Vocational School Selects Datsun Roadster for Restoration-help!

[notoptoy]

One other major advantage of this forum for educational purposes, we keep it civil and family friendly, and still have fun.

[MicVelo]

Wow, back in the days before dinosaurs became fuel, we didn't have entire cars to work on in our auto shop! But I cut my teeth on a tear down and rebuild of a Chrysler hemi engine on a stand.

Your students are lucky too, to have such a nice foundation to start with. In for the build!

[IH8-V8]

The good news is we have many folks excited for the build, the bad news, Edison auctioned off the equipment from the body shop a few years back. (Rotisserie, gone I was able to find two sand blasters, and unused kiln (for powder coating) and the vacant welding shop (which is coming back this year) still has many of its tools.

My vision was to try and use every vocational pathway to complete the car. Obviously auto will be at the forefront, but carpentry can contribute (I'll explain the vision here later) welding, art (upholstery) print lab, electrical, (wiring)web design to manage a Datsun site and the forum, etc. Etc. Hopefully it will be a project that not only showcases each program at Edison, but we have some local rochester business that have expressed an interest as well...

And now, with the help of this forum, looks like we'll be national in no time

I'm going into work today, and I'll post pictures of the club's facility, and some other projects the kids have worked on.

[Gregs672000]

I see that you have many of the vocational aspects of car restoration covered (upholstery, mechanics, welding, electrical and even media), but as a social scientist, I have often used the metaphor of "car restoration" as an example of what it takes to restore or rebuild a life. Just before entering grad school for psychology, I did my first frame up restoration on my car. I learned more about analyzing problems, planning actions, understanding their interactions and time lines, identifying and obtaining partners or supports, creating VISION and ultimately increasing confidence than ANYTHING I did or learned in grad school. I use this metaphor and experience all the time in my interactions with broken people in the ER where I work as a mental health professional/social worker. These desperate and often suicidal people are just like an abused or neglected car that needs restoration. But I emphasize, over and over, that without a VISION and a WRITTEN plan, it's not likely to get done. It's not going to be a perfect, straight line to recovery and it's going to take time and focused effort. Recovery is step by step and in the right order or it does not work well or go smoothly, just like you have to treat the rust before you paint the car (the metaphor being that people paint over rust in their lives, and it looks OK for a while, but the rust always comes bubbling through).
This is a real opportunity for you to give these kids and young adults a real, life changing experience that can carry them through other inevitable challenges they may face, if you spend some time putting this project in this context as well. Many years ago I tried to set up just such a program using life coaching techniques and car restoration as a real world metaphor for this, but unfortunately insurance companies want you to diagnose illness in people before they will pay to heal them, and the insurance hoop jump and a lack of funding forced me to take a more traditional job (in the ER, so it worked out). However, I have used this experience and cars in general to reach my clients and to speak to them in ways they can relate to. I will talk to people about the differences in cars and how that relates to the differences in people. For example, if you take a car that is designed to go around a smooth race track and take sharp corners at high speed and put it on an off road course full of rocks, logs and puddles, it will not perform well, and it won't take long before that car is beat to hell. So, where is the PROBLEM? The car, or the track it is on? What kind of a car are you? How well do you know your strengths, and weaknesses? How long have you been running on a track that your car is not suited or prepared for? As young people, we often don't have much say in what course we're placed on, and so the car is not always built well or is trying to be used in a manner for which it is not designed, and ultimately it gets destroyed by the track it's on. By putting things in this context, suddenly people are empowered to 1) seek to understand themselves without beating themselves up, and 2) to think about and position themselves to be on a track more suited to their strengths and natural design, and thereby RECOVER or in many cases DISCOVER themselves. The written plan simply puts that understanding and VISION into step by step ACTIONS that result in SUCCESS over time. But planning is CRITICAL, and many people suck at it. Thus your opportunity.

See? My love affair with my Roadster is far deeper than a car I enjoy: It represents a moment and a process in my life that shaped my very philosophy, and I dare say has probably saved or improved the lives of many, very desperate people.
Pretty cool, these Datsun Roadsters.

[cktrap]

Well said!! After all it is important what path or road you choose in life.

[IH8-V8]

Greg,
Thank you for sharing that writing. As wonderful as building machines can be, it can also be incredibly frustrating. So much of the job (teaching) is showing kids how to overcome challenges (both physical and emotional) I'm certain both areas will be addressed numerous times throughout this task.

Please check in often, and offer your thoughts and opinions as we unfold this project digitally.

I'm considering starting with the kids writing a brief description of their interests and goals. It would be nice for y'all to get a sense of the students- in a way that pictures can't necessarily convey.

I'm actually looking forward to next school year

[IH8-V8]

Pics

[Gregs672000]

I'm really excited for you and the students! Some clues as to their strengths can be found in their interests, and then getting at their goals gives some insight to their ability to vision.
Thank you to you and all teachers out there... you have more influence than people realize!
I'm in!

[IH8-V8]

As soon as the snow flys we are beginning the restoration. Stay tuned.

[Gregs672000]

Cool! Looks like a nice place to start. Looking forward to the process and the adventures you will all be on!

[IH8-V8]

it's been a long time since I've been on the forum, and there are many updates. Edison Tech received funding to completely refurbish its Automotive wing. This is great news, but has led to a delay in the Datsun project. Construction should be completed by the beginning of school and we are looking to showcase the Datsun project as a way to promote the new facility. I'll be reaching out to those of you who have been kind enough to pm me and help me with my many questions. I have never undertaken a project of this magnitude, and really appreciate everyone who has helped so far. I'll be posting pictures of the facility within the next two weeks.

There are some specific updates regarding the car that I would like to share. I have a meeting with a local fabricator to discuss rear end options as well as roll cage.

We settled on a restomod approach, and I'd be interested in hearing some advice when it comes to this approach. The local fabricator is recommending that I either go with a Ford 8. 8 4 Link setup, and he also thinks that we can do a BMW independent rear end. Is anyone familiar with the BMW option? We have recruited many local businesses to help with the project and I'll be discussing those in the future as we firm up those relationships.

Also, we are in need of some parts that will help us get the project moving along. Specifically we are in the market for anyting convertible or hardtop related. The car did not come with any convertible frame or Hardware. Also, we'd like to get our hands on a complete set of glass. If there is anyone who could furnish us with all the parts, we gladly make one large purchase.

I've spoken with some very nice folks in the Rochester and Syracuse area. I'll be reaching out to you as well, and inviting you to Rochester to check out Edison's setup as soon as it's able to host folks, and not an active construction zone.

[Linda]

Nice project for the kids, but I think you should go stock, IMHO
Restomods take more time and I don't think you want to run out of time on the project. It is so easy to expand your project ideas then have the whole thing drag on and on. Sounds like you are getting some help commitments but remains to be seen if they come thru. Guess I am being conservative, but many a frame off resto winds up in boxes, and that is with adults. On the other hand, if you didn't dream big it wouldn't have gotten this far!
Just looking primarily at the huge value of finishing the project for the self-esteem of the young teens. Hope that makes sense.
Good luck and credit to you for your innovative teaching
Linda

[fj20spl311]

KISS IMHO,
Roadster's are a great platform for this type of project.
Swapping a shorten 8.8" ford with leaf springs is much more practical. If you want to go more exotic, add fiberglass leaf springs...FlexForm and better shocks.

[IH8-V8]

Are there any companies out there that are doing the Ford 8.8 rear end for datsuns?

[fj20spl311]

Currie Enterprises has done at least 1.
You can buy the jigs to narrow an FORD 8.8 and teaching your students how to modify and rebuild the rear axle is a great stand alone project.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=re ... rowing+jig