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Scratching the 521 itch


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I picked up my first pickup friday night. It's a bamboo 1970 datsun 521. I immediately fell in love. It has the "original" L16 with a 4 speed manual. Looks like it was originally the same red brick color of my 69 510 underneath the bamboo. Runs and drives great. Not 100% sure where I will go with it from here because it's my daily while I work on the 510, but, there area couple things I had in mind. 

 

Let the oics commence!

 

At the irvine cars & coffee the following morning

10351250_10203289568311569_6687747664337

 

Front

10390938_10203289569031587_7219172889924

 

Driver's side

10442440_10203289568911584_4137926491077

 

Rear

1959421_10203289568951585_77360530826718

 

Passenger's side

10417478_10203289569551600_2540980723488

 

Interior

1234900_10203289569911609_16009971745183

 

Dash

10437418_10203289570071613_4279074896933

 

Engine

10374026_10203289570311619_4761920072386

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Ohhhh..... that's definitely possible. The paint color looks correct as far as being original, I just saw brick red showing through. The place where I saw brick red on my 510 is under the dash so if it's primer that makes sense. When I get some time I'll list out the stuff I want to do. It's not getting chopped in any way, shape or form. I love this truck!

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Todo

  1. Lower it about ~4 inches

  2. Get a dash cap

  3. Replace steering wheel with “wood” steering wheel

  4. Replace shifter with “wood" 5 speed shifter

  5. L20B, side drafts, 5 speed

  6. Sand/primer the bed to stop rust.

  7. Lay wooden slats in the bed

  8. Re-cover the seat

     

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Started doing a check up on the current status of the truck this morning. The rpm and volt meter are using the same power and ground for reference, so i think this is throwing the readings off. RPMs are all over the place and the voltage is as well. I tested at the battery and the engine ground and it looks good so i think it's because of that. The truck was running hotter than normal so i checked the oil and coolant. Both were low. I think the coolant is fine, but there is no overflow bottle so i'm going to start looking for one. I already knew the oil leaked so that was no surprise. The truck still runs great.

 

Things I need to buy

  • Rear view mirror
  • Coolant overflow bottle
  • Oil pan gasket
  • Dash cap

After i get to work from the DMV i'll probably start checking out parts and update here if i get anything good.

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i guess i need to track down that voltage issue ha ha ha ha! Gas gauge said just under 1/2 a tank. Should be easy to fix.

What voltage issue are you seeing?

 

Fuel guage has a special voltage regulator inside the dash, so it may not be easy to fix. It is most often a problem with the sender in the fuel tank.

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I replaced the voltage regulator in the gauge cluster on my 510 with a newer piece of electronics so i'm familiar with the procedure. If the sender is putting out the correct resistance at empty & full then I'll swap the VR. I did a mini write up on it - http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54598-bad-gauge-cluster-voltage-regulator-easy-2-fix/

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The 521 dies if I step on the brakes at the same time the headlights are one (some times). And always if I have the high beams on. I started testing voltage at the battery terminals and this is what I got:

 

Car off - 12.8

headlights on - 12.1

high beams on - 12.1

high beams while running - 12

headlights while running - 12.1

running with headlights off - 12.4

stepping on breaks with high beams on - 12v (engine dies)

 

Accessory circuit reads 1 volt lower than the battery. 11v all the way down to (occasionally) 9v if I have everything on. I think the alternator may not be providing enough juice.

 

 

Those values all seem really low. Maybe an amperage problem or not enough power to the ignition? It has some weird electronic ignition i'm not familiar with... i think it may be not getting enough power to keep the ignition running with both systems on (not enough amps?).

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Thank you!

 

Ran out of gas this morning... i guess i need to track down that voltage issue ha ha ha ha! Gas gauge said just under 1/2 a tank. Should be easy to fix.

Your not the only one lol, my gauge don't even work. Gotta start driving with a gas can
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Cool truck Biscuit ! I also recently got the lt. green one I wanted to match my sons lt green wag.(sold three in a year ), with 92k on ticker ,yours is much nicer , anyway if I make it down there I will get in touch or if you make it up here to Whittier give me a call have some parts .Try adj. the regulator or swap it out.562-696-5995

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Sounds like your alternator isnt pumping out the right volts to me.

 

clean ck connections. On 521s there is a main feed wire that gooes from the fuse box to the battery.

Make sure the T conncection is good on the Alternaotrr also. powers the field circut i think

 

make sure you got a External type if you run the stock volt reg.

Get a battery tie down!!!!!!!!

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Thanks for the tips gents! I'll check to make sure all the connections for the alternator are seated properly first, then replace the alternator. From watching the volt meter, it will hit 13v/14v while cruising on the freeway but can be anywhere from 9v-11v when idling. 

 

FUUUUUU.... those wheels are the sex.

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