The Quick/Small/(Stupid?) Question Thread.

[Mainer311]

Do you have the hand throttle cable hooked up? try pushing the pedal without it hooked up.
While the clip is off, loosen the sheath clamp and pull the cable to the carbs to chack/isolate any binding condition within the sheath. While both cables are loose push the pedal again to check the cross rod for binding.
Lube as required.

I don't have a hand throttle setup. PO removed it all. I determined that my front carb has a binding feeling in the butterfly shaft that's causing a jerky motion off of idle. I lubed it up a bit. In the short term, that seems to be my only hope.

[spl310]

If you need carbs, I have a spare set that I will sell cheap.

[mikepal]

Question bump...

I have a small amount of oil in my radiator, no detectable coolant in the motor. Any common problems that would cause this? I figured I would check the torque on the head first, but any other insight would be useful (water pump gasket?)

Thanks in advance!

[shifty]

Happened to glance at one of the bolts I was taking off my car, and noticed a mark/stamping in the head I've never seen before: A "T" inside a circle, centered in the (slightly recessed) bolt head.

Anyone seen this before and know what it means?
It seems to me more like a manufacturer mark than a grading mark, but I've no clue to be honest.

It looks to me like a Japanese katakana "to-" or ト - not sure what it means.

[Mainer311]

Question bump...

I have a small amount of oil in my radiator, no detectable coolant in the motor. Any common problems that would cause this? I figured I would check the torque on the head first, but any other insight would be useful (water pump gasket?)

Thanks in advance!

Honestly, it sounds like a pinhole in your head gasket. My car does the same thing. An almost undetectable amount of oil can be seen floating under the thermostat housing cap, but no coolant in the oil. BTW, during an oil change, theoretically the coolant would be the first thing out of the drain hole if the car has sat for a few days. You could always send the oil out for analysis as well, and see what they say.

When I first saw a little oil under the cap, I sort of freaked out and ended up buying a whole set of ARP head studs, washers, and bolts, then replaced one head bolt at a time. It seems to have improved since then.

Then again, I have a 1600, but the same principle applies.

Holy moly, I just noticed how many Exiges you have.

[mikepal]

Thanks for that insight! I'm really crossing my fingers I don't have to tear into the top of the motor. This problem has just shown itself during my last drive.

I miss all my Lotus', specially the 2008! If only I had more garage space and less of a tendency to rotate through cars so quickly. It's good to see another Datsun owner from MA....I don't think I've ever seen another one on the road since I have lived here.

Thanks again!
Mike

Question bump...

I have a small amount of oil in my radiator, no detectable coolant in the motor. Any common problems that would cause this? I figured I would check the torque on the head first, but any other insight would be useful (water pump gasket?)

Thanks in advance!

Honestly, it sounds like a pinhole in your head gasket. My car does the same thing. An almost undetectable amount of oil can be seen floating under the thermostat housing cap, but no coolant in the oil. BTW, during an oil change, theoretically the coolant would be the first thing out of the drain hole if the car has sat for a few days. You could always send the oil out for analysis as well, and see what they say.

When I first saw a little oil under the cap, I sort of freaked out and ended up buying a whole set of ARP head studs, washers, and bolts, then replaced one head bolt at a time. It seems to have improved since then.

Then again, I have a 1600, but the same principle applies.

Holy moly, I just noticed how many Exiges you have.

[Mainer311]

Thanks for that insight! I'm really crossing my fingers I don't have to tear into the top of the motor. This problem has just shown itself during my last drive.

I miss all my Lotus', specially the 2008! If only I had more garage space and less of a tendency to rotate through cars so quickly. It's good to see another Datsun owner from MA....I don't think I've ever seen another one on the road since I have lived here.

Thanks again!
Mike

There used to be a club in the Boston area called DRONE. By the time I got my roadster on the road, and managed to bring it down here from Maine, the club had sort of dissolved. There's another guy I work with who has a 1970 2000, but besides that, I haven't seen any.

Your best bet is cars and coffee at the Larz Anderson museum in Jamaica Plain, and Japanese lawn day is in october. In fact, there's a roadster on the Japanese day cover page:

http://larzanderson.org/events/lawn-eve ... apanese16/

[andyroo]

Any recommendations for a battery for a 1968 1600? Optima redtop?

[Solex68]

Any recommendations for a battery for a 1968 1600? Optima redtop?

I just installed a Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery. $147 at Amazon (free shipping if you have Prime).
But with that said my Neg is closer to the firewall and the pos closer to the radiator.

If your car has the negative closest to the firewall then get the Optima Batteries 8002-002 34 RedTop Starting Battery. $147 at Amazon (free shipping if you have Prime).
If your car has the positive closest to the firewall then get the Optima Batteries 8003-151 34R RedTop Starting Battery for $154 at Amazon (free shipping if you have Prime).

[spl310]

What's wrong with a group 24?

[Solex68]

What's wrong with a group 24?

Nothing is wrong with a Group 24 except I could not find an Optima that size.
35 is close.

No24.png

Mine dropped in with no mods required.

[spl310]

Let me rephrase the question. Are you just adamant to have an AGM battery?

[pebbles]

Any recommendations for a battery for a 1968 1600? Optima redtop?

Honestly I wouldnt trust the 50 year old sheetmetal to hold one in place, they are nearly 40lbs.

[C.Costine]

Thanks for that insight! I'm really crossing my fingers I don't have to tear into the top of the motor. This problem has just shown itself during my last drive.

I miss all my Lotus', specially the 2008! If only I had more garage space and less of a tendency to rotate through cars so quickly. It's good to see another Datsun owner from MA....I don't think I've ever seen another one on the road since I have lived here.

Thanks again!
Mike

Question bump...

I have a small amount of oil in my radiator, no detectable coolant in the motor. Any common problems that would cause this? I figured I would check the torque on the head first, but any other insight would be useful (water pump gasket?)

Thanks in advance!

Honestly, it sounds like a pinhole in your head gasket. My car does the same thing. An almost undetectable amount of oil can be seen floating under the thermostat housing cap, but no coolant in the oil. BTW, during an oil change, theoretically the coolant would be the first thing out of the drain hole if the car has sat for a few days. You could always send the oil out for analysis as well, and see what they say.

When I first saw a little oil under the cap, I sort of freaked out and ended up buying a whole set of ARP head studs, washers, and bolts, then replaced one head bolt at a time. It seems to have improved since then.

Then again, I have a 1600, but the same principle applies.

Holy moly, I just noticed how many Exiges you have.

Mike, Where in MA are you? I am just across the line in NH.

[Solex68]

Any recommendations for a battery for a 1968 1600? Optima redtop?

Honestly I wouldn't trust the 50 year old sheet metal to hold one in place, they are nearly 40lbs.

Whereas Pebbles is usually right, I do not agree this time.

I just looked at the Red Top Group 35 I bought and it is 39.5 pounds.
Then, out out of curiosity, I looked at a non AGM, Pepboys group 24 battery, it is 42 pounds. Link below...
Group 24 Battery for Datsun 311
So don't let the weight scare you.
If you want weight savings, spend a lot of money and buy a Braille battery like Monty has (Garms old car), otherwise I would not be concerned.