My third 620

[Lumlo]

I'm new to the forum, bought this 620 (my third) three weeks ago.

 

When some men hit that certain age they feel something is lacking in their life, they change jobs, cities, wives.  Some buy expensive toys, jet boats, condos, sports cars.  My midlife yearning was to seek out and buy the best little truck I ever owned, and that's saying something, I've owned over 500 cars and trucks since high school. 

 

My first (1980), a orange 1974 620 L18 4 speed (later swapped to a 5 speed). Great truck.  I'd throw two 3 wheelers in the bed and haul my ski boat behind and could still do 70 on the highway, though the boat didn't much like that.

 

Second (1986), 1977 camo-ed L20b 4 speed, my work truck for my repair shop.

 

Third (2013), 1978 tan (original paint), L20b kingcab, Automatic (for now) .40 over, W53 head (flowed), Edlebrock intake, weber downdraft, headers.  Now I didn't do any of the  machine work, I just wrenched the non factory mods together from a few donor sources.  Bench ran the engine but have yet to drive the truck because I need one little part.

 

The book list it as a pilot converter # 12330-e3000 superceeded to #12330-V0700.  The spacer flange that fits between the crankshaft and flexplate, for supporting the torque converter.  I ordered one (I think) from a parts warehouse, going to take about two weeks to arrive. The problem is they don't show the part I'm ordering in any of the descriptions, so I'm kind of in the dark as to what in the heck I'm getting.  I'd like to hedge my bet by asking anyone out there if they have a extra/not needed converter plate. I'd be willing to pay fair price for part and shipping.

 

As the project progresses I'll be sure to post pictures and feedback.  Thanks in advance.  Lumlo (believe it or not, is not my real name)

[]2eDeYe]

Can't wait to see pics.

 

 

Lumlo (not my real name)

 

Don't worry we all have secret identities here, Datsun superheros :rofl:

[darrel]

Well, Lumlo, if in fact that is your real name. Are you sure the part is missing? It might still be on the end of the crank. Did someone misplace it? The part fits over and around the end of the crank. Just looking at it, it looks like a part of the crank.

 

post #17 for pics

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/37570-l20b-automatic-flyweel-wanted/

 

Welcome to the site, looking forward to pics.

[RadioRedline]

I like this.

 

Radio

[Lumlo]

Well, Lumlo, if in fact that is your real name. Are you sure the part is missing? It might still be on the end of the crank. Did someone misplace it? The part fits over and around the end of the crank. Just looking at it, it looks like a part of the crank.

 

post #17 for pics

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/37570-l20b-automatic-flyweel-wanted/

 

Welcome to the site, looking forward to pics.

In an other lifetime (70's) I was a line mechanic at a Volvo dealership.  For the next eighteen years I ran my own BMW shop in Oakland CA (tough neighborhood). To say I knew what a wench looked like would be a fair assessment.  For the last 25 years or so, I been riding a desk in one form or another.  I recently moved to the country and am in the throws of setting up my home based shop for recreational wrenching.

 

I've own many Datsuns over the years, but never an automatic.  I bought this cherry bodied, frame and interior '78 auto 620 KC in non running condition. I pulled the motor and trans, aquired a donor engine and 4 speed (package deal) then set out to get this automatic truck on the road with the least amount of effort.  The leftover engine (and possibly the trans) would be reworked in a timely fashion then swapped over at a later date. When I removed the trans, I was very careful to mark all pieces and placement coming off, I remember thinking it was strange that the flexplate bolted directly to the crank without a centering bushing of some type. Because I did remove the bronze bushing from the manual trans crank I used.

 

But to answer your question "Yes" someone did misplace it! Somewhere in its 35 year lifetime somebody forgot to put it back on.  Now this may have been an additional reason why it was park for so many years in a storage facility, but I'm sure the #1 intake seat coming loose was the final nail.  Getting back to the chain of events, I reassemble the truck, primed the oil and fuel, hit the key and it fires on the first try.  Of course it also makes a rather loud bell ringing sound coming from the flywheel hitting the starter. It was then I researched a parts schematic and realized that my gut was right about the missing pilot converter.  Always listen to the gut, but life somehow has a way of drounding that little voice.

 

So once I aquire a pilot converter and install it, we'll see if the trans has any leftover ill effects from the M.I.A. pilot. That manual trans (or possibly a 5 speed) might be going in sooner rather than later.

 

Lumlo (a nickname I aquired at 18 while working at the dealership)

[darrel]

I am sure there is someone that has one they took off, If I was organized I could probably find one I have.

[]2eDeYe]

I might have one in my storage unit, where it would be in there I have no idea :lol:

 

 

I believe it is just a spacer.

[Lumlo]

I might have one in my storage unit, where it would be in there I have no idea :lol:

 

 

I believe it is just a spacer.

 

h190 is sending me one, hope to have it in by the weekend.

 

Unbelievable how clean this truck is, inside and out, it's nicer than the `74 I owned in 1980. Once I get a handle on posting pictures, I'll give you all a look.  Meanwhile here is a short clip from the donor engine I used before I pulled it apart for a little freshing. 

 

http://vimeo.com/65230330