Motor Decisions

[Zeke50F3]

Hi, I'm new to the Datsun world and I've got a 68 510 that I was thinking about starting as a project and I'm trying to figure out what motor I want to put in it. I was thinking about a GM V-6 because they're easy to work on and parts are cheap, but I would like to go with a Nissan motor if I find one. I would prefer a V-6 but an I-4 would work. I was wondering what vehicles I could pull motors out of that would require the least amount of work to swap. I would like a carburated engine with a distributor (no electronic ignition preferably) and a manual transmission. Although I love fuel injection and electronic ignitions I simply don't have the time or money to spend messing with computers so the simpler the better. If I could get a few Nissan models and years that would work that would be great.

Thanks
Zeke

[Byron510]

...Although I love fuel injection and electronic ignitions I simply don't have the time or money to spend messing with computers so the simpler the better....

I think you answered your own question - simple, just install an L20B (2L) from a mid 70's Datsun sedan of PU - it'll bolt in with the L16 motor mounts, re-core the stock rad because it probably needs it - hoses will be stock and buy or rebuild the carburetion of your choice (stock 2BBL, Webber 2 bbl, twin side draft SU or all out 2X twin choke Webber/Mikuni's) with an electronic Nissan ignition. That's about as simple as it gets, should get you between 120- 150 HP and reliable as anything you could think of.

Just saying, that's simple, no messing around! And you'll be driving it which is way better than any RAD project - which doesn't move (there are a lot of those here!):D

Byron

[510rob]

the best motor swap is a running motor swap, right?

[Zeke50F3]

Awesome, so pretty much any 4 cylinder from a 70's datsun should work? How about older Nissans?
Also, whats the after market like for these engines are there a lot of parts available, or do I have to make sure that everything I have is in good enough shape to use?

[datzenmike]

Don't confuse a crank angle sensor with a breakerless electronic ignition, they are apples and oranges different. The L series runs both points and breakerless depending on the year and can be swapped to the years that it wasn't available on. A CAS is used with an EFI ECU to fire the plugs.

Best bet is the larger L20B (2 liter) motor. It was in '74 or '75 and up Nissan 610/710 and 620 trucks, and in the one year only '80 720 truck. As it's an L series it will bolt right in. Well if it's a truck motor you will need to swap your L16 oil pan and pick up onto it.

If building a motor you might want to max-n-match Nissan parts to make a hybrid 2.2 liter L motor.

You might also consider a good truck or 280zx 5 speed swap also. If you went with a gm or Nissan V6 or some later 4 cylinder motors you would have had to use a different tranny and mod the mount and driveshaft anyway.


Parts availability? Well anything can be had for a price, but there are lots of good deals on here or other Datsun forums but it takes time.

[James]

L series engines are common enough that a lot of parts are available through outside manufacturers. Basic wear/tune up parts are readily available. Cylinder heads, manifolds etc are getting scarcer - but can be found through resources like the realm. Very reliable engine once set up well.

[Braden620]

GO WITH AN L SERIES, I think we can all agree that putting a non nissan engine into a 510 would ruin it. L20's are cheap, easy to work on, and plentiful. go for it