Datsun 720 Barn Find Project

[Fly Dawg]

Hey i recently bought a datsun 720 ute cheap, it only has 140,000 kms on it, and only a bit of surface rust, its a tray back, and a 2.2l diesel, the engine starts but the clutch has problems and wont work neither will the breaks, i dont know anything about diesels so does anyone have any tips on how to get her running again? i also am going to buy some lowering blocks fo rit to get a 3" drop, how much spring do you suggest i should cut from the front?

 

heres it in the barn:

 

and heres some more after some touch up:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[datzenmike]

Hi Fly Dawg, and welcome to Ratsun. The clutch may just need fluid and bleeding any air out if you are lucky. Front end is a torsion bar suspension, a form of spring, but they are adjustable with a wrench. If not very knowledgeable on the 720 I suggest a Nissan FSM (factory service manual) for your year truck,rather than just a generic 'shop manual'. This way you can batter follow ideas and suggestions made here. New about $80? but online much less. What's a mechanic charge per hour? They pay for themselves every time you open it.  

[Draker]

Doesn't run.. already lowering it.

[datzenmike]

Sound about right....

[fritzdixxon]

What are or aren't the breaks doing? Does the pedal have pressure but breaks don't work or does the pedal hit the floor? Could just need a bleed.

 

How long was it garaged for? And of course where are the pics?

[Jester]

Sound about right....

 

 

Sounds pretty Ratsun to me. 

[Fly Dawg]

What are or aren't the breaks doing? Does the pedal have pressure but breaks don't work or does the pedal hit the floor? Could just need a bleed.

 

How long was it garaged for? And of course where are the pics?

Its been in the garage for about 4 years, there is pressure on the brakes but not on the clutch and the pics should show up now

[Z23T]

Nice find, the truck looks clean for a 30 year old vehicle. I dig the beds you guys use in AU, if it were me I'd be lifting it, not lowering it.

 

Your post says it starts, but then you said you need help getting it running. It the engine starts and runs, that's awesome. I would suggest you dump the old fuel and change the fuel filter. Diesel fuel systems are lubricated by the diesel fuel and any water or dirt in the fuel system could damage the injection pump or injectors.  Google, how to bleed a diesel fuel system.                     

 

You should bleed the brakes and the clutch, but before you do, get all of the old brake fluid out of the reservoirs so your not pumping the shitty old brake fluid through the systems. If you have a firm brake pedal but no brakes, the front calipers pistons could be rusted and not moving. Google, seized brake caliper, or restoring  an old brake system, to get some information. The brake booster is vacuum operated, and because diesels don't create any manifold vacuum, they rely on a pump to create the vacuum. There will probably be a vacuum pump on the back of the alternator. If it feels like you don't have any assist from the booster you'll need to make sure this system is operating correctly.

 

Good luck.

[Fly Dawg]

Nice find, the truck looks clean for a 30 year old vehicle. I dig the beds you guys use in AU, if it were me I'd be lifting it, not lowering it.

 

Your post says it starts, but then you said you need help getting it running. It the engine starts and runs, that's awesome. I would suggest you dump the old fuel and change the fuel filter. Diesel fuel systems are lubricated by the diesel fuel and any water or dirt in the fuel system could damage the injection pump or injectors.  Google, how to bleed a diesel fuel system.                     

 

You should bleed the brakes and the clutch, but before you do, get all of the old brake fluid out of the reservoirs so your not pumping the shitty old brake fluid through the systems. If you have a firm brake pedal but no brakes, the front calipers pistons could be rusted and not moving. Google, seized brake caliper, or restoring  an old brake system, to get some information. The brake booster is vacuum operated, and because diesels don't create any manifold vacuum, they rely on a pump to create the vacuum. There will probably be a vacuum pump on the back of the alternator. If it feels like you don't have any assist from the booster you'll need to make sure this system is operating correctly.

 

Good luck.

Thanks !