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The Nissan L-series engine (as in the 1600/510) is a good swap. Inexpensive, readily available both in USA and Australia, and these are a larger engine family than the Nissan A Engine. From L13 to L18, they are nearly identical on the outside. The L20B 2-liter engine is a tall-block variation but it still will fit under the hood and without cutting the sheetmetal. The Z-series Engine is closely related but has a crossflow cylinder head.

1 Discussions
2 Engines
3 Crossmember
4 Engine Sump
5 Rear Crossmember
6 Transmission
- 6.1 Clutch
7 L20B Swap
- 7.1 L20B Sources
8 Swap Notes
- 8.1 Diff
9 Photo Index

Discussions

And for L Engine questions unrelated to Datsun 1200s specifically:

Ozdat Forums

Engines

From L13 to L20B, you have many choices. The larger engines make more power. An L20B makes more power than an L18, similarly outfitted (stock vs stock, or modded vs modded). Rod/stroke ratio don't matter except in theory, because 200 more CCs trumps it. But there seems to be no reason to use an L13 or L14, as the A15 makes about the same power and is lighter and fits easier. So choose an L18 or L20B, depending on availability. Use an L16 if it is handy or free.

L13: early Datsun 510 Standard models came with L13. Don't bother to swap this, an A14 is better.

L14: Nissan put the L14 in the Japan-only PB110.

However, why bother these days? Nissan didn't have an A14 in 1970, but we do now, and it is much less work to fit, and weighs a lot less.

L16: A bit more power than an A15, the L16 is good choice if you obtain one inexpensively.

L18 is a big power boost over an A15:

L20B fitted:

LZ Engine: A super-rare racing engine was the LZ20 twin-cam, fitted to 1200 racing cars.

See main article: [LZ engine]]

LZ20 DOHC engine

L20B Sources

USA L20B engines came in these models:

Datsun 620: 1975-1979
Datsun 720: 1980 only
Datsun 510: 1978-1979
Datsun 200SX: 1977-1979 (1977 U67 square port ex. head, 1978-1979 W58 round port ex. head)

Manifolds

Nissan Violet

Datsun Bluebird

Single Carb

14002-A8901 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L14S.V 710 [1980.05 catalog]
14002-A8903 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L14S.V F/COLD 710 [1980.05 catalog]
- 14035-U0101 GASKET-manifold L14S.V 710
14002-A8925 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L14,L16S 710 [1974.2 catalog]
14002-A3419 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake LPG 710 [1974.2 catalog]
- 14035-U0101 GASKET-manifold L14, L16S 710
14004-A3500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L14, L16S 710 [dual outlet]
- 20711-A0800 GASKET-exhaust tube 710

14004-U9500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L14S.V 710

Twin Carb

Datsun Bluebird 410/411: 
Datsun Bluebird 510: 
Datsun Bluebird 610: 
Nissan 710: 1973-1975 only (L16T SSS)

510 SSS, CSS

14002-22026 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16T, L18T 510
- 14035-U2800 GASKET-manifold L16T, L18T
  - replaced 14035-23000 GASKET-manifold L16T, L18T
14004-A3500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16T, L18T
- 20711-A0800 GASKET-exhaust tube 510 ALL

610 SSS

14002-22026 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16T, L18T 610
14002-K1425 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake (from '73-4) L16T, L18T 610
- 14035-U2800 GASKET-manifold L16T, L18T (from '72-11)
  - replaced 14035-23000 GASKET-manifold L16T, L18T
14004-A3500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16T, L18T 610 [dual outlet]
14004-U9500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16T, L18T (from '75-7) 610 [dual outlet]
- 20711-A0800 GASKET-exhaust tube 610 ALL

710 SSS

14002-K1425 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16T 710 [1974.2 catalog]
- 14035-U2800 GASKET-manifold L16T
14004-A3500 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16T 710 [dual outlet]
- 20711-A0800 GASKET-exhaust tube 710

EGI

14002-N6950 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16E 710 EGI -7601 [1980.05 catalog]
14002-U7652 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16E 710 EGI 7601- [1980.05 catalog]
- 14035-N6900 GASKET-manifold L16E 710 [1980.05 catalog]

14002-N1400 MANIFOLD ASS'Y-intake L16E 710 EGI [1974.2 catalog]
- 14035-N1401 GASKET-manifold L16E 710 [1974.2 catalog]

14004-N6901 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16E 710 -7601 [dual outlet] [1980.05 catalog]
14004-U7600 MANIFOLD-exhaust L16E 710 7602- [dual outlet] [1980.05 catalog]
14004-N5800 MANIFOLD-exhaust L18P 710 7602- [dual outlet] [1980.05 catalog]
14004-N7000 MANIFOLD-exhaust L18P 710 -7512 [dual outlet] [1980.05 catalog]
14004-N7001 MANIFOLD-exhaust L18P 710 7601-7703 [dual outlet] [1980.05 catalog]
20711-A0800 GASKET-exhaust tube 710

Camshafts

Japan Market

13001-21000 CAMSHAFT L13, L16 510 1967-1970, L14 510 1971, L14 710
13001-21000 CAMSHAFT L16 510 1969, L14S B110
13001-21010 CAMSHAFT L14S B210 [early], L16S 710
13001-H2700 CAMSHAFT L16S 510 1972, L14T B110, L16S B210, L16S 710 1976-, L16S 610, L18S 610, L16S 810.V.MT 7808-, L18S 810 -7807, L16S 810 -7807, L16 A10
13001-H2710 CAMSHAFT L14T B210, L18S 610
13001-N7200 CAMSHAFT L14S 710 1976-
13001-23000 CAMSHAFT L16 510 1971, L16(LPG) 1972, L16(LPG) 710, L18P 710, L18P 810
13001-22000 CAMSHAFT SSS, CSS [L16T] 510 1969-, L16T 710, L16E 710, L16T 610, L18T 610, L16E 610 [late], L18E 610 [late], L18E 810
13001-U4210 CAMSHAFT L16E 610 [early], L18E 610 [early]
13001-E3001 CAMSHAFT L20AS 810 -7702
13001-E3082 CAMSHAFT L20AS 810 7703-
13001-P3000 L20AE 810 -7702
13001-P3081 L20AE 810 7703-
13001-U8680 L16S.V.AT 810 7710-

North America Catalog

13001-21000 CAMSHAFT L13 510
13001-23000 CAMSHAFT -0571 521, 620 -0872, L16 510
13001-H2700 CAMSHAFT 521 [late], L16 510
supercedes 13001-H2710 CAMSHAFT 0671- 521, L16 510
13001-U2010 CAMSHAFT L16 620 0972-, L18 710, L18 610
13001-U2000 CAMSHAFT L16 620 0972-, L18 710, L18 610
13001-22000 CAMSHAFT L18 620, L20B 620, L20B A10, L20B 710, L20B 610, L20B S10, L20B 720

NISSAN COMPETITION (from 1984 catalog)

13001-22000 SSS CAMSHAFT (.413/248°)
99996-D1023 RALLY CAMSHAFT (.475/270°) 109° lobe centers, requires .160" lash pads
99996-D1022 SLALOM CAMSHAFT (.490/290°) 109° lobe centers, requires .160" lash pads, competition springs
99996-D1025 #196 RACE CAMSHAFT (.530/306°) 102° lobe centers, requires alternate las pads, competition springs, spray bar
99996-D1024 #273 RACE CAMSHAFT (.630/306°) high-lift version of 99996-D1025
99996-D1029 CAMSHAFT BILLET/UNDRILLED

Heads

11041-21000/11041-22100 HEAD ASS'Y-cylinder L14S,L16S 510

11041-N2100/11041-N2102/11041-N2103 HEAD ASS'Y-cylinder L14S,L16S 510

11041-A8712/11041-A8713/11041-A8714 HEAD ASS'Y-cylinder L16 510 (from '72)
- closed chamber "peanut" combustion chamber

11041-21900/11041-21901 HEAD ASS'Y-cylinder L16T 510

L16T twin-carb head used by the 510 SSS.

11041-N0400 HEAD ASS'Y-cylinder L18T 510

L18T twin-carb head used by the 510 SSS.

11041-U8880 HIGH-COMPRESSION CYLINDER HEAD

Used with any high performance Datsun engine utilizing a stock intake manifold. It has a 41cc combustion chamber and 1.25" diameter intake ports. Valve size is 42mm/1.65" (intake) and 35mm/1.38" (exhaust).

11041-U0600A SSS CYLINDER HEAD

Used with any high performance Datsun engine utilizing an SSS/SU or Mikuni/Solex intake manifold. Specifications are the same as 11041-U8880 except that intake port diameter is 1.5".

99996-D1162 COMPETITION CYLINDER HEAD

Recommended for racing purposes only. Completely ported, polished and fitted with 44mm/1.73" intake valve seats and 35mm/1.38" exhaust valve seats.

99996-D1161 COMPETITION CYLINDER HEAD (W/VALVES)

Recommended for racing purposes only. Specifications are the same as 11041-D1162 except that competition valves are fitted.

F.I.A. CYLINDER HEAD ASSY (LATE STYLE) This later style F.I.A. cylinder head incorporates several improvemnts over the earlier style head (11041-22010). Among them are an improved port design for better flow and the ability to utilize many stock L-series cylinder head component pieces. The 50mm Mikuni/Solex induction system listed is designed to be sued only with the 11041-N7120 cylinder head assembly. Definitely not recommended for street-driven vehicles.

11041-N7120 CYLINDER HEAD ASSY
13201-A7660 44MM/1.73" INTAKE VALVE (4)
- Hollow stemmed and tuftrided.
13202-A7660 36MM/1.42" EXHAUST VALVE (4)
- Hollow stemmed and tuftrided.
13205-N3120 VALVE SPRING SEAT/OUTER T=0.8mm (8)
13206-N3120 VALVE SPRING SEAT/INNER T=2.0mm (8)
13207-A7660 SPECIAL VALVE SEAL (8)
13210-N7120 COLLET (16)

Early FIA head

slightly oblong exhaust ports
Cast iron cam towers with bushing inserts
larger exhaust ports than Late Style
Larger Intake and smaller exhaust than late style
2cc smaller chambers than late style

Crossmember

Factory crossmember from L14-powered B110:

54401-H2500 MEMBER ASS'Y-cross, front suspension
54401-H2501 MEMBER ASS'Y-cross, front suspension (from '71-7)
11220-A3500 INSULATOR-engine mounting (2)
11230-A3500 BRACKET ASS'Y-engine mounting front (R.H.)
11233-A3500 BRACKET ASS'Y-engine mounting front (L.H.)

You can modify the 1200 crossmember: Have the mounts trimmed to an angle simular to that of a 200B, then cut the 200B mounts in 1/2 to finish the job and locate the motor lower and improve the mounting angles. A 910 Bluebird L20B sump fits almost perfect, reshape it with a hammer a little just so it will clear the 1200 crossmember, maybe 1/2cm.

If using other sumps, you may need to do the following:

Remove notch from Datsun 1200 xmember
Reshape sump to clear the drag link

NOTE: These do not fit a 1200:

Stanza/510 A10 crossmember
120Y B210 crossmember
510 crossmember

Engine Sump

Factory PB110 L-series engine sump is a rear-sump design:

11110-H2500 PAN ASS'Y-oil (4 liter)

L20B-powered 910 Bluebird sump and oil pick up to allow motor to sit as low as possible.

Stanza (A10) and 200B sumps are also front sumps but are slightly larger than the bluebird ones so the engine cant be sat as low

Datsun 1600 and Datsun 180B (610) sump is slightly more rearward

Sumps and pickups can be interchanged, but the blocks may need to be drilled for the dipstick.

Rear Crossmember

Rear crossmember (Transmission Mount)

Transmission

63-series transmissiosn for L Engine fit quite snuggly in the standard Datsun 1200 manual tunnel. Transmissions for Z engine and L engine bolt to either engine but the L engine is slanted by about 10 degrees, so it affects the angle the shifter comes out.

engine tilt
Note the CA Engines have a different bell pattern so their gearboxes do not fit the L Engine.

Using a stubby transmission will line up with the 1200 shifter hole. It is about 5 or 6 inches shorter than the more common L-engine transmissions. These are also called shorty, stumpy, or short-tailed.

Stubby is ~26.3 inches -- same length as Datsun 510 automatic transmission

4-speed stubby gearboxes are common:

1968-1973 Datsun 510 ("1600") F4W63

5-speed stubby gearboxes comes from:

1981-1985 R30 Skyline with L24 six-cylinder engine
1977-1979 200SX USA S10 (L-series engine, FS5W63 "smoothcase" dogleg)
1968-1973 PL510 (L-series engine, F4W63 "bottom pan")
720 FS5W71B "ribbed case" used on certain 720 4X4s (long wheelbase?)
- Z-engined series
- may have had an L series in 1980 only

Comparo

Regular
- ~31.5 inches overall transmission length
- transmission extension housing about same length as (front) transmission case
- From the bottom front of the bell housing to the cross member bolts is ~21-1/2"

Stubby
- ~26.3 inches overall transmission length
- transmission extension housing about 5" shorter than transmission case

Or use a standard L-engine tranmission. The only bit of cutting wil be 1/2 of the gearstick hole but that can be welded that back in the other side to make the factory rubber shifter gasket fit back in. You can see it here:

Comparo: Stubby vs Regular transmission
Notice the shifter location (top part of picture)

Photo Gallery: L Engine transmission comparison photos at Ratsun.net

Clutch

L Engine transmissions use a hydraulic clutch. For LHD 1200s, just connect the existing hose to the new transmission.

Changing the clutch over to hydraulic from the Datsun 1200 cable system. You can use a Clutch Master Cylinder from Stanza A10. Put a hole through the firewall with a hole saw and bolt it up. Its very close to the brake master cylinder. Straighten the clutch pedal at the top so that it pivots correctly.

Also see for more ideas: Hydraulic Clutch

L20B Swap

The L20B is a 2-liter four cylinder engine. Not to be confused with the L20 six cylinder. The L20B is about 19mm taller than other L-series fours.

no holes cut
just panel beat the lower corners of the front of the tunnel with a hammer, as the L series is wider
modify the engine mounts and make a crossmember
- 1200 crossmember had the mounts trimmed to an angle simular to that of an 810, then cut the 810 mounts in 1/2 to finish the job and locate the motor lower and improve the mounting angles.
810 oil sump is a near-perfect fit in the 1200, reshape it a little just so it will clear the crossmember, maybe 1/2cm with a hammer

fitting the radiator in isn't a problem. you'll need a thermostat-controlled fan in front of the radiator (i.e. on the grill side)

L20B Sources

Datsun 200B 810 Australia model with L20B engine
Datsun 620 Pickup USA (1976-1979)
Datsun 200SX (S10)
Datsun 720 Pickup (1980)
Datsun/Nissan 910 Bluebird

Swap Notes

Engine fitment: It is a tight fit

Remove front and rear crossmembers
Lift car over engine and gearbox
Replace crossmembers

Clearance the 1200 manual tunnel:

Datsun 510 (1600) headers reportedly fit well in a 1200.

When using a 63-series 5-speed, you can use Datsun 1200 Automatic tailshaft.

Use an electric fan, as there usually is not enough room for standard engine-driven fan.

New struts are not required. The L Engine is not that much heavier than a 1200, so you can modify slightly heavier springs to fit the Datsun 1200 struts. Or just let the extra weight lower your 1200 a bit.

If you plan to drive faster, and so want to fit bigger brakes, see Brake Upgrades.