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Resurrection: '72 Datsun 521


Jcooper

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June 6th 2013- Trying to find something to do in my off time. I stumbled upon a Datsun pickup on craigslist in good ole Rapid City SD for $500. I looked at it for a few days online before finally contacting the seller to get more history, info, and to see if he'd budge on price. Turns out this Datsun was owned by a local man, who years ago swapped out the L16 with a L18- drove it for a few weeks, hit a deer, ..parked it, and there she sat. The gentleman I picked it up from was planning on doing a lot to it, but with other projects in his garage, he signed it over to me. I did spend several days on Ratsun to learn more about these 521's before getting Datsun fever. A lot of things will need to be done. And as I knew from previous projects- if you're going to do it right, try to do it right the first time.

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Inspecting some of the rust I knew would need to be fixed. Good news was that the box, frame, and inner cab looked good.

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Threw some scabs on her to load her onto a trailer. And yes...this thing was light enough to use a blazer to pull her to the shop.

 

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Day 1: cleaning/inspecting/planning

When I got her to the shop I knew that there would be more than the typical "enter some fluids and fire her up" plan. The wiring in the engine bay was destroyed by something that chewed through this and that..and then found a way to crawl into the cab, poop it all out, make a nest..and eventually die. Luckily, I was able to obtain a complete wiring harness of of ebay (i know some hate this site but its helped)- from a guy named flatcat19- who I think is a Ratsuner. During cleaning- Girlfriend was helpful. 

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Kinda petrified.. 

 

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Old seat- with rat poop covering the backing.

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Seat was recovered for $150 at a shop within walking distance. 

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Further as the days march on. 

I took the tank off and realized it was gelled up really bad, and the fuel sending unit was eroded. No problem. Using a solution of battery acid diluted in water, the gel came out without a problem. The acidity was then neutralized with baking soda for several rinses. I had to reseal a few of the spigots that went to the tank as well, which required aluminum solder I believe. (I did have help with this). The fuel sending unit was actually one for a 240z. I managed to rebend the float rail to match the 521 specs, and ohm tested it to make sure it was accurate. I could have waited to locate a 521 fuel sending unit- but I'm a little sketchy on obtaining anything outside of the U.S...and japan searches did offer me anything at the time. New fuel lines were bent as the old ones had so much gelled gas that trying to weasel that out proved detrimental to the line itself. Bending the lines isn't as bad as I had read prior.  I will have to find a better gas tank filler hose, I just used what I found was the replacement on the truck.

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Bed was also removed, sanded, prepped, rhino lined, and undercoated. Process took a bit but I was satisfied.

 

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More of 2013- build. It has occurred to me as I am posting my build thread that a few things were done in a different order that I am posting...but oh well. During the time I was tinkering with the gas tank and the bed, I also decided to do something about the cab itself. The hood was bent up where the hood prop sits on the spine. So, I removed the hood to metal work that back into place. This lead me to realize that the hood was 4 different colors, with notable bondo work showing in some spots. So, I stripped the whole hood down to metal, primer sealed it, and did a quick shot of black on it for the time being. I think it came out okay for now. I also started working on cleaning up the front apron area of my truck as it was rusted pretty bad. I was missing a grille initially- but I scored one in North Pole, Alaska for the whopping price of $40. With it came additional headlight benzels. Now, I chose to paint it black for now as they were kinda rusted a bit. Below you'll see my progress.

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You'll also see that I replaced the radiator, and started polishing up the engine. Vacuum lines and emissions delete was also performed since L18 had a few extra features than the L16. Distributor was also removed and I utilized an electric distributor I found from a scrapped 720. Weber 32/36 also obtained and installed. Now- just need to re-jet the bugger for my altitude.

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And most of this..gone.

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Please be patient on engine bay pictures. I have 3 devices with lots of pictures..just trying to find them all.

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Update: Tinkered around with the door panels. Figured the cheapest option I'd tolerate at the moment was cutting out my own from 1/4 panel wood. I plan to cover them later- or do something completely different. 

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Also spent time working on the brakes and wheel cylinders. Buddy of mine stopped to pose. Just missing his beer. 

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November 2013: Placed bed back onto truck, connected all the fuel lines, topped off all fluids, turned the key...and purrrrrrrr. It was beautiful. A few hickups..but beautiful. So I sat to enjoy the moment

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Also- I decided to paint the tailgate lettering. I did buy some vinyl ones online...but I just wasn't impressed. So, I took the tedious way: tape, sand, paint. I do like them better. As most of you can see as well..I NEED NEW TAILLIGHT FIXTURES..and man are these a *cuss* to find. 

 

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Nice truck,not a fan of the black grill but still very nice truck. :thumbup:

Yeah, I was going off of something I saw online. If I grow tired of it, I'll change it back- but thanks! Here's a picture of her now. Not my human lady...the datsun one. 

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As shop rent at the original home of the build became too high due to people leaving, I had to relocate. Beings I do not have functioning tail lights at the moment. It had to be placed on a trailer for the ride home.

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What did you do with the original mirrors, did they have a lightly stamped "Datsun" mark on them?

Do you want to sell them if they do, or maybe some trading?

Here are a couple options for your needed tailgate latches, I do realize that they are out of the country. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-TAIL-GATE-HANDLES-DATSUN-NISSAN-620-521-J13-J15-1300-1500-TRUCK-PICKUP-UTE-/181328895640?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a380b5e98&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DATSUN-NISSAN-620-521-J13-J15-1300-1500-TRUCK-PICKUP-UTE-TAIL-GATE-HANDLES-/170789788346?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3A521+Pickup&hash=item27c3dd5aba&vxp=mtr

I could look around for a used set, I know I have them, just have to find them.

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Getting it done. Very nice. 

 

 

My first 521 was the same color. I miss that truck. 

 

 

I'm not really seeing evidence of a deer. What happened?

The deer story was what was reported to me. I guess the original owner hit one- which took out front end, grill, etc. While working on the datsun I could see that the front end/hood were replaced years ago- used to be red and then painted over. Everything looked good- but when I bought it the grill was gone long ago.

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What did you do with the original mirrors, did they have a lightly stamped "Datsun" mark on them?

Do you want to sell them if they do, or maybe some trading?

Here are a couple options for your needed tailgate latches, I do realize that they are out of the country. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-TAIL-GATE-HANDLES-DATSUN-NISSAN-620-521-J13-J15-1300-1500-TRUCK-PICKUP-UTE-/181328895640?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a380b5e98&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DATSUN-NISSAN-620-521-J13-J15-1300-1500-TRUCK-PICKUP-UTE-TAIL-GATE-HANDLES-/170789788346?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3A521+Pickup&hash=item27c3dd5aba&vxp=mtr

I could look around for a used set, I know I have them, just have to find them.

I still have the original mirrors. I replaced them because one of the mirrors was cracked. I'll be in the garage tomorrow- and I'll check on the Datsun stamp. I really have no use for them, but I can pm you some pics when I can. I can sell them to you- no problem.

Also, I was able to score some original latches, I just have to head up to Minot, ND to pick them up. (Brother found them in a scrap yard- then deployed without getting them to me)

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I just replaced a fuel neck hose. Try to finda more flexable one but NAPA had my size. and the vent hose was a little on the tight side.

 

make sure the clamps are tight thats how water/dirt get in the tank and cuases it to rust and fill up the idle jet causing motor no to run.

 

ps I got a new fuel sender I believe

 

think you should have done the Datsun in white

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This is what the stamp looks like, it's a very shallow stamp.

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Here's my pictures of the old mirrors I took off. Sorry for the late update. Weather in SD can suck sometimes. Like I said, they were in pretty rough shape, so I'd be willing to give em to you CHEAP if interested. All of the bracket nuts have splits in them. 

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Update 3/14/15- 

First off I want to apologize to Datsun Mechanic for the late update on the mirrors I had for you- I was planning on hitting up the shop earlier. Temperatures in South Dakota have hit up into the 70s, and then the next day it's 30s with snow. Since the Datsun's new location has no heat, I prefer not to work on cold metal and loose the skin off my hands. But anyway, I Purchased a new fuel filler neck. As you can see.. the old one I had was a creation in itself (two pieces of rubber and a metal pipe..). It was removed when I redid the gas tank and refitted to "do the job at the moment." however, I was worried about dirt getting into the tank again. Luckily I was able to find an OEM rubber neck online- so I replaced it. I also replaced the speedometer cable-  the inside cable from the old line was completely gone.

The only major thing I have left to do is figuring out jet settings on my Weber 32/36. currently I can get idle and and have it run okay for a few minutes--but then it backfires so loud it'll make you poop yourself. This also happens when you open the throttle up. I've read the thread on the weber settings and fine tuning..no vacuum leaks on mine--- just can't figure out the issue. Back to the drawing board, and more reading...

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The only major thing I have left to do is figuring out jet settings on my Weber 32/36. currently I can get idle and and have it run okay for a few minutes--but then it backfires so loud it'll make you poop yourself

 

 

I would look at the ignition first. a worn out dizzy like a loose bushing that causes the points to premature opne or a condensor that is getting saturarated. or the ballast resisitor missing or a wrong coil installed.

I have bolted over 4 weber DGVs on and never adjust the jets and even the 38.38 and they run ehought not to backfire.

reck your timming on distributor

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The only major thing I have left to do is figuring out jet settings on my Weber 32/36. currently I can get idle and and have it run okay for a few minutes--but then it backfires so loud it'll make you poop yourself

 

 

I would look at the ignition first. a worn out dizzy like a loose bushing that causes the points to premature opne or a condensor that is getting saturarated. or the ballast resisitor missing or a wrong coil installed.

I have bolted over 4 weber DGVs on and never adjust the jets and even the 38.38 and they run ehought not to backfire.

reck your timming on distributor

Thanks for the pointer. When the weber was first installed, I was still running a points distributor and we had the back firing issue. So I snatched an electric dizzy from a used car,  adjusted the timing and still...backfire.  Unsure if coil could be an issue, I'll look at it. We changed the jets due to elevation I live in. Either way I didn't think it would hurt. Not sure if its an engine timing issue or not. but this issue has been plaguing me and my shop mates for a time now. 

 

Planning on going back to square one: place weber back to factory jets, retest coil, ohm everything out and see if per chance I'm loosing electricity somewhere. I feel like I've done this before ...but maybe I overlooked something. 

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