I know a wagon chick that bought a 521. Lol

[gene knight]

i am running a datsun 720 ST steering wheel

[hang_510]

What the truck?

 

nothing better than green 

:thumbup:

[skyblue]

I guess I'm late to the party. Sweet truck! That color is the best color for 521's. I am a bit biased tho. lol. I have the engine bay bulb too. just clean the contacts, get a new bulb and it will turn on when you turn on the headlight switch to the parking lights on. not the brightest, but if you're stuck somewhere in the dark it's better than nothing. Great work so far.

[Charlie69]

If possible get a LED to replace the engine bay light bulb.  Candles are brighter than the stock light bulbs!

[Angela]

Finally got a muffler installed. MUCH BETTER. Installed a Magnaflow XL Turbo & it sounds nice to my old ears...nothing obnoxious.

 

 

 

Also put a bulb in the engine bay socket & it actually works! Not very bright like you'd guess, but pretty freaking cool in my book! Got some projects to start crossing off my priority list...brake adjustment, replace crusty hoses & a few little things but overall pretty good so far.

 

Punched/drilled out the broken emblem tabs on the driver's side so I can install my new Datsun1600 badge soon.

 

 

 

I wasn't in the mood to tackle that stuff just yet so I tried just washing, waxing & buffing Turq out today. Looks decent I guess, but that lovely blue/patina is pretty thirsty. Might take some more to really shine it up & protect it. It'll be a labor of love :hug:

 

 

 

 

 

After driving it around town a bit, I've made peace with the steering wheel position, transmission shifter feeling pretty loosey goosey & even the seat being barely better than sitting on bare springs. I'm getting to know Turq & so far we are getting along.

 

To be continued... :thumbup:

[datzenmike]

Why do you post in a different font than everyone else? 

 

 

The font is the same, it's just enlarged. I have Multiple Sclerosis & my vision is affected.

 

Handy to try CTRL  +  buttons for enlarging your computer screen. Posts stay the same here but everything you see is larger.

[Charlie69]

Finally got a muffler installed. MUCH BETTER. Installed a Magnaflow XL Turbo & it sounds nice to my old ears...nothing obnoxious.

 

 

 

Also put a bulb in the engine bay socket & it actually works! Not very bright like you'd guess, but pretty freaking cool in my book! Got some projects to start crossing off my priority list...brake adjustment, replace crusty hoses & a few little things but overall pretty good so far.

 

Punched/drilled out the broken emblem tabs on the driver's side so I can install my new Datsun1600 badge soon.

 

 

 

I wasn't in the mood to tackle that stuff just yet so I tried just washing, waxing & buffing Turq out today. Looks decent I guess, but that lovely blue/patina is pretty thirsty. Might take some more to really shine it up & protect it. It'll be a labor of love :hug:

 

 

 

 

 

After driving it around town a bit, I've made peace with the steering wheel position, transmission shifter feeling pretty loosey goosey & even the seat being barely better than sitting on bare springs. I'm getting to know Turq & so far we are getting along.

 

To be continued... :thumbup:

I had a 70 521 that was red and the top of the cab was way worce than yours so I bought some white spray paint masked it off and shot it white after priming the rusty areas.

[Angela]

I had a 70 521 that was red and the top of the cab was way worce than yours so I bought some white spray paint masked it off and shot it white after priming the rusty areas.

 

Y'know...it crossed my mind to do the top white within the first couple days of owning it but I've come to love the thinning paint & resulting patina as is. In some spots it reminds me of a favorite, broken in, old pair of distressed denim jeans. 

[wayno]

I think I would do something about the rust on the top, then I would attempt to match the color, that's a great color.

[Charlie69]

Rust is not your friend.  IMO it looks great on someone else vehicle!

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/46461-rust-has-invaded-the-roof-what-to-do/

 

On the top of my windshield I had rust through holes that were a pain in the ass to repair.  Cleaned up the rust and tried to weld holes closed and just kept making bigger holes do to unseen rust from the outside.  Finally cut out enough material to me able to weld in patch sheet metal.

[Angela]

Rust is not your friend. IMO it looks great on someone else vehicle!

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/46461-rust-has-invaded-the-roof-what-to-do/

 

On the top of my windshield I had rust through holes that were a pain in the ass to repair. Cleaned up the rust and tried to weld holes closed and just kept making bigger holes do to unseen rust from the outside. Finally cut out enough material to me able to weld in patch sheet metal.

Yes, agreed. So the "rust" that's showing on the roof pics is smooth as a baby's bottom & doesn't seem "active" per sé. Are you guys suggesting that rust is rust & is basically a silent sleeper wreaking havoc while I stand by, naively marveling at how "cool" it looks? I accept that as a possibility for sure. It just seems different than the textured, dusty, seemingly "active" rust I found in the floorboards. I took a wire brush to that & am in the process of stopping that obvious stuff in it's tracks with converter, etc. Is there something clear that I could treat the "patina" with that'll maintain the look but restrict the rust?

 

Thanks Guys.

[Crashtd420]

I thought you can just clear over that roof.... right? Doesn't rust need oxygen to keep rusting? ..

I see It done all the time and always wondered about it....

[wayno]

As Dmike's signature used to say, "rust never sleeps"(short version of sig), it is doing it's thing 24/7, I didn't say anything about converter because it turns everything it touches black including your skin, so that is why I said to do something about it and then paint that area, they are pretty good about matching paint color these days, even old oxidized color.

Rust is rust, do nothing and one day something will drip on you and when you look up you will not be happy.

[Ranman72]

you ever notice that old cars that have leaked oil all underneath are usually not rusted 

jut do like bob3 did on his race 411 wagon race car 

rub some royal purple into it and forget about it for a while 

[Angela]

you ever notice that old cars that have leaked oil all underneath are usually not rusted 

jut do like bob3 did on his race 411 wagon race car 

rub some royal purple into it and forget about it for a while 

 

Thanks Randy, I'll have to look that up.

[datzenmike]

Nice new member title, Angela.  :lol: 

[Ranman72]

Thanks Randy, I'll have to look that up.

the 411 is called misinformation 

[Charlie69]

You only see the outside pitted rust stars as cool looking smooth rust.  I have rust in the bed wheel wells of my 86 king cab and it is all bubbled up under the paint.  It got air from some where.

 

Just retire to Phoenix Angela, that way when your cool looking rust ain't so cool and you have to vert your 521 because the roof caved in on you from rust.  You can run a convertible here most of the year.

 

Do nothing and the rust will bite you in your ass!!!  LOL

[Angela]

Nice new member title, Angela. :lol:

New Member title? Huh? Y'mean Tanker's titling this thread & calling me out?

Sorry, Mike...I must've missed something.

[Angela]

As Dmike's signature used to say, "rust never sleeps"(short version of sig), it is doing it's thing 24/7, I didn't say anything about converter because it turns everything it touches black including your skin, so that is why I said to do something about it and then paint that area, they are pretty good about matching paint color these days, even old oxidized color.

Rust is rust, do nothing and one day something will drip on you and when you look up you will not be happy.

Well, I do absolutely appreciate the advice & insight. This information puts me between a rock & a hard place as I do not want to use anything on my truck that'll turn it black. I also do not want to repaint it & cover up the patina. I know rust kills & I don't doubt your admonishments about letting it be for the sake of looks. I'll have to give this some thought. For the time-being...it'll have to stay. I'll just enjoy it while I can. Hopefully, with time maybe technology will advance in this area & provide an alternative.

[Angela]

You only see the outside pitted rust stars as cool looking smooth rust. I have rust in the bed wheel wells of my 86 king cab and it is all bubbled up under the paint. It got air from some where.

 

Just retire to Phoenix Angela, that way when your cool looking rust ain't so cool and you have to vert your 521 because the roof caved in on you from rust. You can run a convertible here most of the year.

 

Do nothing and the rust will bite you in your ass!!! LOL

Hey Charlie,

 

Arizona is too hot & dry. I'll stick to crazy California...the lovely Central Coast sunshine & the delicious regional wines

[mrbigtanker]

New Member title? Huh? Y'mean Tanker's titling this thread & calling me out?

Sorry, Mike...I must've missed something.

 

Have mike lock it at start a new one.

[wayno]

Look above your avatar photo at your new member title.

[skyblue]

Rust in california isn't gonna spread very fast. unless you live in a coast town where the salt air will reach it. I've had my 521 for almost 7 years and none of the surface rust has shown any signs of cancer. Even the small cancer spots that are there are still the same size. just keep it dry and all will be fine.

[datzenmike]

I used to think that also. Now I live a hundred yards from the ocean. Unless it sprays onto your vehicle it doesn't do anything. Nothing left outside rusts any faster than any other place.