vicdat

By Temperature gauge we all assume you mean Thermostat..... Anyway that's probably the last L20B for the 720's I guess. Maybe an issue with the clutch fan....that's an easy check. Vicdat

I had one too but it got stolen with my other junkyard tools at LKQ.....dam...

FYI - BE CAREFUL AT ALL JUNYARDS - Toot Theft Alert - Recently I was at a SoCal LKQ and zoned-out for just a couple moments and my junk-yard tool kit was gone... (This also happened to a friend at a different LKQ a few tears ago so I've always tried to be aware and alert of my surroundings there.....obviously I had a lapse) Anyway I bet this was a somewhat organized crew that rip-off a lot of folks.....similar to catalyst thieves. I had just pulled a buttload of parts for my 4th Gen Celica (sorry) and the tools were gone from the side of the car. Just watch your stuff like a hawk......maybe I'll make a glitter-fart tool box and go back to the 909... Vicdat

.....recognizing your own "boneheadedness" is half the battle...

My brand new 1970 521 had a smog pump here in SoCal....it coughed-up blood after 13,000 miles and was considered out of warrant back then. Now most emission related components are warrantied for maybe 100,000, ten years or more... My next new Datsun was a 79 King Cab whose smog pump was a much better design and lasted damn-near for ever....

I would use the K&N two-part system (follow the instructions), it's not that expensive, lasts a long time, and cleans really well.... available at all auto parts for like $15.00 I also used it on foam Uni-Filters for my old 1969 Yamaha 125 MX back in the olden days. Vicdat

There's also another way to cheaply get deecent electronic ignition spark for you old L series.....20 years ago or so I bought a Velleman K2543 Electronic Ignition Kit for like $20 (available at old electronics stores like Marvac, RadioCrack, etc)...I installed it in a small "watertight" enclosure on the firewall. If you can solder this is a super easy and fast project (remember the old Heath Kits??) It has a built-in heatsink too. This unit lasted many years in my '73 610, but was finicky if it got a little too much moisture. I replaced it eventually with the same unit, but this time I mounted it inside out of the way on the kick panel. Also - If you use a standard 4-prong trailers light connectors they can easily be made to be removed......also....if it went bad on me out on the road, it was just a simple wire change to use the points in an emergency. This is because the kit still uses the stock points but only as breakers, so they never get hot, burn, or wear out. I'd still change the points every few years anyway cause the spring will eventually weaken. Vicdat

My guess is a bad positive battery cable...maybe it has the greenish oxidization inside like my "79 Kinkcab had which gave mine similar symptoms..... Vicdat

The basic dash knobs were readily available back in the day...I think mine came from JC Whitney or PepBoys. They had the small a set screw and an aluminum base. Worked perfect for a couple decades on my bitchin '70 Lil Hustler (medium blue) that I got new as a senior at Lynwood High..... Vicdat

Hi Eomund, I applaud your moxie on approaching this often touchy subject. I like it. My old 521 had the wood knobs and steering wheel - which is obviously where you are going in the near future. Lots of other places on a truck for wood too.....maybe source a true cab height Perris Valley Camper Shell for the full Monty. Vicdat Yes we're still doin Datsuns in the SGV (AlleyCat/Hosestop) hahajaha

Yeah....the old F'up firing order (especially common on an L motor) will bite ya every time.... Vicdat

Good job of spelling tires with the preferred Limey "y" application since the Ferret is British....hahahajaha

Hey PDP8, As far as manufactures go, I've just (about a year ago) installed my third set of Nankangs on my Celica GTS (i know, that's a dirty word). They handle and wear well. The first two sets (TourSports) lasted about 40-45 thousand miles each. My current set of 'kangs are CrossSports which I think are a slight upgrade. They were one of the few brands that I trusted for the hard to find 205-60-14 size. I'm sure 12's or 13's are even harder to source, especially any wider than 185's ... Vicdat

Yup - youll need a new socket....over time (decades) the little lead humps get recessed down so far that they will short-out regularly, especially if they get wet.