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Need help reviving 521


Datsunking

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Hello Ratsun,

 

i need help getting my new datsun 521 running. my question is what kind of basic mods can i do to get this truck reliable. Im on a budget and referring to mods like interchangeable parts like Alternator from a 280zx or brake booster from 240Z or transmissions from Zcars or 510 cars. I have only own 240, 260 and 280z's i am completely new to trucks and 4 cylinders.

 

Are carburetors interchange between all L4 motors?

 

I have been looking around and haven't found much. With kids now a days my times to research is at minimal.

 

Thanks in advanced for ant help even if its a link for me to read.

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If you want it reliable, do not mod it.  A reliable Datsun is a stock Datsun.

 

If it has been sitting for ten years, drain whatever is in the gas tank.  

Again, if it is stock, a stock alternator will work fine. 

The brakes do not self adjust, you must adjust the brakes manually, at least every oil change.

 

Disconnect the fuel line, if you have not yet cleaned the gas tank. 

 

First, I would do a compression test.  Now I know a compression test should be done on a warm engine, and if the truck has not ran, the engine will be cold, but a compression test will let you know if tinkering with the carb or ignition is a waste of time.  A L-16 should have a minimum of 159 PSI, with less than 10% difference between cylinders.   If compression is a little low, adjust the valves, and check again.  Put a little oil in the spark plug hole, and check the compression.  

 

Next check the ignition system.  Pull the coil wire off the distributor cap, and it should have a blue spark of about 1/4 to 3/8 long.  Set the ignition timing to 10 to 12 degrees before TDC.

 

Does the cooling system hold water?  If so you and run the engine for a while.  If not, you can run the engine for a short time, about 30 seconds or so, but not much longer.   Fix cooling system leaks.

 

Got compression, and ignition?  Pour a little gas down the carb, and see if it will run briefly on that.  If it does, clean the gas tank, or get a small gas tank from a old lawn mower or something, and hook that up to the fuel pump.   If you do get a small gas tank, you can hold the tank above the engine, and gas should flow through the fuel pump by gravity, and fill the float bowl on the carb.  When the carb is full, operate the throttle a few times, and see if the accelerator pump squirts gas down the primary throttle bore.  If the accelerator pump works, try to run the engine on fuel from the small gas tank, or on the clean gas tank in the truck.

 

At this point, I would change all the old rubber fuel system hoses, they are about 50 years old.  

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Alot of solid advise there...

It should be very easy to give it a health check and get it started as it sits....

Mine sat unstarted in my garage for about 8 yrs ... I used a remote gas tank and it started like it had been running all along...

Try to start with what's not working right..

Disc upgrade is nice.... I did just the front on mine with a dual master....

Electronic dizzy or petronix is also good if you don't like dealing with points...

Have fun and enjoy it.... fix as needed...

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Time table...

 

Get those things that are obviously bad replaced and get it running like leaks, bad wiring (electrical) things missing, all filters and lubricants (differential/trans/engine steering box)  brakes and get it running.

 

Now replace those running things found to be bad, like brakes, suspension, steering...

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Also watch the inlet size, when I bought mine I noticed places listing for the 521.. but they had a smaller diameter inlet.... not sure if those were for j motors or not.... best to measure what you have before you order to be certain...

J engines had the outlet/inlet on the opposite sides of the L engines, they are not interchangeable, "J" has the top connection on the right, bottom connection on the left like the SD series diesel engines, "L" block is top connection on the left(driverside), bottom connection on the right(pass side).

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J engines had the outlet/inlet on the opposite sides of the L engines, they are not interchangeable, "J" has the top connection on the right, bottom connection on the left like the SD series diesel engines, "L" block is top connection on the left(driverside), bottom connection on the right(pass side).

Well if that's the case they were definitely selling the wrong stuff a year or so ago for the 521... I'm certain it was listed as 1 1/2 in and out because I almost bought it. I changed my order at the last second...

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