Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Very cool!

Been awhile since last post. I have been working on the car a little here and there. Continuing to get the engine in tune. Waiting for shocks to arrive today. Hope to drive it around this weekend.

Speed of the project is not of essence, as long as you just keep on moving!

notoptoy wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 5:43 pm Speed of the project is not of essence, as long as you just keep on moving!

Well, yes and no. My intent was to have the car done before my wife's and my retirement. My wife has retired and I am close.
The shocks came through and are on. Big thanks to Dean at Datsun Parts.
Next up is a muffler shop.

Been working on the engine.
Replaced floats. (One sunk.)
Replaced timing chain and gears.
Dist is spot on.
Fuel pump works fine.
Fixed a couple of other fuel issue items.
Worked on carbs, adjusted linkage. Engine idles/runs a lot smoother.
I had ATF oil in the carbs and had backfire at all rpm's under load. I put in a heavier dampener oil in the carbs, but still have backfire through the rear carb at acceleration. No backfire under load at cruising.
I think I am close to getting it set.
Need to make arrangements to have body work done during the winter.

Drove the roadster around last weekend.
Engine feels a lot more responsive. But falls flat at higher rpm.
Float bowls did not over flow. No backfire through the exhaust when I shut it off.
Does still backfire through the carb randomly but only once.
Dan

It is my understanding that a backfire through the carb is a LEAN condition. Lean is potentially dangerous to an engine, better to be rich. I'm not an SU expert but there are likely adjustments that can be made. Take a look at your plugs and see how they are burning in general. 3 and 4 may be whitish. Balanced airflow?

Got the carbs sorted. Engine feels strong. Might even be near the rated 85 hp.
Took a chance and drove to the cars and coffee meet in Spokane. About 10 miles round trip, this is the farthest the car has gone since I put it back together. The car is licensed and insured.
Ran great, no issues. Do have a couple of new noises I need to check.
A couple of cars at the meet needed a jump, I turned the key and Consuelo started right up. No oil leaks.
Might be able to go out a couple more times, but looks like I need to get it ready for winter.
Dan

Finally got the car to a frame shop. Much straighter look for the car. Not perfect, still working to align the doors and fenders. Had to drive it to the shop there and back about a 30 mi round trip. Fun, the car has good acceleration, ran fine no backfire. At stop lights idled fine. Lots of thumbs up for the car. A friend followed me to the shop with a tow rope, just in case. He said no blue smoke, no black smoke. All my lights worked.
Now the starter is giving me issues. Oh well.

Good update! Starter: loose spade connection with the solenoid; loose/corroded main battery power cable; tired harness wiring (Curtis made a harness); worn out (get a gear reduction starter... many options, check tech wiki). Good luck! I had hoped to get out to Pulman/WSU to reminisce about finding the Datsun there under a pile of snow, but it has not cooperated well this summer and time is slipping by. Been pretty hot out there!

Thanks Greg, Yes loose spade connection.
Hot, yes could not work in my garage for a couple of weeks. Fine now, I have been bolting on some of the parts I have laying around.
Really need to start replacing all the rubber gaskets and bushings.
Dan

Also, loose ground connection. Check your grounds.
Issues taken care of.
In the 9th year of my 5 year project, I now have 104 miles on the car. It is fun to drive.

Woo hoo.... just in time for winter! Ahhhhhh! Hopefully the fall will be nice. Congrats!

Gregs672000 wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2024 1:56 pm Woo hoo.... just in time for winter! Ahhhhhh! Hopefully the fall will be nice. Congrats!

Yes,The first part of October should not be too bad. I plan on making a couple more runs, might even get 110 miles on the car before I put it away.

Got one more drive in Nov 8th. Went to my grand kids elementary school for the veterans day celebration. It was cold but dry. I had so much fun on the drive. The car is now put up in the garage, I need to fix the exhaust, work on the brakes, etc. Lots of maintenance items. But may not happen until next spring.
You all stay warm this winter.
Dan