Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Same song, second verse, but I hope this time no worse. After selling #218 and playing around with airplanes and a lot of work, I think I have my second wind and ready to tackle #33. I bought this car back in September 2012 with the idea of just fixing a few things and driving her while building 218, but after getting her home, I discovered many things that pictures dont tell you. So after a bit of the "while I am here" took place, I decided to "moth ball her" and do a complete frame off again. This one may take some time as I am still covered up in work, but seeing her sit just wears on me. I have let it be known that I would sell her, but all I get is a few tire kickers who do not want to tackle a project of this kind. Maybe I can have her ready by Solvang 2016!!??!

Great to see you active again! I can't wait to see the progression.

After getting it home and checking it out, I discovered that 3 cylinders were really weak in compression. I ran a leak down check and found that the rings were shot, so I tore into the motor to find rings were busted on all cylinders with ring landings on 2 shattered as well. I have hand written notes from a notebook on what was done to the car back in the early 70's. It was the PO's intent to race this car and he documented what he had done. It seems that after the car was built he blew the headgasket on the first race. He then replaced gasket to only blow it again. He then O-ringed the head only to blow it again. I believe this is where he gave up on the car as there are no more notes. The car had 4.875 gearing, Koni shocks, comp springs front and rear, comp sway bar front and rear, and close ratio 5 speed.

While the body is in pretty good shape, it had the usual rust at front rockers. The door limiters were ripped out, and PO installed nylon straps as limiters. And if something didn't fit, a PO just got a bigger hammer.

My plan is to put this one back all original with none of my personalizing ways.

These pix are when I had 33 glass bead blasted. She sits in primer now, but I will be removing her from frame, placing on rotisserie, and making a trip over to Tulsa to have it blasted again, top and bottom side.

I need to fix a torn rear torque rod bracket on the frame and then I will get it over to the powdercoaters.

Skyman wrote:Great to see you active again! I can't wait to see the progression.

I read 311 daily and keep up with you all, just no time to post or work on cars. I have a huge project going on in Albany, KY and have been spending all my time there. I hope to have the start up past me by end of January and will be breaking ground in Joanna, SC for an identical mill sometime in the spring 2015. I should be able to dedicate a little time to 33 this spring and summer. I just got home a few days ago from a month long stay in KY. Maybe this Christmas break I can get a lot done on 33. She sits over at the hanger so I have a little more room to work.

Subscribed to your build, I'm sure it'll be another quality restoration.

Stock compression/pistons? PO kept blowing the head gasket, apparently doesn't figure out why, then o-rings the block... Ya, she'll need a full and thorough going through! With the broken rings, somebody had their specs, machine work or measurements screwed up! Glad You have her, now she'll get done right

Looks pretty straight overall! You could leave the comp springs, sway bar up front, and koni's... that wouldn't hurt... Would it?
Cracked "rivet in the C" valve cover...

Can't wait to drive her Bobby!

dw

Nice Bob! I know how these cans of worms get open and boy do things start wiggling around once you do!

For me living in a townhome, I was immediately jealous of your pic seemingly just taking #33 "out back" to media blast her. I was conspiring to build a tent myself and get to it on a weekday after everyone left for work and before they came back home. Then I heard this voice in my head (which was female) and that was the end of that..!

Keep grinding away...see you in 2016!

Gregs672000 wrote:Stock compression/pistons? PO kept blowing the head gasket, apparently doesn't figure out why, then o-rings the block... Ya, she'll need a full and thorough going through! With the broken rings, somebody had their specs, machine work or measurements screwed up! Glad You have her, now she'll get done right

It had Venolia high compression pistons.

Datsun.David wrote:Looks pretty straight overall! You could leave the comp springs, sway bar up front, and koni's... that wouldn't hurt... Would it?
Cracked "rivet in the C" valve cover...
dw

The crack is easy fix David. Much smaller than previous valve cover cracks I have done. And this one is easy to get to. You forget that I can weld too Also notice that this is one of the early valve covers without the throttle cable bracket.

Kurt wrote:Nice Bob! I know how these cans of worms get open and boy do things start wiggling around once you do!

Yes, the can of worms kept exploding. Its when you get it all stripped to bare metal that you can assess what you have and quite chasing surprises. The body is quite solid although dinged up. Lots and lots of hammer/dolly time on this one.

here is when I replaced the door limiters before blasting the body.

Bob2 wrote:Also notice that this is one of the early valve covers without the throttle cable bracket.

Can I see a close up pictures of this part please?
Thanks!

Bob,
Clearly, I should know better than to underestimate you...
Mine is like that too with no throttle cable clip...

Sweet. Needs to be done with the early carbs too... They are just right on a car that early.

dw

Way to go Bob! I am glad to see you're back at it. Once you know these cars, they get under your skin.

Cheers
James

Bob, I take every summer off from my project and get a second wind in the Fall when it cools down! If you're going to have to leave the car at the blasters for a while and don't want to haul your trailer back and forth you can leave it at my house. I have room in the shop and it could stay there for a week or so. You will be within 3 miles of my house. Mike