Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Well, to this site anyway!

I was referred here by a buddy in Hood River, thought well what's another Datsun forum, what the heck. (Already a member at 510 Realm and Ratsun.net).

I'm a long time Datsun gear grinder, got my first 510 back in the early 80s, then of course the disease progressed and I picked up a Z Car and a '69 2000 as well. I wish I'd never sold the 240, but isn't that always how it goes, needed rent money! (But I think I made the right choice as there are still more Z's around than Roadsters.)

Along the way I've been beating the daylights out of 510 wagons and summer driving Roadsters, picking up a couple more as I went you all know the drill I'm sure. So now I have a rusty 68 outside, my first '69 in a shed awaiting some love (been waiting for a while), and my 67.5 fake 2000 with low windshield and a transplanted U20. (No tantrums now, it came that way!)

This car needs love as well, but ran OK when I set it on blocks 7 years ago when wheel cylinder problems developed, and a baby on the way. It's also the straightest of the three, and it's not bad.

So that car is why I joined up. The kidlet is now 6 (and a blast!), things have settled down and this spring I'll be digging in to get the brakes sorted out, get some fresh fuel in the tank, squirt some oil in the cylinders, and fire that puppy up. I'm rather jazzed. It's been wayyy too long.

What I know I need to deal with...

Brake issues
brushes wearing down in generator
engine hasn't started since 2006ish
tired of the whatever ratio in the rear, it's way too short (function of really being built for the 1600, I'm sure), I'd like to get a taller gear back there. Even before I parked it I was tired of too many RPM at modern freeway speeds.
Seats not great
No top at all, need soft top
seat belts from the pleistocene age

Anyway, thought I'd say hi and make myself known around these here parts.

Hi.

(OK, I just went to check out how the post looked and I notice an introductions forum. Oh well).

Not much of a noob at all!!
welcome to the site, my car wouldn't be a driver without the help of this community.

p.s. - put your location in your profile, and post an engine bay picture as quickly as possible. Any picture will do.

There we go, location added. No roadster pic yet, so the deathmobile will have to suffice for now!

Welcome, always happy to (re?) introduce a noob to the forum. hard to classify anyone with 3 roadsters as a noob though!
We look forward to pictures cause that's what we thrive on!

MtnGoat wrote:There we go, location added. No roadster pic yet, so the deathmobile will have to suffice for now!

Welcome

There are lots of knowledgeable roadster folk near in WA and OR to help solve any issues with your roadster or Datsun.

thanks guys.

Assuming I get it running sweet in the spring, this summer I'll be heading up N to visit my Canuckian GF, who lives near Kamloops. I'll thinking about doing a big loop, maybe up the west side so I can drive the Coquihalla, then return via Kelowna/Osoyoos/Omak.

Not sure where Lyle WA is but I have a 3.7 pumpkin you can have from my car. Been sitting in the shed for a thousand years after swapping in the 3.9. Are you sure yours is a 3.9 in the rear? Different gear box ratio? I think the 3.9 is perfect for overall driving.

Hi Greg, that's a kind offer I may take you up on. Methinks it might actually be a 4.11, I seem to recall the 1600s came with that one.

Lyle is down in the Columbia gorge. Im on the dry side of the mountains halfway between Hood River and The Dalles, but on the WA side of the river.

Stock 1600s came with the 3.89. You might check to see if you have a limited slip? Others here may be able to help you determine for sure what gears you have so you can make the right decision. I'm not super close but within striking distance during some summer runs down south (Bonney Lake is east of Tacoma, about 25 minutes)... could bring you the pumpkin sometime if you're not in a hurry... I'll never use it, I prefer the 3.9 and may eventually spring for a Mazda limited slip set up next year. If you have a 4.11 others may want that pumpkin. What goes around comes around!

I'd happily trade it out for a lower one in a swap if I determine thats what's needed. All I know is of the three 2000s the one which was changed to a 2l has noticeably higher R's on the freeway. Maybe I'll check the tire sizes on the three and see if that's part of it, and I'll measure the ratio back there.

I swapped out my whole 3.7 axle for a 3.9 many years ago; a little higher RPM's on the freeway but a little quicker off the line.

Ya, I can't imagine that a 3.9 with a stock 5 speed is giving too many RPMs on the freeway. I'm thinkin that someone swapped in at least a 4.11 or maybe much higher, or maybe a close ratio 5 speed (all of this could be a good thing for you as others who autoX may want what you have). A 3.7 in a 5 speed at 70mph was 3200 rpms. Mine is closer to 3400 rpms now with the 3.9, running 195/60/14s.

Here is another thought that you may like Greg. The diesel truck 5 speed may be an option. 1-4 are almost identical to the stock roadster 4 speed gearbox (which autox guys used to put into 2000s way back when), and the 5th is a monster overdrive. You get the around town fun - especially with the 3.9 with a loafing on the highway 5th.

^ This is cool.

4 speed gearbox (which autox guys used to put into 2000s way back when)

uh yeah... and some current guys too.

Ok I've finished up deathmobile work and the shop floor is open.

I'm ready to do some prep!

I'd like to put a Pertronix ignition in it works great in the wagon.. anyone know which model I need?

Sources for wheel cylinders.... Or is there a reasonable disk conversion? I'm parting up to do maxima disks in the rear of the wagon.

Alternator needs brushes.... Is there an internally regulated swap like I did on my wagon? That was ez due to the Lego like properties of L series variants, I haven't looked into the bracket situation for the u20 vs alternators