Kidd_Kimball Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Hey guys, I'm Peter, 23 years old, and I'm in Mesa, AZ. I just bought a 1970 Datsun 521. I'm really excited to start working on this and hopefully get it running. Doesn't look like it needs too much. I've never owned a pre 90s vehicle. Its quite a lot to learn, and there isn't much literature I can find on it. So if anyone is around mesa, and wants to bring theirs so I can see a clean one, or even the next show, that would be awesome. I am thinking about doing an engine swap too, just throwing that out there. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Pics,yo. Welcome to Ratsun. Lots of info here. Does it run? No need to swap anything if it does. 1 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Welcome. What flatcat said, no need to swap if it's a runner. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 olddatsuns.com the tech section read everything there Quote Link to comment
Kidd_Kimball Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 It's not currently running, it cranks though. Pretty sure it's just the distributor, already ordered a new one. Quote Link to comment
Kidd_Kimball Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 I have the tow bar, bed cover, and an extra set on pins for the front. It needs work but I'd say within a year, it's going to look so pretty Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Removing the tach will make it look better in an instant. Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Removing the tach will make it look better in an instant. Truck might even fire up if you follow this sage advise. Vanity tachs lower a trucks morale. 1 Quote Link to comment
Doctor510 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Welcome to Ratsun, I'm in Mesa and know the truck via the PO. Don't spend your money on a "new" dist, I have about 6 of them that will work. PM me I am at University East of Higley the house with two Yellow Datsuns and one Green one in the driveway. Point well take on publishing my PN Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Bad things happen when Ratsun members post their personal phone numbers. Just sayin. Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Dick pix incoming!! That is a large tach. Bad things happen when Ratsun members post their personal phone numbers.Just sayin. 1 Quote Link to comment
tr8er Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Dick pix? I just send pizza. I guess I'm old school Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Gonna send a pizza to a phone number? Hm. Tell us how that turns out. Quote Link to comment
LenRobertson Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Hey, I like the tach. It is big enough I could read it with my aged eyes. And only slightly smaller than the steering wheel. :P I like the overall look of the truck - old school rules. The lack of a top radiator hose is interesting/of concern, but maybe a new one is being installed. All new hoses is a very good idea especially in AZ. Is that an L16? Get it running soonest so we can all cheer for you. Len Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Engine code is below #4 spark plug. Head ID is below #1. 1 Quote Link to comment
Kidd_Kimball Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 It's an l16 with a w w58 head then. That sound right? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Solve the problem.... replace only what's needed, or your next post will say... " replaced distributor, still doesn't start " This, replace everything until it works, gets expensive fast and you don't learn anything in the process. That's really the wrong head for an L16. You need a number head like a 210 not a letter head like that W58 and here's why.... The correct 210 head has a smaller combustion chamber (38cc) matched to your 1.6 liter displacement. The W58 combustion chambers are much larger for a 2 liter engine and are 45.2cc. Used on an L16 it will drop your compression from 8.5 down into the 6s. It will run for now but be lacking in power. Do NOT throw that distributor away! If a W58 head, maybe a matchbox distributor was swapped in too. I don't see a ballast resistor and it has a janky aftermarket coil so who knows??? Quote Link to comment
Kidd_Kimball Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 I can't find find where this wire goes. Anyone know? Quote Link to comment
dat521gatherer Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 It goes on the temp sending unit on the bottom part of the thermostat housing. Quote Link to comment
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