Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hi everyone, my grandmother just gave me this distributor and I want to know if it will work in my 1600 motor, if so.. how do I install it?

So, bigger question, why does your grandmother have a Roadster distributor lying around that she can give to you?
The shaft and mount look correct, can you get a better shot of the model numbers off the side?

You may have the coolest grandmother...ever.

Does look to be for the roadster but also looks like the vacuum advance mechanism is blocked off.

^ Right, Vacuum advance blocked off and some sort of Electronic Ignition system like a pertronix has been added.

That is a simple reluctor and magnetic pickup. No advance plate or vacuum system. Won't work correctly in a roadster without fairly extensive modification.

Body of it looks right. You might be able to use it for a cite charge to get a nice stock one

If the advance curve is right, connect the mag pickup to an MSD6A and you're off to the races. $25.00 HEI module will also work, but way less cool. lack of vacuum advance may or may not be noticeable.
Still wondering where Grandma got this from....

Looks like L motor dizzy, but need those numbers to be positive.

I think most of us are more interested in Datsun Granny's story.

It's an L or A distributor, a year or 2 before the matchbox, so probably 76-77ish. The mag pickup is pretty universal as far as triggering an aftermarket unit.

The advance curve will almost certainly be incorrect-may even be locked out. Unless he has a distributor machine, he won't be able to give it a correct curve without tons of trial and error and a clear understanding of the correct endpoint. With a 1600 and SU's he really should run a vac advance since it is a street car. THe u20 has much more torque so less of an issue there, but the 1.6 gets pretty sad without correct advance. Unless he is looking for a new research project, I think he'd be much better off with one of Tom's units or just stay with factory system//(imho)

Can we ask the important questions here people.... AshLee we need to see your grandma, she sounds pretty badass

My grandparents are the ones that got our whole family into roadsters, they had 3 of them at one time, a 67 1600, 69 2000 and a 67 1/2 2000 #23 my grandfather who passed a few years ago collected parts for backups and probably had at least 3 of every part for every roadster they had. After my grandfather passed my grandmother distributed all the spare parts to those of us that had roadsters, one of the things I got was this distributor but kinda forgot about it until now.

Well, grandma rocks!

So how many in your family now have Roadsters?
Linda