MindlissMetalfab Posted April 6, 2009 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 Hey New to this forum, some of you might know me from SSM and other forums (iLLblazer) on most. I just picked up a 1968 521 which I hope to turn into a bagged and bodydropped shop truck. The truck hasnt run in 7 years so I'm just wondering what I should do before I even start trying to turn it over? Plan to change fluids, flush rad, not sure what else? I'm pretty good with chassis and suspension stuff so I'm not worried about that end of things, but I havent done much with engine work and I'm not familiar with these trucks at all... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Give it a good crank with the coil wire off so it won't start. Give the oil a chance to work it's way up and push out the old. When changing the filter, half fill with new oil. Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 (edited) OK well I got some work done on this thing today. Interior was gross so I threw out the seat and carpet. Floor is solid aside from 1 hole on each side near the rocker beside the seat. This truck looks pretty rough compared to a lot on them on here, but where I live, this thing is in nicer shape than a lot of early 90s trucks. Definitely the nicest old school truck I've come across. The rockers are shot but other than that its just surface rust and dents. I had a look underneath and noticed the engine sitting a bit crooked, and the center link almost touching the pan. So I checked to see if a motor mount was busted, and it looks like someone has butched some different motor mounts in place, just behind the factory ones. Rad brackets and lower hose are definitely not factory so i'm thinking this may not be the factory motor. I snapped some pics so hopefully someone can help me ID it, or show me where to look for #s to ID it... Edited April 7, 2009 by MindlissMetalfab Quote Link to comment
Jayden71 Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 That is an L series motor and I do beleive the '68 came with a J13/15. So, no that is not the stock motor. Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 OK thanks. Is there a way to ID it to figure out what vehicle it would have come out of, so I can get parts? Quote Link to comment
Hyphy Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 (edited) Passenger side, nearest the firewall...theres a flat surface top of block before the head. The block ID is stamped in. should read L(16/18/20b) Head stamped on same side near the more forward part of the truck at the bottom of the head.. Should be a letter and 2 numbers W58, etc. Since thats a really rough swap, theres a likely hood that other parts have been 'roughed' too. That wiring looks hokey and Im fairly certain none of the 520/521's ever had the coil mounted up there. Edited April 7, 2009 by Hyphy Quote Link to comment
RiverRat Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Hello, Before starting you may put some ATF in clyinders and clean plugs making sure they are the right ones. Also check the valve clearence and spin the motor over without the plugs installed and the ingnition wire disconected from the distributor. Tom Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Passenger side, nearest the firewall...theres a flat surface top of block before the head. The block ID is stamped in. should read L(16/18/20b) Head stamped on same side near the more forward part of the truck at the bottom of the head.. Should be a letter and 2 numbers W58, etc. Since thats a really rough swap, theres a likely hood that other parts have been 'roughed' too. That wiring looks hokey and Im fairly certain none of the 520/521's ever had the coil mounted up there. Yeah once I can determine where the motor is from, I'll probably just find a wiring diagram for it and pull all the current wiring out and start fresh. This the number you mean towards the front?? Quote Link to comment
Mr.Woof's72z Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 (edited) I'm new to the Datsun trucks but I've owned a 240Z for some time and have done lots of research on Datsun heads, looks like you have an A87 head, one of the better heads available for the 4 cylinder L series engines. http://olddatsuns.com/html/tech/head_ID_2.htm <--That link has some good info on Datsun heads. Edited April 7, 2009 by Mr.Woof's72z Quote Link to comment
LAYEDOUTB2K Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 welcome. i recognized the name as i used to visit SSM quite a bit. luckily the l series motor that you have is one of the most commonly used datsun motors so itll be a lot easier to find parts than the j series that came stock in that truck. those motors came in 620s, 510s, and a lot of other vehicles. it just depends on what liter the motor is, like that other guy said, look for an l16,l18, or l20 on the block to be sure. a lot of parts are interchangable between those sizes too. cant wait to see what you do with it. Quote Link to comment
denveratsun Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Welcome aboard man..you will find plenty of helpful hints, good suggestions, tricks, tips, stories, pictures and an occasional "make-fun-of-that-guy-cause-he-didn't-use-the-search-menu-option":lol: Sweet looking ride. From the looks of the metal fab you are doing on the frame near the bed (leaning up against the wall) you should have no problem making all the mistakes made to your 521 better. Look forward to more pics.:D Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Todays Progress: I think the block said L16. I wrote it down, along with the other set of #s beside it, but of course forgot the notepad at the shop. Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Didnt get a whole lot done the last couple days, spent the majority of my time hunting for a toyota parts truck, but the datsun is all stripped down and on the table. Anyone need stock front end parts? Haggard motor mounts: On the table. need to make some adjustments to the crossmembers since the last thing on the table was a crew cab dually. Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) Well spent a good chunk of this week running to the other end of the city where all the auto wreckers are to try to find a toyota for parts. Finally found 1 and left a deposit (had to buy the whole truck) but it was too wet on the yard to get the truck out. Then i lucked out and found a private yard about 10 mins from my shop with a goldmine of toyota parts. Guy let me drive my truck in with my torches and cut out what I needed, so I didnt have to piss around stripping a whole truck. Motor and front sheetmetal where out so me and a buddy got the front clip out pretty quick. I also got my deposit back on the other truck. I also cut the rear end loose, but it was frozen into about 4" of ice so I have to go back for that later. One of my next customers is working on practicing his rendering skills so he did up a freebie of the datsun for me. It wont have those mirrors and I'm still undecided on the wheel color but it gives a good diea. Edited April 12, 2009 by MindlissMetalfab Quote Link to comment
Phlebmaster Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Welcome to Ratsun I like your shop!! :D Quote Link to comment
jrock4224 Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 you may not like my four links but you really like my motor mounts i see.......:lol: i was joking there not mine i dont want anything i say to be misconstrued as gospel:o Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Can I have your frame table? Saw horses suck :D Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted April 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 Progress has been a little slow as I'm back to a customer project right now, but I got the front clip narrowed and stripped, jig'd all my cab mounts and set up the new front clip on the table. Steel to start the frame should be here tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
Llittle_Llama Posted April 27, 2009 Report Share Posted April 27, 2009 damn that shit looks good! Looks like you are a little over halfway there! Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Man I love how you say progress is slow when to my eyes you are moving at light speed! Good on ya! Quote Link to comment
cheeks Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 good luck joel I am sure it is going to come out sick. If any of you ratsun guys need anything cut out of metal brackets logos anything custom this is your man, he does sick ass work. Quote Link to comment
BEEBANI Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Lookin good Joel, yeah I'll be hittin' him up to laser me out some brake bracket parts soon. Quote Link to comment
denveratsun Posted April 28, 2009 Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Yeah...great job! Lookin forward to an update!:cool: Purple is gonna look great too...just a little splash of orange...mango maybe... or light, soft green striping on that body color would just bounce off like lazer beams! Same treatment to the rims and...well...:blink:whatever color...that's awesome man!:D Quote Link to comment
MindlissMetalfab Posted May 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 Thanks guys. My steel ended up being a bit late, but it will be here tomorrow. I got my bandsaw today though so it worked out OK in the long run. Hoping to start laying out the front half of the chassis this weekend but we'll see, as I'm also trying to finish up a bedfloor I'm working on, and gotta get back to working on the dually as well. Never have time for my own projects. Quote Link to comment
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