Datsun 1200, unlike the Datsun 1000, was designed with air conditioning in mind. However, it was still a dealer-installed add-on option and so varied by country and region. In April 1978 it became a factory option for Japanese market Sunny Truck.
Contents |
Parts Needed
Buy Universal Air Conditioning kits - $500 on eBay. $1300 from Summit. Contain compressor and everything needed except engine mounting brackets and V-belt.
- Pump (Compressor) & mounting bracket
- Double crankshaft pulley & V-belt
- Condensor (radiator-like unit)
- Filter dryer/receiver
- Evaporator (under-dash unit)
- Hoses
- Wiring
double-belt Crankshaft Pulley
Since B110 A/C is fairly rare, you can source most of the parts from a B210 or B310. Only the interior vent setup is needed specific to the 1200.
Installation
- Install all the parts, except leave the dryer/receiver plug and unplumbed
- Drive to the aircon service shop
- They will evacuate the system (vacuum pump), charge with R-134a and appropriate oil
Compressor
The compressor pump bolts to the engine and is driven by a v-belt. A double-groove Crankshaft Pulley is fitted.
- Early (to 1979): York-type compressor uses aluminum case. Commonly used from 1958-1980, they last a long time and are generally interchangeable between different car makes. When replacing, unbolt your clutch unit and bolt it to the new compressor.
- Late (from 1980): Compact swash-type (radial) compressor
27630-G1660 COMPRESSOR-COOLER DKKC 27630-W7002 COMPRESSOR-COOLER DKKC [B421] * JDM Datsun B120 8110-8910 * JDM Datsun 720 L18 7909-8105 92610-G1900 COMPRESSOR-COOLER DKKC [B421] * B120 8910- 11910-G1661 BRACKET-COMPRESSOR 7804-7907 * 11911-G1661 BRACKET-COMPRESSOR [2nd piece] 11929-H1000 BELT-COMPRESSOR L-810 7804-7807 11910-G1615 BRACKET-COMPRESSOR 7908-8910 11910-95W00 BRACKET-COMPRESSOR 8910- 11929-G1615 BELT-COMPRESSOR L-814 7808- 11925-A0100 PULLEY ASSY-IDLER,COMPRESSOR 7804-7807 11925-G1615 PULLEY ASSY-IDLER,COMPRESSOR 7808- 11917-M0100 BOLT-ADJUST 7804-7907 * 11933-A0100 NUT 7804-7907
Engine Brackets
Various types of brackets were used over the years to fix the compressor to the engine. Early A12 and late A12 brackets differ.
See Main Article: Compressor brackets
You can make your own brackets, buy used from a B110/B210/B310 or Cherry/Pulsar, or buy new.
Evaporator
LHD kit by Vintage Air 672001-VHY $309 at Summit
Left-hand Drive
Ecuador
Taiwan
USA
The air condition for Datsun cars is made by Frigiking. It's the only system approved by the Datsun factory.Except that the Factory used a different brand. Frigiking was only used in USA.
USA Type 1
Specifications
Frigiking dealer-installed package. Larger capacity than 240Z, but less than 510 or 521 pickup
PERFORMANCE Capacity: 12,500 BTU/hour Airflow: 180 CFM Evaporator Coil: 3/8 x .016 cu tubes, 4 rows staggered pattern, 12" x 5" x 2-1/2" fin series 120 flat aluminum Expansion Valve: 1-1/2 ton
ELECTRICAL Fan Switch: Reostat Thermostat: Ranco type A-30 Cold cut-out: 28°F ±2° Cold cut-in: 36°F ±2° Warm cut-out: 58°F ±4° Fan Motor: Double shaft, single speed, 4600 RPM @ 13.5 V 11.5 amps maximum current draw Clutch: Pitts 6" double groove 12V 4.0 amp Wiring: SAE specification J558a Overload Protection: Inline fuse 30 amps
COMPRESSOR: York 206 (6 cubic inches)
CONDENSOR: 3/8 x .016 cu. tube, 2 row inline pattern 13 x 12 x 1-1/2 fin seris 10 fins/inch
GENERAL KIT COMPONENTS: All meet SAE specifications
COMPRESSOR MOUNT KIT Brackets are 1/4" hot rolled steel, arc welded and painted Drive Pulley material: ASTMA-159, Class G3000, grey cast iron precision machined, balanced and painted Idler Pulley: Cast iron, fully machined with single-row sealed ball bearing Attaching Hardware: Grade 5, black, rust resistant Compressor Drive Belt: Standard automotive quality, 500 section
EVAPORATOR SECTION Material: High-strength injection-molded plastic case Knobs: injection-molded plastic
USA Type 2
USA Type Frigette
Frigette Brand. Aftermarket kits still sold at JC Whitney!
Optional Fan
Nissan option flex-fan (dealer item)
USA catalog * 21060-H1001 FAN-COOLING A12 (standard B110 fan) * 21060-A4605, 21060-N0100 FAN-COOLING D=330 FOR TROPICAL USA 330 mm diameter
Sunny Truck Kit
Starting 1978 April a factory cooler kit was offered with upright compressor and standard interior unit. It is a very nicely designed unit, however the interior cooler protrudes into the passenger legroom and precludes using a package tray.
From October 1979 a uniform kit was offered with DKKC radial-type compressor.
This kit is beautiful and easy to install. Unfortunately the interior cooler unit is bulky and protrudes farther into the passenger legroom than other types.
You need all these parts:
- Ass'y indoor "cooler unit" (with integrated air volume switch, evaporator, and blower fan)
- air conditioner compressor
- V-belt: 814 mm
- compressor bracket
- crank pulley (double V-belt version)
- Twin Condensors (before radiator, radiator horizontal)
- One has an electric fan
- Pipe connecting twin condensors
- High-pressure flexible pipe (from compressor to condensor)
- Low-pressure hose (from evaporator to compressor)
- Tube-Liquid Tank to Evaporator
- Liquid Tank
- Bracket to mount Tank on core support
- Receiver tank (Liquid tank)
- Relay (for compressor)
- Wiring harness
- Capacitor for electric fan
Vents may be opened or closed:
Twin Condensors and Liquid Tank with connecting pipes.
Condensor-to-Liquid Tank hose is routed along the top of core support.
Compressor is mounted low on left side of engine.
Cooler Unit lines: Evaporator Inlet & Outlet and drain hose
Retail Kit
Acqua Garage sells a R-134a kit, 2015 price was 300000 Yen (about $3000 USD).
- 1 hanging unit Unicla IMPERIAL III with 5/16 - 5/8 O-ring
- 2 AC compressor UP-90 = U02/A / A charging valves (no)
- 3 12 x 12 Condensor plust reducer joints
- 4 receivers & receiver BK
- 5 electric fan unicla 8 inch PUSH & banding
- 6 General purpose relay 2 pc
- 7 a. Special design compressor fixing bracket.
- 8 AC for stock taking crank pulley
- 9 cooling fan & spacers
- 10 hose
Unicla hanging unit 12V R134a right hand drive AG ALL-BLACK specifications (genuine Unicla, not a "Star Road" made in China knockoff)
O-rings made in Japan products composition 5/16-5/8 UNIF wiring fuse + universal mounting bracket included
AG special compressor UP 90 + U02 < gas valve protection > 12 V R134a O-rings
A/A clutch parts w/< front thickness and > pressure valve with 1/2 - 5/8 UNIF
comes with compressor fixing bracket for the A-series block
Condensor 12 inch×12 inch T22mm O-rings
Fitting F3/8-O5/16 reducer + F1/2-> O1/2 < reducer
Receiver-dryer and liquid tank < filter > PSW with O ring 5/16S-5/16S | bracket
Unicla electric pusher fan 8-inch | tie-locks
Relay
Crank pulley with extra groove for AC compressor drive belt
Hoses similar to this, made of varying quality components
OPTION 25000 Yen - 6-blade cooling fan
OPTION 58000 Yen - genuine brass radiator, fit original fan shroud (not included)
OPTION 13000 Yen - fan shroud
Front-distributor A12
Japan setup for front-distributor A12
1977
Non-factory Unicla 311609 from 1977 Sunny Truck H-B120
Unicla imperial-III under-dash unit
idler pulley
Unicla DA-299 compressor
Idle Speed Control
In 1989 they added the FICD (Fast Idle Control Device) to raise idle speed about 100 RPMs when the compressor runs.
Legroom
Since the cooler unit takes up some of the passenger legroom, what to do? One enterprising 1200 fan mounted the cooler unit in the dash:
Of course the downside is there is no glove box.