Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

To any and all who have done these conversions...

What did you do about gauges? Neither the tach nor the speedo will work in a converted car. I've managed to get temp & fuel to work. We are lookig for something stock appearing as possible but the stock holes are oddball sizes.

On the earlier roadsters 65-67.5 the gauge holes are pretty standard. Ive had a roadster which used autometer gauges in a 66 with no modifications.

For the later cars 68-70, I once saw a light yellow 68 roadster with a very nice L20B conversion. For the gauges (ie, Tach) a fairly inexpensive gauge (sunpro..i think) was modified to fit directly into the spot of the original tach.

Dan Zubkoff
San Mateo, CA
1964 SPL310 1500
1966 SPL311 1600
1967 SRL311 2000

Hello Mike,

I used a couple of resistors to calibrate the temp gauge to the SR sender. I didn't bother getting it any closer to exact, but it tells the story close enough and lets you know if there is a problem or not. I would bet that I am within 5 degrees when the engine is at 190 and the error grows from there...

For oil, I tapped the oil filter block and threaded the SPL sending unit into it...

I don't use the amp gauge to show charging, just the idiot light from the alternator...I wired my cooling fan through the gauge so it shows when it is on...

Fuel works exactly as stock...

I haven't seen a low windshield clock that works, neither does mine...

That leaves the tach and speedo. Believe it or not, the speedo is easy. Ask Nissan for the cable sending unit for a Z31 (84-89 300ZX). The SPL cable will thread right onto it.

As for the tach, I don't have mine working yet. I'm thinking of having a electronic gauge fitted into the stock housing and faceplate. I think that is the best solution, finding the donor with the right sweep, etc. is an interesting task. I have been contemplating contacting one of the gauge restoration places and seeing what they think...

If you want to use aftermarket gauges, Alvin had a pretty nice fitting/looking set...TR

One small side not to Travis' comment on the speedo. It's only easy if you luck out and pick the right sender! I just called my local Nissan dealer to get a price on the 84-89 Z31 speedo sender. There are 3 different parts listed for the Z31 (84 to 87, 87 to 89, turbo vs. non turbo). The part number he gave me are:

3270258S17
3270258S18
3270258S19

So, Travis, if you happen to know which one you ordered please share with the rest

3 different ones! I'll check if I have the number this weekend...TR

Give Herb Petty a call: 209-521-0746 He has a KA24DE with all the stock gauges in perfect working condition on his 66. If you have a later model Roadster, talk to Buz Bowerman 209-634-6128 he has the stock gauges in his late model KA24DE conversion.

I can't help because I put in Auto-Meter Sport Comp Ultra Lites in my baby!!!

Can't wait til Solvang.

Lou Smaldino
66-1600 (KA24DE X)
67-2000

Does Herb check the forum? I'd love to hear how he got the tach to work, but I'd rather not call him out of the blue, "Hey, you don't know me, but...How did you get your gauges to work???"

Just curious-what's the HP rating for a stock KA24de?

Thanks for the tip! TR

Dave,

The 5 spd that comes in a Z31 300zx, is the same box as a KA 240sx with a differant bellhousing. The 5 spd you want the speedo drive from are the non turbo cars. The turbo cars have T5 box's in them which is a total differant box. They also made analog and digital gauged cars. I bet theses are all the differances, if it was me I would go to pick a part and do a little look and see to made sure.

Travis, Dave, I bet Michael could answer this question as to which one he has used before.

Just my 2 cents


Crazy Backyard Builder

Hmmm...Good info. on Nissan tranny's...

You are right, Michael does know (and that is why I don't know)-Michael and Ralph supplied the sender with the front clip! Michael's knowledge and Ralph's help made a lot of the details on my conversion easy to complete! TR

Unfortunately, Michael doesn't know. Already asked him! He said the first time he tried a Z31 speedo sender it worked great. The next several he tried didn't so he wasn't sure if the first one really was a Z31 sender or not. Given that there are 3 different part numbers, my guess is that he just lucked out on the first one he grabbed and didn't pay attention to what year or model Z31 it was. He's in the same boat we are. It's a one in 3 shot!

Anonymous wrote:100 bucks to the gentleman that can get Herb to reveal the secret to wiring/retrofitting the stock gauges

I'd take that bet, but I'm no gentleman!!

Buz Bowerman is the one to talk to, he doesnt keep anything secret!!

Since Michael cannot remember, I'll have to dig through my stuff. I may (may!) still have the box the unit I have came in...

So who knows Herb? I'll buy a burrito and beer for someone that knows him to post the answer to the tach question...TR

Herb does not check this forum. But I do know how he has his set up. The tach is stock looking with electronic guts. He had someone in Modesto make it up but you can send your unit in (check grassroots Motorsports ads) and there are business that specialize in this. His speedo is stock. He was able to find a sleeve that went into the stock speed sender location that he could adapt a drive to, It all works ok but when I drive his car I do not believe it to be 100% accurate.

My solution is better. Check the 2004 Autometer website and in their 2004 section they have some new period looking guages for a 4 5/8 hole (you will have to take your 66-67.5 dash to a machine shope and have the holes turned slightly). They come in different variations but look nice.

Buzz's tach is a cut down sunpro that he replaced the original with and the speedo is stock like Herbs.

The stock KA24DE has 150 hp and 150lbs of torque. I tell you 1, 2 are almost useless as you have to shift so fast since the car is light.

Alexi

Well, I'd really like to keep the stock looking gauges...So, as I wrote earlier, that is my current plan-Send it to a specialist! I was hoping someone had figured out some tricky way of making the tach work...I entertained plans of making a gearbox to drive it off of the alternator, but it just seems hokey...

My speedo isn't 100% accurate, either. I think it reads about 10MPH high around 70MPH...

Maybe I'll have the specialist make a speedo and tach! I still have the electronic sender for my tranny...

Looks like I owe you a burrito and a beer, Alexi-next SR ride?

TR