Brake cylinder kits

1962-1965 Datsun L320 and NL320 forums - The truck that started it all in the US. All 320-specific topics and discussion can be found here.
Gemmer
Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:38 pm
Car: 1964 Datsun PU 320
Location: Roseville,Ca

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Went to NAPA, Auto Zone and O'Reilly's asking for re-build kits for front and back wheel cylinders. Two places (won't name names) got blank stares from the under 20 year olds behind the counter. At the third place the guy really tried to help. I was asking for 520 or 411 kits. Apparently they are dis-continued. Does anyone have actual brand and part numbers I can try and use?
Thank you
Gemmer


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Li'l Truckie
Posts: 555
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:28 am
Car: 3 x '65 PL 320
1 x '64 PL 320
1 x '63 PL 320
1 x '62 PL 320 - parts :(
1 x '60 PLG-222
and many more Datsuns from 48hp to over 500hp
Location: Leavenworth, KS

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Gemmer,

Yeah good luck with trying to get the kits at your local parts store, even with their part number.

"Datsun? What's that?" Been there and got the same deer in the headlights look. But here are a few options.

Front - go with the new wheel cylinders for the 520 from your local parts store. All fittings are SAE and cost is around ~$20.00. This WC is the 13/16, but will work. This new kit will require a little work as the square piece on the wheel cylinder body will need to be ground/filed down a little. For some reason this stub catches on the drum. No idea why, as the 520 and 320 have all the same drum brakes parts.

I'm going with this option for Whitey. So upgrading to big brake! A whole 1/16in bigger :woot:

Next best option is to look on eBay for front kits. There have been some for sale, but hard to come by. I snag'em when I can. Goen, Beck-Arnley, or others. Just type in some key words. Datsun Brakes, Datsun Front Brakes. etc. These key word pull up all models of Datsun brakes.

Rear - same as the front. Buy the complete new WC for the 520. Fittings are SAE. Rear WC are more common on eBay and about the same as the parts store price.

Another option is to buy the least expensive 3/4 inch WC, Brake MC kit you can find for a Datsun and just use the new seals. With this option you will need to re-use your WC boot/covers.

Give me a few and I'll post some part numbers, pics, and some links to parts.

Andy

Gemmer
Posts: 96
Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:38 pm
Car: 1964 Datsun PU 320
Location: Roseville,Ca

Post

Truckie,
Thanks for the info! I have only one wheel cylinder that was leaking, but thought it was a good idea to just re-do all four. Actually found 2 cups in my extra parts box ( never throw anything away ). Honed the cylinder and re-assembled. Works like new. I'll file your info in case I need to do another brake.
Gemmer

deerio
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:43 pm
Car: '63 L320
Location: Seattle, WA

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Sorry for bringing up this old thread but just for clarification, I thought that the wheel cylinders (both front and back) for the 520 and 521 area compatible with the 320 without any modifications? Am I missing something? :confused:

I used the Beck/Arnley 072-1936 for the fronts and the Beck/Arnley 072-2561 for the rears and they were a direct perfect fit with no kind of modification needed.

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Li'l Truckie
Posts: 555
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:28 am
Car: 3 x '65 PL 320
1 x '64 PL 320
1 x '63 PL 320
1 x '62 PL 320 - parts :(
1 x '60 PLG-222
and many more Datsuns from 48hp to over 500hp
Location: Leavenworth, KS

Post

Should be. The Brake Best I picked up from O'Reilly's had flat tab on the outer front wheel cylinder that needed to be ground/filed down for the brake drum fit properly. These Brake Best also measured 11/16 diameter and not the OE 3/4 inch diameter.

Are these Beck/Arnley's 3/4 inch diameter? As I have yet to get a set of these.

Careful with the 521 as these wheel cylinders might be metric mounting studs, then again they might just be advertised incorrectly on eBay.

deerio
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:43 pm
Car: '63 L320
Location: Seattle, WA

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I'm 99% sure that the Beck/Arnley ones I listed were both 3/4".

And having just replaced the mounting nuts, I can say with certainty that each nut is 5/16"-24.

Here is a pic of the rear wheel cylinder I just installed with the new mounting nuts on (yes I used split washers also when I actually installed them). I also replaced the bleeder screw while I was at it.

Image

User avatar
Li'l Truckie
Posts: 555
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:28 am
Car: 3 x '65 PL 320
1 x '64 PL 320
1 x '63 PL 320
1 x '62 PL 320 - parts :(
1 x '60 PLG-222
and many more Datsuns from 48hp to over 500hp
Location: Leavenworth, KS

Post

Well this is some confirmed good news. The front wheel cylinders, kit or full replacement, are extremely hard to get on eBay.

Time to pull out the one '65, change out the front wheel cylinders, and enjoy the ride.

thanks for the confirmation and part numbers.

andy

deerio
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:43 pm
Car: '63 L320
Location: Seattle, WA

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Yep! They're all usually about $18-24 each on RockAuto or Amazon (free shipping) and readily available :mike

I figured it was good insurance to replace them all over rebuilding 50yr old assemblies :biggrin:

deerio
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:43 pm
Car: '63 L320
Location: Seattle, WA

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Hey Andy, just FYI I got your PM but I can't reply yet apparently :confused:


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