1973 Rebuild

[Patcon]

That's great! Well done

[Matthew Abate]

Can anyone help identify these parts? I believe the plastic donut goes in the back of the cigar lighter, but I have no idea what this spring came out of. It might not even be a car part, but I found it in my box of dashboard parts.

[inline6]

I believe the plastic piece is a spacer that goes behind the fan switch in the center dash panel.  I don't recognize the spring.

[SteveJ]

2 hours ago, Matthew Abate said:

Can anyone help identify these parts? I believe the plastic donut goes in the back of the cigar lighter, but I have no idea what this spring came out of. It might not even be a car part, but I found it in my box of dashboard parts.

I'm thinking the spacer could be for the hazard switch on the back side of the dash. I don't recall seeing that spring before.

[w3wilkes]

The spring looks like it came out of some garden hand clippers, I have some clippers with springs like that, it pushes them open.

[dutchzcarguy]

Those donuts in plastic are also found under the seats.. but i only have seen them in black (on the bolts).

[Matthew Abate]

11 hours ago, SteveJ said:

I'm thinking the spacer could be for the hazard switch on the back side of the dash.

You’re right. I was able to find a photo that confirmed it.

7 hours ago, w3wilkes said:

The spring looks like it came out of some garden hand clippers, I have some clippers with springs like that, it pushes them open.

That’s it! It’s for my spring clip pliers.

Thanks to both of you.

Edited November 20, 2024 by Matthew Abate

[Matthew Abate]

Well, I put the steering column and seat in temporarily just to see how things feel and found out I don’t fit very well. Now I’m kinda having a meltdown about this problem and need opinions.

With my feet resting on the clutch and brake pedals the steering wheel is touching my thighs (2nd photo). NOT GOOD! That means no hand clearance, potential leg interference, plus getting in and out is tough. Plus this is with 50year old seat foam that I’m planning to replace, which will raise me higher and make this worse.

Am I doing something wrong that’s making this not line up as it would be when it’s all together? The pedal box is not completely tight, but it’s snug, so I thought it was up all the way, but the dash is out so maybe it’s sagging a bit. It doesn’t move when I try to lift it, though.

If it’s up all the way then I need a new wheel, which means these are my options:

1. Get a JDM Nissan Fairlady Z steering wheel. These are 1” closer to the dash and 1.25” smaller in diameter than the US domestic market wheel in my photos. Getting one might work, but it also might obstruct my view of the gauges. And it could be the same problem if being closer to the dash cancels out the clearance I get from the smaller wheel.

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2. Get a Datsun Competition wheel. It’s essentially the same dimensions as the Fairlady Z wheel, but easy to find if I get a replica and cool AF if I get a real one. Same issues as the Fairlady Z wheel, with the added problem of being more expensive. Looks dope, though.

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3. Get a RS Watanabe Falcon steering wheel. Same diameter as above, but requires an adapter because it’s both nearly flat and has a different bolt pattern from stock. Looks dope, a comparable price to the above… if I can find one. They’re currently out of production, so hard to find and maybe inflated.

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4. Find another aftermarket wheel. More flexibility in dimensions because I can mix and match sizes and adapters. Potentially cheaper. Potentially more expensive. Not super appealing to me personally.

Living with this USDM wheel isn’t going to fly, so I have to figure it out.

•••

Also, I found this curiosity while investigating my options. It’s a Datsun Comp wheel, but the red horn pad logo and the low price (sub-$200) make me think it’s fake.

Very little info beyond the photos. Any ideas?

Edited December 9, 2024 by Matthew Abate

[Yarb]

How was the fit in the vehicle before you began the project? Have you made any changes in that area other than factory?

Edited December 10, 2024 by Yarb

[SteveE]

Here is how mine is set up.  Stock seat (with new cover) and replica Datsun Comp. wheel.

Looks like my seat is alot furthur back than yours.  I'am 6' ht and 200 lbs.

I can get in and out just fine (not easy but thats due to age😩) and no interference with wheel.

Seat is not all the way back (but close) and driving postion is comfortable.

[Patcon]

I use to be 6'-5" and never had that issue with the wheel. I agree, the seat seems to be really close to the wheel.

Are the seat rails all the way against the floor bracket? Metal to metal? No plastic spacers in the way?

[Matthew Abate]

Wait. I’m a dope. I totally forgot to try sliding the seat back.

@SteveE How is instrument visibility with that comp wheel?

Edited December 10, 2024 by Matthew Abate