So, I got my datsun moving, but she has issues. The first problem i had was a broken wire to the coil - so i wasnt getting spark. sorted that out and drove it from the farm into town. Just as i got into town, she started spluttering and hesitating and eventually cut off and wouldnt start-would turn over but not run. coil was getting really hot so i got a known working 12v coil (from my mini)-still issues. so i parked it till i had time. I took the carb apart-i noticed levers were on the wrong way round-secondary throttle wasnt opening, choke wasnt moving freely, accelerator pump wasnt spraying its jet of fuel into the carb-found it was blocked! so i unblocked it but its still not a "steady stream" when pumped -it squirts intermittently... i made new gaskets (out of cardboard from a cereal box - couldnt find gasket paper at the time) and found the float had taken on fuel so i took to repairing that-i drained it and used solder to seal it. carb now runs at correct level, but wont idle. i got a new condenser (u guys call it a capacitor i think?) but no difference.

I havent changed the points but ive cleaned them. i dont have feeler gauges to set the gap so i left it as it was. i checked and cleaned the plugs and also set the gap - by estimation. no difference. I checked the only vacuum device on the carb that i can find - the one going to the distributor. i cant tell if theres a leak but plugging the pipe with my finger i can feel the carb sucking-so i guess its ok. i also plugged the distributor pipe and it made no difference to the idling. (when its connected though, it idles faster - at times).

I looked for the mixture screw - but cant find it! i tried adjusting the idling - it will only idle really high and when at a constant high rev - its not quite smooth. sometimes if im driving along and put my foot flat the engine practically dies - no power.

I want to undertake changing the distributor to an electronic one, but i thought i should get it running properly before modding anything.

I think my carb is at fault for this, but im not sure what steps to take next, please help me out!!!!!

I have alot of body work to do as well and will be asking for alot of help over the next few weeks... I'll post pics once ive edited them later today.

Ok, I took her for a spin today - got stuck twice - carb was flooding again. I found the cause to be two things - the inlet valve has a spring in it which was corroded and had broken (allowing fuel to come into the float chamber without resistance) and the float itself was taking on fuel again! it seems that a hole appears at the weakest point in the solder once it has been sitting in fuel for a few hours.

Anyone know a method of repairing this float?

Pics still to come...

Ok, Pics posted in the pre-rustoration section under my member...

Ive been quoted between US$400 and US$900 for panel beating and a full respray.

What's your take on metallic as compared to 2K? I wanted to change it to an electric blue, similar to the color the nissan hardbody's come in.