armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Just bought my first 521. It's a 1970 521. It runs but rattles and grinds in different places underneath. I've sold my 83 Hilux to get this truck and now I'm so excited. I work as a civilian contractor inspecting helicopters during the day but don't have a clue about cars. It's sad I know but I know it's not too late to learn. If you're for around San Diego I'd love to get together and learn more about this truck. I'm in Mira Mesa. You can text. I'd love to find a good Datsun mechanic too that I can hire to help me fix her up. Dennis 714-600-2877 2 Quote Link to comment
joeyk803c Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Well hey there Dennis! Glad you found a 521. I was able to get mine running again. Try and get us some pictures of the truck. Check with all your joints, and bushings. I.E. control arm bushings, tie-rods. Make sure the tie rods boots aren't damaged, and give them a good squirt of grease. Check to see If the bushings are cracked and on their way out, grease those up too. These old trucks will rattle. It comes with age. Just means you have to be a bit more diligent when it comes to working on them. 1 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Dennis what Joey said first of all and there is a bunch of other 521 boys in the Diego area.Thank you for your service and post some pics of that bad boy so we can see what you got.You bought the nicest truck datsun or nissan ever built and dont listen to those 620 guys.lol 1 Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Hey Joey! Well the truck is at the shop now getting a new clutch assembly. It was horrible and wouldn't go in gear easily. I'm not a mechanic but I do like tinkering with things since it's my regular to do so. Should be fun getting this truck up to par. When the previous owner demo'd how to shift, he did it with ease but I can see him putting too much muscle in it and I didn't like that and I know it's not supposed to be like that because I remember my dad had an old Datsun and wasn't near that at all. The truck is very straight but has little cancer on the lower portion if door and think surface rust on driver floor board. To be honest I don't wanna take her to a shop but just hire someone off of craigslist to work on it with me so I can see how to maintain and do it myself in the future. Plus I don't trust shops and will only take it there if I need to. Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Hey Mr Big! I'll post some soon! I'm on my iPhone. I just moved here in Mira Mesa so Internet will be available soon. Quote Link to comment
CrazyHawaiian760 Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 What's up Dennis..I too am a Newbie here....and I live in Ramona just up the hill from Mira Mesa if you need some input just let me know??? Names Victor 760-440-0242 Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 https://m.flickr.com/photos/denciopicture/14612512903/ Hard to post pics on my iPhone but I'll see if this will work! Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 https://m.flickr.com/photos/denciopicture/14590559054/ https://m.flickr.com/photos/denciopicture/14405873929/ https://m.flickr.com/photos/denciopicture/14405833798/ https://m.flickr.com/photos/denciopicture/14406016177/ Quote Link to comment
CrazyHawaiian760 Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 You got your self a nice one! Quote Link to comment
CrazyHawaiian760 Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 I bet you could get that paint to come back! Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Yeah it's not bad at all. The interior was redone and not my style so that will have to go. But body I'll probably keep it old looking like that for now until I get all the high speed mechanicals to function 100% 1 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 There you go, one crazy "kanaka" already your friend. Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Hehe! He isn't far at all so we will have to meet! Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Yay!!!! Thank you thank you!!! Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Yay!!!! Thank you thank you!!! Your Welcome :) Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Nice looking truck! "until I get all the high speed mechanicals to function 100%" I found it kind of funny you describe anything associated with a Datsun 521 "high speed", but on the other hand, you need to get used to the engine spinning 3,500 to 4,000 at freeway speeds, and I am talking about 55 MPH freeways. This is one of my project threads. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/30606-my-ratsun-datsun-521/ Quote Link to comment
bananahamuck Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 There you go, one crazy "kanaka" already your friend. We are all your friends now,, there is some pretty hardcore 521 guys on here so i'm sure if your questions can be answered they will try their hardest to help you. Welcome ,, new guy. 1 Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 "Highspeed" it's an Army slang. Sorry about that. Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 We are all your friends now,, there is some pretty hardcore 521 guys on here so i'm sure if your questions can be answered they will try their hardest to help you. Welcome ,, new guy. Happy to be here :) Quote Link to comment
joeyk803c Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 It is a good clean looking truck for sure. Congrats. Good thing about these trucks is they are so easy to work on. Minimal electronics, basic engine set-up. No EFI, ECU, PCM etc. Google will be your best friend. Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Will do! I'd need someone to do that swap for me. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 I just seen the truck today, I seen it on craigslist, body looks real straight and looks like diamond tuck interior which is so 80's and i no you dont like it, thats ok one by one it will get done. 1 Quote Link to comment
armycook Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Interior is an easy fix. Right now it's in the shop and I should get it back this afternoon. Body is straight but lots of rattling noise underneath. Just found out one of the transmission mount is broken too. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 olddatsuns.com read the tech section and ask here 1st. take it to the shop? come on now 2 Quote Link to comment
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