New here, just got a couple of 02's!!

[Burleigh]

Hi Guys,

I'm an old Datsun guy, but I recently aquired two 02's from a fellow member of this board. I am very pleased with them so far even though one of them was quite a pain to get back on the road! LOL!

It's a '69 that has been converted to a 2 liter motor with a few modifications including the 292 cam and dual 45 webbers and Stahl headers. It is old and tired but still runs strong considering. Although, I don't have to worry about anyone getting my plate #'s as there is quite a smoke screen behind me! It has Bilstein Sports at all four corners, Suspension Technique springs and anti-swaybars, front strut tower bar and an LSD out back.

It had a 5speed in it that was stuck in 2nd gear when I got it. I had a pretty tough time getting it out as whoever put it in had to grind a bit off the bell housing just to sqeeze it over the steering linkage! after many choice words and a very large pry bar it popped right out... The new one that was going in however, was quite a bit different than what I pulled out and was much longer. So I had to do a little cut and pasting to get it fully installed. I made a new rear tranny mount crossmember and relocated the shifter angle supprt.

I also had to build a custom flange to bolt to the output shaft as the only driveshaft I had that would fit was a four bolt pattern while the flange on the tranny was a 3 bolt pattern... I had a four bolt flange from a 4speed, but the hole in it was too big as the output shafts are appearantly different diameters! Soooo, I had no other option, but to cut up the one that was originally on it and turn it into a four bolt pattern flange. It isn't pretty as I was working with only a cutting torch and a very cheap bench grinder, but it balanced out well and is very functional...

Anyway, here are a few pics of the one. I'll get some pics of the other one up soon. It's a '75 auto with some minor mods too...

[bcthomas122279]

Damn man!.....nice flange!

[Burleigh]

Damn man!.....nice flange!

Thanks Brad!!!

BTW guys, I got these from Mr. Thomas here...

Brad, this silver one runs GREAT considering the tired motor. I took my brother-in-law for a ride down to Springdale this afternoon. He's seriously concerned that I may kill myself in this car. LOL! (He does drive a honda though...HAHA!)

[AndyS]

Looking forward to meeting you. I heard you have Datsun treasure in your yard!

[BillWilliams]

That is awesome!

[jgerock]

Welcome to the madness. How much time did it take to make that custom output flange?

What car is that (green-colored) hiding just outside the garage? Is that the same 2002 with the open hood in another pic?

Nice Z inside too!

[AndyS]

It's the roundel blue one that Brad stole from me, lol. 3 02 owners in 1 town. We are starting a revolution!

[jgerock]

It's the roundel blue one that Brad stole from me, lol. 3 02 owners in 1 town. We are starting a revolution!

LOL - I'm not surprised it was somehow connected to you Andy.

[new2da02]

all right! another NWA 02er! welcome & lookin forward to meeting you

[dibo]

If you're talking about the green one outside the garage in this pic, I spy a Fairlady! One of my favorite roadsters/convertibles... can't wait to start building mine!

[Burleigh]

Thanks for the big welcome and compliments guys!!!

I am also looking forward to meeting everyone. My wife and I will be taking both cars to Eureka Springs this month and have registered for the event on their site.

Yes, the basketcase lurking in the background is a Datsun Fairlady Roadster. It is a '70 1600 that is basically taken apart and missing quite a few parts that I have been collecting for it's restoration. I am considering shoehorning a Buick 3.8 SC'd v6 from a GNX into it that I have found for cheap! It isn't real pretty right now, but it is VERY solid with almost no rust.

The Z is a full ground up restoration I am doing for a customer. The shell was rotisseried, media blasted and beafed up with larger frame rails and other reinforcements to accomodate the 500+ HP Chevy 383 stroker going into it! It will definately be a looker when done.

The flange took a good 2-3 hours to build. The availble tools at the moment are the limiting factor there. I have just opened up my own shop and am slowly building up the collection again... I'll get there though!

I am looking forward to learning more about these cars and bringing more of them back to life! I was told that this was the place for good guys and great info...

Thanks Again!

Richard

[dibo]

Ha! It's funny you talk about the 3.8 buick... mine has one in there as we speak (bad tranny though... and a bad swap from a crackhead PO). That said, I think I'm going to switch to the Chevy 4.3... they can be had for nothing (like the buick motors), you can use bits from the Chevy small block (pistons and such) and you have some additional transmission options (I've been told anything that works on a small block works on the 4.3, including the Vette 6 speed... shifter might be in the back seat though ;-). If you do some looking around, you'll find some n/a 4.3's pushing well over 400hp. I'm going to shoot for 300 or so... should be plenty scary. Anyway, Buick/Chevy/whatever, a Roadster with a large v6 sounds like fun to me!

[Burleigh]

Yeah, I considered the 4.3 too, but I found this boosted 3.8 for $300! Sooo...

[Burleigh]

Hey Dibo, I actually just got rid of my '77 Datsun 620... It has a pretty built up L20b in it and is a blast to drive! (Mr. Thomas can tell you more about it...)

I am now looking at a '60 something 320 that a guy I know has. I may do a stock restoration on it though as it is VERY nice...

You need to get yourself a Z to go with your collection!

[roadhog0]

Nice 02 you got! Looks like a fun car to play with! Also a good choice on the Z car. They're one of my favorite cars!