620z Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Starting the restoration of my new '78. It is a low mileage, unmolested 620 and I will keep it that way with the exception of lowering it 3" all the way around. The truck is originally from California and still has all the smog equipment. Only ever buying Florida 620's, this is going to be a learning experience. I am so glad that Florida doesn't have emission inspection! I am going to leave the emissions equipment in place to keep it stock. The first task to get the truck running correctly. Some of this project I will do myself and other parts will be subbed out to friends like the paint and body work. The only real critical mechanical problem is a leaking water pump and issues with the carburetor. So to eliminate any guess work, I sprung for a new, re-manufactured carburetor and a new water pump. The new carburetor arrived today but the water pump is not coming till maybe Tuesday. Here is the engine bay. Fairly good condition. Pulled the air-cleaner to get a good look at the original carburetor. Since it is the orginal, I will keep this carb and rebuild it but that will be for late next year. The new carburetor arrived today, very nice to see. Stayed with the stock re-manufactured carb. I am going to stay as close to original as possible on this project. Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Try your local Nissan dealer. Unless they have hired a really stupid counter person, you just might find a water pump rebuild, or at the least a shaft seal assembly, that meets your model and year pump window! Most water pump leak problems involve the shaft seal. By the way, you just might find out that the complete water pump rebuild kit costs less than the shaft seal and housing replacement front and back seals priced individually. Why, because we stupid farts keep ordering piece parts instead of complete water pump rebuild kits! Might even be on "clearance" at the dealer or Rock Auto? Quote Link to comment
620z Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I have multiple Nissan dealers with in driving distance of the house. I am going to contact them all to source parts and information as well as RockAuto. Quote Link to comment
420n620 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Starting the restoration of my new '78. It is a low mileage, unmolested 620 and I will keep it that way with the exception of lowering it 3" all the way around. The truck is originally from California and still has all the smog equipment. Only ever buying Florida 620's, this is going to be a learning experience. I am so glad that Florida doesn't have emission inspection! I am going to leave the emissions equipment in place to keep it stock. The new carburetor arrived today, very nice to see. Stayed with the stock re-manufactured carb. I am going to stay as close to original as possible on this project. 8 you should know, this is NOT a stock 78 620 emissions equipment carb replacement. It's missing a few of the emission tubes where hoses connect. Compare it with your stock carb. Just curious, why you going to repaint when maybe all the paint needs is a good rubbing. It's only stock once. Quote Link to comment
cruznude Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I love that blue. Looks like a good cleaning and a wax job would really make that baby shine. I'd leave it and put a little time into it. But thats me. Thats a good lookin truck. I'd probally leave it all stock also. 2 Quote Link to comment
620z Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Sorry, let me explain. Yes this carb is not Cali emmisions. I will rebuild rebuild the OEM carb but for now it will be stored. I am leaving the emissions equipment in place but it will not be used. Don't need it in Florida. The paint is in good shape but there are issues. Also issues with the body that need to be mitigated such as surface rust and dents and dings. While it won't be the original paint, it will be the original paint color. [url=https://flic.kr/p/peRyC5] Quote Link to comment
420n620 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 awe, Ok, got you. carry on. :angel: I agree with cruz, Thats a good lookin truck. I'll be watching what you do to the 620 cause I own a stock 78 620 KC. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
teagueauto21 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Clean truck, glad to see another 620 owner in the southeast there are very few of us! Quote Link to comment
620z Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Clean truck, glad to see another 620 owner in the southeast there are very few of us! Ain't that the truth, very few :) I shot a documentary in Natchez, Mississippi and will be back there in April. Quote Link to comment
teagueauto21 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 That's about 4 hours away from me, i live in north east ms. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Sorry, let me explain. Yes this carb is not Cali emmisions. I will rebuild rebuild the OEM carb but for now it will be stored. I am leaving the emissions equipment in place but it will not be used. Don't need it in Florida. So much easier to do nothing with the emissions equipment than to go messing with it. You are not going to get better performance or mileage from this and there's the real chance that you will cause problems. The emissions equipment back then did very little to reduce pollution when driving at wide open throttle so performance isn't affected. That carb will not connect up to your emissions connections and I grantee you will be posting asking how to get your truck running right. I don't see why you are replacing it in the first place. Just drive it. 1 Quote Link to comment
620z Posted October 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Oh, ye of little faith KR. :) I do understand what your saying (for most people I would agree) but the carb needed a complete rebuild. As it was, the truck was not drivable at all. I weighed the options and re-manufactured was the best option given my current schedule and goals. Quote Link to comment
620z Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Ok so when I am wrong I have to admit I was wrong and of course KR was right. I will get back to that in a minute. So I swapped the water pump, thermostat, all belts and hoses, new coolant, everything was good. Swapped the cap & rotor, plug wires, new NGK's, fuel filter, air filter .. cruising right along. Swapped in the new carb and like KR said, the nightmare began. Could not for the life of me get it to run right, chasing vacuum leaks and idol issues not to mention the hard starting. Ego said, you can do it but finally I broke down. Limped the truck up an ole' timers shop in town. After complimenting me on the truck, he fiddled for a few minutes under the hood and gave me "that" look. I have seen that look before but it's been quite a few years since my dad gave me the "what the hell were you thinking" look. He asked me if I had the original carb, which I did. He said leave the truck and it will be ready in a few days. Today he called and I picked up the truck. OEM carb is back on and running good. All the smog equipment is back to functioning properly. Luckily he had a buyer for the carb I had bought as a replacement. Only lost about $25 bucks on the deal which is fine by me. Lesson learned, time for dinner :) Quote Link to comment
teagueauto21 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I hate to be the first one to say it, but you should have listened to mike, very few and i mean VERY FEW times have i seen him wrong. He knows his dattos! 1 Quote Link to comment
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