521 re-redone DD

[.sunlover]

What I am saying is that the only thing fully restricting movement in my bushing, now that I removed the hose clamps, is the design of the driveline.  It is snug, not tight, as far as slippage goes.  Bolted securely as far as the housing goes.  It drives nice.  I miss 5th gear.  I drive slower and lose a mpg, without it.  (80 sounds obnoxious in 4th gear.  Also feels unkind to the motor, cruising like that.)    I love the sound of it, though.  Proper sized exhaust with a proper muffler, now.  Like factory, except 2", and no resonator before the muffler.  Resonator delete makes it sound period correct to me, but that's just my own experience.   I kept the bell housing and its stuff to get a converted 5 speed ready for whenever is right to buy one and install it.  

[banzai510(hainz)]

what size pipe and muffler you running. i like the queit turber type mufflers

[.sunlover]

45 minutes ago, banzai510(hainz) said:

what size pipe and muffler you running. i like the queit turber type mufflers

I'm running 2" pipe and muffler.  (off of a header)  My muffler is generic, quiet style, as far as I can tell.  That's what I was looking for.  I am done with oversized pipe and a supertrap.  I was done a long time ago, but There was always something more important that needed to be fixed first.   

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

There's that exhaust.  I went around the spare tire, unlike the PO.  The fuel tank, air tank and spare tire belong under the bed, not in it, IMO.  The truck box takes up enough bed space.  With it, 2 people can get groceries on a rainy day and they stay dry and not stuffed in the cab with us.  If I didn't have the Dodge, I would probably canopy/roof rack it.  Now I have one for light duty zipping around, and My thirsty Beast for everything else.  ...Except to live in, I use my Travco for that.

[.sunlover]

The time since my last post has been mostly noneventful.   I did blow a brake cylinder and drive through the front gate, but I blame myself for that.  I bought all new brake parts less than a year ago, knowing the lack of any quality in even name brand new parts.  my bad....  Luckily for me,  I'm like the 6th person to hit that gate and it offered little resistance and only a couple ripples in the headlight trim.   That's not a worthy update, though.  Brake cylinders are again replaced up front, no issues, since.  Well, not with them, anyway.    My header finally gave up the ghost, though....  I'm not one that loves to downgrade performance..  I'm also not one that loves to spend $400 on a new header..  No, what I love is driving old rigs and getting great deals...  And I'm down an old rig, so.......  Good deals, it is....  But as little performance loss as possible...  Time to remove my self imposed Facebook ban and hit the marketplace, looking for an l20b exhaust manifold.  Yeah, Round ports to my square port closed chamber head.  That won't fit right...  Not without modification....   (shrug)  Time to find one.  Already struck out at the pick-n-pull and on ebay.  Marketplace didn't seem to have what I needed, except for some parting out 620's that might..  One was just a short distance away and didn't show one, but I asked if he had one.  He was parting out, or all for $300.  It was minus most of it, but he sent pics of the manifold right when I asked.  I asked how much for the manifold, and no response.  I kept looking at the remains of the 620 and thought how 50 years is probably too long to not own a trailer.  I also don't have a good spare for the 521...  The heat system in there isn't great, either.  Oh, and the hood release in the cab lost it's handle and is now operated with vice grips..  And a trailer with a spare would be good, too.  And this guy doesn't seem motivated to sell less than the rest of the 620.   And he has a title, so the scrapyard wouldn't give me any shit about taking them the front half of it...  He responded right away, when I asked "$300 for the whole thing?"  the rest, is history..

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

This update isn't about the trailer, of course.  I'm just documenting what I had to do, to get my 521 back on the road.   So, here's the part I need to modify, after getting rid of all the extra parts.  I can use the old gasket to know where and how much to port match it.      ....I just noticed that I did not document my new stainless steel strut rods My friends at MDM spun up on the lathe for me.  Rediculously oversized, and I love them.  Later, though.  I am trying to update on the project I didn't end up finishing today, because I want a different gasket and just today chose to use a different intake.  (trying to be vague, storys are better one at a time and with pics.)

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

[.sunlover]

[datzenmike]

 If you have a square exhaust port head get the '75-'77 L20B square exhaust manifold and gasket. It will have the larger intake holes as well. Normally the exhaust and intake are bolted together but just keep the metal plate to seal it up.

 

[.sunlover]

The picture doesn't do the 3d very well.  I see it looks like I have more grinding to do, since it makes my gentle tapers look flat.  You can trust that it is better than it looks in the picture or call me a liar and insist that I am for a ridiculously long time like when I took a pic of my carrier bushing, if it brings you joy, but I'm going to tell you to fuck off if you do.  Be ready 🙂  Ironically, it was the words of those that would insist that a header gives very little improvement in performance, if any, until you are near redline, so almost never, for most, that I remembered, when I decided that I could live with the l20b exhaust manifold.   I had it ported and ready, yesterday, when my gasket would show up.   Today was going to be a helicoil in the head and bolting it up and joining the exhaust.  I was just about to do that, when I noticed that back when I put the motor together to fit my 521, I had not port matched the intake...  I was drying out at that stage, and either didn't grab the one I ported, or just totally missed the flow loss I was putting back after someone really got the head to maximum port size.  Anyway, there was more to do to be ready, I hate those pressed paper high temp gaskets, because they are garbage and didn't mean to order that type.  I was ready to use it, so I could get back on the road at better than 8-10 mpg.  Even if it meant that I had to drain the coolant and replace it again in a few months when it fails.  That was before I saw how much smaller the intake holes were in the gasket.  my old layered metal gasket had big enough ports, so they are available.  Removing the extra gasket material restricting the ports seemed like begging for trouble from something already prone to failure.   I was almost done port matching the l16 intake when I grabbed the l20b intake (with egr) and looked at the (i'll call it a) runner that the intake ports connect to, under the carburetor.  It is noticeably larger/  This means that even if I port match the l16 intake, it won't have the flow that the l20b one does.  I had to use that one, if I want maximum performance with what I have.  No way I was getting the egr deleted and everything swapped over and installed and exhaust cut to size and welded before dark on our very short days.   New better gasket (1976 l20b with square ports, metal mesh or layered metal or whatever it is, the better one, lol.

[.sunlover]

16 minutes ago, datzenmike said:

 If you have a square exhaust port head get the '75-'80 L20B square exhaust manifold and gasket. It will have the larger intake holes as well.

Thanks, yes, I had the same thoughts.  Rockauto should have it here on Tuesday, but I have a long workday then, and Wednesday too.  I hope to finish this up on Thursday and finally hear the radio with the engine running, again.   

[wayno]

15 hours ago, .sunlover said:

This update isn't about the trailer, of course.  I'm just documenting what I had to do, to get my 521 back on the road.   So, here's the part I need to modify, after getting rid of all the extra parts.  I can use the old gasket to know where and how much to port match it.      ....I just noticed that I did not document my new stainless steel strut rods My friends at MDM spun up on the lathe for me.  Rediculously oversized, and I love them.  Later, though.  I am trying to update on the project I didn't end up finishing today, because I want a different gasket and just today chose to use a different intake.  (trying to be vague, storys are better one at a time and with pics.)

 

In my opinion the best exhaust manifold is on the right unless there is something wrong with it.

 

EDIT

 

I read the post about the one being a header, I had several headers over the years on my work truck, they only lasted a few years before needing repaired because of leaking, can you find a stock type exhaust manifold?

 

Edited December 15, 2025 by wayno

[.sunlover]

56 minutes ago, wayno said:

 

In my opinion the best exhaust manifold is on the right unless there is something wrong with it.

 

EDIT

 

I read the post about the one being a header, I had several headers over the years on my work truck, they only lasted a few years before needing repaired because of leaking, can you find a stock type exhaust manifold?

 

This motor has had all the back in the day upgrades, enough to actually benefit from a header.  Flat top pistons, closed chamber head, oversize valves, tighter return springs, medium cam, very ported head.  restricting it (built l18) with a stock l16 manifold is not what I want to do with it.  Okay, everything but the dual side draft carbs.  I just put my weber on it "for now" (and probably won't get around to getting and learning them).  Still, the cars I'm on the road with perform well enough that I don't want to reduce my performance at all.  More is okay, less is uncool.  The time to keep it a "nice little truck, just how the factory made it" has long passed.  I burned that bridge when I was in my 20's.  I hacked in a sunroof, hacked holes in the doors for speakers, changed every wire, modified or replaced every electrical system.  grant gt wheel, 510 dashboard with modern gauges.  280z center console, mini cooper bucket seats.  Wider wheels, grippy tires.  8 ball shortened stick shift.  changed the fuel system to 3/8 and electric pump.  There was nothing wrong with my side markers, blinkers, or tail lights, and I got semi-truck led's all around anyway.  I also got the headlight conversion, so I can blind everyone on the road just like the new cars do.   I even put that fake plastic "chrome" trim around the wheel wells and drip rail.  Added an air tank and compressor.  It's a purists nightmare and I love every bit of it.   I didn't build it to make them happy.  I built it like I wanted it to be.   ....And I remind myself about that, every time my sunroof leaks on me, and when I change my fuel pumps about every year (If I get the "good" ones), and when I had to keep patching header holes, until it became too rusty for that, even.  Now I am 50, and I still am going to pre-answer "No", for every idea that decreases performance or function, except when I cannot afford to get the replacement part, or it proves to make the Truck worse, somehow.  eg: too unreliable, leaky, etc.  

[wayno]

I have stock L16 exhaust manifolds on everything now, they are like a header but last longer and are quieter, I believe better than what you are modifying right now, but I do not know that for sure, that said I built my engines for torque rather than high RPMs and both have dual SUs, the work truck has a highly modified W53 head with huge valves(link to that build below, page 3), the truck/trailer weighs 6000lbs empty, it regularly weighed 8000+ with wet moss in the dump bed(I pressure washed or a living for 30 years), it had great V6 front disc brakes and trailer brakes early, now it has 720 dually Cab/Chassis disc brakes.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=cf2012a82ff99a6091061fea57330f3d82324f0e3873f6027a2dad0d33ae6d88JmltdHM9MTc2NTg0MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=09eba889-02a8-6642-32c5-bd80030067ea&psq=waynos+LZ23+ratsun&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9yYXRzdW4ubmV0L3RvcGljLzMxMjEzLXdheW5vcy1sejIyLw

 

The other in the 520 kingcab ute I built has a stock 219 head on an L20b block.

 

I also had to modify the distributor to stop it from advancing so much, it was pinging/detonating from crap pump gas.

 

I would rather have a dependable driver anymore.

 

Edited December 16, 2025 by wayno

[.sunlover]

On 12/16/2025 at 1:32 PM, wayno said:

I have stock L16 exhaust manifolds on everything now, they are like a header but last longer and are quieter, I believe better than what you are modifying right now, but I do not know that for sure, that said I built my engines for torque rather than high RPMs and both have dual SUs, the work truck has a highly modified W53 head with huge valves(link to that build below, page 3), the truck/trailer weighs 6000lbs empty, it regularly weighed 8000+ with wet moss in the dump bed(I pressure washed or a living for 30 years), it had great V6 front disc brakes and trailer brakes early, now it has 720 dually Cab/Chassis disc brakes.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=cf2012a82ff99a6091061fea57330f3d82324f0e3873f6027a2dad0d33ae6d88JmltdHM9MTc2NTg0MzIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=09eba889-02a8-6642-32c5-bd80030067ea&psq=waynos+LZ23+ratsun&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9yYXRzdW4ubmV0L3RvcGljLzMxMjEzLXdheW5vcy1sejIyLw

 

The other in the 520 kingcab ute I built has a stock 219 head on an L20b block.

 

I also had to modify the distributor to stop it from advancing so much, it was pinging/detonating from crap pump gas.

 

I would rather have a dependable driver anymore.

 

Feel free to build anything you want 100% your way.  I will do the same.  Thank you for understanding.  Not going to break down my engine and build it for torque I don't need for hauling weight at the cost of flow and rpm. my 3/4 ton Dodge is for that.  This is not a "gee what do I do now?" thread.  This is a record of how I keep my 521 on the road for MY needs.  You can satisfy yours any way you want to with whatever you choose to buy and to do that with.  So can I.  Believe me, I definitely will be, with or without you insisting I use what you want, instead.  Now stop, before you get a sunroof in your Datsun during a show, just like mine.  

[datzenmike]

On 12/14/2025 at 10:36 PM, .sunlover said:

... or call me a liar and insist that I am for a ridiculously long time like when I took a pic of my carrier bushing, if it brings you joy, but I'm going to tell you to fuck off if you do.  

 

 

1 hour ago, .sunlover said:

Feel free to build anything you want 100% your way.  I will do the same.  Thank you for understanding.  Not going to break down my engine and build it for torque I don't need for hauling weight at the cost of flow and rpm. my 3/4 ton Dodge is for that.  This is not a "gee what do I do now?" thread.  This is a record of how I keep my 521 on the road for MY needs.  You can satisfy yours any way you want to with whatever you choose to buy and to do that with.  So can I.  Believe me, I definitely will be, with or without you insisting I use what you want, instead.  Now stop, before you get a sunroof in your Datsun during a show, just like mine.  

 

You were given options or suggestions of things you might not even be aware of, no where did I or wayno insist you do them. And for this you're going to tell us to fuck off????? Don't be so disagreeable to those offering help. If you can't say thank-you... say nothing.  

[.sunlover]

44 minutes ago, datzenmike said:

 

 

You were given options or suggestions of things you might not even be aware of, no where did I or wayno insist you do them. And for this you're going to tell us to fuck off????? Don't be so disagreeable to those offering help. If you can't say thank-you... say nothing.  

Offering the same advice after it was declined with full explanation of why is absolutely insisting.  Believe me, you have not even begun to see me disagreeable, yet.    Notice that when he did it after I warned him, that I did say thank you and did not say fuck off?  You're welcome.  Fucking ban me if you don't like it.  This is about as agreeable as I get.  

[datzenmike]

You're an argumentative disagreeable dick.

[.sunlover]

You are free to leave this thread.  "Thank You"