New guy with freshly bought 320

[Will_D]

Hey guys, bought myself a 64' l320 and I'm looking to get this thing back in running shape. It's missing the distributor and carburetor. Since finding parts for this actual model is proving difficult, what are some options from other models that would fit without too much trouble?

 

Thanks,

Will 

[wayno]

Welcome to Ratsun  B)

 

Your going to need a distributor no matter what, even if you were to make an electronic ignition.

You can buy a webber carb, with an adapter, I have one on mine.

If you can find a J13-15 block/transmission, you likely could convert over to that fairly easy.

[mklotz70]

The electronic ignition and carb setup on Wayno's NL are all in this thread.  The dizzy starts on the first page and the carb is probably near the very end.

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/393-mklotz70-nl320/

[Conner]

Post some pics of your new truck. 

 

If I were you I'd post in the parts wanted or surf the parts for sale classifieds here on this site.  There is probably someone with a parts car that has a carburetor and distributor for you, in fact I know there are some on this very forum.  You can get both rebuilt.  I had my carburetor rebuilt by Chicago Carburetors ($225) and I believe you can get an old distributor rebuilt by Cardone via Rockauto ($60, core required).  Once you have one you know is operational with points you can do the EI conversion if you'd like.  My preference, for whatever it's worth, is to start with stock and get it running first and then do the upgrades/mods so you can troubleshoot more easily as you go provided you can find the stock parts. 

 

Good luck. 

[Will_D]

Thanks guys. I may go to the junkyard and try to find a holley 5200 (weber 32/36). 30 bucks for the carb and a few more for a rebuild kit and adapter sounds like the way to go. Yay or nay?

[Will_D]

Here's some pictures of the truck. It's pretty beat up, but for what I have planned for it, I'd feel bad for starting out with a nicer truck.

 

 

 

 

Didn't find a 5200, but I did find a hitachi carb from a ford courier. I'm pretty sure it should work. And I'll be ordering a j13 distributor once I do a compression test on the engine. I hear the j13's work with the e1's and I actually find it at the parts store.

[wayno]

It has a few dents(ouch), but I have seen far worse.

Sounds like you have a plan, can hardly wait to see the transformation you have mentioned.  :)

[HOGIE]

you could try to contact this guy for parts. Based on add he is looking to move these trucks/ parts.

gq2ch-3652762596@sale.craigslist.org

[Will_D]

Today I drove 45 minutes out to where I'm keeping this thing for now. Carb fits, so now I just need to rig up a throttle linkage and figure out how to wire up the electric bits of the carb. Also, I caught a picture of the distributor mount. I believe it's the older style, will I still be able to use a j13 or am I on the hunt for a unicorn(old style original)?

 

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

None of my 320's ever had a stock motor, so I don't have firsthand experience, but that distributor mount looks a lot like the BMC A or B series distributor mount, from an MG or Austin Healey or Mini, etc. I know the Datsun motor in general shares some commonalities with the BMC motors, like Intake manifold. Try hunting down a distributor from an MGB, should be easier than finding the real thing.

 

I have a few here if you want some pics to compare.

[Will_D]

Got the cab and bed taken off in preparation for the new air suspension work. Put the can on the ground and mocked up the front end for motivational purposes. :P

 

[65L320]

Another east coast 320! Sweet!

[Will_D]

I wouldn't say I'm east coast. I live east of the Mississippi, but not by much. :P

[yenpit]

None of my 320's ever had a stock motor, so I don't have firsthand experience, but that distributor mount looks a lot like the BMC A or B series distributor mount, from an MG or Austin Healey or Mini, etc. I know the Datsun motor in general shares some commonalities with the BMC motors, like Intake manifold. Try hunting down a distributor from an MGB, should be easier than finding the real thing.

 

I have a few here if you want some pics to compare.

 

My thoughts exactly!  Look for a British car specialist in your area (I know there were some a few years ago), and ask to buy a $10 dirt cheap early point style 25D distributor CORE to test fit (1959-1974 MGB Midget Sprite Mini, should be a dime a dozen!).  If it fits, you can call Jeff @ Advanced Distributors, tell him what you are doing (great guy, always willing to work with odd applications), and he can set you up with a rebuilt 25D to your specs.  Tell him TJ sent ya!!

[mklotz70]

It doesn't take much to get an L-series dizzy to fit in the E1 if the british option doesn't work.

[wayno]

It doesn't take much to get an L-series dizzy to fit in the E1 if the british option doesn't work.

I don't believe he has any distributor at all Mike, is there an old one in the parts boxes you gave me with the NL?

[mklotz70]

I doubt it.  I may still have one in my dizzy box, but it's probably missing the drive coupling from when I put the EI dizzy in the NL.

[Will_D]

I've found an original, but I haven't gotten a chance to put it on the motor and see if I can get it running. I may end up doing a modern engine swap, so I might not even worry about it.

 

Will

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Here's some pictures of the truck. It's pretty beat up, but for what I have planned for it, I'd feel bad for starting out with a nicer truck.

 

 

 

 

Didn't find a 5200, but I did find a hitachi carb from a ford courier. I'm pretty sure it should work. And I'll be ordering a j13 distributor once I do a compression test on the engine. I hear the j13's work with the e1's and I actually find it at the parts store.

Dude, that think is rough. I like 'em like that!

[Will_D]

After a LONG time searching for a driver fender and not coming up with squat, I had my girlfriend's uncle take a whack at fixing them. I got this picture from him today.