New 320 owner

[Brody]

Hey guys, I just recently bought this '65 320 that I've been eying for quite a while now. I'm new to the Datsun scene and the car building scene in general. I've got my work cut out for me and I'm sure I'll need plenty of help. Just really glad I found this site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brody]

 

[wayno]

Welcome to Ratsun  B)

 

It looks like you might have tried to post photos, but it didn't work, do you have a photobucket account or something like it?

[Brody]

Exactly. And no I don't. I just tried to put them through tinypic.com to reduce them.

[Brody]

 

 

 

[wayno]

Looks like it might need some work, but the exterior sheet metal looks good in the photos.

Do you have the bumpers, grill, turn signal assemblies, ect.

Does it run?

[Brody]

It's a very straight little truck. I have the front bumper, a rear bumper that isn't original, and the grill. I don't have the turn signal assembly though. It doesn't run. The previous owner claimed that the engine had been rebuilt and that it had less than a few hundred miles on it since the rebuild. He said he had a heart attack sometime around 2004 and lost interest in it.

[AZ_L320]

Very cool, welcome to the 320 club!  That looks like one hell of a spot light!  Keep us posted on the progress.

 

Dale - Az

[wayno]

Don't give up on the engine without trying to start it, every one of these engines I have tried to start actually have run great.

Keep a lookout for 320 turn signal assemblies complete on ebay, on here, look everywhere, they are hard to find, if I can find a suitable replacement, I will post what I find.

I tried the datsun roadster assemblies, but they just don't look proper.

 

This is what it is supposed to look like,

 

 

and this is what it looks like with roadster turn signal assembies.

 

[Brody]

Haha thanks Dale. The spotlight is one of my favorite things about the truck. Adds a little personality in my opinion.

And thank you Wayno. I really appreciate the help. And I'm working on the engine now, I really want to keep it as original as possible under the hood. I think I'm going to need a distributor. I got one with the truck but it wasn't complete. And the plugs were pulled out when I got it so I'm trying to get a head gasket so I can clean it out if anything got in there.

 

I think I may have found another '65 in a neighboring town. I replied to an ad on Craigslist but the ad isn't that descriptive. I haven't got a response yet but if it pans out I'll definitely keep a lookout for the turn signal assembly.

[Conner]

Hey Brody, welcome.  Nice truck. 

 

I've also been looking for a new distributor for my truck, and the closest think I have found is Cardone will do a rebuild and return.  The best price I've found is around $150 from rockauto, where you pay through them and then ship it off and they send your distributor back reconditioned.  Some auto parts stores online say they have the Cardone R&R cheaper but then list it as out of stock.  Cardone doesn't deal directly with the public; you have to go through some kind of retailer.  Distributor caps, points, rotors, and plug wires (obviously) are all available new.  My folder with all the part numbers I've learned around here and through research is at home but I'll get those part numbers for you if you need them.  A lot of parts are shared with the later 520 and 521 trucks and there is a decent aftermarket. 

[wayno]

Here is another option for a distributor using your own housing, the info starts on the first page, how to make electronic ignition for your 320.

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/393-mklotz70-nl320/

[delariva]

Very cool! Looks like a fun project. That red looks really nice. 

[burrito213]

welcome. you will find a wealth of info here. if you dont, ask. i am sure pretty much all of ratsun are willing to help you out. :thumbup:

[thomascain]

Hey Brody, welcome.  Nice truck. 

 

I've also been looking for a new distributor for my truck, and the closest think I have found is Cardone will do a rebuild and return.  The best price I've found is around $150 from rockauto, where you pay through them and then ship it off and they send your distributor back reconditioned.  Some auto parts stores online say they have the Cardone R&R cheaper but then list it as out of stock.  Cardone doesn't deal directly with the public; you have to go through some kind of retailer.  Distributor caps, points, rotors, and plug wires (obviously) are all available new.  My folder with all the part numbers I've learned around here and through research is at home but I'll get those part numbers for you if you need them.  A lot of parts are shared with the later 520 and 521 trucks and there is a decent aftermarket.

Can you send me the part numbers for the distributor cap, points, rotors and plug wires?