Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

These engines seem to rock quite a bit on their mounts, how is that taken into account? Just revving the engine causes quite a bit of movement. Any chance that could dent the hood? Or is the aluminum thin/flexible enough to compensate?

Looking at Nissanman's photos, I love how uncluttered the intake/exhaust side of the engine is in the RHD cars - no brake or clutch cylinders, no steering shaft or box.

Fun Stuff! I love experimenting with things to see what "improvements" I can make. Cold air definitely makes a difference. I did a few airboxes over the years, some with remote filters and more or less "sealed". Ultimately I ended up routing cooler air to the intake via a tube with a cone filter on it and in front of the rad, with the rad moved to one side a bit and modified (i.e. cut) and the rad overflow moved to allow the tube to pass. Alvin will surely have some pics of what has been done on race cars (similar to your efforts).

Here's my solution... pics will be right side up when selected. Don't know if it works as well as a more sealed off compartment, but at least the intake has more access to cooler air. The separate heat shield under the throttle bodies (semi visible) REALLY cooled them off.

Keep up the good work, and have fun!

notoptoy, I have made sure that the top edge is well clear of the hood. The bottom edge runs 5 - 8mm above the body channel.
I'll run it for a few drives then remove it and see if there are any bruises or flesh wounds.
I need to roll some beads and paint it, so we are in the shakedown phase at the moment.
BTW, my run last night in cool Autumn weather went great.
I don't have before and after temp. readings but a cool air intake is something that you can definitely feel in the seat of you pants

Agreed about cooler air... would always notice how much happier my engine seemed at night or when experiencing significant changes in air temps.

I broke out the sawzall today and cut off the L part of the upper chain guide. Shimmed the upper tensioner. Yes, the upper guide bolt was missing, I presume it’s in the oil pan.

Also swapped front and rear lights and instrument light bulbs for LEDs

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download/file.php?mode=view&id=68298&si ... d9bc8af5c6

Progress so far on the "cold air intake" and conversion to a re-useable foam air filter. Here we have a comparison of the OEM paper filter with my new foam filter element.
Stock is 50mm wide, the foam custom jobby is 65mm wide. The filter has an internal wire frame and the external frame has an over centre latch to make the appropriate shape. Fitted to the air cleaner base it looks the goods.
The design is such that I can still use the OEM air cleaner lid to clamp down on the larger element. The shield has now been professionally shaped by yours truly on my el cheapo bead roller. First time effort, a blind man would be glad to see it! View from the intake side. View from the engine side. Air cleaner assembled with the 65mm element.
Now for a coat of satin black and we are all go
(Still waiting for the Chefs special sauce to add to the foam filter )

Curious....
Has anyone tried ceramic coating on the intake manifold to help keep exhaust heat out?
With a ceramic coated header and intake manifold you would think it would be beneficial.....

With a ceramic coated header and intake manifold you would think it would be beneficial.....

And a ceramic coated heat shield in between for good measure. Couldn't hurt.

Serviced the distributor after finding the vacuum advance / breaker points plate was seized to where it did not move with the vacuum advance. The vacuum canister is good. Upon disassembly found someone had swapped out the advance weights for the 7.5 degree versions. Cleaned and lubed the weights, breaker plate and verified everything was freed up. Added a pertronix also. The engine was previously timed at 0 per spec for the emission manual. I found in the previous owners paperwork where the car had failed smog due to initial timing being set at 16. So the car has had 15 degrees of total timing since it failed smog in ………..1992! Who knows how long the vacuum advance has been locked up. Previous owner only put 2-3k miles on the car since 92. I thought it drove pretty well before, not knowing what to expect. I think it will be a completely different animal with 20 additional degrees of timing, plus highway cruising should be really good with a working vacuum advance.

Vacuum advance is really only an emissions thing for cruising at part open throttle. Gives the engine more time to burn a lean mixture thus cleaning up the tail pipe emissions. It really is amazing how much crud accumulates between those sliding plates for the VA.
Oh, and make sure you don't lose your balls

"Vacuum advance is really only an emissions thing for cruising at part open throttle."
I shall respectfully disagree.
At part throttle the leaner mixtures need more time to burn completely and the extra advance provides that. Improves part throttle power, response and gas milage.
Over the years have seen several Mikuni/Solex setups where they have incorporated the vacuum advance for those benefits.

Welcome A6T82000 (you'll have to explain that one to me!)
Yes, it will be very interesting to see the difference with a functional distributor! I imagine this poor car, artificially restrained, hoping to be set free again... and you rescued it! Well done. Good luck, let us know how it comes out, and ask any questions as needed!

Fixed an oil leak at the oil filter mount where it meets the block. Fixed the reverse lights and adjusted the valves after a good test drive

A6T82000 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:53 am Fixed an oil leak at the oil filter mount where it meets the block.

That can be a pesky one. I've tightened those up more than once!

And Nissanman, nice work on the cold air system! Hope it works out great!