Charging Problem

[d.p]

Ditch them drums for discs baby.  

[datzenmike]

On 5/28/2022 at 8:35 AM, mainer311 said:

How do you figure? It’s connected directly to the positive battery wire on the same post?

 

For the reason given. It wasn't making good contact but had to be taken off to change the starter. When put back on it did make contact but it's not the starter it was the taking it off and on that did the trick.

[mainer311]

51 minutes ago, datzenmike said:

 

For the reason given. It wasn't making good contact but had to be taken off to change the starter. When put back on it did make contact but it's not the starter it was the taking it off and on that did the trick.

Oh, I gotcha.

[wayno]

7 hours ago, Dat521sun said:

The piston in the wheel cylinder made a nick in the housing preventing the piston to move back. Replaced the wheel cylinder. Replaced old brake shoes (they came off of the lining) now new brake shoes seems bigger, can't get the drum in. Adjuster assembly all the way in, still won't fit.

You need to release the emergency brake cable from the center pull as it is likely partially on, once the drums are on then you will need to adjust(loosen) the e-brake assembly to get it connected again, they do not make the linings too thick, but people do adjust the e-brake cables as time goes by to the point where one cannot get the drums back on over new brake shoes.

[Montzzz]

On 12/26/2019 at 11:08 AM, datzenmike said:

The '78-'79 620 alternator is internally regulated and small like the 521 but only 35 or 36 amp output. Myself I'd rather have a 720 higher 50 amp output one for sure.

Does this fits in the 71 521?

 

[Montzzz]

On 5/29/2022 at 6:16 PM, d.p said:

Ditch them drums for discs baby.  

more info please, the drums of what and what disc you fitted in?

 

[datzenmike]

There is nothing wrong with your drum brakes if set and adjusted properly. Conversion to disc is a major undertaking and expensive. The only advantage is there is virtually no maintenance with them, they don't really work any better. For now and to lessen the confusion get your drum brakes working.

 

5 hours ago, Montzzz said:

Does this fits in the 71 521?

 

 Not very well. The 521 and the 620 have very little room for the alternator  between the engine and the frame and with the lower radiator hose wrapped around it. The truck alternator is physically small. The larger diameter Car 50 amp alternator is a poor fit in a truck.

[Montzzz]

On 5/4/2024 at 6:42 AM, datzenmike said:

There is nothing wrong with your drum brakes if set and adjusted properly. Conversion to disc is a major undertaking and expensive. The only advantage is there is virtually no maintenance with them, they don't really work any better. For now and to lessen the confusion get your drum brakes working.

 

 Not very well. The 521 and the 620 have very little room for the alternator  between the engine and the frame and with the lower radiator hose wrapped around it. The truck alternator is physically small. The larger diameter Car 50 amp alternator is a poor fit in a truck.

Speaking of drum brakes, I notice mine are low at first but after a few pumps, they brake better so i adjust it them  and were not loose, after the adjusting It didnt improve the brake going all the way in at first so itook it to a mechanic and when i picked the truck fromthe shop it was just the same way i left it so I asked him and he told me thats as best as it gets, they are drum brakes and are not that good, i told him I have other cars with drum brakes that brake better. So i have my truck that sucks at braking

[banzai510(hainz)]

you tighten them up much as you can all of them. almost on a slight drag then back off maybe 2 clicks if that. check the drum dont get hot that about it.

thats the way it is with 521s

[datzenmike]

Possibly they need bleeding. Air compresses and eats up brake pedal travel.

 

The 521 has a single master cylinder so ALL brakes need to be adjusted to keep the pedal travel to a minimum.

 

This is simple wrench turning not rocket science. You don't need a mechanic for this. I would check/adjust the brakes every 6 months to keep them at peak performance. The later 620 eventually went to front disc brakes but it was the '81 720 when rear self adjusters were introduced. Old Datsuns need to be looked after and back then owners did the looking after.

[Slow Loris]

I found on two separate occasions poor braking was because of leaky parts—one a master cylinder and another a wheel cylinder, both not super obvious. Lots of other places to leak and/or introduce air into the system too though. Maybe somewhere hidden your mechanic didn’t check. If you can’t bleed your way to a hard pedal, then you have a leak, or you are massively under-adjusted. Also make sure your adjusters can slide in the slot, it helps a lot I found. You CAN get good braking out of the drums! 

[datzenmike]

30 minutes ago, Slow Loris said:

 You CAN get good braking out of the drums! 

 

Four ten inch brakes is a lot. But like all Datsuns they need maintenance and adjusting.

[Montzzz]

On 5/29/2022 at 6:16 PM, d.p said:

Ditch them drums for discs baby.  

Hello, mind sharing what disc brakes did you use?

 

[Crashtd420]

34 minutes ago, Montzzz said:

Hello, mind sharing what disc brakes did you use?

 

He's no longer here.....

But he used a bracket sold off facebook for the rears.....

Brakes and Rotors are from an Isuzu....

[Crashtd420]

Have a look here...

https://www.silverminemotors.com/collections/brake-kit-individual-parts-datsun-620-520-521-310

 

they sell the brackets..... full kit not available at the moment but I like buying just the brackets... rest can be sourced from local parts stores and you get a warranty for the calipers...

 

Same for the front.....