Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Crashed a European car show with a wide variety of cars. My girl was welcomed and got her fair share of attention, and it can stay for the show.

"We’ve all seen these clips from the movie…the Incredibles, staring the Datsuns , yeah!"

Very cool! Thanks!

After a lot of searching I finally found double ended stainless NC NF studs to use on my head for the manifolds. Had to buy them from the UK. Could have got titanium for $8 each from here.

Got my seat belt bolts. Early Mustang bolts are almost the same as the Datsun ones for low cars. Head looks just like them.

Massive garage cleaning since the car will be back from paint in 3 or 4 weeks. First up lift the body and put on exhaust and engine and transmission. Bought some Harbor Freight stands for the body parts. My boxes of parts will start emptying. When completed there will be a parts purge.

As soon as my radiators come back I can try out my $26 lower hose.

Curtis wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 3:46 pm After a lot of searching I finally found double ended stainless NC NF studs to use on my head for the manifolds. Had to buy them from the UK. Could have got titanium for $8 each from here.

Got my seat belt bolts. Early Mustang bolts are almost the same as the Datsun ones for low cars. Head looks just like them.

Massive garage cleaning since the car will be back from paint in 3 or 4 weeks. First up lift the body and put on exhaust and engine and transmission. Bought some Harbor Freight stands for the body parts. My boxes of parts will start emptying. When completed there will be a parts purge.

As soon as my radiators come back I can try out my $26 lower hose.

"As soon as my radiators come back I can try out my $26 lower hose"

Curtis, did you run across a lower hose other than the Gates (NLA) / AC Delco usual suspects?

I believe so. Will post on it after I get my radiators back. Requires a small modification to the lower outlet. If your radiator is out you will find this worth it if it lays out as I think.

Curtis wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 5:26 pm I believe so. Will post on it after I get my radiators back. Requires a small modification to the lower outlet. If your radiator is out you will find this worth it if it lays out as I think.

I just reinstalled my radiator after flushing the entire cooling system and reinstalled carbs with a new heat shield/springs. With the refurbed heater valve confirmed that It now works and have heat (just in time for the Savannah Summer). I also installed a heat shield for the starter and some heat shielding for the exhaust headers to attempt to further reduce the heat transmitted to intake/carbs.

I swear that the access to some of the lower manifold and carb bolts are way harder to access than they should be! Too tight for box ends, no socket extension access ( seems like they are all hidden behind linkage) and mot enough room to slip your hands in to easily thread the nuts on! On a technical scale from 1-10 it should be a 1 ... but in reality much more difficult. Glad it's done and there are no leaks.

Yes those studs/nuts can be a serious pain! One thing I did was to actually shorten (i.e. cut) some of them and switched from 13mm to 12mm size nuts... same pitch and size but takes a 12mm wrench instead of 13mm. Not sure where I found those unfortunately as it was many years ago.

So the best tool for tightening or loosening the nuts on the manifold is a 12mm wobble socket. Also if you are in need of the correct 12mm hex 8mm X 1.25 hex nuts they are readily available, I carry them as well as a number of other vendors.
Dave

david premo wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 7:37 am So the best tool for tightening or loosening the nuts on the manifold is a 12mm wobble socket. Also if you are in need of the correct 12mm hex 8mm X 1.25 hex nuts they are readily available, I carry them as well as a number of other vendors.
Dave

There's your answer!

Apparently the previous owner must have switched them ... they were all 12mm nuts. I should have thought about trying a wobble socket but it seemed like the linkage would have been in the way or the exhaust tube itself. I think what made it worse was the fact that I am losing a little bit of dexterity in the hands.

Next time I'll give the wobble socket a try - Some lessons have to be learned the hard way!
Thanks guys!

Stick, that is what grandchildren are for, little hands and a willingness to help work on Grandpa's old car

Gave her a new juice box. 51R, from Nissan.

Nissanman wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 7:38 pm Stick, that is what grandchildren are for, little hands and a willingness to help work on Grandpa's old car

I'm getting close, but it's going to be a few more years before that - Can't wait!

JackAuffeltrades wrote: Wed May 22, 2024 8:30 pm Gave her a new juice box. 51R, from Nissan.

Looks great, and a smaller footprint too? I just had to replace my Optima red top after many years but mine is mounted in the trunk now, otherwise would certainly consider that one... it has the right name on it eh?