Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hmm, interesting. In the pic with the hardtop, it looks like high back seats, like Miata. In the rest you have lowback.

Also, the engine shot looks to have an earlier 1500 valve cover.
No issue, just an observation.

Roman wrote: Hmm, interesting. In the pic with the hardtop, it looks like high back seats, like Miata. In the rest you have lowback.
Also, the engine shot looks to have an earlier 1500 valve cover. No issue, just an observation.

Roman they are the same low back in both pictures. surprisingly more comfy than I thought they would be.

Roman wrote:Thats a good looking car! Since it's been sitting a while, get all the bugs out. And drive it. While to some it's just a lowly 96 hp 1600, they in good shape are surprisingly quick! Resist all urges to take it apart, restore, or motor swap it. Drive it, and get it sorted. They are LOTS of fun.

Roman, That is my plan to drive and make sure it can be driven safely and reliably. It sure is fun to drive!

notoptoy wrote:Welcome, that's a nice looking ride!

Thanks, I really love this car!

Kendall124 wrote:Love the dash color.

I love the dash color as well very unique

DnCrs13 wrote:Welcome to the group! I am from Upper Bucks County, PA originally. Living in Madison, WI now.

Thank you for the welcome. Almost neighbor!LOL

Congratulations on the ownership of a fun little car. The roadsters definitely
put the fun back in driving! I am glad you are so happy with the car Jon,
hopefully you will have it for many years to come. Repair the small remaining "bugs"
and drive the car. As another member stated, resist the temptation to alter the
originality in any way. The car has the correct powertrain, keep it original.
As the values begin to rise, the fact that most of the factory installed parts are
still there this will enhance the value. I am glad the car is staying in the family!!
Bill

Was a painted dash a factory option??
Looks really good!

AidanDawn2000 wrote:Was a painted dash a factory option??

Nope

Bill K wrote:Congratulations on the ownership of a fun little car. The roadsters definitely
put the fun back in driving! I am glad you are so happy with the car Jon,
hopefully you will have it for many years to come. Repair the small remaining "bugs"
and drive the car. As another member stated, resist the temptation to alter the
originality in any way. The car has the correct powertrain, keep it original.
As the values begin to rise, the fact that most of the factory installed parts are
still there this will enhance the value. I am glad the car is staying in the family!!
Bill

Bill you have put a smile on my face every time I think of or drive that beauty!

Bill K wrote: I am glad the car is staying in the family!!
Bill

You mean staying in the family AGAIN? That car was mine, then Bill's (My cousin), now John's (Bill's brother-in-law)
It was always a nice car, then Bill really got it sorted out. I had to think for a few minutes to remember where it came from, Balston Spa NY July 2005. Guy named 914Dan, I think he was on this forum. I have to see if I have any more info for John. Here is the day I bought it.

not sure, but I think Carl may have that steering wheel in his car

dbrick wrote:

Bill K wrote: I am glad the car is staying in the family!!
Bill

You mean staying in the family AGAIN? That car was mine, then Bill's (My cousin), now John's (Bill's brother-in-law)
It was always a nice car, then Bill really got it sorted out. I had to think for a few minutes to remember where it came from, Balston Spa NY July 2005. Guy named 914Dan, I think he was on this forum. I have to see if I have any more info for John. Here is the day I bought it.

not sure, but I think Carl may have that steering wheel in his car

Dave
Bill thanks you and I thank you. It is soo much fun to drive and work on. And now it's, as WIllie Nelson sings, "On the Road again".
JT

Welcome. It is a great looking car. I really love the early low windshield cars!!

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I posted about my 1600. One issue it had since I got the car was a rear main seal leak which was pretty bad. I enjoyed driving the car August - October and then put it away until March. I planned on having a local transmission shop familiar with the 1600 replace the seal. After being there for a few weeks I received a call last Tuesday to come to the shop. When I arrived they showed me an issue with the crank shaft moving a 1/4 inch fore and aft. They said a rebuild was in order. I had my brother-in-law Bill look at the motor and he had the mechanic drop the thrust bearing and we found that the block was damaged and needed to be replaced. Fortunately for me my Brother in-law Bill had a 1600 motor already rebuilt and ready. He's a life saver. I took the new block and painted it and brought it and the head to the shop.

So a rear main seal replacement turned into a clutch, water pump, radiator replacement with a new aluminum radiator, starter rebuild and motor rebuild. I can’t wait to get this bad boy back on the road!!! Since the engine was out I took the time to clean and paint the overflow bottle and the fan shroud and radiator brackets. One step at a time and before you know it will be back on the road.

Sounds like great progress and also proves the utility and cost effectiveness of the 1600. Glad you'll be back on the road shortly!

Spectacular looking Roadster you have there! Love the whole package. I was just in your part of the country last week starting my college hunt! Beautiful tree lined roads you all have up there, should be a blast this summer!
Enjoy!
-Joe

The 1600 is getting ready for the motor to be installed. The shop de-greased and cleaned the engine compartment. Here are some pictures for the engine compartment prior and after painting. Should have the Datsun home by the end of the week.
Here are the after pictures

quick update. I brought the new motor, that my Brother in-law rebuilt to the shop and they put it in the 1600. They put the fluids into the motor and started to adjust the valves. unfortunately there was a antifreeze leak from the back of the head and from the freeze out plug in the back of the block. The motor was again removed to replace the freeze out plugs and upon further inspection it was found that the plug hole was not round, but misshapen. There was also a bump on the top of the block that caused the leak under the head. Block number 2 was bad. Oh no!! My Brother in-law's cousin has a couple of 1600 motors and sold me one of his blocks which we inspected and is in very good condition. So the rebuild of the block will start this weekend. I can't wait to drive this car. I know that all this will make for a better vehicle. So at this point the 1600 will have new radiator, starter, water pump, clutch, slave cylinder, repainted engine compartment, speedo cable. Plus a ton of hours spent removing and installing three blocks. We have named the 1600 Spanky because it is a little rascal!! LOL

Wow is she testing your love! Looks beautiful though, so she deserves all the effort (just look at it that way!). More adventure to come!