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The engine is on the way to being back together. Also prepped the grille and radiator for paint, repaired the back-up light wiring and removed about 30lbs. of owner installed junk from under the truck.

Refinished the grille today, masking off the bright headlight surrounds and rattle canning it with semi-gloss black. Just set the grille in place for a picture, then took it back out to provide access to my continuing engine work. Now onto the radiator. On a side note, the bolt I thought had dropped down where the timing chain is, was found today when I pulled the crank pulley. It had fallen and wedged itself between the pulley and the timing chain cover. Finding that bolt avoided a ton of extra work.

My Datsun wheel centers came yesterday from Etsy and they fit perfectly, and now look like legitimate Datsun/Nissan wheels. Also installed the new water-pump yesterday.

Looking good, you're making nice progress.

Dale

Nice, Randy!

Got a few more things cleaned up and hung back on the engine today (distributor and oil pump). Also sprayed the radiator black today (ran out of paint today for second coat) and put my freshly painted kick panels with speaker grills back in the interior. Continuing to remove extraneous wiring in the engine compartment and under the dash for all kinds of aftermarket crap.

I've brought myself up to date on your little gem. I love those 70's Datsuns. I had a '72 510 wagon. Maybe I missed it but what tire size did you decide on?

225-50-17 tires. In hindsight, after seeing them on the truck, I should have gone wider on the rears (245). A 510 wagon was also on my shopping list before buying the 620.

Not too much to report today. I did test fit my alternator and discovered I need a new belt because the new water pump pulley is slightly larger. I also cut the exhaust pipe below the header, so I could remove it for re-painting the block and re-finishing the header. Both the front parking light lenses were busted up so I ordered a pair off eBay today.

Prepped and painted the header with VHT paint and got the alternator mounted with the proper belt and bracket. Also bought a couple rattle cans of Datsun engine block blue paint. Just a bit more cleaning on the block and she'll be ready for paint.