Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

bikermike wrote:

Alex P wrote: b) what's with everyone filling compelled to come and talk to you or stare ? I hadnt owned the roadster one hour and already had 3 or 4 folks asking me questions at each stop I made. Will get some used to it

Soon you can add to this thread:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... fiat+heard

I think my favorite comment was from Thomcraft where he said "I haven't had this much attention since the wheel bearing on my 5th wheel seized and caught on fire going down the highway!".

Yep, get used to it, and enjoy it!

bikermike wrote: d) front fog lights: some options:
http://311s.org/phpBB3/search.php?searc ... ive_topics

Bikermike thank you for all the links and useful info. The only link I'm having trouble with is the one above which I quoted... is this the right link?


UPDATE: car is now titled, tagged and registered in the beautiful state of South Carolina !!!

fog light link corrected in original post:
http://311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f= ... le#p130136

As noted in most other posts on the topic, be sure to wire up the fogs with a relay.

OK, took the roadster for a quick evening spin like yesterday, as I'm trying to build some confidence by driving it around, not too far from home. After letting it warm up and driving very mildly, it started sputtering right after leaving a stop and slowly but surely quit running altogether. As I pulled over safely and popped the hood, 3 nice gentlemen stopped and asked if I needed help and also commented on how nice it looked... and two of them even had owned one many years ago! Both said most likely fuel issue as in vapor lock. The way the rubber fuel line goes over the radiator fan from the pump to the carbs, I could see that but it was not that warm and the lines were cool to the touch. I even checked if fuel was being pumped and this did not seem the issue. I then thought has to be electrical but I seem to have spark at the plugs... finally after wiggling every electrical connection I could find I tried again and this time fired right up and got home without any issue... I wish I knew exactly what caused this so I can fix it right... I have a feeling it will come back to haunt me until I do. Any ideas? I still don't think it was not vapor lock. All in all I was stopped for 10 minutes max...

Could be the coil is overheating.

^ good thought. Check your fuel filters or for fuel restrictions, also try loosening the gas cap. You get enough fuel as the car sits, to refill the filter and float bowl, but it gets fuel starved and then stops. As it sits, residual vacuum/negative pressue in the fuel line eventually refills the filter and bowls, and it runs again. Eventually it'll just stop.

spl310 wrote:Could be the coil is overheating.

OK, didn't think about this one. Will carry a it thermometer from now on and take some readings. Thank you for the great suggestion!

BTW I did loosen the fuel cap thinking vaccum maybe was preventing fuel from flowing but never heard the sound when air rushes in plus the fuel filter is glass and I saw fuel rushing through as I was cranking it (also verified fuel was coming to carbs by loosening fuel line right before first carb)

No need for a thermometer. Coils are oil cooled. If the seal failed, the oil will leak out over time. When it shuts down again, pop the hood and carefully touch the coil. If it is hot, time for a new one.

spl310 wrote:No need for a thermometer. Coils are oil cooled. If the seal failed, the oil will leak out over time. When it shuts down again, pop the hood and carefully touch the coil. If it is hot, time for a new one.

Good point ! I drove about 25 miles today w/o any issues. I even called the previous owner but he didn't recall such an issue...hopefully won't happen again. What does seem to be happening again and again is the people gathering around the car the moment it's sitting still for more than a couple of minutes... definetly a classic !

I fixed the reverse light not lighting up this evening. I noticed more holes on passenger side and found a picture with a roadster having two backup light assemblies. But no additional wiring on the passenger side. Was the second light an option, series, or were the holes there for the left hand side markets?

According to this reference:

http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun311 ... fault.aspx

from Oct '68, two reverse lights were fitted for US and Canada. I'd guess the mounting holes in both locations on your car are to accommodate RHD and LHD variants. My '67.5 has mounting holes and wiring on both sides.

Updates:
. replaced gas filling neck grommet (old one was dry rotted)
. Oil change and new oil filter. Oil sample sent to Blackstone's lab for analysis
. New rubber boot for shifter (old one missing)
. Repaired tachometer cable which broke off.

There are a few other missing parts I should be receiving tomorrow from previous owner (took them off, never replaced, lost them but found them in the mean time)

I'm no longer missing a driver lap safety belt... thank you

Ok found what the issue was... After a few times the car would either sputter and die or not wanting to start all together, today i realized that the lights would not work or be very weak when i would have the issue. Turns out both battery leads where not tighten down at all! Voila, should not have the issue anymore