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[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap

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Categories: Engine Electrical System | Engine Modifications Ignition

In USA, starting with 1975 California B210 models, a fully-transistorized ignition was fitted, adapted from the 240Z. It was expanded to all USA models in 1978. Using the B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap in other A-series engines is a fairly simple swap:

  1. The usual minor modification needed to put a 1974-up distributor in a 1971-1973 A-type engine
  2. remove old distributor and insert new distributor
  3. bolt the control unit somewhere. Supposedly it should be inside the cabin.
    This step makes the B-210 swap a bit more difficult than the B310 Distributor Swap
  4. Wire the control unit to the coil and IGN+ (3 wires)


Contents

Identification

It uses the same distributor housing as with other A14 engines.

3517.jpg
The 1978 distributor. Looks very similar to the stock B110 distributor.

This distributor is factory stock on 1978 Datsun B-210 (North American version of the B210).


NOTE:
  • 1978 Canadian models used a ballast resistor with the coil
  • 1977 models used a resistor
  • 1976 California models used this setup, but with resistor

The type with resistor looks the same. While the resistor setup is better than stock (it eliminates the points) ... if you have a choice you definitely want the high energy setup. I'm guessing you could use the 1976-1977 or Canada distributor and control unit along with a 12V coil and no resistor, but don't know for sure.

  • 1975 Californa models used a dual-resistor ballast. Both primary and secondary coil terminals were wired into it. The 1975 control unit has screw-type terminals, as opposed to push-on terminals for the 1978 controller.

Parts Needed

When buying/looking for a setup like this, get:
  • distributor + rotor & cap (or buy new cap & rotor, it's the same as all later models)
  • control unit. A new control unit is about $175-$200 USD, so be sure to get the used one
  • (optional) as much of the wiring harness as you want. At least the control wiring plug makes it easy. The rest is just wires
  • 12V coil. You can probably use any 12V coil with the right ohms

Advantages

  • stealth. Looks very much like a factory 1200 point setup
  • Larger cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid climates)
  • 3516.jpg
    Late model cap (left) versus smaller Datsun 1200 cap (right)

  • High-energy spark -- uses full 12V coil (no ballast resistor)
  • No points to wear out, no dwell to adjust </ul>

    Mechanical

    1. Modify distributor hold-down bracket to fit 1971-1973 A-type engines. The mounting bracket on newer distributors needs a slot cut with a hacksaw. See the Using Newer Distributor article.

    2. Remove old distributor, Insert new distributor. And of course, set initial timing. See the Ignition Timing article.

    Mounting the control Unit

    4190.jpg

    On a factory install, the 'black box' for the B210 distributor mounts inside the car on the right kick panel. So it may be important to keep the box away from moisture, excessive vibration or high underhood temperatures. The box is called the "Hitachi Transistor Ignition Unit" (aka TIU/T.I.U./electronic ignition module/control module).

    The odd-looking junction box is not really necessary to use, but is handy to connect the "inside" wiring with the "outside" wiring.


    Wiring

    Ah, wiring is the beautiful part of this swap, especially if you get a cut of the wiring harness when you purchase your distributor. But if you don't, it's still easy to hook up the wires.

    4191.jpg
    wiring - connect it as shown here if you don't have the wiring harness

      <li>Remove the standard low-energy coil and ballast resistor, then bolt the 12V coil in its place</li> <li>One side of the 1200's original ballast resistor has a 12V IGN feed, so connect the TIU black wire to this original wire (Black/white) and then both to the coil + side</li>
    TIU B (Black)Ground/Earth
    TIU B/W (Black/White)coil + (IGN)
    TIU L (Blue)coil -
    TIU R (Red)dizzy R
    TIU G (Green)dizzy G
    distributor RTIU R
    distributor GTIU G
    • NOTE: California models routed the power through an relay (ignition relay). I'm not sure how it is wired, but you can simply just not use the relay and wire it as shown here.

    Part Numbers

    Distributor:

    • D4FB-03 7904 22100-H3760(and others)

    Coil

    Coil: 12V non-resistor:

    • Nissan 22433-H7280
    • Bosch 00200
    • Beck/Arnley 1800039
    • AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584)
    • Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T
    </TR>

    </TABLE>

    Cap

    The cap is same as points ignition, 1974 up:

    • Standard Motor Products JH-63X/JH-63T/JH-63
    • Bosch 03107 (or cap & rotor set: Bosch 06054) F2010-13140
    • Niehoff WA435CS
    • Beck/Arnley 1743145/1746544
    • BWD C561/C561P
    • AC/Delco E386/E374

    Fits Nissan:

    • 1977-1980 200SX
    • 1974-1979 620 PICKUP
    • 1979-1982 210
    • 1974-1977 710
    • 1979-1981 310
    • 1980 720 PICKUP
    • 1978-1980 510
    • 1974-1978 B210
    • 1974-1976 610
    • 1976-1978 F10

    Also Fits:

    • Isuzu 1983 - 1986 IMPULSE
    • Honda 1976 ACCORD
    • Honda 1975 - 1976 CIVIC
    • Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL
    • Subaru 1986 - 1987 RX
    • Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL-10
    • Subaru 1986 - 1987 XT

    Vacuum Advance

    $35-$40 at RockAuto.com. $20-up eBay.

    • AIRTEX 4V1174/4V1179/4V1150
    • Standard Motor Product VC506/VC469/VC483/VC436

    All fit 1974-1982, but advance varies slightly by year and model. Some are advance/retard units. See Datsun Factory Service Manual for details.


    Possible Fit: Standard Motor Product

    • VC508 Nissan 720 Pickup 84-83
    • VC506 Nissan 210 80
    • VC505 Nissan Stanza 82
    • VC504 Nissan Stanza 82
    • VC503 Nissan 510 80
    • VC502 (Advance/Retard) Nissan 310 81
    • VC499 (Advance/Retard) Nissan Sentra 83
    • VC498 (Advance/Retard) Nissan Sentra 1982
    • VC497 Nissan 620 Pickup 77-75 . Nissan B210 76-75
    • VC495 Nissan B210 74
    • VC492 Nissan 280Z 77, Nissan 810 78-77
    • VC489 Nissan 510 79
    • VC486 Nissan 310 81-80
    • VC485 Nissan B210 77-76, Nissan F10 77-76
    • VC483 Nissan Nissan B210 78-77, Nissan F10 78-77
    • VC482 Nissan 720 Pickup 84-83
    • VC481 Nissan B210 76-75
    • VC469 Nissan 210 80-79, Nissan B210 78-77
    • VC466 Nissan 720 Pickup 82-81
    • VC463 Nissan Pulsar NX 85-83, Nissan Sentra 85-83
    • VC437 (Advance/Retard) Nissan 210 80
    • VC436 Nissan 210 82-79, Nissan 310 80-79, Nissan B210 78, Nissan F10 78
    • VC351 Nissan 280Z 77, Nissan 280ZX 79, Nissan 810 78-77
    • VC350 Nissan Stanza 84-83
    • VC284 (Advance/Retard) (1978 Honda Accord)
    • VC285 Nissan Stanza 86-85


    Rotor

    Rotor is same as points ignition, 1974 up:

    • Standard Motor Products JR-79X/JR-79/JR-79T
    • Bosch 04095, F2020-13435
    MakeModel</TD>Year
    CHRYSLER---CHRYSLER VEHICLES84-82
    CHRYSLER IMPORTS---CHRYSLER IMPORT VEHICLES82,79
    SAPPORO82-80
    DODGE---CHALLENGER 82-80
    COLT81-80
    DODGE CARS84-81
    DODGE LIGHT TRUCK---CARAVAN / GRAND CARAVAN84
    PICKUP - FULLSIZE / RAMCHARGER 81-80
    PICKUP - MINI 82
    ISUZU---IMPULSE 89-83
    MAZDA---808 77-75
    NISSAN---200 SERIES 81-78
    21082-79
    280 SERIES83-79
    31081-79
    51080-78
    81081-78
    B210 78-77
    F1078
    MAXIMA84-82
    PICKUP80-78
    PULSAR84
    PULSAR NX83
    SENTRA87-84
    PLYMOUTH---ARROW 80
    CHAMP81-80
    PLYMOUTH VEHICLES 83-81
    RELIANT 84
    VOYAGER / GRAND VOYAGER84
    </TR>

    </TABLE> Daiichi F2020-18361

    MakeModel</TD>Year
    HONDA---ACCORD76
    CIVIC76-75
    NISSAN---200 SERIES 81-77
    21082-79
    260 SERIES74
    280 SERIES78-75
    31082-79
    51080-78
    61077-74
    620 PICKUP77-74
    71077-74
    81078-77
    B21078-74
    F1078-76
    PICKUP80-76
    PULSAR85-84
    PULSAR NX 86
    SENTRA86-82
    SUBARU---SEDAN, COUPE, WAGON85
    XT 85
     Model Year Range Engine Chassis Transmission
     Honda Accord 1.6 1976 EF1 SJ_ 5MT,HMT
     Honda Civic 1.5 2 Door/3 Door 1975 - 1976 ED_ SG_
     Honda Civic 1.5 Wagon 1975 - 1976 ED_ WB_ 4MT,HMT
     Nissan B210 1.3 1973 - 1974 A13 B210
     Nissan B210 1.4 1974 - 1978 A14 B210
     Nissan F10 1.4 1976 - 1978 A14 F10
     Nissan Pulsar and Pul. NX 1.6 1983 - 1986 E16 N12 5MT,3AT
     Nissan 620 Pickup 1.8 1973 - 1974 L18 620 4MT,3AT
     Nissan 620 Pickup 2.0 1974 - 1979 L20B 620
     Nissan 720 Pickup 2.0 1979 - 1980 L20B 720
     Nissan Sentra 1.5 1982 - 1983 E15 B11
     Nissan Sentra 1.6 1983 - 1986 E16 B11
     Nissan 200SX 2.0 1976 - 1979 L20B S10
     Nissan 200SX 2.0 1979 - 1980 Z20E S110
     Nissan 210 1.2 1979 - 1982 A12 B310
     Nissan 210 1.4 1978 - 1982 A14 B310
     Nissan 210 1.5 1978 - 1982 A15 B310
     Nissan 260Z 2.6 1973 - 1974 L26 S30
     Nissan 280Z 2.8 1974 - 1978 L28E S30
     Nissan 310 1.4 1978 - 1980 A14 N10
     Nissan 310 1.5 OHV 1980 - 1981 A15 N10
     Nissan 310 1.5 SOHC 1981 - 1982 E15 N10
     Nissan 510 2.0 1977 - 1979 L20B A10
     Nissan 510 2.0 1979 - 1980 Z20S A10
     Nissan 610 2.0 1973 - 1976 L20B 610
     Nissan 710 1.8 1973 - 1974 L18 710
     Nissan 710 2.0 1974 - 1977 L20B 710
     Nissan 810 2.4 1976 - 1978 L24E 810
     Subaru 4WD Turbo excluding Brat 1983 - 1984 EA81T AM5,AW5 3AT
     Subaru Brat 1.8 Turbo Pickup 1983 - 1984 EA81T AT55B 3AT
     Subaru Leone/Loyale Turbo 4WD 1985 EA82T A10/A11

    Pickup

    • LX-507
    </TR>

    </TABLE>

  • TUI: Hitachi E12-27 12V 7298 Standard Motor Products Module: LX-513
  • MakeModel</TD>Year
    NISSAN ---280 SERIES 78-75
    810 78-77
    B210 78-75
    </TR>

    </TABLE>

    Contactor

    LX-699

    MakeModel</TD>Year
    NISSAN ---200 SERIES 78
    280 SERIES 78
    510 80,78
    810 78
    B210 78-77
    F10 78
    PICKUP 78
    </TR>

    </TABLE>

    Older Modules

  • 1977 Federal Module: LX-512. Use with coil UF-4
      <li>NISSAN --- 280 SERIES: 77-75

    75-77 Federal, Canada 280Z

    <li> 1975-77 California Module: LX-511. use with coil UF-5 280Z 75 California and Hi-Altitude models 280Z 76-77 California

  • MakeModel</TD>Year
    NISSAN ---200 SERIES 78-77
    210 81-80
    280 SERIES 78-75
    610 76-75
    620 PICKUP 78-76
    710 77-75
    810 78-77
    B210 78-75
    F10 79-76
    </TR>

    </TABLE>

  • Coil older UF-5
  • MakeModel</TD>Year
    NISSAN ---200 SERIES 77
    280 SERIES 77-75
    610 77-76
    710 77-76
    810 77
    B210 77-75
    F10 77-76
    PICKUP 77-76
    </TR> </TABLE>
    MakeModel</TD>Year
    NISSAN ---200 SERIES 79-77
    260 SERIES 74
    280 SERIES 78-75
    610 77-76
    710 77-76
    810 77
    B210 77-75
    F10 77-76
    PICKUP 77-76