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My first Nissan build - My grandpas 1983 720 Pickup


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Hello all!

 

I'm Robert and I am new to Ratsun.  I recently aquired my grandfathers 1983.5 720 standard cab.  The truck has been in the family since mile 0 and I've been eying it for a while now!  I'm so excited to tear into this awesome little truck and bring some life back to her!  It has the Z24 engine with a nasty wrist-pin knock.  I'm wanting to upgrade/update the engine to the KA24 out of a 240 or a Frontier but am still a little unsure.  I may just rebuild the engine and call it good.  Anywhoo, I have my first post here -->  http://shuttermeshort.blogspot.com/2014/08/grand-pas-truck-day-1.html  with even more info and photos. 

I hope you all like it and i'm hoping to learn a lot from this community! (already have!)

Robb

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Use the truck KA, it's lighter and the oil pan fits. The 240 engines are front sump and the crank girdle prevents a truck oil pan from fitting.

 

Any engine sounds could be a misdiagnosis. How many miles are on the 'old girl'? Maybe check set the valve lash (0.013")

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  • 1 year later...

So the truck is up and running!  I'm still hashing out some small details and tightening up loose ends but she purrrrs!  I ended up rebuilding the Z24 instead of swapping.  It turned out to be a bad crank journal.  Here's my day 2 & 3 post.   http://shuttermeshort.blogspot.com/2016/01/grandpas-truck-day-2-and-3-engine.html 

Enjoy!  Feedback is always welcome!

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  • 4 years later...

Okay, this has taken forever to get around to but a lot has been happening!  I got the engine together and running well.  It lasted about 2k miles and appears that the rings didn't set right.  I had carb issues when I first started it and think the cylinder walls got fuel washed.  Engine will be coming back out soon.... 😞  Moved in order to help my mom since my dad just passed and started my own shop back in my hometown of Bishop, CA.   

 In the meantime I have gotten around to some of the suspension and interior.  


Suspension:

3" napa blocks with a 2 degree shim, U-bolts from sdtrucksprings.com (thanks Crash), and Beltech drop spindles, and Procomp wheels.  New KYB shocks all the way around and new brake lines as well.  As a note, the Beltech 5456 sway bar does NOT fit the 720 even though it is listed under the vehicle selection. 😞 Hardbody only.  Went with the Napa sway bar bushings instead (didn't really NEED a thick sway bar).

 

Interior:

Rust repair on passenger floorboard and Herculiner (3 coats).

Tires and Wheels:

15x8 ProComp 69's wheels
205/50 R15 Nitto NeoGens

 

I still have a very cracked dash that I'm trying to figure out what to do with.  Seat upholstery (or MAYBE buckets) is next.

Also, any suggestions or inspiration on redoing door cards?

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Work continues...  My Weber flooded the engine so bad that it washed the cylinder walls of oil.  Waiting to see if a hone can take care of it or if it needs to be bored out and new pistons.

 

I'm still convinced that carbs are the devil...

Engine is back out and at the machine shop.   Seat is at the upholstery shop. I'll post interior photos once I get the seat back.  Going black vinyl and fabric to match the floor.

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Here's a few others.  Pretty happy with the suspension and wheel/tire set-up so far!  Sorry if you've seen a couple of these in another thread

 

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If its any consolation on the engine, the very first Z24 I rebuilt, I put the main bearings in upside down and completely blocked off all oil flow to the rotating assembly.  Brand new pistons, rings, bearings, etc.  The only oiling was the engine assembly lube I used and splash oiling.  It ran for about 30 minutes before locking up completely.  Destroyed 2 of the pistons completely.  I was in too deep to totally give up though.  So I pulled a crank and 2 rods/pistons out of an engine in the junkyard, honed the galled aluminum off the cylinder walls, and reassembled that hunk of junk with new bearings and seals again.  Never was a very good engine though and eventually it just got swapped out to one I pulled from a parts truck I bought.  Though that engine is still in it, it hasn't ever been very good either.... 😄 

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7 hours ago, Lockleaf said:

If its any consolation on the engine, the very first Z24 I rebuilt, I put the main bearings in upside down and completely blocked off all oil flow to the rotating assembly.  Brand new pistons, rings, bearings, etc.  The only oiling was the engine assembly lube I used and splash oiling.  It ran for about 30 minutes before locking up completely.  Destroyed 2 of the pistons completely.  I was in too deep to totally give up though.  So I pulled a crank and 2 rods/pistons out of an engine in the junkyard, honed the galled aluminum off the cylinder walls, and reassembled that hunk of junk with new bearings and seals again.  Never was a very good engine though and eventually it just got swapped out to one I pulled from a parts truck I bought.  Though that engine is still in it, it hasn't ever been very good either.... 😄 

OUCH.  Yeah, thats a mistake you only make once!  lol!  
 

The kicker on this one for me is that I'm only rebuilding it to pass CA emissions then I'm looking for something else to put in it.  The regulations here are pretty hard when you swap motors to something else.  It can be done but its a PITA...    I'll be keeping my eye out for a KA24 out of a newer truck - no more carbs!!

Edited by ShutterMeShort
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On 1/27/2021 at 8:00 PM, datzenmike said:

Don't you have to re-smog every year or two?

Negative.  I live in a change of ownership area only.  Only when a vehicle enters the state or registration changes ownership or area.  I'm not planning on selling so I'm good to go.  If I do sell it will have to be out of state or I revert everything back... Or sell it as non-op trailer baby.


I'm currently finishing up everything I need for me and my shop to be Smog check and repair certified.  Got about another month to go.

 

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25 minutes ago, carterb said:

Awesome build!  I hope you are able to get back on the road soon and enjoy your (re)creation.

Thanks bud!  It's been a long time coming. (almost 7 years)

Just got the seat back yesterday and set it in.  Pretty happy with it!  Man I wish I had the skills and patience to do upholstery - it's definitely an art form!   I think I'll stick to engine and suspension.  lol

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Yeah the 86 720s are also FI.  I think possibly even some late 85.  Although honestly if I were going to do the swap, I would consider using the late 80s GM s10 throttle body FI.  Parts are WAY more common and available than the z24 FI stuff.

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No reason to stick with the Z24 or Z24i

CA emissions makes it the easiest to keep the Z24, not the Z24i - stupid, I know...  So i'm going to pass emissions with the factory Z24 and then source a KA24.  Much better parts and aftermarket support.  More power and more reliability as well.  Just a waiting game for the right KA to come around

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  • 2 months later...
  • 1 month later...

Update:

 

- Got the block back from the machine shop.  Painted and rotating assembly in. Waiting on new rings since I somehow managed to order ones for the 2.2L. 😒

 

- Just acquired a share parts truck with a broken timing chain guide - will be using some of the emission parts to pass CA emissions then most everything will be up for grabs if anyone is interested.  I may fix this engine and put it all back together and sell it whole as well - Time will tell.  

- Located a Japanese KA24DE out of a Frontier with only 50K miles on it.  Pulling trigger on that asap!  Things are coming together!

 

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  • 10 months later...

Update:

 

She is alive!  Went to the local Cars and Coffee Show.  Even had an S130 give me some company! 

I got the friends 4x4 720 to pass emissions so now it's time to tear both trucks back apart and get mine to pass emissions and get hers back to the way it was!   Still haven't gotten the KA...  Not as easy as I thought. IMG_2302.thumb.jpg.505249d94439a5e818fb47cb700ac353.jpgIMG_2281.thumb.jpg.a0098b371e227456b275144e1285c7c6.jpg
 

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