6l320datsun3 Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 Way back in the day I bought this truck to get it looking good an running. Since the military a family an so forth this truck sat for a long time so now I'm gonna bring it back. It's a '63 l320 all original down to the jcpenny tires ( still holding air ). I have gotten much started but not finished Wayno thanks for the MBC info very helpful. If anyone can also help me figure out how to convert the old gen to alt that would be astonishing awesome. As well as getting headlight bezels, an the backings of the window cranks an door handles. I will have many other do-it projects you will all get to see like the heater box being stripped apart and cleaned. A few things on interior workings so I will have some tips and shout some out if you have a few secrets. I may be slow on updates but not that bad I have time to kill and a truck to save. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 One thing you need to keep in mind, the 1963 datsun 320 pickup is a positive ground system, that means that you either keep it that way by leaving everything stock electrically, or you have to have things modified, like having an alternator changed to positive ground, which I have seen in the last year. The other way to go, is to change it all over to negative ground, which is the most common way to go. I am wondering if you have ever drove this truck, is it still a column shift? It should be if stock, and they came with 4 speed on the column with a strange shift pattern, which is a great anti theft device. You will have to make a list of what you are missing, keeping in mind that these trucks are hard to find good parts for these days. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 Actually I did know they are positive but I can't get another gen for then truck so if you can help me snag one. Other then that yeah I knew about the full swap to negative. I have driven the truck like three times and yes indeed the shift pattern was very confusing on the column. So anti theft and drunk proof . My list isn't too big I have everything all the way down to the hub caps ... Yes the original dish ones. So mainly just trying to clean up and refurbish the parts I do have. I'll post pics and put the list up later so I can get a minimal chance of maybe getting them. Quote Link to comment
Eric Garside Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 Cant wait to see pictures of your truck!! Its always nice to see another Datsun enthusiast in north Idaho :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Actually I did know they are positive but I can't get another gen for then truck so if you can help me snag one. Other then that yeah I knew about the full swap to negative. I have driven the truck like three times and yes indeed the shift pattern was very confusing on the column. So anti theft and drunk proof . My list isn't too big I have everything all the way down to the hub caps ... Yes the original dish ones. So mainly just trying to clean up and refurbish the parts I do have. I'll post pics and put the list up later so I can get a minimal chance of maybe getting them. Where you find 320 hubcaps??? Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Well 3 of them came with the truck and today actually i picked one up in sandpoint Idaho along with a gen WOOHOO. Put my gen on and well its running great now. I had to pick up a positive ground coil an well lets just say Im lucky a buddy had a old ford that was positive ground as well. THe MBC comes in thursday so that will be put on asap and I also must say I am realizing I might be too tall for this truck. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 I am to tall also, but my 320s are not daily drivers either, I can take it for an hour every once in a while. I never thought about coils being different, could be why I have already burnt one up. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 Oh yeah Ill get you that part number and let you know what it comes off of its a ford thats all I know. Being 6' 2" isnt fun and yeah im gonna trim down the bottom seat mounts to drop it like 2 inches give me some room. So also I must keep asking I need the dang headlight bezels mine are cracked. Also SOMEONE please find me a bumper I cant even find one. Its like they dont exist out there HELP!!! Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 4, 2013 Report Share Posted June 4, 2013 If you can find an actual 320 hubcap, you can find a 320 bumper. 320 parts are hard to find period, so keep looking, eventually one will show up. My truck runs fine with the coil I have in it now, don't know if it is the proper one, but I have had no issues warming it up over the past year. Quote Link to comment
66Fairlady Posted June 5, 2013 Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 I have a front bumper for your 320. Ted. tcheaton@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 ^PM sent 66Fairlady Well update ... Truck took a crap I don't know why yet had to go to work when it did. Good news is the MBC arrived YAY? That's going in once I wake up too dark to work outside kinda like 1am. There is no difference to the original. The activating rod is adjustable so that saved a stress factor for me. Yes yes there will be pictures but sleep comes first post more of the work tomorrow ... today, whatever. Quote Link to comment
twiztedintentions Posted June 6, 2013 Report Share Posted June 6, 2013 Shoot me an email at Contenta.joe@gmail.com. I'm pretty sure I have the bezels your looking for if u haven't already found some. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 ^PM sent twiztedintentions Well got a few updates ... The engine now runs kinda half ace but hey I'll get it. I replaced the plugs and come to find out the dizzy is grounding out inside itself causing my running problem. Then I got new wires put on it and that made it better, now but it pops at 3/4 throttle through the carb so its a bit too advanced. A work in progress I'm tired and its very hot out. I know I'm getting to it hold on ... the MBC bolted up great no problems. I ran into a few leaks in my lines had to replace a few fittings, then re-bleed the system again. I used the original shims when I put it back on so it fits great. I did have to drillo another hole since it was a bit to long but hey thats what we do, we modify to make it work right? Anyway it has great pressure but one seized drum, so next day off I will be redoing the brakes all around. I will be starting on a wire tuck and a few other things coming up as soon as I fix my lights and other small things. A list will be later this is a long enough post. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 I am happy it worked out, did you try to fit/use the old short push rod in the new master? I believe that the drums have a screw in the side holding the drums on, or at least it is one of the things holding them on, don't forget to remove that screw. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 I did try to reuse the old rod but it was too short to get the full leverage on the MBC to close up the brakes so I just modified the new one. Other then that everything works out great on that end of my brakes. Well I knew of the screws but the drivers rear wheel is so frozen up the drum itself wont even budge. I tried loosening the adjuster but that didnt work out as plan since that is frozen to. I put up some PB Blaster on it gonna let it soak for the night and come back at it tomorrow after work. I did get the chance to re-adjust every other wheel its just that one that wont let me do anything. Hopefully I can get to the wiring soon I kinda wanna take it out on a drive ... to the tire store to fix the bead on a tire. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted June 7, 2013 Report Share Posted June 7, 2013 There are two slots in the backing plate dust cover, just big enough for a piece of 1/4" round stock. I use a piece of that as a drift to beat the frozen drums off from the backside. Good luck. Frozen drums can be a real bear. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted June 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Finally got the drum off, with it off I found a frozen adjuster along with a rusted brake shoe. I think I found the problem. I sent the drums out to be turned then got new shoes and a rebuild for the rear. I went out got new oil and a filter for the ill thing but I couldn't come to mind what level gear oil should I run in the tranni. So advice or input of what you run would help out. I will be working on my lighting issue, I have no signals or brakes so there is my next mystery box to open. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Finally got the drum off, with it off I found a frozen adjuster along with a rusted brake shoe. I think I found the problem. I sent the drums out to be turned then got new shoes and a rebuild for the rear. I went out got new oil and a filter for the ill thing but I couldn't come to mind what level gear oil should I run in the tranni. So advice or input of what you run would help out. I will be working on my lighting issue, I have no signals or brakes so there is my next mystery box to open. All I know is you need "yellow metal safe" gear oil for the transmission. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 What level or what type? Level...fill untill it drips out the fill plug. Type, I would use a GL4 or GL5, but then I don't know what spec is. Do those transmissions have brass synchros? Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted July 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 Hey guys sorry to disappoint but the truck is gone had to other things came up that we're more important. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 I hope you got good money for it. These trucks are getting hard to find. Quote Link to comment
6l320datsun3 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Yeah I know they're hard to find but I told the guy that ill buy it back whenever I can it killed me seeing it go. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.