Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Greetings,

My name is Matt and around noon on 1/7/17 I became a '68 Roadster 1600 owner. She's not the prettiest.. yet.

When I purchased her the engine cranked and she could drive you around the block or two, however, her only means of stopping were the handbrake haha. Saturday and Sunday my friend and I worked till dark on her and we finally got the rear drum brakes cleaned and working! We also just cleaned the carbs are currently tuning them. We did notice coolant leaking from the water pump. (So I used the parts list on here and ordered myself a Beck & Arnley). She has a hard time keeping a stable idle (running too rich or those cold San Diego mornings ) and will usually stall but when she doesn't she has a sweet putter.

Well, enough about that. I look forward to my journey with her and learning all that I can about these classic cars. Here are a few pics.


PS. I know the current hardtop is for a low windshield roadster.. I'm working on getting a high windshield one.

Cheers,
Matt

Welcome, you have found the best Roadster resource on the web. We look forward to your progress and more pictures!

Welcome and don't be afraid to ask questions!
this really helps with tuning
Good luck!

Nice way to start the new year. Best of luck.

Thank you all for the welcome!

@Aidan ty for the carb link. I'll have to give that a good read and try a few things out in the next few days!

Welcome to Roadster Land

Matt wrote:Thank you all for the welcome!

@Aidan ty for the carb link. I'll have to give that a good read and try a few things out in the next few days!

Remember to start with stuff like timing, dwell, valves before you try to dial in the carbs. Much less headache that way.

I just started school on Wednesday. Tomorrow ill check those out. The two carbs weren't exactly in tune with each other(in terms of how many turns etc.) So there must be something up. Thanks!

Also, update: I bought a hard top on ebay!

Wow. My timing was between 3-5 degrees. Adjusted it to about 15-16 per nissan specs. She's idling at 10 like a beaut. Took her for a quick trip around the block and there seems to be a clanking coming from somewhere.. Checked and cleaned front disc brakes but didn't affect the noise. Where's Colombo when you need him..

Matt wrote:Wow. My timing was between 3-5 degrees. Adjusted it to about 15-16 per nissan specs. She's idling at 10 like a beaut. Took her for a quick trip around the block and there seems to be a clanking coming from somewhere.. Checked and cleaned front disc brakes but didn't affect the noise. Where's Colombo when you need him..

Timing is key (I mess with mine all the time). Make sure the dif and tranny are toped up!

Welcome........its been raining in my part of the county.....LOL

Look for a loose lugnut or exhaust rattle.

Matt wrote:Wow. My timing was between 3-5 degrees. Adjusted it to about 15-16 per nissan specs. She's idling at 10 like a beaut. Took her for a quick trip around the block and there seems to be a clanking coming from somewhere.. Checked and cleaned front disc brakes but didn't affect the noise. Where's Colombo when you need him..

You have a '68 car, and unless the distributor has been changed to a pre-smog version, your timing should be set at 0. You MUST determine which distributor curve you have, otherwise you will have way to much advance for the engine and risk damage.

I hope the clanking wasn't actually engine knocking from too much advance!

spl310 wrote:Look for a loose lugnut or exhaust rattle.

I believe it's the exhaust. There was supposed to be two braces that were welded to the frame then to the exhaust but it wasn't. So every sort of jerky / bumpy movement would make the exact noise I was hearing. However I've only been able to test this by bouncing the car up and down. This weekend the engine will be re-assembled and if it stops raining I'll be able to drive her around and see. Fingers crossed!

Gregs67200 wrote: You have a '68 car, and unless the distrubutor has been changed to a pre-smog version, your timing should be set at 0.

Greg, I do not know for sure what distributor I have.. From the Datsun 1600 roadster service manual, it looks identical to their distributor and what they set the timing to. I was using my buddies timing gun. I have a picture of the page I will do my best to post.


Sorry for the late reply.. School has been keeping my awfully busy lately!

Matt wrote:

Gregs67200 wrote: You have a '68 car, and unless the distrubutor has been changed to a pre-smog version, your timing should be set at 0.

Greg, I do not know for sure what distributor I have.. From the Datsun 1600 roadster service manual, it looks identical to their distributor and what they set the timing to. I was using my buddies timing gun. I have a picture of the page I will do my best to post.


Sorry for the late reply.. School has been keeping my awfully busy lately!

You can't tell the difference from the outside (the springs and weights are kinda deep down)
Take the top plate-thing off to check.