My first resto project - all in

[mshort07]

We’ll I couldn’t resist. I added a new Datsun to the Hurd today. A ‘68 520. Looks like it will be a busy summer.

[notoptoy]

Nice!

[mshort07]

I’ll start a new thread, but wanted to share before I started it.

Got new wheels and tires for the 520.

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Even got brave and drove the truck into town. Furthest I’ve driven in a Datsun. Can’t wait to get the roadster back on the road.

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[Gregs672000]

Cool little Ride! My first "car" was a '73 620 PU, and it was my introduction to working on automobiles. I bet my truck was pretty rare... I think it was the last year of 4 wheel drum brakes (good thing too, as deep mud puddles left you with no brakes for quite some time), and the badging was a really nice "Datsun 1600" on the fenders that was different from the previous 520. Like so many here, I wish I had never sold it, but the Roadster was done and I was heading to CA to start school and needed the money... Enjoy it!

[derrickchand]

what flares are those? where did you get them?

[mshort07]

I bought them off eBay a few years back. They were an inexpensive JDM set. I looked back through my purchase history but couldn’t find any info on them. I did some extensive fiberglass modifications to them to get them to fit like they do.

[ahgrafx]

beautiful color

[s15to311]

Matt-

Thanks for keeping this thread going with updates! Congrats on all the progress, I'd love to check it out sometime. I'm in Richmond, VA so not too far away. Paint looks great btw!

[mshort07]

Quick question. Where does the large ground wire from the battery get ground to? Engine, frame, or body on a ‘67 1600? Can anybody shed light on where ground straps should be? Boy to frame? Frame to engine? It’s been 7 years and it’s slipped my mind. Thanks

[pebbles]

I ran 3. Should be a threaded boss near the alternator on the right side.
Batt to block.
Block to frame.
Block to body.

[mshort07]

Thanks for the grounding tips.

The past couple weeks have been regular work and work on Datsun electrical. Been putting it off because I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Took the old harness, stripped the loom tape off, cleaned it up, removed what I didn’t need anymore, and extended what needed to be extended. I moved the fuse block into the glove box and then switched it out for the ‘69 fuse block. A poster size wire diagram I printed out helped out greatly here.

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Before I inserted the dash I reinstalled the tach and Speedo cable. I realized then I should have installed the speedo cable before I put the body on the frame. Maybe the issue came from my Frankenstein roadster. Should there be a dimple in the trans tunnel to give space to insert the Speedo cable into the 5 speed? Anyway, I decided to cut a hole in the floor. Putting the cable in was real easy now but now I have a hole to close up.

After that I went back to sliding the dashboard in. So far so good.

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Got to hooking up the harness that goes to starter motor and that’s when it went down hill. Well the spade clip on the starter solenoid broke off. Not good. After cursing for awhile I dug in and started to fix the issue. I started remembering all the threads I read on what a pain it is to get a starter out.

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I took the heat shield and the rear carb off and I was able to get some access to the starter. I then figured I could solder a lead to where the old spade broke off. Success and I was able to put it all back together. A one minute job turned into four hours.

All I need now is to run the harness that runs to the rear of the car.

[mshort07]

Proof that the electrical is getting done. Hope to have the electrical finished today.

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[notoptoy]

Car show with the Truck and progress on the Roadster in the same weekend - that’s productive weekend!

[Mattk]

The way your roadster is up on stands and the angle of the picture makes it look like a landspeeder type roadster just floating in the garage.

Great progress! Keep it up!

Cheers
Matthew

[mshort07]

It’s been hovering for a long time now. Maybe trying out the jacked up 4x4 look. Haha