BabbitMike Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 Hi folks. Thanks for adding me! New member to the forum and a new owner of a 1986 D21 that has been molested. I have had to replace the seats and carpet as it had been tossed due to the PO PO being a smoker and cig burns. The guy before me was in the process of converting this over to a carb from EFI and I made an adapter plate for the carb to manifold. So far it has been a major headache with "WTF did he do and why?" moments every time I turn around. Right now the only thing that is holding me up from being able to drive this thing is the distributor. The ECM controlled distributor was removed and went to the same place as the seats along with the ECM. It was replaced with an electronic distributor with a vacuum advance. The problem in the distributor is that the control module in it is bad and a bit on the spendy side which is making me consider just dropping a 302 Ford or 350 Chevy it it. This has the Z24 engine in it and I would like to just bypass all of the electronics in it and just go with a points and condenser or perhaps an electronic upgrade that will fit this distributor. I am a 30 year experienced machinist so if I could even come up with a 4 cyl point distributor I could do what machining I would need to to make this work. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks again for the add! Mike 2 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 1978 620 came with an HEI style distributor that you could use an off-the-shelf HEI module from a GM vehicle. 2 Quote Link to comment
q-tip Posted May 30, 2017 Report Share Posted May 30, 2017 Welcome! I used the module from a 78 Camaro. Get the best quality one you can and make sure the back of the module is well grounded and on something that doesn't get too hot. 1 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted June 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 I finally get her up and running with an '81 Datsun distributor. I was also able to scavenge a couple more control modules and 2 new pickup yokes. The carb I think is a bit weak knee'd though. It's a 5200 series Holley that supposedly came off of a '79 Omni. As far as I can tell the Omni was a 1.7L and this being a Z24 I think that the jets are too small to be able to supply enough fuel. She starts and runs nice in neutral and will motivate along but falls flat on her face when you try to pick up some speed. The Holley is supposed to be around 250 to 280 CFM and I am eyeballing a Motorcraft 2150 that I already have rebuilt and sitting on a shelf which will be running about 350 CFM. Hey datzenmike, I love your Heisenberg sig. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 That /\ Holley was also on the pinto, capris and other cars back in the day. Very similar to 32/36 weber. I even think they partnered together Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Only takes Holly jets. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 I like Benny's jets better. 1 Quote Link to comment
q-tip Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 B-b-b-benny and the jetssa 1 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted July 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2017 I finally got the carb issues all straightened out and will go to the dmv this Monday and get it registered. The jets are what is called for on a 2.3l Pinto motor. Since all the wiring has been nackered I don't have any working tach, oil pressure or temp gauges that work. I have a couple of sets of after market gauges that I will put on and a junk yard speedo when I can get out there until then I will rely on my Magellan to get my speed. Quote Link to comment
Ratwagon1600 Posted July 16, 2017 Report Share Posted July 16, 2017 Hi newb, if you can find a decent hosting site, post oics! 1 Quote Link to comment
VFR800 Posted July 16, 2017 Report Share Posted July 16, 2017 Hi folks. Thanks for adding me! New member to the forum and a new owner of a 1986 D21 that has been molested. I have had to replace the seats and carpet as it had been tossed due to the PO PO being a smoker and cig burns. The guy before me was in the process of converting this over to a carb from EFI and I made an adapter plate for the carb to manifold. So far it has been a major headache with "WTF did he do and why?" moments every time I turn around. Right now the only thing that is holding me up from being able to drive this thing is the distributor. The ECM controlled distributor was removed and went to the same place as the seats along with the ECM. It was replaced with an electronic distributor with a vacuum advance. The problem in the distributor is that the control module in it is bad and a bit on the spendy side which is making me consider just dropping a 302 Ford or 350 Chevy it it. This has the Z24 engine in it and I would like to just bypass all of the electronics in it and just go with a points and condenser or perhaps an electronic upgrade that will fit this distributor. I am a 30 year experienced machinist so if I could even come up with a 4 cyl point distributor I could do what machining I would need to to make this work. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks again for the add! Mike 1 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 What hosting sites are the best and free? Photobucket is out. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 https://imgur.com/upload ? I've been using it more lately and it gets faster/easier the more you use it. 1 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted October 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2017 Thanks Mike! I think I got it going now. I've been able to drive my 86 for a couple of months and I love this little truck! I need to come up with a core transmission and transfer case and rebuild them so I can just R&R the pair. I am finding out that there must have been some issues with the input shaft bearings going bad and making some nasty racket. At 1st it sounded like a throw out bearing but there is a different sound for each gear and 5th sounding terrible. So far I have 750 miles on it and other than the trans I am happy with it. I replaced the exhaust and eliminated all of the leaks. I think it was on this forum that there was a lengthy post covering eliminating the EFI and carbing it. I made a couple of mods myself to be able to control the fuel flow on the return line and I have not noticed any stumbling or flat spots in the throttle response. Anyway, here's some pictures of the truck and the carb setup. I also added an aluminum toolbox to the bed after these pics were taken. Mike https://imgur.com/a/ugMO4 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted October 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 A year has come and gone. I'm still looking for a transmission and TC but the sound is about the same. For around town and flat highway she is awesome but a bit on the gutless side. I am now dreaming about dropping a later model V6 in it from a Pathfinder. Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 A year and no oics either SMH Quote Link to comment
paradime Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 15 hours ago, BabbitMike said: A year has come and gone. I'm still looking for a transmission and TC but the sound is about the same. For around town and flat highway she is awesome but a bit on the gutless side. I am now dreaming about dropping a later model V6 in it from a Pathfinder. Sounds like a worthy dream Mike. Dream big VQ35DE ? 1 Quote Link to comment
BabbitMike Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Here's a pic since there was a request. Quote Link to comment
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