MariaAZ

Nice to see pics of our newest family member! Hopefully we'll get the guy up and running soon. I'm hoping to install a starter relay this weekend so we don't have to bridge the starter posts with a screwdriver to get it started. Then, somewhere along the line the auto choke was removed from the carb, so we're looking at putting a manual choke system in at least for now. I'm more interested in working under the hood, so it's nice to have a vehicle that is complete that way (I suck at body work). With such a long history as a show vehicle, I might just have to "pretty up" the engine compartment. First things first though, and that is getting it running so we can get it to pass emissions. We'd love to get together with other Datsun fans. We used to do the Scottsdale Pavillions shine n show with the Roadsters and Zs. This post shows our other Datsuns: http://forum.ratsun.net/showthread.php?t=4171 ETA - as for photos... we'll have to clean it up a bit, the bath will have to wait until after we get the relay in and can hopefully start the truck :)

Actually, I was thinking on cutting the spare wire from the relay's harness if I get the 5 blade relays with harnesses. A PO upgraded the headlights on our 620, and now the headlights blow the fuse when they're on for any amount of time. It was suggested that we add a relay between the headlight switch and the headlights.

I read Slodat's how to, "Hot Start Relay" about adding a relay between the ignition switch and starter. I'd like to do this to our Datsuns, as well as add a relay to the headlights on our 620. So, I need quite a few relays. Now, for a question with what is probably an obvious answer. All I can find are the five plug relays. Do I just use those and leave the 87a plug open/cut off the wire from the harness? I'm not at all familiar with relays and want to make I've got it right before I buy a quantity of them.

Thanks for all the welcomes! I've learned that older vehicles seem to be "ongoing projects" even when they're daily drivers ;) For example; the 240Z needs all the window/door gaskets replaced and the doors adjusted so they close correctly. It needs some front suspension work, the passenger side window needs some tweaking so it rolls down all the way; mostly little stuff. The 260Z appears to have a leaking brake line that needs tending to. The rear suspension is shot and needs new struts. It seems to be in the beginning stages of clutch failure. The 620 needs to have an ignition relay installed since it only starts when the posts on the starter are bridged with a screwdriver while the key is turned. A PO removed the auto choke from the carb so the darned thing takes forever to get started. It has the original Hitachi carb. Since we have to get it to pass emissions, I spoke with our mechanic (who did wonders getting our SU-retrofitted Z cars to pass with flying colors) about his recommendations re: new carbs. I'd like to try to get this one at least running with the old carb, so we're looking at the manual choke conversion kit from JC Whitney. The truck also doesn't have an operational horn; the original steering wheel was replaced and it looks like the horn button wires haven't been attached to anything. The Roadsters... well, they're MAJOR projects. The '64 ran fine until it started overheating. The '63 ran fine until it started running rough. For some reason I checked the trunk and found the dreaded trunk floor cracks; really really BIG ones. So, the car was drydocked. Our goal is to get the Z problems taken care of (since they are already road-legal) then work on the 620, then start on the Roadsters. Lots of projects, lots of questions and I'm looking forward to doing lots of learning here!

My husband and I have made the transition to being an all-Datsun family. Once Hubby's barely-running '95 GMC Jimmy is sold, our youngest vehicle will be my '74 260Z. It all started with this, our '64 Fairlady. We bought her as a non-running project car. She actually served as a daily driver for awhile after we replaced the non-running engine with a running one. This is currently non-running now: Next was my personal price and joy, our '63 Fairlady with a correct 1500 engine from a '65. We even have the VIN plate for the valiant donor. This lady replaced the '64 as a daily driver for awhile. She is also currently non-running: After a year or so working on and driving the Roadsters, Hubby decided he wanted a slightly larger car, since at 6'3" he is a bit tall for the low windshield cars. He found a non-running '73 240Z that he fell in love with. This car remained non-running for several years, until last year when we the engine overhauled. Since there was some damage to cylinder 4 sleeve, we opted to have it overbored .030. She still needs work, such as new door/hatch gaskets, new paint (the paint is much rougher now than when the pic was taken), etc. but is basically mechanically sound. In the above picture you can see a red Saturn in the background. When it suffered massive engine and transmission failure, I decided I wanted a Z car too. We drove through what seemed like half the city one Saturday looking at a variety of Zs, but none of them appealed to me. We stopped for lunch before going to see one more Z, and couldn't get hold of the owner. I was grumpy, I was tired. I told Hubby I wanted to go home, that I'll find my car sitting on the side of the road and I'll know it's the car. Sure enough, less than a mile away from the restaurant, we found this sitting on the side of the road; Our latest acquisition, a '73 620 pickup, is the replacement for the Jimmy. We really need a vehicle for hauling stuff, so Hubby found the truck. I don't have a photo of it yet, but it's the vehicle we're currently working on getting into running condition. Now that we have more time, the plan is to get all our vehicles back into the best running condition we can.