8.5 years in the making

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andyb
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8.5 years in the making

Post by 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.
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MattC
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by MattC »

Beautiful car! Have fun!
Matt

1970 2000 #14204
2004 350Z Roadster
2014 Tundra

Williamsville, NY
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Pjackb
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by Pjackb »

First of all congratulations, that first drive is such a gratifying feeling even if not perfect .
The color is beautiful what is it ?
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andyb
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by andyb »

Color is 2018 Alpha Romeo Basalt Grey
Steve_69
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by Steve_69 »

Very nice! Love the color!
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andyb
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by andyb »

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

Sigh
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Bwk2000
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by Bwk2000 »

andyb wrote: Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:04 pm 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.
Kai
Halifax, N.S.
’69 SPL311 Sports 1600

Classic Cars - Because clean fingernails, free weekends, intact knuckles and financial stability are totally overrated.
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vorpal
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by 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
Rob
1969 Datsun 2000 Solex # 12921
1967.5 Datsun 1600 # 14262
1990 300ZX Twin Turbo
another 1990 300ZX Turbo
1993 300ZX Convertible
new garage DONE Oct 2019!!!
Edmonton, Canada
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S Allen
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by S Allen »

Car is a beauty. Nicely done.

Steve
66 Stroker-Going Orange
67 SRL311-00279-resto project
Stock '72 240Z-Blue
2002 Ford F250 7.3 Diesel 2WD Hauler
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iloveredmeat
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by 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
Peter
––
1967.5 1600 – Second Owner – Under Reconstruction
1970 Honda CT70
1953 Airstream 21' Flying Cloud – Second Owner
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andyb
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by 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.
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david premo
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by david premo »

Andy you have done a fantastic job on your car! Well done and enjoy the ride.
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TobyMan
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by 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.
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theunz
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by 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.
Mike M

Old enough to know better, too old to remember why!


1969 2000 solex mine since 1972, under resurrection. (Finally resurrected as of spring 2019!)
1969 Porsche 911s -worth more, but not as valuable! Gone!
2017 Lotus Evora 400 - Oh my!!
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vorpal
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Re: 8.5 years in the making

Post by vorpal »

andyb wrote: Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:49 pm 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.
Rob
1969 Datsun 2000 Solex # 12921
1967.5 Datsun 1600 # 14262
1990 300ZX Twin Turbo
another 1990 300ZX Turbo
1993 300ZX Convertible
new garage DONE Oct 2019!!!
Edmonton, Canada
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