Revision as of 08:32, 6 April 2013

Introduced August 1961, the Datsun 320 light truck was commonly called the "1200" due to having 1200 badges. This denoted the size of the E1 engine, and not the model name (320) or market name which was "Datsun" in Japan. The 320 truck is closely related to the 310 Bluebird sedan and is unrelated to the Sunny family of subcompact vehicles like the B110 "Datsun 1200".

1 Overview
- 1.1 Serial Numbers
2 Engine
- 2.1 Engine Swaps
3 Electronic Ignition
4 Grille Comparo
5 320 Truck
6 320 Pickup
7 320 Van
8 Sales
- 8.1 North America

Overview

The 320 Pickup was sold in Japan as the Datsun Truck, Nissan's eighth Datsun (light) truck model series. It was followed on by the 520 series in 1965. The 520 was marketed in North America as a 1966 model.

The size is very similar to the B110. Length and width is nearly identical, but it is much taller due to its 1950's design.

Top speed: 105 kph (non-USA models)
Weight: 955 kg
Wheelbase: 2470 mm
Bed: 6' x 4'8"
Load Rating: 
 -U: 500 lbs (1/4 ton)
 -N: 1000 lbs (1/2 ton)
 -P: 2000 lbs (1 ton)

For 1964 and 1965 there was a ute (Coupe Utility) version, the N320 (right-hand version) and NL320 (left-hand drive). It was marketed in the USA as the "Datsun Sports pickup".

Serial Numbers

Numbers are on:

the data plate to top center of the firewall
stamped on the frame near the left side front tire

1961/1962/1963 are (L-)320-year digit-serial

e.g. L-320-2-01505B

1964/1965 are year-(L) 320-serial

e.g. 4-L 320-60214

320 export models for USA had:

the year stamped on the chassis plate, unlike later Datsuns which had a special build plate on the door jamb.
The chassis plate may have a year stamp that differs from the Car Number year digit
NL serial numbers appear to start with Car Number "60xxx"

USA 320

Engine

The E1 displaced 1.2 liter (1189 cc) from a 73 mm (2.9 in) bore and 71 mm (2.8 in) stroke. The E1 was produced from 1958 through the late 1960s. Those installed in 320 pickups were rated at 60HP.

The first E engine produced 48 hp (35.8 kW) and 60.7 ft·lbf (82.3 Nm) from a single carburetor. A later E-1 version added dual carbs and better cam timing for 60 hp (44.7 kW) and 67.3 ft·lbf (91.2 Nm).

The first E1 truck to make 60 HP was the 1961 221, but "Datsun 1200" badges were not added until the Datsun 320.

Applications:
E
1958 Datsun Bluebird 211
1959 Datsun Bluebird 310
1959 Datsun Truck 222
1960 Datsun Fairlady SP212

E-1 
1960 Datsun Bluebird 311
1962 Datsun Bluebird 312
1964 Datsun Bluebird 410
1961 Datsun Fairlady SP213
1961 Datsun Pickup 223
1962-1965 Datsun Pickup 320
1968-1969 Datsun Cabstar A320

Engine Swaps

The Datsun J13 will bolt right up to the stock 320 transmission, the only piece you will most likely have to swap is the bellhousing adapter plate. This is the plate that is between the flywheel and the block. The E1 and the J13 have the same block bolt pattern, so the plate from the E1 will go right up to the J13 and then you can bolt up the J13 to the 320 4 speed. You may have to use the E1 flywheel and starter.