Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Got a bunch more done today:

Took advantage of having empty space behind the dash and replaced the two broken twisties up by the windshield. Still a bitch to get to, but infinitely easier with the extra room.

Mounted all 3 cleaned and modified gauges, only cutting and scraping my hands about 999 times, so that's an improvement.

Cleaned 52 years worth of dust bunnies, crumbling dash foam, and other weird stuff from behind the dash.

Installed new rubber seals on the cowl vent flaps - so easy with no wiring or heater in the way.

I also started installing the black cardboard "insulation" that goes on the firewall. Once I finish that, it's dash wiring harness install time. Oh boy.

Getting up under the dash, then back out, then up under again over and over is exhausting and requires a lot of contortions. Good thing I have a chiropractor appointment already scheduled tomorrow. I didn't take any pictures of today's progress. I didn't think photos of vent flaps would be exciting.

Oh baby cakes ! Good for you ! Getting under the dash to run cable and wires is like being a demented contortionist! The next day you wake up stiff and sore with shredded cuts on you hands. Feeling like a drunken sailor the morning after Liberty’
You’ll be tooling around in the lil gem shortly!!

Well, I guess I have to rescind my previous statement that the whole car is built around the center hump carpet piece. After fighting with the firewall cardboard today, I realize that it should have been installed before the center carpet. Live and learn. I manhandled it in there with only minor trimming and cursing required. The clear plastic tubing that covers the sharp ends of these screws where they protrude into the engine bay was now hard and brown. I got the smallest clear fuel line at the hardware store (that must be one tiny engine) and it fit perfectly. One less thing to slice my hands open on.

Then I started running the wiring from my Pertronix ignition box, separating out which wires will go where. Decided that, unlike yesterday's underdash work, it was picture-worthy, so...

Beautiful work! It's gotta be exciting to start putting meaningful pieces back together.

Godspeed,
pm

Big progress this weekend! Heater core installed and hoses connected, brake and clutch masters and lines are all in, got all 3 pedals installed. and then I went ahead and dropped the body onto the frame. It actually lined up easier than I thought it would. Got all the bolts installed and now the whole car assembly is off the lift and sitting on all 4 tires. Feels like such a milestone!

Still hundreds of little jobs to finish and only 26 days till Solvang, but this felt like real progress.

It IS real progress and looking great! You'll make your timeline for sure.

Very, very nice!!

Beautiful engine bay. Engine too!

Woo hoo, congratulations! Big smiles on your (and my) face for sure! Looks great!

SPOTLESS !! VERY NICE !!! You are farther along than I am... It truly looks Great !!

Fantastic job. You are coming to the end which will bring you much pleasure to drive. Enjoy Solvang.

Steve

Very nice work!!

Dean

Thanks for all the positive comments, everyone.
Dean, a lot of the parts on here are yours, so thanks for providing all these great parts for our cars. That goes for all the vendors on here. We would be in big trouble without you.

...and I've still got lots left to do.

Significant other has been out of town for 2 weeks, so I've been in the garage every night, and some days.

I really have accomplished a lot: fuel tank in, fuel pump mounted, added fuel pump power wire to the body harness and got the whole thing wrapped and installed, heater hoses in, battery cables in, added lots of engine / frame / body grounds, and a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting right now because its 11 pm and I'm tired.

Need to finish some electrical, the rest of the fuel and cooling systems, and I'll be close to firing her up for the first time since the engine dyno. Can't wait to post that video!

Ok. Time to sleep. I leave you with this photo. This is as good as the underside will ever look. It's all downhill from here.

Top notch work! That looks amazing and ready for some serious enjoyment!