Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

There is no way I could have done this without the help of Curtis. He is a true artisan who made me a harness in no time. Cktrap was critical to the solution as well as he gave me basic auto electrics lessons. Unbelievably patient. So as always with my car, until I can go through everything a problem will probably mean a combination of several contributing factors. I'm just getting started. Wait till you hear the carbs story.

Don't look at the light!!!! Aaahhhggg. Bzzzt.

I hate 69-70 fuse boxes. Actually in general I hate Datsun fuse boxes which is why I don't have one in my car.

Hmmm. I've never heard that from you before....

This car's wiring problem drove me nuts and I became obsessed to solve it. It pissed me off on a Saturday night that we weren't getting it fixed so I sat down and made a harness for the rear which is really the easiest to make. We were both almost screaming when it got solved. The hold up was he had cleaned up the box and it seemed to test good. This was a learning lesson for both of us and I learned new ways to trouble shoot this.

Don't look at the light!!!! Aaahhhggg. Bzzzt.

Shall we weld some alligator clips???

Man, that is some fun findings!! I’m sure from here on out it will be (mostly) miles of smiles!... I need to get my lighting situation figured out too but first I have to get mine running...

It is funny, but as Nissan updated the electrical system from 67 to 68 and again to 69/70 problems increased and reliability became worse. The 66-67.5 is really pretty simple and reliable if kept dry and free from corrosion.

68 offered the first optional melting/intermittent fusebox...it became standard equipment for 69/70.

I'd bet they brought in a new group of engineers for 69-70. Completely lost their minds with complicating the design,
abandoned the KISS principle, and introduced probably the worst electrics of all the roadsters (maybe of all Nissan cars?)

Still, aside from melting/intermittent fuse boxes, the sins of the PO continues to be the biggest electrical problem for these cars. Looks like your PO was a walking electrical failure....

Congrats on all your successes and terrific progress! Your silver beauty is really morphing into a super car.

melting/intermittent fuse box??!! You crack me up James.

Hang in there Simon!

Melting/intermittent fuse box is the perfect description. Yes, the early 4 fuse box is really okay as long as you keep it clean. Not much option there for anything additional and of course almost EVERY previous owner has decided to improve or add things to the electrical system.

If you maintain it and regularly check the connections so you don't get the broken insulator on the alternator terminal stud short, a VR problem or add things not meant to be there then it will work fine. When you don't then you have fried wiring due to the lack of a system fuse other than the ammeter.

Another thing is the exposed insulation will at some point get hard and crack. Then you have a bare wire somewhere. Wire inside the tape is generally fine.

I've seen several 68-70 boxes with burn/melt holes in them. Doesn't seem to be a matter of if but when it will happen. Loose rivets do not make for good connections.

Absolutely agree with JT on the PO comment... I even have a 67.5 and while driving mine it almost burned down - electrical issue with the ignition switch. But I will say as frustrating as some of these problems can be, it is also SO satisfying fixing the issues and learning more about these little addictions.

I never could get the rivet tightening process down.
I agree that cleaning is so important, so CRC Electric spray and a bag of teminals and connectors from Vintage Connections or eBay is essential to have on hand for me.
Linda

The first time I took my wife for a ride the left float stuck and fuel poured overboard through the temporary overflow line that I had routed away from the header. This was before I launched pieces of connecting rod and block into low earth orbit. Last weekend I was so proud to motor around the countryside with the wife, but noticed a slight pull to the right on braking. Popped the hood and found the rear master reservoir level down a bit so I added to my list for the week. When I got the car in the air, this is what I found. Hmmmm, is it the wife or the car? Better blame the PO. Anyway.. Hopefully I can kit the calipers, but I really dislike doing a portion of a brake system. I was also hoping I was finished rolling around on the concrete for a while. JT's header and flex pipe sure look nice though.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.........
B.S.

Hopefully all it needs is a kit but the cause is usually rust and the seal finally wears from the abrasion.