Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Alvin wrote:Installed a new steering wheel:

Pretty!

tjp wrote:

Mainer311 wrote:My roadster sat and watched while I tuned an MGB. Sigh.

The sad part: it was significantly easier. The upsweep of the SU's lets you clearly see the dashpot pistons, and the throttle linkage is easier to work with because it doesn't use those damn sloppy wishbones.

@Mariner311: Well the nerve of the British making something easier

while I had the front timing cover off as part of my timing chain and sprocket replacement job I decided to take some vengeance on the Evil-L.

I bent back the two ends of the lock plate and took off 3 bolts and it lifted right out. (of course I already had all the sprockets and chains off from being in the middle of the other job). Then I found a hacksaw, a file, a big C clamp to hold it to a deck railing and exacted my revenge!

I thought about using a dremel and a cutoff wheel but the hacksaw seemed like it was a more brutal way to get rid of that Evil-L and was more enjoyable.

I guess I wont have to worry about it again!

Just so you know, in the future if you do any work requiring the cam gear being removed you will need to fabricate something to hold the chain up. I use a sharpened and shortened wooden paint stick that slides between the chain in the middle to pin the chain against the chain guide (as is done on Nissan L-series engines). Works fine.

I did mine the easy way many years ago, let the chain cut it off!

Whoops

Continued over the past week on slow and steady progress on cleaning up my ride. The one significant body dent was the left rear panel where the bumper was pushed in. I had a mobile paintless dent repair guy come by and take it out; I did NOT want to subject it to drilled holes and bondo. It will need some light fill when I finally get around to a new paint job. I also dropped off both bumpers at Superior Chrome for some repair and re-chrome. Turns out I just missed Mike Young who was picking up a couple of bumpers of his own! Can't wait to see the results of Mark's work on these and get them back on the car.

I took my dash and carpet out only to find some fiberglass and rust in the kick panels -_____- So the hood, fenders, and bumper are coming out because I can't bring myself to put it back together in such a condition

Two coats of Meguir's #7 wax (to re-hydrate 22 year neglected paint), a polish and another coat of wax. Plus some new tires and wheels.

From this:


To this:

WOW! Stunning transformation. What happened to your rear trim.

I'd pulled the chrome strips off to buff out some discoloration. I don't have it all back together yet!

I'm still working on the interior.

Old:


New:

Jason, that looks fantastic!

More like "What did I do TO or FOR my Datsun this spring and summer...(and winter 2011-2012)."

First off, I'm not a mechanic. I'm learning as I go, thanks in large part to this forum and the awesome folks who post here! After 14 years of owning this 68 2000, I'm almost done with the mechanical restoration/refresh. I'll find out this week if it will start and drive!

I sent off my engine for a rebuild two years ago, and after 21 months, they finally finished it. New pistons, rings, timing components, valves, gaskets/seals -- the whole shebang. The transmission was inspected by an expert and gaskets replaced a while back.

-New clutch, starter, GM alternator (moved to passenger side), water pump, EI distributor and coil, updated to a '70 fuse box, electric fuel pump, went back to the original air cleaner, rebuilt harmonic balancer, new U-joints in steering and driveshaft, all new wheel cylinders and caliper pistons, new wheel bearings, etc.

Added a battery cutoff switch on the firewall in the passenger footwell, painted the engine bay black (yeah yeah, I know - I plan to paint the whole thing black when I'm rich and famous), radiator and fuel tank were boiled out and painted by a local shop (radiator cap was updated to a pressurized type that's easier to find), added a headlight relay and upgraded to fancy lights from Moss Motors, Volvo 850 console lid swap (featuring CUP HOLDERS!).

Things I did a few years ago, but 0 miles since I did it: Z-Therapy carbs, lowered front springs, KYB shocks all around, urethane bushings throughout the suspension, beefier sway bar, hand-sanded an old set of 5-slot mag wheels.

I'm sure there are other things, but that's what I can think of now. Would love to hear comments and questions!

Looking very good Michael!
Michael