8.5 years in the making

[andyb]

Ok, so I originally bought the 68 2000 in November 2014 for parts - namely the engine and 5 speed which pretty much immediately went into the 1600 around the beginning of 2015.

Then our resident retired Datsun master mechanic says "such a shame to not restore a car that's 90% complete"... I should have thrown the sawzall party right then. But I suppose I'm not the only one who had hopes and dreams of a frame off restoration. I also suppose most rational thinkers would have passed. But I didn't.

I did learn how to weld (and how not to), bondo and a host of other things (like finding unobtanium parts - or learning how to make them), how to rebuild transmissions (I've now done 5 I think), balance SU carbs and probably a few other skills I'll never use again. I made a LOT of mistakes, which, as it turns out, is my learning style (instructions? we don't need no stinking instructions!). I also learned how to vinyl wrap which worked pretty well.

EVERYTHING I learned, I owe to this forum and the gracious folks who contribute and answer my many questions. I can't thank you all enough for the help you've all provided.

I got to drive it finally this week for the first time, and it's such an amazing feeling to finally get to this point. So far I've put about 40 miles on it, and yesterday I take my wife for a ride. We fill up, and I'm surprised it takes 8.2 gallons. Gauge was reading half, and I know I put in about 4 gallons when I first started it up. Whatever - a faulty sender perhaps. We continue on. Dang, the sound of this JT stainless exhaust with the Solex carbs puts out a pleasing note. She glances over at the gauges and says "is it supposed to be running that hot?" The temp gauge is pegged at 250. WTF? I pull over and peek under the hood realizing I've brought zero tools along with me on this first week of shake down runs (good one, Einstein!). I don't smell anything and we're a mile from O'Rielly's auto parts - so I opt for a pit stop there and pick up a point and shoot thermometer. Hmmm - engine reads 156. Must be a short. Meanwhile, my gas gauge still only reads half.... This morning at breakfast, my sage wife says "perhaps your gauges are reversed?

Well, I guess the next test will be to see if the temp gauge pegs to 250 when I turn the key on before starting it today. Oh, that'd be such an "easy" fix (if only I had munchkin hands to get to the darn gauges).

Thanks again for all the help. This community is truly awesome. Many thanks to Dave, Dave, Paul, Mike, Mike, Jim, Curtis, Scott, Dean, Stan, John and so many others who helped me along the way.

[MattC]

Beautiful car! Have fun!

[Pjackb]

First of all congratulations, that first drive is such a gratifying feeling even if not perfect .
The color is beautiful what is it ?

[andyb]

Color is 2018 Alpha Romeo Basalt Grey

[Steve_69]

Very nice! Love the color!

[andyb]

Sure enough, the wife was right.
Turned the key on and the temp gauge raced to 250 before starting it up.

Sigh

[Bwk2000]

Sure enough, the wife was right.
Turned the key on and the temp gauge raced to 250 before starting it up.

Sigh

First off, Congrats on the build … It looks great.

As for the temp & fuel gauges, my money is on the two wires that connect to the under dash voltage regulator being reversed.

[vorpal]

As for the temp & fuel gauges, my money is on the two wires that connect to the under dash voltage regulator being reversed.

Have the exact issue with my 67.5 1600. Temp gauge goes up almost to hot immediately and the fuel gauge only moves after the car has been running for a while and goes to 1/4. Will switch wires on the underdash voltage regulator and see if that fixes it and report back.

Beautiful job on the restoration

[S Allen]

Car is a beauty. Nicely done.

Steve

[iloveredmeat]

Andy! Congratulations!

When Andy was kind enough to help me rebuild my transmission, I had the privilege to see this car in person... not yet running, but close.

It really is gorgeous, and Andy has done absolutely amazing work and pulled off some creative vinyl solutions.

I'm really happy for you!
Cheers,
Peter

[andyb]

Thanks all!
So I reversed the leads on the voltage regulator as suggested and there was no difference.
Confirmed the temp gauge is reading fuel level by disconnecting the switch lead at the sender and watched the temp gauge drop.

[david premo]

Andy you have done a fantastic job on your car! Well done and enjoy the ride.

[TobyMan]

20230418_071721.jpg

8.5 years. That's about the same as restoration and my first drive in my 68 1600 roadster. Yes, this forum, and the people on it, have saved my sanity more than once! Enjoy the ride, they don't make them like that anymore.

[theunz]

Nice work, great looking car and best of all is you can’t beat the feeling when it was you who did all the work! There are a lot of check writers out there, and no disrespect to them, with absolutely stunning cars, but they will never feel that satisfying bliss you get when it was your blood sweat and tears that achieved your goal.

[vorpal]

Thanks all!
So I reversed the leads on the voltage regulator as suggested and there was no difference.
Confirmed the temp gauge is reading fuel level by disconnecting the switch lead at the sender and watched the temp gauge drop.

I switched my voltage regulator wires as well last night and no difference, the temp gauge rises on key on and the gas gauge starts moving and drops. Will start tracing wiring from the temp sender back to the bullet connector bundle above the clutch pedal and see if I have the gas sender and temp sender swapped and report back.