Hello,
New to this jus a fair warning. So i just bought a 1986 Nissan 720 2 wheel drive pick up it has a 5 speed in it and so far i love it. My only issue is that...it is slower then anything on the street. Im trying to build a drift truck kind of or atleast a truck that can beat a Chevy Cavalier! What can i do to the motor or can i swap motor into it that will bolt up? What do you guys think? Also...Sorry...Is there a transmission (4 Speed) that i can bolt into it? Any ideas? PLEASE?!
No Power!
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AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54538
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
Re: No Power!
Welcome aboard!
Well, where to start... Your 720 shouldn't be slow (comparatively), so I'm guessing it's in need of maintenance and a tune (at least to get it back to its former performance). We can help with that.
While it's not ever going to be a stoplight warrior or drift monster with the stock engine, the 720 is a capable little runner - in fact, one of our moderators has successfully campaigned his 720 in autocross for several years:
pezi720-s-2010-autocross-thread-nico-s- ... 86563.html
No real need to swap in a 4-speed, if you already have a 5-speed.
If you're mechanically inclined, you can certainly put your choice of powerplants under the hood - I've always wanted to build a 720 with a modern Frontier 4.0 V6, with headers and straight pipes.
For now, I'd say focus on getting her back to as-new condition.
Here's a great start - this is your homework for this week: Go to www.datsunservicemanual.com and get the 720 service manual, and read it. Spend some time with your truck and learn where everything is, and maybe start with a basic tune up: All new fluids, clean the carb, new plugs, check for vacuum leaks, new filters, set the timing, new cap & rotor, etc.
You may find she's got a lot more spunk than you thought!
Well, where to start... Your 720 shouldn't be slow (comparatively), so I'm guessing it's in need of maintenance and a tune (at least to get it back to its former performance). We can help with that.
While it's not ever going to be a stoplight warrior or drift monster with the stock engine, the 720 is a capable little runner - in fact, one of our moderators has successfully campaigned his 720 in autocross for several years:
pezi720-s-2010-autocross-thread-nico-s- ... 86563.html
No real need to swap in a 4-speed, if you already have a 5-speed.
If you're mechanically inclined, you can certainly put your choice of powerplants under the hood - I've always wanted to build a 720 with a modern Frontier 4.0 V6, with headers and straight pipes.
For now, I'd say focus on getting her back to as-new condition.Here's a great start - this is your homework for this week: Go to www.datsunservicemanual.com and get the 720 service manual, and read it. Spend some time with your truck and learn where everything is, and maybe start with a basic tune up: All new fluids, clean the carb, new plugs, check for vacuum leaks, new filters, set the timing, new cap & rotor, etc.
You may find she's got a lot more spunk than you thought!
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MrShawn305
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:56 pm
- Car: 1983 Nissan 720 King Cab 4x4 Z24
Re: No Power!
I second AZhitman. When I got my 720 it ran like crap and was totally gutless. After only doing PM: plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil/filter, air filter, vacuum lines, carb clean, fuel filter, and purge fuel lines it ran like a new truck. Runs so much smoother and makes alot more power. One thing to note, simply changing the fuel filter and purging lines gave me the biggest power boost. My fuel flow was not nearly enough and it would sputter and stall after a while of driving.
Re: No Power!
Ok I will try that! The truck has 221k miles on it so I am going to rebuild the motor and try to find a kit to bore out the cylinders with forged internals and to build the head on it by milling it down and get heavier springs! Do you guys by chance know where I could find the internals for this?
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AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54538
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
Re: No Power!
Easy there, Sparky! 
You're talking about a lot of work and expensive machine shop invoices without a goal in mind.
A Z24 won't accept much larger pistons, and there's no need for forged slugs unless you're planning on big boost. Milling the head will raise the compression ratio, which means you're going to have to reduce timing and run higher-octane fuel. Heavier valve springs need to have a purpose, but I don't see anything in your plan that necessitates that.
Let's go back to basics, unless you've got a few engine builds under your belt. Sounds like you want this truck to make big power... that's all well and good, but the smarter thing might be a swap in that case. Budget-wise, something like a SR swap might make the most sense (200-250 reliable WHP without a massive investment).
If this is your first foray into a build, start small - Get her running properly first, and maybe start building a screamer on the side... The Z24 block probably isn't the best platform for big power.
You're talking about a lot of work and expensive machine shop invoices without a goal in mind.
A Z24 won't accept much larger pistons, and there's no need for forged slugs unless you're planning on big boost. Milling the head will raise the compression ratio, which means you're going to have to reduce timing and run higher-octane fuel. Heavier valve springs need to have a purpose, but I don't see anything in your plan that necessitates that.
Let's go back to basics, unless you've got a few engine builds under your belt. Sounds like you want this truck to make big power... that's all well and good, but the smarter thing might be a swap in that case. Budget-wise, something like a SR swap might make the most sense (200-250 reliable WHP without a massive investment).
If this is your first foray into a build, start small - Get her running properly first, and maybe start building a screamer on the side... The Z24 block probably isn't the best platform for big power.
Re: No Power!
I used to work for a race team and i rebuilt the motors along with my personal race motors so the problem doesn't lie there. My problem is that i have not swapped a motor into something that wouldnt be there originally! Would swapping a SR motor fit with the transmission that comes swap or what do you think would be the best choice to make more power with a smaller budget? Thank you for the help! This is very useful!
Re: No Power!
I like Carbed motors personally because that is what i know a little better. Do you know of any 6 cylinder carbed motors that i could fit into the truck?
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petercscherer
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
- Car: 1972 Datsun 240Z
1982 Datsun 720 2WD
Re: No Power!
I thought the same thing when I picked up my 1982 standard cab 2wd. However, after a tune-up, a Weber carb, Pacesetter headers, and pulling all the emissions parts off, I am now able to beat up on most stock cars and trucks off the stoplights. It's no race-car/truck, but the manual trans definitely helps you scoot. I'd also recommend some wider and stickier tires, they really help you hook-up.
Re: No Power!
What is a good website that you use to find all the accessories for these trucks that you would recommend? Thank you by the way.
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petercscherer
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:23 pm
- Car: 1972 Datsun 240Z
1982 Datsun 720 2WD
Re: No Power!
eBay will be your best bet for finding parts like the Weber kit and Pacesetter header. General tune-up parts can easily be found from any major auto-parts store (I used Advance Auto). One suggestion when shopping on eBay, try and find the listing with the cheapest price+shipping, you'll often see the same part advertised by various sellers for very different prices. Some of them are trying to weezel an extra dollar or two by listing for a higher price.
Amazon.com also has some parts for these trucks, yours is a little different than mine being the 2.4liter instead of my 2.2liter, so you may find parts a bit different.
Also, if you want new rims for your truck, keep in mind that the bolt-pattern is the same as chevrolet trucks up to 2003 and Nissan trucks through the 1990's. I run 2002 Silverado rims on mine, they are 16x7 and bolt on with minimal modifications. Further info on wheel choices for 720s can be found elsewhere on the forums.
Cheers,
Peter
Amazon.com also has some parts for these trucks, yours is a little different than mine being the 2.4liter instead of my 2.2liter, so you may find parts a bit different.
Also, if you want new rims for your truck, keep in mind that the bolt-pattern is the same as chevrolet trucks up to 2003 and Nissan trucks through the 1990's. I run 2002 Silverado rims on mine, they are 16x7 and bolt on with minimal modifications. Further info on wheel choices for 720s can be found elsewhere on the forums.
Cheers,
Peter
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MrShawn305
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:56 pm
- Car: 1983 Nissan 720 King Cab 4x4 Z24
Re: No Power!
I've been ordering all of my parts from rockauto.com. They have everything I have needed thus far, but I'm only replacing parts stock for stock. I haven't done any performance stuff to it. They have great prices
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AZhitman
- Administrator
- Posts: 54538
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
- Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 Z32, 91 GTi-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14, 23 Z.
- Location: Surprise, Arizona
- Contact:
Re: No Power!
All great info!
BC, there's not much that will play nice with the trans you have now, but the good news is that most SR20DET motorsets will come with a trans, ECU and harness. Throw in a custom harness from WiringSpecialties and you've got a screaming little sleeper that'll wax a lot of sports cars.
Carbed engines seem simpler on the front end, but honestly, nothing beats a FI engine for reliability and simplicity. I'm a BIG fan of the VG30 (V6 from the 80's 300ZX) engine, because it's compact, reliable, simple, and makes silly power for SUPER cheap. Parts are plentiful, and you can add bolt-ons for more power. Lots of 510 guys run a VG with great results.
BC, there's not much that will play nice with the trans you have now, but the good news is that most SR20DET motorsets will come with a trans, ECU and harness. Throw in a custom harness from WiringSpecialties and you've got a screaming little sleeper that'll wax a lot of sports cars.
Carbed engines seem simpler on the front end, but honestly, nothing beats a FI engine for reliability and simplicity. I'm a BIG fan of the VG30 (V6 from the 80's 300ZX) engine, because it's compact, reliable, simple, and makes silly power for SUPER cheap. Parts are plentiful, and you can add bolt-ons for more power. Lots of 510 guys run a VG with great results.