Dan's 66 VG30E Roadster

[dbrick]

It floats!


But actually this makes the second time I've gotten tires as a birthday gift from my parents. Just imagine new tires being on the rear not going flat.

Have to love useful presents. I think my wife is getting me a dashpad. My Mom got me a muffler once for my Dune Buggy, but I think she just hated the noise from the rusty shotgun exhaust.

[DanR]

Had to replace the alternator, the bearings were going bad and driving me insane. I'd rather just replace the whole thing than just fix it. Two impact wrenches later and the pulley was swapped from v-belt to ribbed, what a pain.

[Garm]

Is that iron "T" bracket how it's normally done? That's a great picture -- helps me a lot.

[spriso]

Dan wrote:

Had to replace the alternator, the bearings were going bad and driving me insane.

Did the bearings fail because the alternator belt is not perfectly aligned? We spent a huge amount of time getting the alignment of the alternator correct on our SR brackets-- we found that with the multi-ribbed belt that the slightest mis-alignment would cause belt squeal and early alternator failure due to side loading the alternator bearings.

Also, I would highly recommend putting a boot over your power outlet stud on the alternator-- I would hate to hear that your car burned to the ground because something shorted against that live post. (Remember, crazy things happen!)

Michael

[DanR]

Yea I am going to be putting something on that exposed terminal, I can't stand it being like that. The old alternator was on its last legs as it was original to the 20+ year old vehicle it came out of. The alignment is straight as an arrow though, it did take a while to get it just right.

Always thankful for the tips!

[dbrick]

as a temporary, a 90 degree ignition wire boot works well for the + terminal. Check the junk drawer.

[DanR]

That worked out great, junk drawer to the rescue.

[Garm]

uh... my question?

Is that iron "T" bracket how it's normally done? That's a great picture -- helps me a lot.

[DanR]

I don't know if that's how it's normally done, but that's how mine was done using spare bolt holes I believe where the normal FWD mounts go. The normal alternator bracket on a Nissan is down near the oil pan I believe.

[Garm]

gotcha thanks. I haven't done this relocation yet, but I have room without the smog stuff on there.

[DanR]

Was in my first car show for our small town with about 25 other cars. Didn't win anything, but that rust bucket Mach 1 and a factory 2012 Corvette somehow won trophies. Everyone loved it and seemed to be surprised it was a Datsun. I had the only import and non V-8 there, I think the fix was in

[pebbles]

Should have challenged someone to some roll ons! Looking good Dan!

[DanR]

Found the source of clunking from the rear end. No, I won't be paying $120 for a replacement when there's ingenuity.

[DanR]

I repaired the mount and I'm at about 100 miles now and it's still holding up, although I don't know how much it is actually supporting.

In other news I fixed my turn signal switch. The wiper contact that is on a spring was gouged or hand made by the previous owner, and the 4 small contacts on the switch were concave on the small board that supports them. I got out some medium solder and some fine sandpaper and everything is even and level.

I have also diagnosed my hard starting problem that was creeping up. I am losing fuel pressure after key-off, after about 30 minutes it is down to 0 psi, so I have to take a look at the check valve on the fuel pump.

[DanR]

Very hot day today, but I got my fuel problems squared away. The fuel pressure regulator was leaking through the diaphragm after a few minutes of running, causing it to lose pressure quickly and make it run rich. I also bled the brakes and put in fresh fluid, man was the old stuff funky and honey colored.

Figured I would give a quick walk around, keep in mind the exhaust isn't completely connected and the car sat out in a quick drizzle so it looks quite dirty. Apparently my camera sucks and has no image stabilization, or I have Parkinson's disease.

[youtube][/youtube]

Next week is leather wrapping the steering wheel and weatherstripping the doors.