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Revision as of 05:37, 17 December 2009

Datsun 1200 uses a small radiator. It is marginal on the hottest summer days. Upgrades include:

Bolt-in B210 radiator or B310 , just a bit bigger makes a lot of difference in cooling
B210 a/c radiator, bigger yet. Just need some simple brackets

Cooling Flow

Also see:

Water pump
Coolant/Antifreeze Specifications

1 Brand new aluminum radiator, $43 USD
2 Temperature
3 Pressure Cap
4 Trouble Diagnoses
5 Specifications
6 Pulleys
7 Fan
8 Size
9 Airflow
10 Part Numbers
11 Photo Index

Brand new aluminum radiator, $43 USD

The hot tip for modified or competition is a Brand new aluminum radiator, $43 USD: 1986 Volkswagen Golf radiator, narrow version that is 24" wide. The AC models have a wider radiator.

Pluses

light weight
high capacity
Inexpensive ($43.00 new from Halsey Automotive in Portland OR)

Minuses

both hose connections are on the right side so you have to make a long lower hose
also needs a purge tank so the tank can be filled

upper bracket

lower bracket

purge tank

Temperature

It is not unusual with any 10-year old stock radiator for the temperature to rise during summer. If you have this, don't panic. The engine can run all day close to the "H" mark. Just don't let it go over that.

Normal Temperature

If this worries you, fit a slightly larger radiator, like the B210 radiator.

Use the stocko fan. Electric fans are notorious for failing to cool the radiator in stop/go traffic.

What is the correct temperature the engine should run at? Primarily, this depends on the thermostat. You can get different temp thermostats, and the coolant should stay steady at that temperature:

160 degree
180 degree
212 degree

160-degree is good for drag racing, or for use with low octane fuel. 180 is recommended for all street cars, it will keep the oil at optimum temperature (oil runs about 20 degrees hotter than the coolant). 212 degree is only run on emission-control cars along with a 14 lb. radiator cap to prevent boiling.

See main article: Thermostat

After the thermostat, the radiator is the next factor. If your temp. stays steady except on the hottest summer days it seems you need a replacement radiator, either a new or rebuilt stock unit, or a larger used unit (from a B210 or B310).

Pressure Cap

Use a 4.7 lb cap as per original specification. The high-pressure 14.7 lb (1 bar) caps are solely for 100-degree (212F) thermostats. A lower pressure will help prevent leaks in the radiator, heater core and hose connections.

Trouble Diagnoses

Don't bother to replace the radiator before you test it! Make sure it's bad first.

Engine Runs Too Hot - boils over

Your thermostat may be bad, stuck partly closed and not allowing the water to flow. A simple test is to remove it. If then it keeps cool you know that's the problem.
Radiator blocked. Do this simple test of the radiator flow:
- take off the lower hose of the radiator. Block it with your hand, and fill the radiator with plain water. Take your hand off and the water should gush out in as big a stream as the lower opening. If it runs out in a smaller stream, the radiator has blockage inside and should be replaced or repaired.

Engine Runs Too Cold - never warms up

Most likely, the thermostat is bad, stuck partly open and not blocking the water in the engine. Replace the thermostat

Specifications

Stock radiator specifications are:

Core: 330 x 344 x 32 mm (13.0 x 13.5 x 1.26 inch)
Fin spacing: 2.5 mm (0.098 in)
Capacity: 335 K cal/h-degrees Celsius
Cap working pressure: 13 lb/sq.in. + or - 1.4 (0.9 kg/cm2 + or - 0.1)
Water capacity: 4.9 liter (5-3/16 US quart, 4-5/16 imperial qt)

Pulleys

See Pulleys

Fan

See Fan

Size

The stock Datsun 1200 radiator has a core of 13.0 x 13.5 inches. Bolt spacing is ~14.5" wide and 9-7/8" high. Inlet and outlet diameter is 1".

Core imensions: 13.0" x 13.5" x 1.26"
- 330 mm x 344 mm x 32 mm
- Width x Height x Thickness
Type: Corrugate fin
Fin spacing: 2.5 mm (0.098")
Radiator capacity: 335 K cal/h° C
Cap working pressure: 0.9 ± 0.1 kg/cm² (13 ± 1.4 psi)
Water capacity with heater: 4.9 liter (5-3/16 US quart)

Width

1973 B110 ~14.5" bolt spacing width (manual transmission)
1979 B310 17-3/8" bolt spacing width (A15 with 4-speed)
1980 B310 20-1/8" bolt spacing width (A15 with 5-speed)

Airflow

For proper radiator airflow:

ensure there are no extra holes in the core support
ensure the radiator is covering the hole (not spaced out from it)
ensure the stock underbody plate is attached

For enhanced efficiency:

Block any holes in the core support except the radiator hole
Add a seal at the top of the core support, to seal the space between the ledge and the bonnet
Add a fan shroud as with Aircon-equipped 1200s
front air dam
lower front of car

See discussion solving over heating problems

Part Numbers

http://www.rockauto.com

Hoses

Lower radiator hose

21503-H1100 HOSE-RADIATOR,LOWER,FRONT FOR HEATER
21504-H1100 HOSE-RADIATOR,LOWER,REAR FOR HEATER
- About $13 each from Nissan.
ACDELCO Parts 20071S & 20070S. About $8 each

Upper radiator hose, not shown in this pic (it's on the right side top of engine).

21501-H1000 HOSE-RADIATOR,UPPER, ~$5 from Nissan
AC DELCO 20067S, ~$8.50 from http://RockAuto.com
- 13/32 inch inside diameter.

Thermostat

Cooling Thermostat. $7-$16

Honda 1994 - 1996 PASSPORT

ISUZU 1989 - 1994 AMIGO, 1992 IMPULSE, 1981 I-MARK, 1981 - 1995 PICKUP, 1985 - 1989 I-MARK, 1991 - 1997 RODEO, 1988 - 1990 IMPULSE, 1984 - 1991 TROOPER
NISSAN , 1971 - 1973 1200 , 1980 - 1986 720 PICKUP , 1977 - 1988 200SX , 1977 - 1981 810 , 1979 - 1982 210 , 1974 - 1978 B210 , 1974 260Z , 1986 - 1989 D21 PICKUP , 1975 - 1978 280Z , 1976 - 1978 F10 , 1979 - 1982 280ZX , 1982 - 1984 MAXIMA , 1979 - 1982 310 , 1987 PATHFINDER , 1971 - 1973 510 , 1983 PULSAR , 1978 - 1981 510 , 1983 - 1989 PULSAR NX , 1971 - 1972 521 PICKUP , 1982 - 1988 SENTRA , 1973 - 1976 610 , 1982 - 1989 STANZA , 1972 - 1979 620 PICKUP , 1987 - 1988 VAN , 1974 - 1977 710

Coolant Temperature Sender

Switch for Temperature Gauge (thermal transmitter)

Nissan 25080-89900 GAUGE-TEMP ENGINE UNIT
- 25251-30100 NUT [Threads for engine unit]
  required. You can re-use your old one.
BECK/ARNLEY 2010247 $8.16
Airtex 1T1181
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS TS69
ACDELCO E8041, 19107020

Rockauto.com

Interchange

1971-1973 1200
1973-1976 610
1968-1970 1600 Roadster
1975-1979 620 
1968-1970 2000 Roadster
1972-1974 620Pickup
1977-1983 200SX
1974-1977 710
1987-1988 200SX
1980-1985 720
1979-1982 210
1977-1979 810
1970-1973 240Z
1981 810
1974-1975 260Z
1974-1978 B210
1975-1978 280Z
1986 D21 Pickup
1979-1983 280ZX
1976-1978 F10
1980-1982 310
1982-1983 Maxima
1968-1973 510
1983-1986 PulsarNX
1978-1981 510
1983 Sentra
1968 520 Pickup
1982-1986 Stanza
1969-1972 521 Pickup

Radiator Cap

13 psi Pressure Rating (SAE Range 12-16 psi)
STANT 10229 13 psi $3.00, 11229
STANT Safety Release Cap 10329, 11329
Gates 31527 $4.61
Gates Safety Release Cap 31511 $5.08

Nissan Competition Parts

COOLING (A-SERIES)

21400-H2300 1200 FACTORY O/S RADIATOR 3-core radiator designed for high-performance applications
21475-H2300 1200 FAN SHROUD (UPPER) Use with lower shroud
21476-H2300 1200 FAN SHROUD (LOWER) Improves cooling efficiency of the 1200
21400-H2023 1200 FACTORY ALUMINUM RADIATOR Though designed for use in the 1200, can easily be adapted to other models with minor modifications. Will flow over 13 gallons per minute. Dimensions are 13"(w)x13"(h)x2.25"(d)
21400-H5001 B210 FACTORY O/S RADIATOR (TO 8/74) 3-core radiator de signed for high-performance applications
21400-H7210 B210 FACTORY O/S RADIATOR (8/75 TO 7/76) 3-core radiator designed for high-performance applications
99996-H2500 B210 W/P & FAN CLUTCH ASSY No HP loss due to needless operation of fan at high RPM. Kit includes all required parts
21400-H9300 210 FACTORY O/S RADIATOR 3-core radiator designed for high-performance applications

Reference: 1984 Nissan Competition Parts catalog