V521V Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hello Ratsun, I just inherited my grandfathers 1971 Datsun 521 truck! The truck was originally purchased by my great grandfather in 71'. I am eager to clean this gem up and will be posting pictures asap. Theres potential in this truck and i will be coming back here for lots of questions and information. The truck has sat for almost 10 years. I am pretty familiar with Toyota i4 engines so i am glad this truck has a carburetor and not a sea of vacuum lines on the intake. I'm confident this will be a fun and easy restore. Pictures coming soon! But first everyone needs to guess how many original miles are on this truck. :) v521v 3 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 olddatsuns.com read the tech section do it for gramps best to buy new fuel filters and maybe run 2 of them. I would see about empty the tank and see how much crud in there. 2 Quote Link to comment
Osoi Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 I agree with Banzai510. That was the first thing I did with mine, despite the fact the guy that had it before me swore it was an electrical issue. The tank was totally corroded. Saved HOURS of head beating instead of countless wasted time figuring out why things won't run, or stay running. 1 Quote Link to comment
bilzbobaggins Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 I can't guess without them pics 1 Quote Link to comment
V521V Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hello everyone, Here are some of the photos... towed this guy home last night. More photos coming as i progress. Hopefully this will direct you to the flickr album. How do i post my nicer pictures to this forum? v521v https://www.flickr.com/gp/138045747@N08/Fk9at2 2 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 photobucket is about the best hosting site there is.... even though it isn't great in any way. :lol: 2 Quote Link to comment
greenthumb Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 mmmmmm, my favorite 521 color -546 Looks like a solid start. Since we have to guess I assume it's a low-miler, so 69000 miles 1 Quote Link to comment
fritzdixxon Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 photobucket is about the best hosting site there is.... even though it isn't great in any way. :lol: If you are using the mobile site pb actually has been pretty good lately. Nice truck cool to see a multi-generation family owned piece get some love. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Lot of 521s showing up lately. 2 Quote Link to comment
V521V Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Hello everyone, So i have a couple questions.. should i clean the light rust and prime and paint or leave it all factory green. I don't want to take value away from the original truck. I haven't done a restore so i want to do it right. Also does anyone know where to get interior panels and the dash pad? I could probably cut the door panels out of masonite on a bandsaw and upholster it if no one sells them. Thank you for your knowledge and advise. v521v Quote Link to comment
Osoi Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I'd say that's a matter of preference. There's a lot of guys that dig the original "patina" of a vehicle, and others that like a shiny "new" looking ride. Me, I'm of the latter and will be blasting and painting my truck later this year. But it's whatever makes you feel good while you're riding down the road. :thumbup: As a side note, Of course theres two camps with the repaint group. The I'm going to paint it whatever the F I want, and the I'm going to go original color and restore this thing like it just rolled off the showroom. So, there's that. Quote Link to comment
fritzdixxon Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Value is a relative term. Monetary value is minimal next to sentimental, do what you feel will give the truck the longest life, or give you the most enjoyment. If there is a dent that you got when Gpa clipped a fence leaving it cause there's a memory if it is just a rusty corner cut it out and put in new steel. Quote Link to comment
HOGIE Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Based on the pictures the steering wheel and door panels aren't roached so I' say low mile as well 67k I'm going patina look on my 521 but I'm not doing a restoration project. I'll be giving it the wet sand and buff treatment. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 From the pics on flickr, it doesn't look terrible. Where's the seat? Quote Link to comment
uberkevin Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 If I were you I'd just clean it really good! Engine bay and cab, get the motor running, driving and stopping and maybe drive it like that for a bit then you can better determine what you want to do to the truck, slowly. I'd say stay the stock color at all costs haha. From the pictures it looks like a nice truk and should clean up real nice... I like simplegreen.. smells good too.. Quote Link to comment
V521V Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Hello everyone, so i hit my first snag... this fuel to carb filter inlet thing is broken. Do you think i can just clean it really well then torch and silver solder and braze it together. https://www.flickr.com/gp/138045747@N08/93380f The truck is cleaning up super nice! I flushed the fluids and put a little gas down the carbs and it fired right up!! The mileage is... ... ... 56k original! I've decided to keep all original colors and panels excluding the kick panels that are damaged on the bottom. Found the hood emblem in the glove box. v521v Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 There are a lot of Weber carb Datsuns out there, that people have removed the stock carb from their Datsun. Quote Link to comment
Doctor510 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Hello everyone, so i hit my first snag... this fuel to carb filter inlet thing is broken. Do you think i can just clean it really well then torch and silver solder and braze it together. https://www.flickr.com/gp/138045747@N08/93380f The truck is cleaning up super nice! I flushed the fluids and put a little gas down the carbs and it fired right up!! The mileage is... ... ... 56k original! I've decided to keep all original colors and panels excluding the kick panels that are damaged on the bottom. Found the hood emblem in the glove box. v521v I have several here in AZ, message me for details 1 Quote Link to comment
Rays74 Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Hello everyone, so i hit my first snag... this fuel to carb filter inlet thing is broken. Do you think i can just clean it really well then torch and silver solder and braze it together. https://www.flickr.com/gp/138045747@N08/93380f The truck is cleaning up super nice! I flushed the fluids and put a little gas down the carbs and it fired right up!! The mileage is... ... ... 56k original! I've decided to keep all original colors and panels excluding the kick panels that are damaged on the bottom. Found the hood emblem in the glove box. v521v I run the stock carbs so I have a few spares if you need.....send me a message :) --Ray Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 that fuel inlet is a banjo fitting and really need new washers for them otherwise I think they leak Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 What thread is it? 12 x 1.25 or 12 x 1.5? Both are available aftermarket in different configurations. Try looking at https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/ Quote Link to comment
Rays74 Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I think he just needs the banjo fitting, not the threaded bolt? Holler at me. I HAVE spares :) Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I guess my point is that there is a lot of aftermarket for that. Bolts or banjos. Quote Link to comment
V521V Posted January 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 Hello everyone, Again thank you all for your wealth of knowledge and experience. I purchased a banjo bolt from Doctor510. :) Anyone know where to get a good dash board? Also a steering wheel or steering wheel wrap that holds up good. Will post more photos soon! v521v Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Dash pad...there is a member working on making new replacement caps. Give it time. You won't find a perfect original pad. Wheel...good luck. Grant part no. 4591 to get a Grant hub and wheel to fit. Not a perfect fit, but it's something. You'll need to be in the habit of turning off your signals on your own. Quote Link to comment
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