Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hello all, new to roadsters, selected the 311 because I fit. and the 311s.org group looked like a lot more fun than the Sunbeam group (also fit post 68 Alpines as well) I'm 6'5", and I can still see under the windshield frame comfortably, assuming I can tighten up the sunvisor. 1970, 2000. bought sight unseen on e-bay, I'll let you know how that works out! Body looks to be in great shape, engine sounds good, no leaks, reasonable interior. Not sure when/if the timing parts have been changed so that may be a winter project. No information/history from the previous owner besides recent brake work, so I'm kind of running blind here. I'll post more pics when I can.
Black and white checker strip was the first thing to go!
Cheers Bill

Welcome to the insanity! Where are you located?

Welcome, you are in good hands.

Up in Millers Falls in Massachusetts.

The car most recently was in Debray Fla.

Have you joined DRONE?

Yes I'm on their email list

Welcome, and great looking car. I changed out the steering wheel (for a Grant, easy process) for more knee room, got a 13". I am 6'3" with a long back, and got rid of visors long ago, got good sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and never looked back)
You can pull the valve cover and see if the tensioner is pushed way out, but otherwise go by the sound. If on start-up it sounds like a Brazilian drum solo for 10-15 seconds then you may be in store sometime soon.
I had no idea of the vintage of my chain set, have is for 12 years and 36k miles, and it is soon becoming time for me to take the plunge.
Just enjoy and monitor.
there is a list of "nice to have's" that folks do to new purchases.
-secondary trip wire for hood and trunk latch
-make sure pos cable isn't sitting on bellhousing as it crosses over to starter
-grounding cables
-rinse between front fender and support (by the door), this is a "trap" area that rust can begin

Welcome to the fray. (more pics, more pics, more pics!)

Welcome aboard!
I agree with Fergus, more pics!

The good news is at this point there is no need for a secondary trip wire, most of the hood latch mechanism is MIA. At this point the hood stays closed by gravity alone. The trunk lock cylinder is missing so there's a rubber grommet in its place that allows a screwdriver the flip the trunk latch...
Will the Brazilian drum band be noticeable on all starts or just cold starts?

All starts because oil pressure has to build in order to push tentioner out hot or cold, prob more so on cold starts.

I removed the sun visors completely.

The top works as good as the sun visors...LOL....

So I took a few more pics. I phone stuff so they're not the best but you can get an idea of the car. Popped off the valve cover, would like some opinions, hacksaw and drive, or take the timing change plunge... As a newby here feel free to direct me to a different part of the BB. Thanks
Bill

What carbide are those ?? Downdrafts ?

That first pic shows the beginning of the evil L.

Perfect illustration... Cut that sucker off before it ventilates your hood! The chain has likely stretched, but depending on what your needs, desires and plans are for the car, I might shim the tensioner, run 20/50 oil and drive it for a time. Does it have the antidrain tube inside the oil filter? Wonder how it runs with the twin downdrafts. How do you balance those? Can you use a flow meter? Manometer on the manifold ports?

I also see a vac hose off the intake manifold. Hard to tell in the pic when I zoom in, but it looks like it may snake back to the dizzy for vac advance, but that would be wrong as it should be outboard of the throttle plates.