mikec4193 Posted June 10, 2025 Report Share Posted June 10, 2025 I have been without a Datsun since 2016...I found this one on a Facebook group called "Snyders Junkyard"... It appears to have been off the road since 1990...the fellow I bought it from had no history on it... My plan is to have a vehicle that I don't have to get plugged in to get it to pass inspection... I work 3 days a week and it is about 8 miles each way...so not much driving...hoping to be able to drive it to work... This is my first Datsun truck that still had a floor in it...it even has rockers on it still... I think I am calling it Warren Oatman...the name on the insurance card in the glove box.. 2 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 10, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2025 (edited) It sat in this junkyard in Pueblo CO for the past year...it was full of mice turds and all that kind of stuff...it took me 2 days to get it cleaned out... Mileage on the ticker is 13,000 I am going to assume it is 113,000...second thing I always do to a garage project is I pull the fuel tank out...it had several gallons of 30 year old gas in it...yippee for me... When I poured it out it was orange but no rust...so that is a good thing...I need to replace to hoses anyways... So far as I pull stuff apart to inspect it...everything is coming apart.. I am from the upstate New York part of the world and this stuff is long gone...but this old guy being that it sat in Colorado since 1990 it survived... It even has cool old bias ply tires on it still...well three of the four are bias ply... I think this will be fun to tinker on... My plan is to clean and replace as needed the fuel system....the braking system and the cooling system as well.. I need to figure out front directional lights as it seems to have taken a pretty bang on the nose of it and the OEM directional lights did not survive. Edited June 10, 2025 by mikec4193 1 Quote Link to comment
iceman510 Posted June 10, 2025 Report Share Posted June 10, 2025 Looks like a few more Datsuns were sitting there with it. Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 12, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2025 So I had sometime this week to tinker on the old man...he is in pretty good shape too...compared to the past Datsun trucks I have had this one is like brand new... In the middle of the cab on each side appears to be a under cab support...first time I have had a truck with a floor pan..so I cut out the rotted pieces and welded in some metal to button things up...I see I have 3 more cab mounts that are looking pretty pithy so we will be attacking them as well... Looks like someone at some point had the "Datsun" put on each side of the box...racing stripes running down both doors as well... Those 3 bias ply tires that are on the truck...very nice shape...at least 35 years old too...so for rolling around in the garage they will be fine...when we get him ready to drive we will doing too 4 new radials... I got new brake hoses ordered...and some other stuff as well...Rock Auto got the nod for a lot of the parts I ordered... Should be a fun little truck when I get it running. 1 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 16, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2025 Not sure what this number means...I found it stamped in the radiator support... Rock Auto truck has been stopping with lots of brown boxes in recent days...some of the stuff fits...and some of it does not... The lower radiator hose does not fit...the top one was fit...batting 50% is not bad I guess... This is the first time I have ever seen what OEM rocker panels look like...this truck for me is a cherry piece... Someone bought at least 3 brand new bias ply tires for it...this one is dated 1998 I think...I found the original spare tire was actually still mounted on this truck... I did some brake work today too...replaced the brake line that runs behind the fuel tank...I found a date stamp of June 1984 for the rear brake shoes... I pulled the aftermarket block heater off this truck...this truck will never see cold again...well as long as own it... 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted June 17, 2025 Report Share Posted June 17, 2025 I think it's the serial number. Does it match whats on the title? Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 17, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2025 Here is the VIN plate on the firewall...not the same number as the number stamped on the radiator support...hmm... It shouldn't cause any issues as the paperwork seems to match the VIN tag.. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 17, 2025 Report Share Posted June 17, 2025 The 520/L521/PL521 car number is stamped into the cowl metal below the engine tag. (like most Datsun cars) The number on the radiator support could be to identify the die it was stamped from. Later 620s, it was stamped on the top of the frame forward of the right engine mount under/behind the alternator. 1 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 19, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2025 (edited) So I had more boxes keep showing up...Rock Auto and Ebay too... So I bought a set of strut rod bushings for Datsun 620....I thought they would be the same...the ones that came were not even close to fitting... More hits off the crack pipe...I measure all so carefully what is left of the ole original strut rod bushings...I came up some numbers and off to google I went and I ended up buying these bushings from Summit Racing...and I got a cool "Summit Racing" sticker too... Imagine a 1967 bone stock Datsun truck with parts from a huge speed shop... And it only took an afternoon to disassemble the Datsun stuff and cobble the Energy Suspension bushing onto the OEM strut rods... I think I better swap out the old fuel pump too...I found one on ebay...coming out of Thailand...hoping for the best... The last thing was I cobbled a new steering column booty...I had an innertube from my racing days...it actually came out pretty nice...hope it doesn't leak too much I run it in the rain...fingers crossed... Edited June 19, 2025 by mikec4193 spelling 2 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 23, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2025 So I did thing...I bit the bullet and pulled the lesser of the two rear axles to prep for new seals... I was wondering what the rear end drain plug was leaking...well I figured it out...the rear end drain plug is actually a breather of some sort...so I pulled the fill plug and it was solid...so I swapped them out...the vent plug is going in the fill hole and the solid plug is going on bottom side for a drain plug... I am pretty sure I have never seen a pipe plug with a breather on it...learn something new everyday... I got the hood latch cable in from Taiwan...it sorta fit... So some of the Rock Auto stuff fits...some of it does not...sway bar links I could only use the new bushings...the bolt was too short...I am so thankful I had this old heap shipped in from Colorado...I have never ever been able to pull sway links apart with out a angle grinder or a torch...well yesterday we did... A little sway bar porn to finish this post... 97 degrees outside today...thankful I could hide out in the garage with the box fan on me...it helps... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 23, 2025 Report Share Posted June 23, 2025 The drain plug is at the bottom of the third member and has a magnet on it. The fill plug is just a plug. There is no breather on the fill plug. That would spill oil and let dirt and water in. The actual vent is high on the differential housing. You can see it as a little nub on the top of the axle tube on the right one and higher up the side on the left one. The inside gets HOT and hot air expands. Without the vent, oil might be forced out past the pinion seal. When it cools, air has to be able to get back in. Never submerge your differential. Water will cool and contract the air inside and suck water in the vent. If that is your fill bung with an actual hole in it, get a correct bung and change out your differential oil, it will be contaminated. Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted June 24, 2025 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2025 thanks DatzenMike I guess I will be putting the magnet plug back on the bottom and the regular plug on the fill side of things...thanks for the insight... I remember years ago now one of old heaps had something similar to this set-up... I got the vent cleared when I first stuck my head under the old guy... On a side note...I have had several old Willys Jeeps and they have pin hole on the top side of axle tube...no cap or nothing...I bet with the way guys run thru the mud they must take on a lot of water... Thanks the help Mike Quote Link to comment
iceman510 Posted June 24, 2025 Report Share Posted June 24, 2025 (edited) On 6/16/2025 at 6:58 PM, mikec4193 said: Someone bought at least 3 brand new bias ply tires for it...this one is dated 1998 I think...I found the original spare tire was actually still mounted on this truck... That is not the date code. Date codes are 3 digits prior to 2000 calendar year, with only one digit for the year. After 2000 they are four digits with two digits for the year. https://www.goodyear.com/en_US/learn/tire-basics/tire-date-code.html Edited June 24, 2025 by iceman510 1 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted July 11, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2025 I did a thing...found a copy of the 520 service manual...I hope it helps keep the old man up and running... Got both rear seals swapped out...made me feel good...I have never done a 1967 Datsun truck rear seals before...I had several old Datsuns in the 1980s but never tore one down this far before...Rock Auto to the rescue... It took probably 2 or 3 weeks to get new pair of rear taillight lens from Taiwan...very nice pieces too...one more checked off... So I spent most of Sunday trying to figure out how to thread a new 5/16-24 thread into the threaded hole in the exhaust manifold...laying on my back with taps and dies and lots of hits off the crack pipe later....I stumbled badly...then that little tiony voice says to me..."Why don't you send a 1/4-20 bolt thru the threaded hole and just stick nut on the other end...and dont you know...I actually was able to thread a 1/4-20 unc bolt into the 5/16-24 hole... Last year this time I was building a 1947 CJ2A Jeep...another old original found on Facebook marketplace...well that Jeep had Bubba modifications through out the whole vehicle...I found this Bubba mod on the manifold and it made me smile...Mr. Warren Oatmann was pretty good Datsun fixer upper... This coming week I hope to have the heater hoses installed...fuel pump installed...clutch slave cylinder installed and brake fluid flowing through new and not so new lines... Fingers crossed... Wish me luck 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted July 12, 2025 Report Share Posted July 12, 2025 you are achieving true ratsun ... may warren oatman continue to drive many more miles On 7/11/2025 at 3:33 PM, mikec4193 said: I did a thing...found a copy of the 520 service manual...I hope it helps keep the old man up and running... ..."Why don't you send a 1/4-20 bolt thru the threaded hole and just stick nut on the other end...and dont you know...I actually was able to thread a 1/4-20 unc bolt into the 5/16-24 hole... Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted July 16, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2025 Way back in the late 1980s...my old heap...it is "Neater in a Beater"... 1 Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted July 16, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2025 So I have been steadily buying replacement parts for the old guy...the new fuel pump showed up several weeks ago but I was busying doing brakes and brake lines and other such things...well the time came to swap them out...well you win some and you lose some... I was online and I asked the internet what size heater hoses the old truck should take and the AI came back with 5/8"...so I purchased a bunch of 5/8" fittings and hoses...I the internet was wrong...the hoses were so sloppy... I went back online and ordered 1/2"....I think 1/2" should work better...still waiting for a new barbed 90 degree fitting...probably from China... I will attempt to reuse the old fuel pump...it seems to be working...I saved the replaced...if I need parts I might be able to scavenge stuff off the new pump... So don't believe everything you hear online... Today I roughed in the passenger side cab mounts...pictures to follow soon Oh yeah I ordered a pair of 521 front directional light assemblies...I took the front bumper off so when they show I do some cobbling on the front panel and make them work...they were like $51.00 for pair...probably from Taiwan. Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted July 21, 2025 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2025 (edited) Hi Ratsun Datsun folks... I made an executive decision...I was not going to try and find a pair of front directional lights...I can find the lens but the rubber seals dont seem to exist..so other than a Datsun freak no one will even know the difference between a 520 and 521 front directional...So a company in Taiwan makes them (the 521's)...quality is ok...not great but better than the non existence 520 rubbers...I make a template and off we go... Took me double sessions in the garage to get both of them mounted...I love to grind on old rusty metal...something about the way it feels on my skin...I know I am sick pup...on next is to figure out wiring...two wires hopefully I can figure it out... I got the last piece for the new 1/2" heater hose(s)puzzle...a slick little 90 degree elbow...it is almost time to put some fluid in the old guy and see if he can hold liquids.. Tomorrow on the docket the last cab mount... Edited July 22, 2025 by mikec4193 spelling 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted July 22, 2025 Report Share Posted July 22, 2025 Top fuel pump appears to be for a Datsun 1200 (A12 engine) On 7/16/2025 at 12:51 PM, mikec4193 said: Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted August 1, 2025 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2025 Got the 3 rotted cab mounts back up and running with some new rubber and all new 3/8" grade 5 hardware...the old guy is smiling now... Found a new ignition coil too...can't keep track of all the vendors I have been using... Took me several days to find a vendor who makes a new distributor cap...found one finally...new wires and rotor too... I bought these from a fellow on Facebook...I think they were NOS with the Datsun name stamped on the back side...they did not come with mounting hardware...so what does an old cobber like me do??...you make new brackets from some brake line and some 18 gauge and some 16 gauge too...finish it off with some fresh vinegar so it looks like it belongs there... I even found new door gaskets from a fellow in Taiwan...they do Fed-Ex so I had the gaskets in less than a week total...and they fit...but I also waiting for a new three point retractable seat belt kit...they are custom built...that will be another week...can't wait to get them welded into the old Datsun sheet metal... Love these old heaps...so simple compared to the daily drivers we all have... Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 2, 2025 Report Share Posted August 2, 2025 I wish I had known you were dealing with distributor stuff, you can use MGB stuff on the E1 and J13 engines, even electronic ignition, I figured out how to make a positive ground electronic ignition setup also that is still working to this day but that is way more complicated. MGB stuff will be available for a long time. Crane ignition makes stuff that is still around if you can find it. Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted August 3, 2025 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2025 15 hours ago, wayno said: I wish I had known you were dealing with distributor stuff, you can use MGB stuff on the E1 and J13 engines, even electronic ignition, I figured out how to make a positive ground electronic ignition setup also that is still working to this day but that is way more complicated. MGB stuff will be available for a long time. Crane ignition makes stuff that is still around if you can find it. Hey Wayno So when I am searching for parts most of them are tied to make model and year....what year MGB do I need to look for? The electronic ignition I am thinking might be in my future as well... Thanks in advance MikeC Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 3, 2025 Report Share Posted August 3, 2025 What I wrote in this thread is all I have/can remember right now. Positive ground is tough, but your 520 with a J13 is easy, a matchbox will work with the drive key from a J13 distributor installed on it, or an electronic MGB distributor. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted August 4, 2025 Report Share Posted August 4, 2025 7 hours ago, wayno said: a matchbox will work A matchbox is a 1979-1980 Datsun USA distributor Do you mean one from an L20B? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 4, 2025 Report Share Posted August 4, 2025 The '77 and up B-210s had the 'remote igniter' style EI distributor. Not as sexy as the later 'matchbox' on the 210 but worked equally as well. If the remote box is not included with it you can wire an HEI module from an '80s GM distributor. Quote Link to comment
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