82 Datsun 720 Cheap Truck Challenge

[zainyD]

I have a couple questions for all of you Nissan/Datsun gurus.

A friend of mine just bought a sweet 1982 Datsun 720 pickup for $300. It's a king cab 4x4 with a Z22S 2.2L 4cyl engine. The interior is original and in very good shape as is the paint and body. The drivetrain looks solid, but the engine is seized. He wants to keep everything pretty much stock, but get it running and do some mild wheelin' in it occasionally.

Question #1: Who offers a master rebuild kit for this engine? So far I've found only partial rebuild kits.

Question #2: He wants to eliminate all the unnecessary emissions stuff like the EGR, carbon canister, etc, etc. Can this be done by installing a Weber carb and a header? Florida doesn't have smog testing so it's not a problem.

Input and suggestions are appreciated.

[87 pathy]

I personally wouldn't waste money rebuilding that napz motor. go find yourself a earlier carburated L2000 or 2200. The napzs were choked with emisions crap and had electrcal issues. They were better engins, and you can find them pretty easily probably like 150 bucks fom a junk yard

just my 2cents

[zainyD]

I personally wouldn't waste money rebuilding that napz motor. go find yourself a earlier carburated L2000 or 2200. The napzs were choked with emisions crap and had electrcal issues. They were better engins, and you can find them pretty easily probably like 150 bucks fom a junk yard

just my 2cents

Thanks for the suggestion. Will the other motors you mentioned bolt right up or will other things need to be changed as well? What are they ususally found in?

I think he'd rather just rebuild what he has rather than swapping something different in though, but suggestions are helpful.

[zainyD]

I'm also looking for more web-sites and literature on 720's if you know of any.

[Mongo720]

alright thanks for cominmg to the datsun guru.

I got a built z22e for sale. If he wants to replace it. http://groups.msn.com/NissanDatsun720PickupOwners/messageboard.msnw
Nissan/Datsun 720 Pickup Owners

This place has a bunch of people with the little truck. They have some info. Yes you can do away with all the smog crap, yes a weber and a header will do it. Why spend all the money to get a new engine and a weber when you can buy mine built with a weber.

There are a couple companies that offer master kits. Try Rock Products Inc.

Hope this helps

[zainyD]

Thanks for the suggestions, especially the rebuild kit. I'll have to check that out.

I already went though and picked through over 2yrs worth of post over at the MSN 720 site.

My friend and the truck are out here on the east coast so trying to get your engine from NV would be too costly and too much hastle.

[cheesemaker]

I've owned an 85 720 for 10 years, and have had to replace the motor once! They had a bad water jacket design! If you can get one of those japanese take-out motors, look in your local nickel ads. Guaranteed for a year, and have less than 30,000 miles on them! I had a hard time trying to find a 2.4z but got a 2.0z instead with only a slight loss of power difference! But a weber carb makes up for the difference, if I were going to keep it longer I'd go with a header and cam! But my next project will be a toyota, just for more aftermarket parts! Yeah the nissan 720's were some tough sob's, I've been in places and done things that should have killed my truck!

[OzarkMountainCJ5]

I don't know for sure if the 83' is like the 85's but if yours has a divorced t-case it is pretty easy to swap in a 22r out of a yota and just use a two wheel drive yota tranny. I think it took me about 7 hours to yank the old motor and tranny drop in a 22r with a celica tranny and make engine and radiator mounts. the frames are almost identical so I just had to slightly modify the factory toyota mounts.

[zainyD]

That is an great idea! Yes, the t-case is divorced on the 82 as well. I will suggest that to him. The 22r is such a good motor too, with loads of aftermarket support.