Datsunking Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 more simple than a 240 Z as it has only one carb. rest is the same. If you can keep a 240z running then why not a 521 as its 2 cylinder less. 1 3 4 2 CCW fire order. weber carbs are cheap if stock carb is bad. alt still avail. brake masters and slaves all still avail. nothing wrong with stock alt and trans if it isnt broke. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Welcome... So is it currently running and driving? Are you looking to mod first then drive? Before i start moding things I find it better to get the current setup working and go from there.... Pic and a little more info will help get people responding.... 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Yes currently not running has been out of Commission for 10+ years. I am assuming carb will be all bad 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 I believe it is drums around would love to see at least disc in the front. I accent actually took the wheel off yet but will take a look today after work. I will also get some pics up too 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 I was asking if they swap carbs because I see. An ad for a l18 carb. Just wondering if it bolt right on. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 If I have to replace parts just looking for for junkyard mods like distributor from newer models and stuff like that. It might be different since the zcar was made bascially the same from 1970-1983 1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 I think I would start with the gas tank. Look in there first. otherwise youll just suck up bad shit in a new carb and then be another 10 years before you try again 2 Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 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. 2 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 adjust the valves get a batter ck for spark as Daniel said(as other things he mentioned) alot of this can be cked in about 1or 2 hours to get a idea of where its at. Maybe pour some gas in the carb to see if it fires off abit but dont let that bad gas in there. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 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... 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 12, 2017 Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 Been sitting for 10 years? I would change the gas, check gas tank, change oil, fluids, yes, if 32.36 weber can fit L16 to L20 engine. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 Thanks for the advice. I will check all this tomorrow just spent today buying oils plugs battery filters a gas container and 6 feet of gas line so that I don't use the old gas tank to get it started. 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 Good start...keep us posted and good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 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... 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 Yeah sounds like that's the plan than. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 Btw do anyone know where I can get the rear windshield gasket/seal in southern California? Can I use universal gasket?? Can I find it at autozone?? 1 Quote Link to comment
d.p Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 I doubt it. eBay your friend. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 So I got the car running but the radiator was clogged going to need to flush that very soon. 1 Quote Link to comment
Datsunking Posted September 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 Does anyone know where I could get aluminum radiator? 1 Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted September 14, 2017 Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 Whatever u do stay away from other brands besides koyo. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 14, 2017 Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 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... 2 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted September 14, 2017 Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 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). 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 14, 2017 Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 Well just because I wanted to post the size of the Inlet and outlet i look up the radiators ... all seem to be correct now at 35mm or 1 3/8... I swear when I bought mine 2 years ago they were selling them with 1 1/2 outlet size.... must have been a bunch of complaints... oh well 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted September 14, 2017 Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 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... 1 Quote Link to comment
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