Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Andy Cost, (nomadtrash ) autocrossed in Bucephalus(sp?) . Here is the earliest link:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1744
Funny guy, guess he moved on to other projects...
Linda

As I figure out how to post my pictures, I will update with them. Until then, just words.

The differential is back in the car and ready for the rest of the brake system to be refreshed before the fluid is added. The items replaced started with the leaking pinion seal, outer Axel bearings with seals and wheel cylinders. That requires the correct brake lines. No LSD, at this time. If anyone in Southern California has an "extra/spare/needs a new home", rear end please let me know.

The assortment of gaskets that I have purchased to stem the tide of weeping oil leaks, is making there way onto the car. I might not have much in the way of rust, due to build up of goop on just about everything as to undercarriage

The smog system, now removed and saved in a box, leaves me with cleaning the carbon build up that is everywhere in the intake system. The distributor is on its way to the East Coast. And Saturday I have an appointment to look at rebuilding the seats. Time and money, more......

I received the following note on my distributor,

I have not torn down your distributor yet but did take a quick look at it, here are a few things I noted:

1)Vacuum advance does not work

2) And/or the breaker plate is seized

3) The “hot wire” from outside the dizzie to the points is in very bad shape

4) There is excess vertical play in the shaft.

I now have a better understand of why my car would start and idle, but stumble when I tipped into the throttle. The updated unit is scheduled for shipping next week. This is one of those "got to have it fixed" that how much it cost is not going to be anything I fret over.

On a side note, has anyone else replaced their transmission mount and wondered that there must be an easer way to get this done? That and getting to the "oil in" bolt on the transmission? Or are these just a right of passage for the new owners?

Just asking. Are there any more "joys" in the future?

David

Oh yea...around every corner, but the biggest one is the drive!!

Just because these cars are not encumbered with modern safety and convenience devices doesn’t mean that real estate is still not a valuable item.

Our. 1 was at a mall parking lot kinda cool cause it had a slope , one of the tube chasie cars broke and crashed so they lost the place ...it moved to a very industrial lot
The organiser got robbed picking/ packing up the last equipment so he quit

Refreshing the car continues, sometimes with success and sometimes a surprise. The upgraded sway bar is on the car. One of the front mounting bolts did snap off and required that it be drilled out. Yes, getting the rubber mounting bushings on the A-arms is a chore. But it is done.

Now the "surprise", the car does not currently have a thermostat. That and the dissimilar combination of metals of the housing is providing the opportunity to exercise patience.

Tomorrow, Sunday 12/6 there is an event at AAA Speedway, Fontana. The Historic class is running group 4, after the mid day course walk. I will be driving a 260 Z and if you have any questions, let me know.

David

The combination of metals of the thermostat housing, bolts and the head have won. They will not be coming off in a reusable manor. No joy, on this situation. I do have the radiator ready to droop off tomorrow for inspection, it does have a rebuild tag on it from work done at some point. I am hoping that this one works out to be useable.

One more surprise revealed it self when the front rims and tires where bolted to the car and then given a tug. You might know that sound and movement of components that only more money and time will "fix".

On a positive note, driving the "Z" to day was a win. No, the owner of the car did prevail. But I did not make it easy for him. I can not wait to get the Roadster to an event.

The distributor is back from the East Coast and installed in the car. The new thermostat housing is on hand. The array of fresh radiator hoses will be installed with the refreshed radiator. Getting the car running is right around the corner. Then in the new year I can work through the front end of the car.

With the new tires and rims mounted on the car, sitting on the ground, the car is looking great. Giving the tire a tug rewards you with that sound and sloppy fell that all is not well. Starting with the upper control arm mounts. The ball joints were replaced by the previous owner. They must have been really bad.

A review of this last weekend, great weather and a fun course. On a very positive note, getting to drive an orientation lap in the new NSX was enlightening. The gear box shifts very quickly and on point, with out you. The front end electric motors pull you through the corners. The challenge, how to pay for it.

With the new year fast approaching, an update. The radiator is in place, the hoses have been replaced and I am out of parts to continue the refresh.

One round of odds and ends, then to the front end. I did find a vintage Racemark that will go on the car, bling is going to happen.

The events for the Cal Cub Region, Solo2 series will be posted on www.solo2.com. I'm hoping someone will bring out their car and we can give the Morgans a run for their money. We have a local class for older cars and if you are using 200tw tires, or harder, you will be running in the "Street" class's

Saturday is practice, 12 runs are the base line and more do happen. Yes, work/run format. It's a all day affair. Sunday is also work/run, 4 timed laps is the current norm. Typically it works out to a half day commitment. I have been involved with tech inspection for years and can help if you have questions about car classing. We have a Novice grouping that helps get you adjusted to the completion angle, at/on Sundays events.

One of the Morgan drivers runs a 1956 bone stock Mog on 16'' street tires, another has his refreshed tractor motor on dual side drafts and the hot shoe is very quick vintage car racer that has run with guy's like Sterling Moss and beat him. I was at Laguna Seca when he did it. Yes, he is that good.

But I keep him honest.

What class is the 311 in ? Vintage 4 cyl. Import ?
I remember the Sprite's were hard to beat ...so lite

In today's world, it's the tires. If you are running 200 tread ware ( 200 tw ) or harder you run H Street with a 1600. The 2.0 on the 200tw tires, you run in E Street.
If you are running Hoosers ( Purple Crack ) your running in the prepared class, FSP or CSP. Again, depends on motor displacement.

All the things you have done to your car in all cases, will be limited or enhanced buy your choice of tires. Please come out and check the new world of "miniature road courses", that we run at todays events. Yes, if you leave your Hoosers at home and install a ( pick you brand ) of the new 200tw tires you, run in the Street class. That is, at the So Cal events. The run group is called "Historic".

We even have a class for the cars running the engine swaps.

I wish the old Sprite's would come out to run, they have all disappeared.

The first Auto cross event of 2021 is now listed and open for registration on Motorsportreg.com for the weekend of January 16/17 at AAA Speedway in Fontana, CA. More details are available at www.solo2.com

My Datsun is not ready for this event, I will be out on track running my black 1982 BMW 320i, car #58, if you make it to the site. Saturday, at the practice, will give me more time to be a resource. Yes, their are details and restrictions to get on the site. If you show up after the start of the event they will be checking you per the protocol and have you sign the waves. Please send me a PM and I will be happy to talk with you.

David

The first event of 2021is this weekend, my wife's birthday is the 16th. Yes, I still get to go to the event. You have to start car preparation a couple of days before an event, even a bit more given this is the first event of the year. Yesterday was as simple as attaching the trickel charger and taking an inventory of "to do's" that include packing the car. The weather this weekend looks like the drive to the event should be a non-issue, two weeks ago we had 14" off snow.
Yes, it does snow in Southern California.

The Roadster is progressing, the seats have been dropped of for their rebuild. Yes, I am having them done by an individual who earns his living working old stuff into really nice working items. His shop is in the shadow of an old Air Force base and down the street from a brand new big gray distribution center that has a smirk on it. I chose to support old school, as long as I can find it.

The saga of the seats, enters the next phase. They have been disassembled and this morning I will go by the shop and get a better understanding of what he thinks is reusable. He called me, I can only hope.