Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Here can put pictures and write-ups about your roadster or other vehicles.

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

So, as mentioned in my introduction post, I've been roped into doing a restoration on a 69 2000 that I've agreed to make my daughter's first car. She is 12 right now, so I'm hopeful to have this done before she gets her permit.

The original sin.....
Image
Image
Image

She's rough, but my daughter saw it on a parts run and fell in love with it. I had never seen one before, and to be honest, I thought it was a super cool car to.

Those pics show it with a temporary hodge podge rear axle under it so it would be a "roller". The po happened to have the original rear end that was under it, but after getting it home and tearing into it, I found it was shot. So, this car had no engine, Trans, or rear end. After a quick once over and "cleanup" I think she is worth saving.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

So the search for a donor began. The lady across the street from me had a little nissan pickup with a z24 in it, so I asked her about it. She said she would sell it to me for $100, and I immediately said yes. Bought it, loaded it up and drug it home. It's actually a pretty straight little truck considering how long it has set up.

Image
Image
Image

I was almost upset about using it for a donor instead of just fixing it up. And then I did some further reading and realized this was not an ideal donor. So, that truck will probably be seen in the background some. 🤣

And then, I saw someone posted another 69 2000 for sale right at the edge of my search area. I messaged him and immediately went to look at it. It was rougher than I would have liked, but it had a complete drive train, a hard top, and most of the body panels I need, it seemed to have in reasonable condition. Also, it came with extra body parts inside.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

So, needless to say, I bought it. Didn't give full price because of the issues it had, but I still feel like it was a little on the high end considering what I got. Eh, the things we do for our children :roll:

Anyways, this will be the beginning of mine and her project. It appears it'll be a learning experience for the both of us. And hopefully a good bonding experience. I had to leave to come back to work today and will be here for about 3 weeks or so, but that's not a terrible thing. It'll give us both time to do some research and brainstorming. When I go home we will have a solid 2 weeks to work on it and to be quite honest.... im super excited!

Any suggestions, advice, criticism, or disassembly instructions are welcome. I figure the best first step is to get the donor drive train running and moving under its own power to verify that it's all good. If a rebuild is needed, I'd rather know now. And then once I know I have enough for a full car, start disassembly on both, and pick out my best parts. Then cleanup, rust repair, and sheet metal work to get it all presentable.

Just as a side note, I have never been a purist when it comes to my vehicles. I am going to try and keep this as true to the original as possible, but you have to understand that this thing is going to be for her first car. I will be making some changes along the way for reliability and safety sake. My little girl will be driving it after all. On the other hand.... I won't be putting the ridiculous amenities in it such as ac, power windows, auto trans.... things of that nature.... She picked an old roadster afterall, it should feel like one :lol:
User avatar
jhayden
Site Supporter
Posts: 480
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:16 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by jhayden »

The red car fits in the 1970 model year category:

http://www.datsunroadster.com/INFO_PAGES/what_year.htm

It MOST LIKELY has the vastly improved Type B steering (recirculating ball), and the tranny will probably be the Warner type. The PO moved the alternator to the right side, and converted to a GM (?). The original exhaust manifold is retained, and the U20 block number appears to match the number on the cowl tag: numbers matching car.

If you got it for less than the listed price on Facebook, congrats!

Jon
User avatar
2mAn
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 2210
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:02 pm
Location: Inglewood, CA

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by 2mAn »

Second Roadster looks like a better starting point than the first one and might have also been white originally...

I was just explaining earlier today that this is exactly what I want to do with my kid in like ~10 years haha

Good luck in the journey
Simon
Current Cars:
-1999 Porsche 911 4/98-build, 3.8L M96
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

2mAn wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 4:35 pm Second Roadster looks like a better starting point than the first one and might have also been white originally...
At first glance it might appear that way, but from what I could see, the frame looked pretty scaled up. That car has seen some serious downtime at some point. Also, that car has no title for some reason, and louisiana is a nightmare on no title cars. I have good title and papers on the white car and I'm not scared at all about swapping stuff.

With all that being said, idk.... let's get torn into them next time I'm home and I'll reevaluate then. Who knows, I might run into something on the white car that's considerably worse. It looked ok from the creeper, but that can be misleading sometimes.
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

jhayden wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 4:27 pm The red car fits in the 1970 model year category:

http://www.datsunroadster.com/INFO_PAGES/what_year.htm

It MOST LIKELY has the vastly improved Type B steering (recirculating ball), and the tranny will probably be the Warner type. The PO moved the alternator to the right side, and converted to a GM (?). The original exhaust manifold is retained, and the U20 block number appears to match the number on the cowl tag: numbers matching car.
Good info, I noticed the alternator was swapped over but didn't look close enough to see if it was the original or a Gm or what. I also noticed the coil and wires were higher end aftermarket models.... makes me curious/scared what's inside. That could be either really good or really bad :lol:

One thing that has agitated me is that out of 2 cars, I've still only gotten 2 of the original steel wheels and one hub cap. And the 2 original rims I got are rust jacked to the point ill never put them on the road :x

Ps I also noticed while unloading it from the trailer, the oil pan on the brown car is like 1.5 maybe 2 inches below the crossmember in the front. Is that normal? Seems like a recipe for disaster in my mind.
User avatar
jhayden
Site Supporter
Posts: 480
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:16 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by jhayden »

Re: the oil pan

At your convenience, please post a photo of that oil pan. A possibility comes to mind ...

Thank you!

Jon
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

jhayden wrote: Sat Oct 28, 2023 7:49 am Re: the oil pan

At your convenience, please post a photo of that oil pan. A possibility comes to mind ...

Thank you!

Jon
I'm at work for the next few weeks, but my wife is going to take a picture of it this afternoon and send to me. I'll post it as soon as she gets it. The anticipation is killing me though, what is it you are suspecting?
User avatar
jhayden
Site Supporter
Posts: 480
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:16 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by jhayden »

Is the pan "finned?"
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

Not that I recall, however I didn't inspect it super closely. It was just a quick thing I noticed and thought hmm... we will get a better look when the wife shoots me a picture this afternoon.
User avatar
jhayden
Site Supporter
Posts: 480
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:16 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by jhayden »

Shouldn't be a cause for concern: the stock U20 oil pan does sit a few inches below the front crossmember with no problems. I was hoping you might have lucked into having one of these that many forum members would love to have:

http://www.datsunroadster.com/PIC_PAGES ... 111-02.htm

Jon
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

Image

Best she could do apparently. It doesn't look as low in the pic as I remember, but some of it might have been how it was sitting on the trailer. Its definitely past the cross member though. And I can't make out any "fins".
User avatar
david premo
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 693
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:23 am
Location: Southern Oregon
Model: 2000
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Contact:

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by david premo »

That’s a stock steel oil pan.
sfyks870
Roadster Nut
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2023 9:12 pm
Location: Louisiana, USA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by sfyks870 »

david premo wrote: Sat Oct 28, 2023 2:47 pm That’s a stock steel oil pan.
Ok cool! So it's normal for it to be that low? Just kinda seemed like a bad idea for it to be the lowest point in the front :lol:
User avatar
jhayden
Site Supporter
Posts: 480
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:16 pm
Location: Tyler, TX

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by jhayden »

Yes, not a cause for concern, unless you make it into a hopping lowrider, L.A. style! And, please let your wife know that she did well with the photo. The underside view from the front doesn't look all that bad for a roadster, and by 240Z standards it is rust-free.
User avatar
Gregs672000
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 9001
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:47 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Building my daughter's first ride (1969 Datsun 2000 roadster)

Post by Gregs672000 »

Congrats on the father/daughter project... much to learn about life working on cars... namely patience, problem solving, persistence and budgeting... very valuable!
I won't sugar coat it... you have your work cut out for you! Regarding the engine... please do not run anything but clean fuel (perhaps sourced via a low pressure 2-4lb electric fuel pump and a gas can) through the carbs etc unless you drain the tank first and make sure it's not full of rust. Before starting it, remove the cam cover and inspect the "evil L" that sticks out in front of the cam gear for chain strikes on the underside... the upper chain tensioner does not get pressure and therefore does NOT tighten the chain at start up, causing the chain slack to hit the L, eventually breaking it off and trashing the engine in a quick second. There's a fix for that using nylon shims. Change the oil, pour oil all over the cam and gear, squirt some oil into the cylinders via the spark plug holes, spin the motor by hand and then with the starter, get a fresh set of NGK BPR6ES plugs and cross your fingers! Issues can be typical things like bad points, condensers and sunk carb floats.

I may be telling you stuff you already know, so forgive me... I gather that if you're taking on this project you have good experience. I would strongly suggest you read through the factory manual (on-line in our tech wiki) to familiarize yourself with the engine's design and the other various parts/systems on the car. Looks like you won't need to worry about the emissions system, but you must determine if you have a smog distributor or if it has been recurved or replaced with an earlier version as the engine is timed waaaaaay different and are not comparable. You will ultimately want the earlier distributor curve but it will run with the smog curve. By reading through the wiki you will gain years of knowledge in a short time on what works, what swaps, how you can fix "this", what options you have etc. We are happy to help guide you, answer questions or otherwise cheer you and your daughter on, so don't hesitate to ask ANY question... There's no flaming here and we only support our family members!

Dig in!
Greg
Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
Post Reply