BvtnDave

I will swing by.

Thanks, guys.

Hey, Anyone know about availablility and/or interchange on door hinges for a B110 1200 coupe?

I thought they maybe (might?) be the same as a B210, but don't really know.

As you might expect, the ones on my car have tons of slop, and the "stay" portions have snapped off.

If nothing else, I would like to replace the worn-out bushings in mine. Sources? Advice?

I'll take what I can get, but am hoping for something in the Portland area.

Thanks!

Very nice. Count me in for some if you proceed.

No right answer to this one, but the love for the '67 2000 seems to be the most common I have heard. For my money, (which is more than I care to think about having poured into the two Roadsters on hand) there are two winners:

The 1968 1600, because the high windshield and padded dash got the car out of it's dated "Britishness".

Also because the 1600's exhibit what I feel is a very good balance of handling/ride/braking in relation to the amount of (stock) power on hand. 96 HP just feels right with the stock suspension, tires and brakes.

Then too, the 1969 2000 is the "it" car for me because of the much greater power and the super-cool side-marker lamps. (I like those so much, I put a set on my "68 1600, which had no side lamps). I know: the rectangular side-markers on the '70 cars were the same as many other Datsuns of that day. They just look "clunky" to me...

One final note: I have many times remarked that I believe one reason so many Roadsters met an early demise was because they were so sweet-running and reliable. People just drove the hell out of them and they slowly reached a state where the cost of repairs outweighed the idea of reviving them. Then too, I'm betting quite a few 2000's were crashed because they had more power than the suspension and brakes (see above opinion) could handle without a really good driver at the wheel.

Again, just my ideas. I am lucky enough to have a stock 1600 and am restoring a 2000, so we'll see if my theories hold up in the long run...

That transformation is inspiring. I thought about dropping an L18 (with SU's) into my Coupe, but have sourced an A14 GX and 210 5-Speed - so mine will be "exactly different"...

Anyway, your car rocks. Drive, enjoy. Repeat.

Escapee from indentured servitude at Nissan dealer. Went from flat-rate worker bee/warranty wrench to current gig as mechanic for a local public agency fleet.

Hey All, I'm looking to acquire a 5-Speed tranny for a 1200 Coupe undergoing a conversion from auto to manual. The 210 (B310) type is advised - anyone in/around Portland with one to sell?

Thanks, Dave

E Pluribus Ratsun!

Get a Life!

Ratsun can mean many things, but it's just good fun to me.

On the other hand, I gotta go with the Japanese pronunciation. When Nissan Motor Corporation changed the name of their operations/dealerships from Datsun to Nissan, (circa 1983, if I recall) they had an ad campaign that proclaimed "The Name is Nissan", wherein the word Nissan was pronounced emphatically as "KneeSohn". This is in keeping with my experience where the "Dat" did not rhyme with "Cat", but was stated as "Dotsun". That's how the old-school dealership and factory guys always said it.

So, for me, Datsun doesn't rhyme with Ratsun, but it means a cool brand of car that deserves preservation...

One to check out...

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1240046180.html

Check it out...

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/1240046180.html

OK, so never mind that ridiculous idea. Here's one brewing in Oregon that has merit:

They are trying to rescind the mandate that we have 10% ethanol in our pump gas. Anyone who knows about this stuff can tell you how rotten it is for fuel systems, (especially older cars - i.e. like our Ratsuns) AND it consistently delivers about 10% lower mileage.

Evidently some "Lawmaker" with a Prius is chapped that her nerdmobile is not delivering 50 MPG because of out polluted fuel. Hence, she has jumped on the bandwagon. And good for her! One problem is that our governor is all in favor of altfuels because it's so yummy up here to come out in favor of the environment - even if what is proposed makes no sense.

I've know that ethanol-laced gasoline has sucked for more than 20 years. We had endless fuel system problems on Z's & Maximas when they ran this crap every winter as "Oxygenated Fuel". (The reason stated: "It reduces air pollution during winter months".) Sorry, when you have to burn 10% more fuel to go the same distance, there is no "reduction" in anything but performance and mileage. (Not to mention how the food production chain is screwed up by taking all the feed corn out of the loop to make ethanol...

Anyway, I don't want a black car (too hard to keep clean in our climate) and they will never succeed in a "ban".

As an owner of older cars and motorcycles I can't wait to get back to some normal gasoline...

The infamous Nissan Van! I had to deal with them when I was a dealership tech. They burst into flames because the valve cover gaskets leaked oil onto the exhaust manifold, and/or owners would run them out of oil and they would overheat to the point of catching fire. (Too much trouble to look under the seat, I guess, and who knew what all those gauges on the dash meant).

After three very extensive recalls, Nissan bought back every one they could pry from the hands of only but the most clueless. (Cost 'em about $30 million, we were told). We extracted the fluids - free unleaded for everyone!- kept all the good 14" rubber, and recycled the R12. (Still have several pounds from that..) Best of all, I kept the bitchin "Captain's chairs" from the second row of seats. After mounting them on posts attached to wheels/tires, they make the best bar stools. (Very comfortable, with arm rests and SEAT BELTS - can't fall out, although you could probably tip 'em over if you got drunk enough...)

Anyway, stay far away from those things unless you want a weird terrarium. BTW: The wheels, for some strange reason, fit perfectly on Ford Econolines.

Hey W, This group is "Ratsun" for a reason. Anyway anyone wants to put their car together should be fine. We have them to enjoy 'em. Besides, there are plenty of other forums for those who want to take everything seriously.

So, have fun with your V-8 Z, and welcome aboard. (I'm recent too...)

Dave

I bought my first Datsun in September, 1972. Still have it. A 1968 1600 Roadster. It was thoroughly thrashed. Cost: $850

But, it only needed: Carpet, windshield, brakes, exhaust, tires, clutch, soft-top, paint, upholstery and other "minor" stuff.

With no mechanical knowledge, no money, and no tools, what could go wrong?

Well, here's one thing:

My buddy and I were driving near the zoo in our small town one foggy night. Suddenly, the instrument panel glowed a BRIGHT orange, and the car died.

Subsequent investigation would reveal an expired alternator diode. But for the moment, we sought to self-medicate and ruminate on our immediate options.

First things first: We strolled over to the perimeter fence, and lit up a bit of what was then a commonly enjoyed herb.

Immediately, the resident emu dashed over and thrust his beak through the chain-link. He smelled the smoke, and he wanted some! Every time we would exhale, he would crane his neck, and sniff loudly. The park and zoo were always full of stoners, and "Big Bird" must have developed an affection for weed. As seventeen-year-old knuckleheads, we thought it hilarious, and shared every bit. By the time we were done, Mr. Emu was resting comfortably against the fence, and running free somewhere in his mind.

These days, we would be pilloried as animal and "drug" "abusers", but I like to think we gave that poor bird a moment's respite from being stuck in a crappy old pen in a damp coastal town.

My Datsun rolls on better than ever. Though I don't roll the same way, (or the stuff we rolled then) I'll always have a soft spot for emus...