Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I bought The Datsun in 1975, a yellow 1968 2000. It was so much fun to drive, but it wasn't kind to me. Maybe I just didn't find good mechanics, and there certainly wasn't the knowledge available that there is on this site. I had the timing chain replaced in 1976, and again in 1977. Somewhere in there was a new clutch. And then there was the electrical fire. In 1979 the timing chain broke, I guess I'm lucky it only came thru the valve cover and not the hood. This time I pulled the engine and transmission and hauled them off to a "race" shop for a rebuild.
After that chunk of change, small by today's standards, I was afraid to drive it because I figured it would just keep eating dollar bills. Every time I lifted the hood I saw the welded scar on the valve cover, it should have been shaped like a dollar sign. Since I wouldn't have been able to sell it for what I spent on the rebuild, The Datsun just sat in the garage.
Life got in the way and The Datsun sat until 1986. My father-in-law had just retired and was looking for a project. I offered to give him The Datsun if he promised not to give it back. He gave it a quick restoration, a coat of red paint, drove it for awhile, and broke his promise and gave it back. Couldn't sell it now because of the time he put into it, so again it just sat in the garage.
In 2003 my son had it running and drove it for awhile, but he never really got the bug and The Datsun got parked once more.
Now I've got some extra time and The Datsun is coming out. I've been lurking for some time now and have read every post on this site. I have a hit list of things to do, and I thank all of you for that. I also have a wish list, that I blame you for. For instance, I needed a few small things like hood trim and a light knob, so I bought another 1968 2000, which coincidently was originally yellow, repainted red, and spent more time sitting than mine. As a bonus, I will no longer look at a welded valve cover.
I plan to make it to Solvang, but that will be without The Datsun, and I hope to be driving it by Shasta. Sorry for the long story. Hope to meet some of you, get some help from the locals, and continue to learn from all the posts and stories. I do get the feeling that you are all swimming in an ice cold pond, saying "Come on in, the water's fine!" Here goes...

It's not all beer and skittles, but it ain't a Fiat either. Dependability is not too hard to achieve, just wait for everything to break the first time.

In addition to Shasta there is the Shedd BBQ in Oregon. Fairly close to you and everyone has a good time it looks like. It is in Aug.
Congrats on keeping your Datsun

Linda

great story and welcome!

Welcome! If you need an unwelded cam cover to ease the pain, I have one in the garage!

Welcome, I threw my chain many years ago too. Didn't have the welding skills for aluminum at the time so my dad and I fiberglassed it and painted it red lead primer color (not sure why we did that as aluminum doesn't rust??). Still have it just for the memories.

I look at it from time to time but you know what, parts are actually easier to get now than they were 20 years ago thanks to the internet.

Paul

Welcome!

JohnnyMac wrote: I do get the feeling that you are all swimming in an ice cold pond, saying "Come on in, the water's fine!"

Welcome. The water really is fine...
Thanks for sharing your story.

Great story, and welcome.
Definitely unlucky choice of mechanics. I'd have to say that once sorted (which mine was when I bought it, luckily, and not thru a plethora of skill/knowledge of my own) they are hell for reliable. I have driven the stink out of mine, all the while watching the timing chain and gears get longer and looser, and have yet to feel your pain (but that bill is staring me in the face)
Great looking car, I'd say both of them. the black stripe car has a very "rustic" look, but that just makes 4-wheel drifts on gravel fire roads much less of a worry.

Welcome, great story! Not sure why the chain gave you such trouble unless something wasn't right with the tensioner or oil pressure. They are pressure fed and if the small hole that feeds them gets blocked (can happen with a bad gasket or some other plugging) they won't tension the chain and BANG she goes! Alternatively, sometimes a lack of gasket will allow the oil to get past the tensioner. We all shim our tensioners with nylon washers to avoid the low oil pressure "death rattle" and can help you with this and how to easily inspect your chain and guide for lurking issues. We can also help you "de-smog" the car so it runs the way it was originally designed.

The stars have aligned, the time has come. Welcome to the addiction! You're in the right place!

Welcome John,

You are going to love driving the car again.

It's funny you have a Datsun in Redding - I recently bought a '64 1500 from there from a guy named Joe. He said his brother had it a dealer showroom there for years. Did you even see it? It is Sora (sky) Blue. I think it also sat in his driveway under a tarp for a while.

Cheers
James

Thanks to all for the welcoming and encouragement. And thanks for not beating me up over the cam cover/valve cover thing, the one from the parts car will make the old one a memory, but I'll probably keep it around like Paul. I lived in San Jose for many years, if I had seen Alvin's or Mike's cars I might have started back down this road long ago

@Fergus- The parts car is beyond rustic and the only way it will drift is on a steep downhill! Minus a few parts, it will be available shortly.

@Greg- Thanks. Reading the wiki about the shim on the tensioner was actually the primary reason I decided to jump back in, that along with the availability of the EI distributor. Both those and a de-smog are tops on the hit list.

@James- I have seen a few around town, but don't recall seeing yours...if I had, it might not be yours now