New Guy in the Chicago area

[Starleaf]

DSC05368.jpg

DSC05367.jpg

Hi;
My name is Chris and I live about an hour Southwest of Chicago in Sheridan, IL.
I've actually owned my 1970 1600 since 1983. I bought the car in San Diego while I was a sailor in the US Navy.
I stopped driving the car about 10 years ago when the motor began to clearly become 'tired'.
Anyway, I pulled the car out of storage a week ago (I thought about selling it) and cleaned her up on the drive way.
I was in the process of searching the internet for a decent machine shop in the Chicago area to take the motor to and have rebuilt. I bought an extra head several years ago.
It's good to see that there is actually folks in the Midwest that enjoy these cars and could maybe help me find a good machine shop.
My car is actually still presentable... I did alot of restoration work on her in the 80's, But she got a few dings and scratchs while sitting in the barn and needs to have all the mechanicals gone through.

I also have a
90' 300zx 2+2
74 914
67 912
90 911 C2
78 Alfa spider
67 Mustang coupe
83 GS 1100E

regards
Chris

[GeoffM]

Hi Chris,
Welcome. You won't find a more helpful group than the Guru's on this forum.

You got pics of the 914?

[Starleaf]

elkhart 002.jpg

elkhart 072.jpg

Alright;
Don't blame me for being off topic with pix of my 914. This has been a good car for me,

I've owned this car for 20+ years too and have just kept her as a clean driver... I took these pictures last year at an SCCA regional race at Elkart Lake, Wis. My neighbor races a BMW 320 in ITB. I generally serve as his pit crew/ go-fer. This was a terrific weekend with good weather and racing.

I understand the Datsun Roadster group will occasionally meet at this track too?
More incentive to get my 1600 running again.

Chris

[S Allen]

Welcome Chris-glad you joined us. Get that roadster fixed so you can drive her. Any of you Chicago/Illinois folks know of a good machine shop for Chris? Good luck and that is not a bad looking car at all. The Porsche is not bad either.

Steve

[spl310]

There is at least one Roadster guy in Chicagoland that races, so presumably there has to be a machine shop familiar with the motors...

[Starleaf]

Thanks for the Welcome guys;
I'm just thinking out loud here, but I've spent a couple of hours looking around on the forum and elsewhere on the web and I'm seriously thinking about doing an SR20 swap into my 1600? I figure that it will cost me not too much more money... But I will end up with a car that is much more roadable and FUN.
I want to keep the car looking stock, and even want to keep the skinny tires and hub caps. But I would sure enjoy a modern engine!
I've been looking on EBay... It looks Like I can get an SR20 motor delivered for about the same cost as having a proper rebuild and balance on my R16, perhaps even less. The conversion would be a huge job for me, But I'm not scared off by what I see so far. And I need to go through alot of the brakes and exhaust etc. anyway. Don't think I want to take the body off the frame though.

Whats the difference between a black top and a red top motor? year? model?
Does anyone recommend a certain source for the engine and ECU gizmos?

Just thinking out loud.

Chris

[datsun1500]

John Wierz lives in Batavia, has a street 2000 and a race 1600. He would know where all of the good shops are and has a warehouse of parts including some R16 motors. Might be easier to drop one of those in...

PM me for his number

[DCooke]

Chris,
Well, you're not the only roadster guy in Chicago, although we've all had the same thoughts as you just never see another roadster out here. I'm in the far NW burbs and have a 68 & a 69 roadster. Matt Thomas has a 68 2000 and he's from Palatine. There are a couple others in Chicago, but elusive... There's several guys in Wisconsin & a few in Indiana. We've had up to 6 Datsun roadsters get together this summer. I've had mine at several local cruise nights this summer with alot of interest.
Welcome, lets get yours running and meet up!

Here's mine & Matt's in July at Barrington Cruise Night.



or here's the link
http://gallery.me.com/cookefam314#10017 ... olor=black" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DCooke]

Chris,
There is a shop in South Elgin that was run by a Datsun Roadster guy. The shop is called LaFox Auto & the guys name is Dennis Tobin. I ran into one of his mechanics at a car show in Woodstock a few weeks ago. It might be worth a call to see if they're still in the business. I'll also drop a note to Matt Thomas as he's had some recent work done on his roadster & may know of a good shop. My 68 roadster has been running great since I've had it, I do have a good mechanic, but his shop is up in the Barrington area.

LaFox Auto
959 N. LaFox Street
South Elgin, IL 60177
phone: 847.931.1555

[DCooke]

Chris,
In reading your 2nd post about a possible engine swap, it caught my attention. While my 68 1600 is running good & looks great, my 69 1600 needs a lot of work. I was also thinking about an SR20 swap as the price seems reasonable for the motor. I would most likely need a shop to do the swap though as this seems a bit out of my league. Let me know if you find someone to do the swap. I've always wondered what kind of price it would be to have it done. With the motors going for under $2000, I would think it shouldn't be too bad to have it installed. I have a welding friend who could do the notch & weld up the motor mounts.

[DCooke]

Chris,
Here's a comment from Matt Thomas in Palatine, IL, looks like he has a mechanic he trusts...

Milo at Forgein car Rebuilding in Palatine specializes in Japanise motors. He also owned a roadster years ago. He did the top end rebuild on my 2000. Fortunately the 1600 parts are much more availbe and less costly. I don't think he takes credit though?
Talk to Matt or Milo: 847-934-3920

[ppeters914]

[snip]
I was also thinking about an SR20 swap as the price seems reasonable for the motor. I would most likely need a shop to do the swap though as this seems a bit out of my league. ... I've always wondered what kind of price it would be to have it done. With the motors going for under $2000, I would think it shouldn't be too bad to have it installed.

I've heard estimates of $8k-$10k to have it done. Waaaaaaaaay out of my paygrade.

[Starleaf]

Thanks for all the replies and input guys. I have been away from the computer for the past few days.

I've done some thinking about how to go about getting my roadster on the road...
I'm just going to pull the motor this week and drop it off at a machine shop. I will contact and visit each shop recommended.
I bought a good used 1600 head on EBAY several years ago and I think the poor head in my car is most of the problem. I will have it all rebuild stock, but balanced.

I will see how the motor pull goes, thankfully I'm on vacation so I have time and a bit of extra money to 'waste' on the roadster...

I also thought about just selling my roadster as it is... And just buying a decent 2000 that I can enjoy now?
or buying a decent runner that is rusty/roached and swapping drive trains.

decisions
Chris

[dbrick]

I also thought about just selling my roadster as it is... And just buying a decent 2000 that I can enjoy now?
or buying a decent runner that is rusty/roached and swapping drive trains.

decisions
Chris

You know, sometimes that's the best solution. Buy the car someone else dropped $10,000+ into for half or two-thirds that and drive it tomorrow, vs a year in the garage and the same dollars spent.

[DCooke]

I also thought about just selling my roadster as it is... And just buying a decent 2000 that I can enjoy now?
or buying a decent runner that is rusty/roached and swapping drive trains.

decisions
Chris

You know, sometimes that's the best solution. Buy the car someone else dropped $10,000+ into for half or two-thirds that and drive it tomorrow, vs a year in the garage and the same dollars spent.

That's exactly what I did & I'm really glad I did. I'm out in my 68 1600 enjoying the ride almost everyday this summer, while my old 69 sits in the garage. waiting...