Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Well, this is my first foray into a lot of things. My oldest car before this was an '86 Celica. Almost all my cars have been Toyota (besides a couple Hondas). I've no experience with carbureted engines. I've never had a convertible. I've only had RWD once, and that was an MR2, so it was mid-engine.

I'd been wanting to get a "Japanese Nostalgic Car" for a while, but they are hard to find in decent condition in Indiana/Ohio area. Especially in my budget. I was looking mostly for a '71-'77 Celica when I came upon this Roadster on craigslist, at a very fair & tempting price.

I'm naming it "Ginger" (and Akage) partly for the red(ish) paint, and also in remembrance of my late grandmother - a redhead my grandpa always called Ginger. My grandfather owned a Datsun 260z, and since they are both in the Fairlady family, so it seemed reasonably fitting.

Here are the only pics I currently have (from the sale listing).






It is a project, currently not running. As you can see, the dash is not installed. Needs some wiring finished up, body work (and paint), windshield installed, top installed, weather stripping replaced ... and so on. I am not loaded with cash (at all), so I don't think it will ever be a show car, but it will be a fun (and I'm sure frustrating at times) project.

First order of business is the wiring, which should get it to running condition (though the gas is a bit old and may need drained). Actually, the first order of business is to go through the many parts included, and get organized. I hope to have it running by July/August for our "Old Fashioned Day" car show at church. It may not look pretty, but if it can get there, I'll be satisfied.

We hear you on the budget... Been there, done that, still there! We can help guide you on where to spend the money and what options you may have...

I think that you may rename the car from Ginger to Weasley. After all, these cars are somewhat magical...

It's' a great project, and I like the name!

Thanks everyone, here's a few pics taken today in its new home.


Engine is nice and clean. Not sure what's up with the zip-tie on the carb. I'll have to remember to make sure to fix that before trying to start it! The other side has no linkage. The previous owner was replacing the wiring with EZ Wiring. I'll work on putting it in some looms after it's all sorted.



Driver's side fender is a little rough, but I guess it's just waiting to teach me some body work skills.





The scariest part for me to look at right now.

The zip tie looks to be a makeshift linkage substitute. Pretty smart actually except for the heat factor It would be really easy to adjust, but you need some rigidity there to have it return to idle properly. Good idea for a roadside fix that I will have to add to my list of emergency band aid fixes!

Nice touch naming your car after your grandmother!
It is rare to see one purchased with ARP studs instead of head bolts.

If you like to tweak, tinker, contort and have fun ... you can get by with a little help from your friends here!

Yeah, figured maybe he had just put it there temporarily. Just seemed odd, since he seemed to have mostly finished in the engine area.

Forgot to note that he also freshened up the suspension. Also gave me a great deal on a welder.

Haven't found any of the Datsun/1600/etc. trim in any of the boxes yet. Maybe it'll just be a good excuse to go "Fairlady."

You will also need to extend the overflow tubes.

Nice project! the wheels are sweet and the engine looks like an easy runner. I too am on the low buck road worthy restoration path. The parts interchange in the wiki is an Awesome way to find what you need for cheap.

Seriously consider getting a molded breather hose from one of the vendors. The R16 crankcase ventilation is sub par at best, especially at freeway speeds for long distances.
The softer hose in the pic will soften at running temps, collapse and inhibit crankcase ventilation, in turn will cause every gasket to leak or weep.
Nice project!

Drain the fuel for sure. One of my first projects I started up with old fuel and ended up having to redo the whole fuel system. Drain and replace with fresh and replace the fuel filter before even trying to start it or you will have to rebuild your carbs for sure.

pebbles wrote:Seriously consider getting a molded breather hose from one of the vendors. The R16 crankcase ventilation is sub par at best, especially at freeway speeds for long distances.
The softer hose in the pic will soften at running temps, collapse and inhibit crankcase ventilation, in turn will cause every gasket to leak or weep.
Nice project!

Here is an excellent budget alternative, and its rigid.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HVAC-Heater-Hos ... 0N&vxp=mtr

Thanks for all the tips!

I was under the car a little yesterday and knocked on the gas tank, and it sounds very empty. Is there still possibly enough fuel in it to cause issues if it gets plenty of fresh before starting?

Rust n stuff is what would be concerning as well, so I would at least run a new clear inline fuel filter to see what it catches. A number of folks on this list have had rust and contamination issues such that it plugged fuel lines etc. I have been fortunate myself, but be aware of this. Shine a flashlight into the tank and see what you can see. There is a drain plug on the bottom but mine was difficult to remove, and since I had an electric pump on mine I just pumped out bad fuel. Hard to say what is in yours, but if it turns out to be plugged or bad and you have filled her up with a bunch of gas you're gonna have to drain that out too. I think I would drain it just to be sure as Kman noted. How long has she been sitting?
My car was wired with an aftermarket system similar to painless... I didn't do it, Curtis did, and he worked with what I provided. If you run into trouble he may be able to offer some experienced suggestions.
And I see we share owning a 2000 GTS... nice engine, huh? I was racing a V6 Tiberon shortly after I bought the car and missed the shift from 3rd to 4th, catching 2nd gear at 8000rpms instead of 4th... needless to say I "slightly" (!) over revved the engine, bending all 8 exhaust valves. Fortunately by best friend is a cylinder head guru, so he fixed the head/valves and all was good.