Just a quick note that the project lives on. The car has now been at a panel shop for the last couple of weeks. It needs some serious rust repairs and I am told two replacement guards (I have placed a wanted ad in the classified section of the forum). The panel shop is putting in fresh metal and I am going to try and 'match' up the faded blue paint in true 'rat' fashion. I am hoping the body will be sound but have a strong patina of age. Well thats what I am hoping for!

Looks like the beast might get an A12 as well thanks to 'Pigdog' who was very generous with the sale of four engines. Anyway I will keep you guys posted.

My 1970 4 door 1000 sedan is in at the panel shop getting some serious rust repairs sorted. The verdict is that my original guards are probably past saving. Does anyone have a pair of front guards available for sale? (straight and rust free). I am located near Geelong so am able to pick up from Melbourne, Ballarat, etc but can also organise freight if needed. Any help is gratefully appreciated.

Hi there. Would these fit a 1000 sedan without any clearance issues? Also I live down Geelong way and was wondering in what suburb of Melbourne are they located?

Thanks

Thanks guys for all your fast replies its a great help. Looks like I will give them a miss although even just the tyres at $100 for 4 is tempting but I would need to find 13 inch rims. Any ideas on what would be the ideal steel rim - RWD Corolla?

Hi Guys. I am hoping for some help. Would Subaru Brumby 13" rims with 175/70 tyres be a good choice for my Datsun 1000 sedan. I have found an excellent set that are cheap but is the offset, wheel spacing, overall diameter and so forth okay. Any advice greatly appreciated. (My 12" tyres are knackered and I am trying to get the car ready for a road worthy in the next few months)

Thanks for the latest replies. Keeping the stock drums sound like the way to go and so much easier than mucking around with stuff that the car doesn't really need. I can put my energy and money into other areas of the car.

Backed of the adjusters on the siezed drum removed it for inspection and hey presto no more dramas -drove the car around the property. Everything works just fine including all the electricals, wipers, washers heater, etc, etc really, really impressed. Next week I will treat the car to a new battery - my first expense since the purchase.

So far going well - my mission is to get the car road worthy/regoed and then after this milestone begin toying around with it. Lowering, tyres/rims, low back sports seats, de bumpered, etc.

Thanks again for all the replies.




The car drove well, no clunks or adverse noises , clutch and gear box fine

Hi Bazz

Are dog dish hubcaps the ones found on a 70' Datsun 1000 sedan? If so I have 4 in pretty good nick that I am not going to use.

Cheers Ren

Thanks guys. Awesome rundown of everything I need to do. Ratto is a bit rusty down low but I hope to get into quickly while the enthusiasm is high! Your help already has been fantastic.

Really new to Datsun's so sorry for such a simple question. On the 1000 do the guards simply bolt on or off or are there welds to contend with. Thanks heaps.

'RATTO' LIVES!!!!!! Drove the car today - well backwards and forwards in the garage - trying to free a front seized drum on the passenger side (it mostly worked). The car just needed more fuel and some jumper leads and it started really well and settled into a very steady idle. I ran it up to temperature and held it there for some time without problems. The oil is very clean and there is no blow by. All good.

If I can sort the brakes then I can take it for a more substantial drive around the property. I filled the brake reservoir but I can't get any pressure at the peddle - any ideas greatly appreciated!

I am already so impressed with the engine access and its simplicity so much better than having half your body stuck in the rear of an 850 FIAT.