Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

It's a process isn't it? As I said elsewhere, cars teach (or test) patience! Given what you found in your "rebuilt " starter I'd consider a different shop eh? I thought the lightening storm comment was really funny... you need to figure out some kind of license plate that suggests Frankenstein... maybe FNSTEIN. And paint a lightening bolt on the hood or fenders! The starters really get baked by the header, so old ones may eventually give you trouble. Consider a new gear reduction one. There are several options/manufacturers and typically range from $80-120.

"Egor, throw the main switch!"
"Yessss master!"

Consuelo lives, The Lump is no more. After 40 years the engine is running, very smooth. Need to adjust the carbs a little. All the electrical still works.
Now it is time to take it around the block.

Greg, very doubtful I will be doing a Frankenstein theme.

Congrats!!! I'll have to get up to Spokane to check her out. Pat

Great feeling, isn’t it! Well done.

Drove Consuelo around the block a couple of times. I have the paperwork from when it was brought into Wa. showing the odo has not moved 1/10 of a mile since 1979. The odo now shows 2.5 more miles on it.
Clutch works.
Trans shifts great, except when I forget there is no syncro in first.
No vibration from the drive line.
No whining from the rear end.
Brakes work fine.
Temp gauge was working, now it is not.
Brake lights were working, now they don't.
On to some bodywork.
And, it does need a muffler.

Temp gauge and brake lights I would look for flaky grounds about the cabin and under the dash. Also, check fuses, light bulbs and pedal switch first as sometimes it's the easy obvious stuff.

Fixed the temp gauge, not one but two broken wires.
Checked power to the brake light switch, fuses are good, switch is good, wires are good, bulbs are good, grounds are good. Still not light.
Parking lights are good, headlights are good, turn signals work, dash lights work, fuel gauge works, backup light works. Even the clock works once in a while.
I have one more thing to check tonight.

Does the switch itself at the brake pedal function, and is it lined up and adjusted so that it works with the pedal properly?

How did you confirm the switch is good?

I found the problem and now the brake lights work. As I have stated before, the car is not wired quite like the published wiring diagrams. I don't think Consuelo (the original owner) had any idea as to the wiring problems the car had. I think it also accounts for the low miles on the odo. For decades, people just picked at it until it ended up in a barn under a tarp.

notoptoy, The brake light switch in mounted on top of the brake line distribution block on the firewall.

spl310, The switch is new from Datsun Roadster Parts but, just to check, I hooked my ohm meter to it and pressed the brake pedal.

The clock in my newly acquired 66 is correct twice a day. Congratulations on getting Consuelo living again.

Now that I have Consuelo drivable, it is time to work on the interior.
First order was to find an upholsterer to do the seats. First place quoted $550 per seat. Not going to happen, I will keep looking.
I started to get the vinyl trim out so I can make new pieces. The door card material is usable, just warped from the old vinyl shrinking. Since I was there I decided to remove the tar material from the floor. I did not want to but, it came up easy, to reveal not too much rust. The picture looks more red than it is. Battery tray needs some work.

The floor pans cleaned up well, only a couple of areas need addressing.
I knew that the drivers side rear fender had been replaced but it looks like the po put a '65 fender on. I have a replacement '64 fender (it needs work also) but I do not have the tools to replace the fender myself, I will have to have a shop do it. Bummer.

I have been working on a few miscellaneous items.
The major one is cleaning off my work benches. Sorting tools.
Cleaned up the drivers side seat back, at the bottom I found some broken welds and cracks. Passenger side is not broken. For those of you who still have original seats, might want to check.
Since I don't have a positive ground radio, I made a non conductive plate to hold a usb port so I can still have some tunes.

I really did not expect to find anything else in Consuelo since I have been all over the car. But I finally got around to stripping down the passenger seat. Did I find gold coins? Nope, just a Sidewalk Sunday wrapper. Oh well.
Then, a couple of beers, some tape and spray paint. The other side came out better.