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1978, 620 King Cab, Rebuild


Scoobs

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Well, howdy yall, my name is Steve, I go by the nickname scoobs. I recently picked up a fairly nice 78 Datsun king cab about a week ago, its rough around the edges, but im making it work for now. Im planning on restoring it as much as i can, but for now ive been driving it as it is. Costs a bit to add oil every day, but it is what it is lol. I have no idea how many miles are actually on it, but it uses/leaks about a quart every 100 miles. I plan on rebuilding the engine in it, the L20B fairly soon, but i need to fix my main driver, a 1991 suzuki swift before i can swing more money on the truck. Ill upload a few photos to tease yall a bit. Hope you enjoy them, its not pretty, but its better than nothing. First 2 photos are the night i bought it. The rest are how it looked as i was tinkering.

 

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A ton lol. Especially on the downshift to climb hills in my area. Smokes for a good 5 mins on morning startups. Right now im gathering parts for the rebuild. Waiting to get some more funds rounded up for some hastings rings and either king bearings or clevite.

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Gosh no, i would never think of rebuilding it, without doing the headwork. I got access to machines that i can do all the work myself lol. Thank god for mechanic/shop friends. One of the perks of working at an auto parts supplier lol. 

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@ 100 MPQuart it will pay for itself in 6 months. DO NOT let it run dry.

 

 

If you have a machine shop then get it bored out to an over size piston and then get better chrome rings. Might as well do it right. Clevite bearings used to have a good name.

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My plans for next week are to get the head pulled off and get the pistons popped out and check my clearances for new rings/ bearings. I wont be able to get the parts till payday but atleast ill know where i stand on getting what i need. Already got the timing chain set sitting at work. Anyone got the torque specs handy for connecting rod caps and headbolts?

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Well, heres an update, not such a good one. After getting my new tires installed all 4 matching size now, Was on my way to town with it the other day when it suddenly dropped oil pressure and as soon as the light came on, i shut it down. pulled the dipstick, and nothing on it, called my fiance to bring me some oil, added 2 quarts, back to the full line? Started it up, oil light went off, no knocks, but drove it back home after picking up the engine stand and hoist from a fellow member, the oil pressure drops down again on the way home, not to 0 like before but it dropped from 55 down to 20ish. Parked it on the concrete slab near my cabin, and started pulling the engine. 

 

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Engine is about ready to come out, just the transmission bolts, a heater hose, motor mounts, and im not sure if i have to drop the steering linkage or not but that may be next also. Tommorows task contains clearing out a spot in my living room or kitchen to work on it since it will be a while before i can get it assembled once i have it apart, i need to source a few parts for this thing as some parts were cobbled on. Anyone got a spare alternator bracket? the Upper one. Someone must have lost it and replaced it with a chevy one that was spaced using big brass bolts. Lol. Parts i still need to buy are as follows, Pistons, Rings, Bearings, Alternator, fuel pump, Oil pump, rear main seal set, belts, hoses, Webber 38, with an intake. Or Egr deleted intake manifold, and a better working hitachi carb. Also have alot of parts to drop off at the powder coaters. I want the engine to have alot of that chrome looking powdercoat, or some bright color like hot pink..... not really. 

 

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Small update.Got a brand new alternator last night for the truck, aswell as removed several other parts to get the engine out. Only lack 3 trans/plate bolts to remove and hopefully she will slide out of the trans. 

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Well, heres an update, not such a good one. After getting my new tires installed all 4 matching size now, Was on my way to town with it the other day when it suddenly dropped oil pressure and as soon as the light came on, i shut it down. pulled the dipstick, and nothing on it, called my fiance to bring me some oil, added 2 quarts, back to the full line? Started it up, oil light went off, no knocks, but drove it back home after picking up the engine stand and hoist from a fellow member, the oil pressure drops down again on the way home, not to 0 like before but it dropped from 55 down to 20ish. Parked it on the concrete slab near my cabin, and started pulling the engine. 

 

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Priorities are wrong. Tires/rims before checking the oil??? This does not bode well for the next engine you run. If a quart a day buy it by the gallon instead of tires. If the engine goes dry it's toast and un rebuildable and that's a waste. It's still good for parts if you replace it later.

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Well, the new tires are just some good used tires that were given to me, they were on the truck for a few weeks before the oil pressure dropped. The timing on the oil pressure just happened at the perfect moment, i was already on the way to get the engine stand to pull the engine out anyway Lol. Anyway, annother update, Engine is Out an on the stand, no sooner did i get the engine out and on the stand, it starts down pouring litterally right after i slid it on the stand and pinned it, had to run to the house and get a plastic battery bag to cover it with. 

 

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Easier to pull the motor with both manifolds on it. I'd get the exhaust off now while you can get at it and install both before putting the engine back. Easier to get at the bolts when it's out.

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