71Hustler Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Hi everyone, I purchased a 521 last week off of Craigslist from a California dude named Olaf. He bought the truck from someone in Oakland last August or September. I had a 72 510 years ago, and did a little work myself, but I relied on Kelvin Dietz in Eugene quite a bit. So, pretty new territory for me here. I've already been emailing with Mike (mklotz70) about front drum to disc conversion kits. And, I'm really happy this community is here! So much good info to dig through! First priorities are getting the current drum brakes less scary (out of adjustment we think) and replacing the currently missing driver's side window (plan is to get new window cut using a template drawn from the passenger side). Otherwise, I'm open to suggestions how to prioritize things. Most stuff appears to be original, and there is a lot of old cracked rubber everywhere. And yes, that is a skull wearing a hat on the hood. Sorry if these photos are huge; I'm experimenting with using Dropbox links. 9 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Welcome, love the floor mats :D 7 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Welcome :) You don't need to have a window cut, I have lots of them, PM me. So I am assuming it runs as you are calling the brakes scary, you might be right about them needing adjusting, but I would convert over to disc brakes when you have the money, but that is just me, I guess I have done a few to many counter clockwise spins down the freeway during an emergency stop. I live across the river from you in Vancouver, if you need anything, PM me. You should take a better photo of the skull on the hood!!! :lol: 4 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted March 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 By request! 4 Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 looks like some creepy voodoo shit, i like it best order to go in is stop/steer, go, lower, looks for stuff to work on. at least that's me 3 Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Those pics look familar. :) Glad to see you started a thread on it. :) 2 Quote Link to comment
Schoolzin Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Welcome! The floor mats rock! Awesome that you have a runner. 2 Quote Link to comment
Elkie Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Feathered cap makes the skull even more badass 2 Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted March 18, 2015 Report Share Posted March 18, 2015 Nice hood pic, I'd leave it for the character unless you plan to drive it in South central Los Angeles!! Start slow and hit all the good stuff that you would like to change. Make her run and safe, the rest will come in time! Welcome to the house!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted March 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks for all the welcome messages everyone! Truck update: we took it into Metro Metric in SE Portland for the brakes because the back drum adjusters were completely seized up and we couldn't get anything to budge. They were able to get the drums off, soaked the adjusters overnight and got them working again. Now I can drive (relatively) safely to the DMV to get the title taken care of (an out of state title requires an in-person VIN inspection). Since I just drove the truck down a long, straight stretch for the first time, I got to more fully experience the super loose steering. Eek! On to a tune up and valve adjustment. I've already read through quite a bit and watched Mike's video, so I think we'll be good there. 3 Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 On the steering.....make sure you check the idler on the passenger side. If it is worn or loose, it will cause steering issues faster than the tierods. 1 Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 As stated above, check those joints. Also make sure it's all greased up which may help the loose feeling. Is it over 40 years old as well! 1 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Well, I'm just going to make a list of where things are at. I'm planning on driving to Canby, but might avoid driving on I5/205 still.What's been done: Valve adjustment Oil change/filter Lower profile air filter (the old one was too tall and getting munched by the hood) Driver's side window replaced (Thanks Wayne!) Window channel felt replaced (I used this and it worked perfectly, but ended up just a couple inches short. Grrr...) PCV valve replaced and crankcase breather hose reconnected Drum brake adjusters un-seized (this took professional help) Switched out tailgate (got it cheap and it had two working latches) New wing window gaskets What needs to be done most immediately (based on my super noob knowledge and experience) Check points and timing Adjust carb (if needed) Replace tie rods (one seems bad, so figure I should just do both) Figure out what do with kingpins -- they're not good, but not horrible either. I've been emailing with Mike and need to watch his 40 videos. Fix gas gauge (stopped working last week) Fix reverse lights Someday, in no particular order... Electronic distributor Disc brake conversion New or just better windshield Suspension (maybe just new shocks?) Reupholster bench seat and get it installed (there's bucket seats right now, but I'd prefer the bench) New seat belts with shoulder straps Work on getting rid of rust, other body work New dash (if possible) Add horn And basically everything else you can imagine :frantics: I keep getting set back by rain. We don't have garage space to work in yet, hope to get things arranged by end of summer. 3 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 At least it looks better without the ratty (no offense) canopy. I'd add a photo, but dropbox is messing with me. Time for the photobucket account I guess. 1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Dig the blu Pantina. get rid of the point distributor 1st or a conversion if a single point avail save to buy spare brake and clutch hydralic parts ck the king pins up front. ck oil in trans/diff 3 Quote Link to comment
angl71-521 Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 :thumbup: 3 Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 Looking good hustler! Take a breeze through my 521 page and there are some good easy fixins in there for a lot of your list of to dos. Might give you ideas for stuff to do. 2 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 Working on tie rod and idler arm replacements, and getting the rust under control in the bed. Yesterday we power washed the dirt off to see how bad the rust actually is, and to get the gunk out so it will actually drain. After driving myself crazy reading about POR15 vs. other stuff, I'm going to try the Eastwood product and see how it goes. 4 Quote Link to comment
denmarkboy Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Great truck ! Great people ! Great to meet you and share in your build . I'm looking forward to meeting you guys on the 9th when we all caravan to blue lake. 3 Quote Link to comment
71Hustler Posted August 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Took Olaf in for alignment after finally getting the steering linkage done. The Line Up Shop did the best they could, but recommended a new upper left control arm and, of course, rebuilt kingpins. 6 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 OH I dig the Patina stock rims painted with w/hubcaps Lowered!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment
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