get a friend to register.

Lets see what we can do in 3 days time!

There are Datsuns coming in from CA, NV, AZ, NM, CO, and Mexico

To register for the Multi-State GRAND Datsun Classic in Williams Arizona log onto http://www.socalroc.net

[sfdaugherty]

Chris:

Would it be possible to post a list of who's coming and from where?

Shannon

[Unholy]

Hehe... and put a question mark next to my name cuz I might be bringing her in on the end of a tow rope.

[sfdaugherty]

Hehe... and put a question mark next to my name cuz I might be bringing her in on the end of a tow rope.

Oh come on Michael! I put a new engine in mine so I could make this trip.

Of course, I'm going to make sure my AAA membership is paid up just in case.

Shannon

[Unholy]

In the last few weeks ive replaced the ignition switch, rebuilt the calipers, the wheel cylinders, replaced the pads and shoes, replaced the master cylinder, pulled the motor and replaced the freeze plugs, the clutch and pressure plate, pulled the smog runner, the fuel filter, the heater core hoses, temp sending unit, repaired the exhaust and about 50 other things i cant even think of now.... geez!

Im pulling the tank out tonight cuz of all the junk in there... its going to get cleaned and sealed. I hope that crud didnt jack up my fuel pump because its not running right now. Fingers crossed its just clogged fuel lines.

[Fairlady66]

Chris:

Would it be possible to post a list of who's coming and from where?

Shannon

Well, there are 55 Datsuns registered and all I have are zip codes. I can tell you all of the surrounding states excet Utah are involed and including Mexico. I can email you it is you want

[sfdaugherty]

That's OK Chris. I certainly don't want to make any more work for you. You've done enough. I'll see you next Friday/Saturday.

Shannon

[Fairlady66]

Well, now at 56 Datsuns and Utah is now registered!

Roadsters and Z Cars are now even 21 - 21. The rest, 510s, a couple of trucks, 1200s and others

[Mr Half of Me]

Well... I decided this is one event I would kick myself if I missed. So I registered in the 11th hour. So I guess that makes 57 registered. I just spent the morning repairing the damage done with my accident on my way to the JCCS at the Queen Mary three weeks ago. I think it's good to go, but I'm about to take it our for a test drive. I pulled off the sway bar and used a 4' crow bar to coax the passenger side sway bar tower back into place. I managed to get the sway bar back on, and the passenger side pitman arm is no longer colliding witht he sway bar tower. I also checked my alignment by measureing at the back of the front tires and comparing it to the measurement at the front of the tires. I adjusted by turning the center link so the tow-in is about 1/8".

Off on my test drive to see a friend, Andrew Whiteford, another Roadster friend. Unfortunately, he will not be at the Grand Classic.

[sfdaugherty]

Keith:

How did the test drive go?

Shannon

[Mr Half of Me]

Test drive went OK. Found out the rear right rim was bent. Andrew had a spare stock rim he wasn't using with the tabs for the hub cap. I went and had the tire remounted to that rim from Andrew. I got it home and mounted it on the car only to realize the new rim only has 2 tabs and not 3, so I can't mount the hub cap. D'oh! (he doesn't know this as I'm writing this). So now my plan is to buy a new tire to match my newish Yokohamas (< 2 years old and about 2,000 miles) onto my current spare (the tire is 10+ years old) rim which actually has all 3 tabs. I'll use the one Andrew gave me as the spare, but I will have 5 good matching tires.

While I was at the Big O tire shop, I was talking to the sales guy, and he said: "ya know, you might want to have us take a look at the alignment". I told him I didn't think he could do that for such an old car. "oh yea, our data goes all the way back to 1960". So I took the car over there and they looked up the info on the Nissan/Datsun, and they didn't have any data on it, so they can't check the alignment. What a waste.

Andrew and I also notice a lot of coolant coming out of the expansion take overflow hose when I pulled to a stop and shut off the car. I took a look at the overflow tank cap, and it does not have the pressure seal on it. It seems to me at some point someone suggested to me I pull that off. I don't remember the reasoning, but all of the sudden; it doesn't make sense to me now. D'oh! I'll see if I can get Dean to overnight me a new one. I suspect this is happening when I shut off the engine because the water pump isn't circulating the water out of the radiator system, and into the block. It's not really a sealed system if that pressure relief seal isn't there. All seems fine if the engine is running.

I'm still having intermittent backfire and stalls. Engine just shuts down, if at idle or doing 60 mph down the fwy. It doesn’t happen often, and it starts right back up. It happened to me today when the car was not fully up to temp. I think it's electrical, but can't pin it down. I don't think it's going to leave me stranded somewhere though.

Andrew recently had his exhaust system replaced by a local shop at a reasonable price, and seams really happy with it. I think I'll take mine in this week and have them look at it. Kevin mentioned when he was welding my exhaust to my flex join that the exhaust looked pretty thin. I have suspected it's time for a new one.

I'm also chasing down carb mixture. I don't think I've got that right. I get pre-ignition, and also think I hear some pinging pulling load up hills. I also have the "death rattle" I need to take care of, but not necessarily for this trip.

Then there are things that will have to wait until after this trip, and when money is not so tight. New top; shocks; carpet...

Look forward to seeing you there Shannon. Are you coming alone?

[sfdaugherty]

I'm looking forward to seeing you again Keith. I'm bringing my 11 year old son with me. I had to install a convertible top this weekend since I sold my 1600 that had my only top with fabric. It was brand new but has been sitting for years so was a very tight fit but will work.

Shannon

[Fairlady66]

We are leaving this Friday at 6:00am, me in my 1966 Datsun Roadster heading from Riverside CA to Williams, AZ (429 miles) for the Multi-State GRAND Datsun Classic this Saturday Oct 8, 2011. 57 Datsuns from 6 states and 1 from Mexico are registered, if you are in the area come by the Dairy Queen in Williams! At the request of BRE I will be posting updates at http://www.facebook.com/BRE.Datsun" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; so stay tuned for more as we travel along the Historic Route 66.

[Fairlady66]

Well the show went great! starting out at 25 degress it warmed up and turned in to the prefect day. Out of 57 registered Datsuns, 50 showed up. Bad weather in Colorado kept some from coming down. The show went as well as could be expected, very succcessful. We even ended up with some good sponsors for up coming years. The town of Williams was very welcoming to us, everyone felt their hospitality. All participants had a great time and asked if they can count on this show being the same time next year. A couple compared it to the JCCS. Highlight of the day for me.... Driving Bob Bondurants 240z Race car, Awesome! Pictures will be posted on the SoCalROC website in a couple of days, I forgot the camera cable for uploading to the computer.

[Fairlady66]

A few pictures from the weekend