Looking at 69 patrol

[BMPKU]

Hello all, Brian from Kansas City,
I am going to look @ a '69 HL60 Patrol next weekend and would like to know what to look for. Which parts should I pay particular attention to as far as rust ? Or what are the things on this vehicle are nearly imposible to find or fix ? I'll probably end up coming home with it anyway, but would like to know what are "deal breaker" type items ?

[RiverPatrol]

Hi Brian. Welcome to 60Patrol!

Cool that you're interested in buying a Patrol. I hope it's worthy.

Some things to look for are rust. The major rust issues are usually in the rear, on both sides of the tub/bed, like below the license plate and below the spare tire carrier. Not a deal breaker, just something to look for. Another thing is the brakes. Usually the Patrols need to have the wheel cylinders replaced or rebuilt because they don't stop. Possibly the brake master also. Check out the carburetor, it should be a Rochester if it's stock. How many miles are on it? If it's close to 100k it's going to need an engine rebuild if it hasn't been done already.

None of it is really impossible to fix, it just depends on what you plan on doing with it as to what things are difficult. Parts are hard to find. You're not going to find things at Auto Zone for the Patrol and the guy behind the counter is going to look at you funny when you tell him what kind of vehicle it is. It's not in his computer. You can probably find some things that can work, like hoses, but you're not going to find a starter there.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[BMPKU]

Thanks for the reply. Probably the biggest reason I am interested in the Patrol is that it isn't in the computer at the local big box parts stores. I relish a challenge when it comes to making something work that isn't supposed to.

[RiverPatrol]

I have to agree with you on that. The Patrols anonymity is part of it's charm.

There are 2 styles of Patrol that are referred to as a '69. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the front parking lights; one has round ones and the other has rectangular ones. The Patrol with the rectangular parking lights is a 'true' '69. The Patrol with the round parking lights is usually referred to as a 68 titled/sold as a 69. They are identical to the 68 in every way and the VIN numbers always falls in the range with the 68s. I'm not sure why Nissan/Datsun did this, maybe to artificially boost their sales numbers for 69. So, that's something to look for when you go see it.

[bosque]

Hey Brian,
Welcome wagon is here
River has it down pat. I was thinking since you like the challenge do not get stuck on this one unless it fits the bill for you. There are others although traveling and shipping is quite a cost these days.
Runner that you can work on? Total ground up project? What are you after?

[BMPKU]

Looks like round parking lights, so '68 titled as '69 I guess. Really I am just looking for something fun that I can throw a fishing pole, a rifle or a bow in the back of and haul a mess of fish, a deer, a turkey or two out of the woods and not be afraid I'll get stuck. If the deal goes through, I will be trading a Datsun 280z for it.

[RiverPatrol]

It's definitely capable of doing that for you. It might need a little attention to get it reliable first, but it will do it. I've had at least 3 Patrols the had gun racks mounted in them, bullet casings in the glove box and racks on the roof. They have always been know as great vehicles for the off road excursions.

[BMPKU]

Well I brought it home. Probably not my wisest purchase. If you could sell rust by the pound, I'd be rich. The PO seemed to be one of these guys that thinks if something doesn't work, then it must need a part. There are about 8 master cylinders from various vehicles thrown in the back, along with a half a dozen distributors and a handful of carbs. It was running super poorly, so started at the beginning with the valve tappet clearances. The PO must not have realized that you must "bump" the engine between setting the clearances. Every single clearance was set with #1 a TDC. So, some valves were always open, some would never open. After adjusting this and the point gap, plug gap, etc... the engine fired right up. Got a funky clack in the top end though, think one of the valves is sticking, and the rocker is slapping it.

[RiverPatrol]

Congratulations! Great that you got it running already, that's half the battle.

You can run the engine with the valve cover off, that might help you isolate your clacking noise. If it is a sticky valve, running seafoam through the engine might help unstick it.

And, now that you have one: