Redemption? flatcat's 521

[wayno]

I didn't like the drum brakes either, it would never stop fast in a straight line, I was always in a counter clockwise spin, that got old real fast.
I fabricated a disc brake setup, it took a couple years to get it right, I didn't know a lot about caster 10/12 years ago, now I do.

[DRIVEN]

Goodgod that's a clean shop .

Exclusive NWD plug in the gofundme

Over the years I've found that drum brakes are pretty sensitive to having exactly the same diameter drums left to right. I'm sure you already dialed that in when you cut them though. Even still, they just don't work all that great when they are working right. The Klotz kit really made my brother's 521 fun/safe to drive in today's driving environment.

[flatcat19]

Hey, I ain't too proud to beg.

[Laecaon]

We could never balance the front brakes, it would always pull one way or another. That said, after a fresh adjust, they hit hard.


I just dont like the idea of manual adjust front brakes on a car. (Or rear brakes, but that is less unsafe).

[flatcat19]

My current issue...brake drag when warm. Driving me nuts.

[wayno]

My current issue...brake drag when warm. Driving me nuts.

OK, I went back and seen you put a new brake master in, since front brake adjustment has been discussed already and I assume you have taken care of that and backed them off enough so that they were loose at some point.
So I would ask if the brake pedal is right on the top, meaning when you get down and look at the push rod going into the back of the brake master, when you push on the pedal with your hand, does that push rod move into the back of the master a little before there is resistance, or is it firm right away?
If it is firm right away, then you have the push rod adjustment wrong, and you need to loosen it a few turns so the pedal moves in a little before it gets firm.
Now once it is good and the brakes don't drag anymore, you can go back the other way a half turn at a time if you like it till the pedal is a little higher, but eventually you will start dragging again and you will have to go back a turn or so, you will then have to get used to that.

[flatcat19]

Adjusted the push rod as far in as I can. Have not had the chance to drive it yet. Hopefully that fixes my braking woes.

Kind of waiting for a special surprise to show up today before I do anything more.



But...

[wayno]

You don't need to adjust the rod as far as it will go in, you just need to see that it moves in a little before having resistance, it should not have resistance before it even moves, if it even moves an eighth inch before resistance then it should be fine.
I like my brake pedal as close to the top as I can get it myself, but if it starts dragging, and you can open the bleeder valve and release the pressure and have it not drag till you hit the brake again, then the rod is likely out of adjustment.
When you change over to front disc brakes you will have to change your brake master again, or gut the 10lb residual valve out of the 521 brake master, as it will really drag bad if you don't.

[K_trip]

^ your truck looks great!

The best upgrade to my truck was four wheel disc brakes, hands down. Some will say fronts are all you need, but I feel it's worth the time and money to change them all over.

[flatcat19]

You don't need to adjust the rod as far as it will go in, you just need to see that it moves in a little before having resistance, it should not have resistance before it even moves, if it even moves an eighth inch before resistance then it should be fine.
I like my brake pedal as close to the top as I can get it myself, but if it starts dragging, and you can open the bleeder valve and release the pressure and have it not drag till you hit the brake again, then the rod is likely out of adjustment.
When you change over to front disc brakes you will have to change your brake master again, or gut the 10lb residual valve out of the 521 brake master, as it will really drag bad if you don't.

The pedal felt the same up until I had it adjusted all the way in.
Adjustment at the wheels feels really good. It's ad loose as I feel comfortable with.

I'll get it.

[flatcat19]

^ your truck looks great!

Thank you.

[Ni10]

I agree, the 521 looks nice. The one thing that it needs is hubcaps, to much white, can you mount hubcaps on them wheels ?

[flatcat19]

Ball bearings were not welded to the wheels prior to powder-coating.

I'm fine with them. I like it.
Jrock and Kevin conspired to surprise me with these at Canby last year.


And I love them!

[Laecaon]

I like them a lot too. Just keep them waxed.

I kinda wanna source a 521 kingpin and hub to make a brake adapter...

[flatcat19]

I like them a lot too. Just keep them waxed.

I kinda wanna source a 521 kingpin and hub to make a brake adapter...

If I had spares I'd send em your way.
Kevin will be here this weekend. I'll ask him.

[flatcat19]

Right after I got this thing back, about a year ago, I removed the front corners to diagnose why they were not working.

This is what I found...




I test fitted a set of corners from a 620. They fit, but were not perfect.
Problem...the wires on the 620 lights were a whole heckuva lot shorter than the 521 lights.

Today...

Before:




After:




If you can't thell, those are illuminated in the last picture. Yay!!!




Next: Why do I not have turn signals. Back to the garage.

[Laecaon]

OOO turn signal problems. I think that is the most annoying to trouble shoot on a Datsun.

Start with the hazard switch, that has direct control over everything, and if you dont hear your hazard relay clicking some thing before that is wrong.

[flatcat19]

My turn signal switch is actually super wonky. I was going to plug a different one in first, then go from there.


Major problem-I brought home a lot of hard tools. Nothing electrical except my wire crimpers.

[flatcat19]

OK...I'm back already.

Pull hazard switch...4 ways come on.

Pick up replacement turn signal assy. Um, it's not from a 521.

It does not have the high beam switch in it and only has the bullet connectors.
Mine actually has a plastic plug.


Moving on.
WTB 521 turn signal stalk.

[flatcat19]

Look at what the cat dragged in...




Kevin swung by. We installed an IR alt together...going for a drive in a few.






And I found this in my stash of stuff.