kwag415 Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Hey guys im new here but i just found a Datsun 720 on Craigslist and i dont know too much about them.. but for 500$ you cant go wrong.. am i right? So guy says it runs but needs Smog pump and vacuum lines connected for smog. 150K miles new Distributer rebuilt holley carb new intake and exhaust gaskets new gas tank and fuel pump Claims no leaks all fluids replaced new clutch and slave cylinder 5 speed deluxe cab What im wondering is what i should look for? what are common problems and weak areas? Thanks. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 The picture is an '80 720. I don't know where you are as your profile isn't completed but if in California you are going to have to pass smog exam and that includes a visual. A Holley carb won't pass, missing air pump, won't pass, missing cat, no pass. All smog equipment for the '80 model year MUST be on or no pass, and that's just the visual. Now, everything has to work. This would be great if you had a 720 and needed some parts. Figure out what is missing and hoe much bother to find and replace it. Hate to see you stuck with this .. thing. 1 Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 I can get a Pass.. that im not too worried about. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Painted with bed liner??? 1 Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 lol im not too worried about that maybe exocage one day haha Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 it will be one of a kind for sure i just want to make sure it will be running and all that good stuff. he sent me some videos of the engine running also. might be a noob question but why do you say it is a 80? Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 because '79 was a 620 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 That is definitely a 720 and although it could have been changed, it does have an '80 hood on it. That hood was only used on the '80. The build date is stamped on a tag on the driver's door jam. The '80 model year started in June of '79 so some owners can easily be confused. 2 Quote Link to comment
sal Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Cali smog sucks, but nice ride. Things to look for on the truck are thermostat gets stuck and it leads to overheating, freeze plugs driverside cylinder #4 check for rust and pretty much you have the rest. Overheating is the main issue due to what I mentioned. Quote Link to comment
EastBay521 Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 go for it. looks like a good truck I was trying to get my buddy to go halfs on it with me just to part it out. especially if you've got the hook up on smog. it isn't expensive nor is it hard to keep an L20b on the road 1 Quote Link to comment
Ratwagon1600 Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Dont know about your "smog" laws, but, the carefully placed lump of concrete? in front of the rear wheel doesnt inspire me with confidence about the vehicles roadworthiness. Quote Link to comment
arizonajones Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 pretty cheap... You can buy a re-built Hitachi online (rockauto) and I bet you could find a Ratsuner who has yanked out their air-pump setup who would give it to you for cheap (or free) if you wanted to restore it to pass emissions. A little time-consuming, but if it really is a good runner and 500 bux... maybe worth it??? Quote Link to comment
arizonajones Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Dont know about your "smog" laws, but, the carefully placed lump of concrete? in front of the rear wheel doesnt inspire me with confidence about the vehicles roadworthiness. wuh oh! didn't notice that. he doesn't say anything about brakes, does he?.... hmmm.... 1 Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 yeah ill ask about breaks but for this price i wouldent mind putting some money into it and making it mine i really like these trucks and have been looking for awhile.. he said its been parked for awhile. but what ever needs fixing cant be to expensive. my other car is a lexus so im usedto expensive parts this should be a breeze... hopefully lol. anyone local that would be willing to help me out with it if i get stuck with somthing? thanks again guys. Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 He said all breaks work.. Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 "It breaks every time I drive it" 3 Quote Link to comment
Ratwagon1600 Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 "It breaks every time I drive it" Ha Ha, my thoughts when I saw the "lump of concrete". :) 1 Quote Link to comment
arizonajones Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 yeah ill ask about breaks but for this price i wouldent mind putting some money into it and making it mine i really like these trucks and have been looking for awhile.. he said its been parked for awhile. but what ever needs fixing cant be to expensive. my other car is a lexus so im usedto expensive parts this should be a breeze... hopefully lol. anyone local that would be willing to help me out with it if i get stuck with somthing? thanks again guys. I gotta say, I bought an '80 720 on the cheap and I have really enjoyed driving it and working on it. I've had pretty good luck finding parts at the wrecking yard, too, because 720s are not as prized as the early stuff. Quote Link to comment
nismofo Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 It breaks every time he brakes. Quote Link to comment
that-son Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 well... did you buy it? if you're still thinking about it, do a compression test when you go see it. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Cali smog sucks, but nice ride. Things to look for on the truck are thermostat gets stuck and it leads to overheating, freeze plugs driverside cylinder #4 check for rust and pretty much you have the rest. Overheating is the main issue due to what I mentioned. Thermostats can also fail in the open position and run cold all the time. Shitty mileage and rough running. The run best at about 185 or so. Dont know about your "smog" laws, but, the carefully placed lump of concrete? in front of the rear wheel doesnt inspire me with confidence about the vehicles roadworthiness. He said all breaks work.. All brakes except the emergency brake he means. This is common in our Datsuns. Use 'em or loose 'em. The best way to keep your e brake from seizing up is to use it! 1 Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I will be going this friday. I don't have those tools.. someone lend me a tester lol Quote Link to comment
kwag415 Posted August 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 E brake is a easy fix tho. Quote Link to comment
that-son Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 you can borrow a compression gauge from autozone. they give you 90 days. oreilly's will let you borrow a comp gauge for 2 days. you will have to buy a spark plug remover. watch a video on how to do a wet/dry compression test. Quote Link to comment
supererogator Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 That is a pretty good deal, in my opinion. I stole mine as well. I would do it.As for air pump. Mine is disconnected, but in the truck. We might be able to work something on the shipping etc. As for the age. I believe that '80 was the last year the DATSUN stamp was on the back of the bed. I could be wrong, and the part could have been replaced on this truck. Also, in '81 they went to the dual overhead z motor. Again, this could have been switched in this truck, but I am under the impression that many folks go the other way. I have learned to love the L20, even if mine and I are still arguing.As for the flat black paint. DAMNIT! That is the paint scheme I want to do. Full fledged Mad Max rattle can. Someone beat me to it. I suppose no good idea you have will be the first time it has been had.Buy the truck.EDIT: BTW…I had rust under the passenger floor. Check the floor pan, valances, and bed seam for rust. It seems to be a common issue. Perhaps you can talk them down on this and the need to pass emissions. Quote Link to comment
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