Charlie 69's 1966 520

Post by **Charlie69** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:13 pm

Hello,

here are Photos of my 1966 520.

Enjoy!Charlie69

Post by **phlebmaster** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:28 am

Nice truck Charlie!

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 4:05 pm

Thank you,I am in the process of putting a L20B 5 speed in it. I am going to do a 3" body lift on it to try and move move the motor back far enough to get the radiator in without cutting up the support. I did this on a 1970 521 to close the hood over a Z20 5 speed conversion. That truck with a weber ran great! I could pass cars on hills!

I am currently looking at buying a 1965 320. Wish me luck on that one.

Charlie

Post by **phlebmaster** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:50 am

Sweet! I just put an L20b in my 620 and I am sooo very happy. The power over the L16 in unreal! Keep us updated about your hunt for the 320.

Post by **Charlie69** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:28 am

Update on the 520 L20B engine swap. Pulled cab yesterday and now we can get the motor and tranny set. My brother and I had already set the motor and tranny in with the cab on and we decided because of the limited room to fab mounts we pulled the cab.

The 1966 520 engine compartment appears to be approximately 5" shorter than my 1970 521. We had put a Z20 5 speed in that truck in 1993 and did a 3" body lift to close the hood and run sum nice 15" BFG all terrain radials. We could have gotten away with 1.5' lift, but I liked the looks of the 3" with the wheels and tires.

I am headed to the wrecking yard to get some measurements from the 521 that is there and the front bumper and L16 motor mounts. I was going to buy the whole truck from them until they told me they wanted $1,000.00 dollars for it and it is already missing a lot of parts. I harvested the complete dash board with wiring, switches, instruments, and glove box for $70.00.

Any suggestions on an automatic trans for the L20B 520 swap? I am soon to be 52 years old and iI am having knee problems which makes clutching painful.

I will post some more pictures soon.

Charlie

Post by **Charlie69** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:27 pm

Here are some updated pictures.

Frame sand blasted & painted with L20B 5 speed

Customized steering column with rag joint

I will post more as I progress.

Charlie

Customized Steering gear box for rag joint

Post by **RBpowersilvia** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:08 pm

i want one

Post by **Charlie69** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 11:50 pm

Here is some pictures of what I have got done in the last several months. It sucks to be unemployed. All kinds of time and no money.

Needed more air!

Here is the start of my custom wiring diagam. I have drawn the engine compartment and most of the lighting. Next will be the interior.

I am using all Datsun/Nissan parts and wire. I have six harnesses that I am taking sections out of. I will be running stock gauges and dash with a 1980 720 AC and heater. Power windows & door locks and alarm. Eventually I hope to install cruise control so I am adding that circuit also. Also setting up for GPS, audio, video.

This diagram when I am done will print on 3 - 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper in porttrait mode. Once I start on the actual harness assembly I will edit the diagram for actual wire changes and colors used. I am drawing this diagram in SmartDraw 6. it is working better than other software I have tried.

I harvested a a power distribution center from an Infiniti Q 45 to handle my power needs.

Spagetti

I also have the 3 speed automatc transmission rebuilt and ready to go in.

Post by **Charlie69** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:00 pm

Hey Greg remember the Weber I bought from you? LOL

Well this is a good reason NOT to store your carburator with the float bowl full of water.

I am going to rebuild it. And guessing from the "high water marks" (a term usually used when talking about a lake, river, or ocean) inside the bowl the float is beyond floating. LOL

Any way I am hoping to revive the made in Spain Weber.

I will post after rebuild pictures and pictures of it installed and running or not.

I honestly think I can make it work like new with a little TLC and a big F'''ing Hammer! LOL

Stay tuned I will be posting pictures of the engine bay paint and the interior paint in the next couple of weeks.

Post by **Charlie69** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:45 pm

Charlie69 1966 Datsun 520 Custom Build

Well, 2 friends, Gene & Jorge, came over yesterday morning and at 4:30 PM we had successfully shoe horned the motor & trans into my truck. Now I know that I am going to do a custom firewall and mod a 1980 720 steering gear box, idler arm, center link, tie rod ends & emergency brake cable into my truck.

Problem #1: Not enough clearance between modded water pump & radiator for electric fan. Solution: Mod firewall & move engine 1" to 2" back. Mod radiator support frame to gain 1" for electric fan & modify for AC condensor.

Problem #2: Idler arm in the way of mounting alternator. Solution: Mod in a 1980 720 idler arm.

Problem #3: AC compressor hits steering gear box. Solution: Mod in a 1980 720 steering gear box.

Problem #4: Brake booster & brake master cylinder hit intake & carb. Solution: Mod firewall & move brake booster to mount where clutch master cylinder was mounted.

Problem #5: Emergency brake bell crank is in the way of the exhaust. Solution: Mod in 1980 720 emergency brake cable.

So I have a lot of work to do before I am on the road with my truck. I will post pictures as I do the work.

Post by **lino** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:02 am

What an incredible project you've got going there. Best of luck with it. Looks like it's going to be a real beauty when it's completed.

Post by **AZhitman** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:36 am

So damn cool!

Charlie, that engine and frame look spectacular! And anyone who tackles fabbing up their own wiring harness from scratch is amazing in my book...

I hope you've still got some free time when I go to wire up my 510!

Keep us updated, this truck is gonna be too damn cool.

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:54 pm

Thanks for the encouragement. I will win this battle!!!

Although if I had to do it over again I would go VG30 auto trans.

I wanted it a simple old school maintenance vehicle with some creature comforts. That is why I went carbureted L20B.

It will fit I just need a bigger hammer! hehe

Azhitman, I will definately have time to help you. I would be honored to get to work with you on one of your fine rides.

Also off the topic but would you know if the NL and L 320 doors are interchangeable?

Post by **AZhitman** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:56 pm

The NL has longer doors than the L, so they are NOT interchangeable.

I can't wait to tinker with the L20b once it gets back... Looking forward to re-learning all the old-school skills I've forgotten!

p.s. I know that Weber pretty well now!

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:35 pm

Webers are the easiest carbs on the planet.

Post by **AZhitman** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:49 pm

Charlie69 wrote:Webers are the easiest carbs on the planet.

Hey now, don't steal my joy!

Post by **Charlie69** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:07 pm

So Greg, now that you have been intimate with your Weber, is she like a cheap date and are you going to dump her?

Post by **AZhitman** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:11 pm

No way! If I can use it with the L20b, I will!

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 4:23 am

OK so no paint until I do the firewall. Right now I am waiting on my brother to help me with the firewall so I am working on a custom 1 off gauge setup for my 520.

Here is the beginning of what I am working with.

Post by **PEZi** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:43 am

its great to see this thing coming along.... that engine shot makes me excited for sure... its sooooo clean!

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:03 pm

PEZi720 wrote:its great to see this thing coming along.... that engine shot makes me excited for sure... its sooooo clean!

It is amazing what $1200 will do to an L20B!

And another $400 for the auto trans rebuild.

But when I get it on the road I want it Dependable. It will be my daily driver and I also plan to drrive it to Canby. Cal meets and maybe even SEMA in Vegas.

This is why all the creature comforts and the time going into this truck. No more spending $500+ a year to get a vehicle to pass emittions to register the vehicle in AZ. 1966 is the cut off year in AZ for emmissions.

Looking forward to when I hit the 100,000 mile mark on this one. Hell it will just be getting broke in at 100,000 miles.

My 1970 521 had 358,916 miles on it that I know of when I totaled it and that was on a Junk Yard motor & trans that went the last 240,000 miles.

These little datsuns will run for dam near ever with basic maintenance.

Post by **Charlie69** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:03 pm

Well I know all of you like pictures.

These pictures show the different problems I ran in to after setting motor & trans in the engine bay.

Booster hits PCV hose & Intake Manifold

Booster does not sit flat on firewall

Emergency Brake Bel-crank is in the way of installing exhaust

AC Compressor Hit Steering Gear Box

Alternator hits Idler arm

Water Pump Shaft & Radiator Clearance 1.5 inches

Valve Cover hits firewall ridge

1 Possible configuration.

Well there you go hope this helps the guys wanting to do this swap.

Post by **Charlie69** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:49 am

Mike and Greiggy from Ratsun thank you for the imput and ideas, the solution for me, easisest & cheapest, is to move the brake to the clutch side. I am running auto trans so all the clutch parts are gone. I hope to post up a picture showing the mods that I am going to do to the firewall & the Radiator support frame.

I just realized how much time it takes to document all this.

I have also decided and have started doing it, putting all of my build information into a MS word file with the Photo Bucket links. By doing this I can cut & paste my updates for posting to the web. This will save me a bunch of time when I am posting this build on Ratsun, NICO, DND, & Desert Datsun sites. It will also allow me to easily go back and edit any changes into the apropriate build sections to help keep it more organized & easier to follow. Once I complete the build & get the all the documentation completed I would like to take the completed build and submit it to you Mike for possible posting on your site.

The forums are great for exchanging ideas and friendships, but I like the idea that Mikes' site http://www.olddatsuns.com/620tech.htm is a warehouse for information that is clean and unpolluted.

Post by **Charlie69** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:54 am

Quick thought, AZhitman does NICO accept donations to help keep it going? If so how do we donate?

Post by **AZhitman** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:47 pm

Charlie69 wrote:Quick thought, AZhitman does NICO accept donations to help keep it going? If so how do we donate?

We are solvent at this point. Just keep the info on the build coming... Good tech content is better than currency.

Post by **Charlie69** » Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:55 pm

That is great AZhitman! Just checking with the economy the way it is. I want to be sure NICO is around for a long time to come.

Thank you to all the people that make this all possible, I do appreciate you dedication and hard work.

Post by **Charlie69** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:19 am

Here is a simple drawing of an instrument cluster for my truck.

The little Datsun Insignias are idiot lights LOP (Low Oil Pressure), BRT (Brights), LFP (Low Brake Fluid), & CHG (Charge)

The speedo & 2 dual gauges are from 1976 Datsun 280z & the tach is from a 1985 720 4x4. This is staying with my original goal of keeping it all Datsun OEM Parts.

Please all feedback is welcome.

I plan on notching the top of the dash to clear the speedo and then slicing a piece of 5" tubing to taper into the top of the dash. Remember I have the solid metal 520 dash top. I remember a car from the 40's or 50's that had a similar design.

Similar to this 1949 Mercury Monteray Dash except be less chrome (thinner bezel) & more paint http://coolcarsforsale.net/pro...8.jpg

I will mock this up in card board first to get all my deminsions right. when I get it al mocked up I wil post pictures of the mock up.

I am going to make a bezel trim ring out of wood and then make a plaster cast of it and try my hand at white metal casting. If this turns out I will have it polished & chromed.

If anyone has done this type of casting please make suggestions on how to do it because I am flying by the seat of my pants on this one. Have no clue how to do this. Wood is easy to work with metal is more difficult for me.

Modified by Charlie69 at 11:13 AM 4/12/2010
Modified by Charlie69 at 11:16 AM 4/12/2010

Post by **fishdream** » Fri May 21, 2010 10:23 pm

Cool looking truck Charlie. And, it will be even cooler - you're going to have A/C? That's nice! hmmm, an L-series motor? Maybe one day for me...

Jason

Post by **Charlie69** » Sat May 22, 2010 10:19 pm

Thanks Jason, are you in AZ?

If I had it to do over I think I would look seriously at a VG30 for the swap. Much shorter than th L20B, but the width of the VG acessories might be a problem.

Post by **fishdream** » Thu May 27, 2010 4:32 am

No, Hawaii.

Just got the truck, and it's not even running yet. Going to go with the 1300 for a while first, but I'm sure it'll get tiring trying to keep up in traffic and go up hills. Mine's red too.

Charlie 69's 1966 520

Charlie69's 1966 520

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