Newbie, couple issues

[Tyler46]

Hello everyone, first post, trying to navigate this site a bit and learn the website. Recently I inherited a 1986 Nissan 720 pickup. It has the Z24 motor, 5 speed, 239,000 original miles, PS/AC all works great along with everything else, and it's been starting to show its age over the last several years. My other truck is a 2007 Ford Ranger 2WD, 6" lift and 35's and a bunch of other goodies.

 

Issue #1

 

On every startup the darn thing revs very high. Much more than I would consider "normal" so with this thing having a carb (I'm better with FI) maybe there's something I can do about it or just leave it alone. If I tap the gas every 20 seconds or so it slightly goes down until it's normal. I'm not sure if this is normal on these trucks, I'm still learning.

 

Issue #2

 

Battery light is flickering and I can hear some kind of solenoid clicking down on the passenger side but I can NOT find what's causing it. It'll tick intermittently until it clicks one last time and the battery light is off.

 

Issue #3

 

Under the hood up against the fender about halfway along the engine bay there's a relay/solenoid that clicks nonstop while driving. You can hear it inside the cabin. I've tried chasing the wires but some disappear and I can't find where they go to. It doesn't affect the drivability of the truck at all.

 

Issue #4

 

The cluster does not have a tach, I was wondering if any Nissan/Datsun pickups had clusters with tach's that you can swap out like I can in my Ranger. The little capped spots on the cluster look too suspicious.

[datzenmike]

#1... It's normal for the fast idle to be engaged during warm up. Normally 1,800 to 2,200 RPMs. 

 

#2... Alternator not charging fully. This can be the belt slightly loose? You should only be able to deflect the fan belt about 1/2" with your thump when pressing on it hard. Brushes may be worn. Don't just replace the alternator. The 'new' ones are of inferior quality. A new Nissan alternator is nearly $400 so what will you get for $75 from NAPA??? You used to be able to get replacement brushes for them? 

 

#3... This may go away once the alternator charging is fixed.

 

#4... The ST model comes with clock and tach, other models, it's an option. Best thing is to look for and find one in a wrecking yard. You don't need to change the dash just a simple plug in and play. 

[84720FourWheel]

I've got a tach if you want it. PM me.

[racerx]

What is your RPM at warm up? I think anything above 2K is too high.  When you step on your gas pedal, when car is idling and specially cold, your rpm will go up because of step up cam that's in your carb. I think you have an auto choke?  This can be adjusted if needed.  You can take your battery to your local Autozone or Oreilly and they can check it.  Isolate the issue of said battery flickering.  You can also take your alternator and get checked.  The other suggestion I have is to go on General Discussion and check manuals.  There's a guy in here who downloaded tons of manuals.  Good Luck!

[Tyler46]

Hm, all very interesting, thanks for the quick replies fellas. I'll check the belt when I get home from work later tonight. I'm not sure what the RPM is but it's really high. Sure doesn't sound like 1800-2200. Sounds more like 3,000, or even higher. I'd love to have a tach and clock on the dash. Would I be able to install them or would I have to swap the whole thing out?

 

im guessing I'll need to swap it out rather than install the clock and tach. Then I'll have to figure out the odometer.

 

Member 84720FourWheel - I'll send you a PM.

 

Thanks

[Tyler46]

Oh, and also the dash got a nice crack above the cluster. What years are the same? Sorry for the noob questions.

 

Edit - also if anybody has any new member threads for posting pictures, etc

[datzenmike]

 

 

#4... The ST model comes with clock and tach, other models, it's an option. Best thing is to look for and find one in a wrecking yard. You don't need to change the dash just a simple plug in and play. 

 

Just remove the gauge cluster and plug the tach and/or clock into their mounting holes.... that's all that's needed. Already wired.

 

There were two dashes for the 720, '80-'Sept '82 square and Oct '82 and on round gauge dash gauge clusters.