threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Well... I picked up a 1972 521 yesterday - first truck and first Datsun ever owned - and I thought I would introduce myself to the folks of Ratsun. I guess you can say I'm an aspiring car mechanic with lots of interest in fixing my new truck up bit by bit. Looks like I'll be on my way as my clutch gave out while driving back from the tire shop this afternoon. Fluid appears to be leaking out of the hose running down to the master cylinder. Any pro tips on where to go from here? I'm planning to spend some QT on this forum to learn as much as I can about these rad machines and keep mine on the road. Pics coming soon. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 most likely the slave cylinder blew out. Go to sears and buy a good tool kit!!!!!!!! metric. olddatsuns.com read the tech section Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 things for threespeed to do: 1) buy toolkit 2) fix clutch slave 3) open photo hosting account 4) post pictures of his 521 on Ratsun 5) get Ratsun sticker 6) put sticker on 521 7) post more pictures of 521 on Ratsun wow! looks like you have a lot to do, better get on it! Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thankfully, I'm a bicycle mechanic and have a full set of tools, including metric wrenches, at my disposal. I know that I'll need more than that eventually, but at least I can get started. I'm going to have a closer look at the slave cylinder this morning and hopefully get the truck going again. Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 The engine, transmission, and rear axle are metric. The rest of the truck is SAE. You will need both types of wrenches, and sockets. Many parts for a 521 are still available at Nissan dealers. You can also find parts, at auto parts stores. You probably are better off avoiding auto parts stores that sell spoilers, and fart cannon exhaust tips for Hondas. Bookmark this page. Use it to order needed parts from Nissan. http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun520/Datsun520521Index.aspx Parts from Nissan, cost more than most generic auto parts store prices, but the quality is MUCH higher. in my opinion, well worth it. Here is a wiring diagram you are going to need. Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 when you have issues with the lights it's more than likely the fuse block, a good initial maintenance step is to soak it overnight in vinegar and scrub it. Don' trust old AGC fuses either they can look fine but be old and corroded. Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks for the electrical info. I'm sure that'll come in handy very soon. I got in there this morning and found that the clutch hose was dry rotted and appears to be leaking. I called around to a few local shops and it sounds like I'm going to have to order the part online. If I want to pull that old hose out, I guess I'll need to remove all the brake fluid from the system first. Do I just unscrew the bleed port to empty out the system or is there some other approach I should take? Gonna take some photos of the truck and put them up in a few. Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Here it is! 3 Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 nice survivor. what are your plans? Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Keep it running :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Based on what I can glean from previous discussions on this forum, these hoses are nearly impossible to come by. Can anyone in the Oakland, CA area recommend a spot for getting a hose custom made? Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 "The rest of the truck is SAE." That includes the brake lines, and clutch hydraulic lines and hoses. Steel brake, and clutch pipe is 3/16. the flare nut fittings are 3/8-24. this is a very common size on American cars. You can drain the clutch hydraulic cylinder, if you want. It will make the job slightly less messy. But you will still spill some fluid. Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 ^ Cool. I sometimes have a bad habit of making things more complicated than they need to be. I'm going to call around and see what I can find. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment
dat521gatherer Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Looks good. Don't change the color. The engine bay, interior and body actually match. Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 the lower heater hose is a bitch to find but you can fab one out of other fittings. What hose do you need? Having been born in Oakland myself I know there's plenty o' hos around. Try Indy aboot 6 pm. :rofl: Quote Link to comment
threespeed Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 @dat521gatherer I assume you're referring to the lovely rust patina ;) I need the lower hose (Part No. 46212-20500). I spent some time today trying to find something that would work from local shops, but clearly didn't have any luck. I've also heard that you can fab one with the fittings, but I'm not sure where to go for something like that. I called around a bit, but It seemed like the problem was finding a tube with the proper diameter. I also found that the later production Datsuns might have used the same hose, but with a different part no (ie. 46201-89912). Thoughts? I really want to get my truck back on the road. Thanks again for helping this amateur out. Quote Link to comment
laotsu Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 isn't that just a brake hose? try Rock Auto Quote Link to comment
earlyvws Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 The lower radiator hose is at Napa. Just bought one. The upper is also at napa as well as orielly. Orielly upper was a gates and fit nicer then the one from napa. 1 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 The lower radiator hose is at Napa. Just bought one. The upper is also at napa as well as orielly. Orielly upper was a gates and fit nicer then the one from napa. Don't you have your own updating to do buddy. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Here it is! Nice truck. Very fuckin clean. Quote Link to comment
earlyvws Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Don't you have your own updating to do buddy. Working slowly. Wife not back from OZ. If no major issues pop up maybe be able to take a test drive this weekend. Quote Link to comment
Steve521 Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Looks like you got a good one man ... welcome! Any plans for changing / removing rear bumper?? lol 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.