Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Drove to work today - surface streets only - and it was incredible. So peaceful and relaxing. There is just something about these cars. It is running extremely smooth and strong. I’m only driving up to about 40-45mph and maybe will top at 55mph on a downhill cruise. What is interesting is that people actually drive slow with me - I figured most would zoom right around me - maybe that’s just the mentality on our freeways?

Quick update.

Went to my 1st cars and coffee with the Datsun a few Saturdays ago in San Clemente. LOTS of fun!

Submitted the Datsun in the Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) which was shown on their YouTube video (digital car show this year)

In regards to projects I'd say I have been all over the map. I am working on getting the hood fully lined up and properly attached - let's just say it has been very frustrating even with reading up on all of the tricks/tips/etc.... I think I know now why the front area next to the headlight was badly dented from PO. I've also been constantly wiring and re-wiring. I am using it as my daily driver bc I refuse to garage this and only drive 1/month or similar. But bc of this I need to make sure it is still drivable which can make it difficult to accomplish much... oh and I drive to work 4 days a week.

With Covid and now these fires I'm pretty exhausted (I have asthma along with other auto-immune stuff) - I'm getting to the point where I just want to turn the car over to a shop and have someone finish the rest of my projects. But of course I don't have the $$$$ to give to a shop - plus it's really fun being able to step back from the car and admire all the blood, sweat, and tears I've put into this.

Hope everyone out there are as healthy as can be these days. Take care!

Pictures taken recently...

Looking good, stick with it you are getting closer to your goals every project you tackle no matter how small. I also think you have my favorite plan - what ever project you start, has to be finished to the point you can drive it right away - no downtime!

Mac, have a BBQ and the Datsun gang can show up and do some repair...with masks. Would give you a little boost.
Your car is pretty much done though isn’t it?
Linda

Still loving the Datsun as my daily driver.
I also like my carbs A/F ratio setup I have now. I'm running about 10.5 - 11.5 (rich) at idle and about 14.5 - 15.5 at mid/high speed. I have to use choke to start up but I've learned this is better and should not start up without using the choke (it used to be like this - convenient yes - but not ideal for engine)

Still working on projects. Next project will be installing new stock front brake pads.

Even though the headlights aren't stock I am really loving how bright they are at night. Also the rear reflectors have been removed and replaced with the later model side markers. I have also changed all of the tail light bulbs to RED LED which makes a huge difference in brightness. I just had to change the flashers to accept LED bulbs.

I've been putting my nutsert installation tool to good use. It is simple and super effective. The bolts hold much stronger than self tapping screws (in my personal opinion). I also think it looks a lot cleaner.

My odometer doesn't work so I decided to see if I could fix the problem. I'll probably end up driving it over to Jon Frampton since he is really close to where I live and he does great work.

After my stock dog bones broke while driving I decided to make extra dog bones. I searched to see if vendors sell these style dog bones but I couldn't find them. But obviously I am sure all vendors are able to supply dog bones as needed. However I'm THINKING about making a bunch and selling them - any thoughts on this? They are the exact same setup as the stock 1600 SU dog bones - right/left turning screws/nuts style.
1st - I don't want to step on any vendor toes so if I am please let me know. 2nd - Do you think these dog bones will help members or waste of time? Any other input?

I installed 2 speakers in each headrest. I just had to cut out the foam and wire them thru. They work great!

Hope everyone is having a safe time now - oh and if Steve is reading this - DO NOT REMOVE THIS WEBSITE hahaha. I wanted to add to that post but it got locked. I love 311s.org and it has substantially helped my progress on my projects.

Re: The dog bones. If those are the same pieces listed in the techwicki, I can tell you they work great. I've had them on my car for a few years now. Make sure you keep and include the clips as they hold the dog bones on the ball joint. They are easy to put on and remove. I think they would sell well.

devo wrote: Tue Dec 29, 2020 8:14 pm Re: The dog bones. If those are the same pieces listed in the techwicki, I can tell you they work great. I've had them on my car for a few years now. Make sure you keep and include the clips as they hold the dog bones on the ball joint. They are easy to put on and remove. I think they would sell well.

Yeah they are the ones from the most up to date write up on the tech wiki. I also saved all of the clips and other misc pieces but I actually decided not to install the clips in mine since I felt it was lacking the “play” I was looking for when twisting them side to side. They are very tightly attached to the throttle/carb so I’m confident they will last a very long time.

Update?

2mAn wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:20 pmUpdate?

Haha well not much actually. Still driving the Datsun all the time. Oil change here - fuel filter change there.

I do have some projects in the works but no updates ready for them yet. Lately I’ve just been enjoying the drives

Awesome, glad you’re enjoying it. Maybe another video soon, eh?

2mAn wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:10 am Awesome, glad you’re enjoying it. Maybe another video soon, eh?

Yeah I’ll post more on my YouTube channel soon

I feel like I’ve been MIA for a while but I assure you the projects and fun have not stopped

I really need to take a good day to just sit down and organize all of my photos - but I wanted to at least post something again showing progress is still being done...

The high priority project has been (drumroll) - working to get the windshield back on the car.

So I’ve been doing all I can to do just that.

One challenge was just getting all of the brackets separated so I could do a proper prep work. Got that done but had to drill out some stubborn screws. I’ll make sure to re-tap the holes just in case. Then I went into removing all rust which was a large combination of a heavy clean, rust remover, and MANY stages of sanding. I am extremely happy with the results so now I’ve FINALLY come to the fun/scary part - prime and paint!

So yesterday I put on the first few coats of flat primer. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go flat black or gloss black for the windshield so that’s why I used flat. I’m glad I did bc I actually decided I’m going to go gloss black.

So for today (literally right now) I am doing a very very light sand (3000 grit) to smooth out any minor imperfections from it drying over night - and then another few coats of primer. Next I will begin with the gloss paint. I am working very slow and meticulous to avoid having to make corrections. I am also doing 1 bracket at a time.

My wife is EXTREMELY anxious for me to get my windshield back on (she isn’t much of a fan fighting the wind blowing her hair all over the place on our little drives).

As far as other misc projects I’ve been doing:
- rebuilt choke with new cables
- wiring/electrical
- inspected brakes (there is a leak in front left brake)
- I might change my current alternator to the much smaller alternator
- wrapped dash

Sorry I haven’t been shooting videos but here are some pics below. Hope everyone out there is doing well in these hard times!

Yep significant leak in that Caliper somewhere. That 2nd Rotor picture sure looks like the Rotor may be shot with those deep grooves (or is it just uneven decolorization?) . More fun to come!

DAC21 wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:20 pm Yep significant leak in that Caliper somewhere. That 2nd Rotor picture sure looks like the Rotor may be shot with those deep grooves (or is it just uneven decolorization?) . More fun to come!

Yeah the leak is pretty bad. The rotors are already pretty thin as it is so I’m just thinking to replace the rotors as well. Yup - more fun for sure lol

Mackn367 wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:25 pm

DAC21 wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:20 pm Yep significant leak in that Caliper somewhere. That 2nd Rotor picture sure looks like the Rotor may be shot with those deep grooves (or is it just uneven decolorization?) . More fun to come!

Yeah the leak is pretty bad. The rotors are already pretty thin as it is so I’m just thinking to replace the rotors as well. Yup - more fun for sure lol

"While you are in there" replace the inner wheel bearing as well I would think?