Datsun Dude

Thanks for the post. I have heard that there are metric and American versions of the tie rods, making them harder to source. Looking for the front left outer tie rod (American). If anyone has one, let me know. I located a drag link on eBay, but it needs refurbishing. If anyone has suggestions on refurbishing suspension parts, shoot me a message, please. Thanks!

Yes, it is. I'm trying to figure out where you took this. Williams, AZ?

Hi, I recently checked out the "Bring a Trailer" website, which featured a 1967 Datsun 411 Bluebird SSS in very good condition. It had factory air and was among the last to roll off the assembly line. Pix are here. The winning bid was $17,500, which was probably surprising to some. However, this one was nice. I know some out there are even nicer. Nice to see there is still some interest in this car out there. Cheers.

I have investigated the issue, and testing has not indicated a head gasket issue. I am so grateful for that. The lack of power was due to the car running on only three cylinders. Most plugs were fouled, and the rotor was worn. Those were replaced along with a new cap and the proper wires. It is back to running like a bat out of hell. To test, I took it up to Twin Peaks on a hill-climbing test. Found some admirers of the car up there. Good times. Glad to be back in action. Thanks for the messages of encouragement.

Hi Mike, can I get those part numbers? Trying to tidy up the engine bay. Thanks!

Update: Unfortunately, the car started running poorly a few weeks ago. It looks like a head gasket issue. it might have to do with the head not being retorqued after the rebuild. I'm investigating the issue now, and planning on taking action soon. I'm going to need a little help on this one.

Glad to see it is still going strong!

I talked to Lorio over Facebook and he said that Frampton is only available via PM on the 311.org site. He also said you were a great guy and a big fan of the SSS. I hope we can meet at some point. Perhaps at the Route 66 JDM show. I want to go again this year and drive the car all the way there as I did before, or trailer if if I can afford it. Yes! Pix would be cool. I hope the odometer could function again too. Thanks for reaching out!

Oh, you own the SSS now? I thought he still had it. Very cool. Or do you own his 410? Maybe he's sold both? I don't know how to get ahold of Jon Frampton. Hopefully someone can chime in. Does it work with the odometer too? Hope you are enjoying the Datsun!

Thanks, Mike. I got Mike Young to help me get the oil drain plug out of there and placed back in properly. He says it's not an original 411 oil drain plug, so that may have been the reason why the tire shop guys screwed it up. I'll be doing the job myself moving forward, but with much greater care. My next problem is to fix the speedometer. The cable seems intact but the plastic pinion gear is likely worn. Not sure where the hell I would find another. John Lorio says to get a GPS rebuild from Jon Frampton. Neely also said to do a GPS rig. Not sure which route to go right now. I'm also going to try and fix the window channel felt. My windows are rattling so badly that it's driving me bats. I am also looking to get the radiator recored for more long distance hauls, perhaps another trip from San Francisco to Williams, AZ in the Fall. We shall see! Always something!! Many little projects left. Overall, it is running well.

Crazy rattle noise is not suspension at all! Turns out it is my exhaust that is making all the noise. There are these 2 big ass bushings that hold the pipe to the frame on either side of the drive line on the body. Know 'em? Both of these were toast. I had one built out and now am going to build another. I stupidly got an oil change at one of those oil change outlets. They put my drain plug back in crooked. It's leaking oil pretty badly now. I am trying to fix that now. I am going to recore the radiator to attack cooling issues I am having. Still need to get window channel felt to fix the rattle. Still looking for the RH Outer Tie Rod to complete my suspension build. Someone snagged Tana's last one. You snooze, you lose. 😞 If you can help, let me know. That should keep me busy for a while. D.D.

You can have a lot of fun in a 1300cc motor with a 2 barrel Weber Carb. Otherwise the rotary swap looks fun,. I think there are more options for swapping newer motors these days. There are some ideas here, like Suzuki motors and things like that. The R16 swap is a lot of work so beware. You may as well do the KA24 swap as it is about as much work! DD

Thanks, Mike. It's on there now. She's a runner again! 🙂 Will you be at JCCS this year? Hope so, as I hope to make it this time.

She's having some bad rattle issues now, so I had someone come over to the house to look at it. Cooling system: Turns out my water pump is broken. WHAT? That thing is supposed to be new. Looks like it was a poorly welded together rebuild job. It's not NOS at all. Well that sucks. I certainly paid the price for a NOS one. Fortunately, I have a line on a NOS water pump that will fit and won't cost me a mint. I've already test fitted it. It's an equally rare part coming from the smog version of the R16, but it will work, apparently. I should have it installed back into the Bluebird in a week or two. Doing some minor clean up and prepping the reinstallation. At least I'll finally have that rare water pump that should last for some years. Suspension: I'm seeking a drag link to complete my suspension rebuild. Turns out this is yet another rare part. I might have to find one on a vehicle that is parting out. If anyone here knows of or has a drag link, please let me know!

Update on "Hikari," my Datsun RL411 SSS. Still going strong. I updated some steering parts and many of the suspension parts: koni shocks, lower ball joints. Still needs tie rods and a drag link. I can find the tie rods but not sure what the hell I'm going to do about a new drag link. They are unobtanium. Perhaps I can pull a better one from a donor car. The new shocks make the ride around these crazy San Francisco streets and my Bay Area road trips a little easier. I'd like to replace the sway bar links and all the bushings around the sway bar. A lot of rattle going on when I turn the car to the far left and right as I back the car out of the drive way. Still need to address window rattle too, it still drives me insane. I have six weeks off work soon, so I hope to finally have the time to work on it a bit. My crazy dream is to drive the car coast to coast. I don't think many people have done that!