"Tick tock goes the clock, and time waits for no one." Who ever said that must have missed a few deadlines as well... I've got a new self-induced timeline for completing The Race Wagon: our first test day is on August 20, and the first race weekend Sept. 11, 12. I've been working on finishing up some of the subsystems - battery master switch (on the driver's A-pillar, thanks … [Read more...] about TICK TOCK…
DATSUN DIFFERENTIALS
Datsun used several different sized differentials in their independent-rear-suspensioned sports cars. The 510 sedans used the R160, the early Z's used the R180, and the later Z's used the R200. There are also several other variations out there (R190, R230, LSDs, Ks, clip-ins, bolt-ins, etc). The diff name refers to the size of the ring gear in millimeters, ie the R160 has a … [Read more...] about DATSUN DIFFERENTIALS
SCCA AUTOCROSS
Today I went out to the old Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, CA and watched the Fresno Chapter of the San Francisco Region SCCA do some autocrossing. The purpose of my trip was to pick up some Z wheels from a fellow Datsun racer, Steve Carlson, who was out racing his prepped 240Z. Steve's car is a regular in the Central California Solo scene, and he set fast time of the … [Read more...] about SCCA AUTOCROSS
FUELIN’ AROUND
I've been plumbing the fuel system this weekend. I'm using -6 AN Aeroquip socketless hose and fittings (also called barbed or push-on) inside the fuel cell compartment and under the hood, and then using stainless steel braided hose between the firewalls and through the cabin. A tip that really helped when assembling the socketless connections is to soak the hose ends in boiling … [Read more...] about FUELIN’ AROUND
WAGON UPDATE
I've been working on the plumbing and wiring in the Race Wagoon. Fuel lines, brake lines, oil cooler, radiator - geez, a whole bunch of hoses! Then wiring the battery master, coil, starter, MSD, gauges - all this stuff adds up in both weight and expense... … [Read more...] about WAGON UPDATE
RACE WAGON HEART TRANSPLANT
My Lil' Red Wagon finally got its motor. Since I don't have a lift in my garage (wouldn't that be nice), I hooked the transmission up before the installation. I discovered that the length of the early 'A' type comp trans combined with the motor makes for one very tight fit. Tilt the motor, lower the motor, tilt some more, lower some more, wiggle to the side, repeat ten times, … [Read more...] about RACE WAGON HEART TRANSPLANT