Cahoon520 Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I have been searching for a decent engine that would easily replace my j13 for just about a year now, but I can't find any thing. Today I found a 1981 210 with an a12a with a 4 speed. I few questions that I hope ya all can help me with. 1. Is the A12 a good engine? 2. Has anyone ever done a A-J swap 3. Will this engine have enough power(I not looking for high performance) Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I would think so. They even look similar. Quote Link to comment
sparkle Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 apparently they are totally different. But not 100% sure, so would be very keen to know your outcome on this as A series motors in New Zealand are plentiful. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Different, yes but a lot of similarities. OHV, small displacement, intake and exhaust both on driver's side, oil filter on right side. Quote Link to comment
greybeard Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 yep, A-series Motors are great, not a lot of power, but will run forever. IIRC early A-12 had the motor mounts in a diffrent location from A-12A, A-14 and A-15. looks the most like the J motor too. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 It should fit no problems just modify the engine mounts. Use the A12A tranmission. The drive shaft might even fit. It will probably have about the same torque and a bit more power than the J13. But not much more (1237 cc). I would go with an A14 or A15 unless the A12A is a bargain. Otherwise it will (still) be pretty slow. Quote Link to comment
what Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 You should find a good used R16 motor out of a roadster. They are little and come factory with dual su carbs ect. You will have to get the roadster 4 speed to bolt to it. They were rated at 96 horses i believe. Quote Link to comment
Happy Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 There was a beautiful silver NL320 sold on ebay a year or two ago in Phoenix, that had an A15 with air conditioner installed. They did a beautiful job. I plan on putting one into one of my NL320s, the problem I had was the fact that the 210 5 speed tranny is now worth 500 to 700 dollars due to it's use as the rivergate MG tranny. I could find A15s all over the place, but the tranny was gone, and I really wanted a 5 speed. I had a 1980 210 back in my college days, had a blast with it, and consider that engine and tranny to be very mechanically sound. Quote Link to comment
Cahoon520 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks guys the owner of the car want $300 for it but I think that is a little to high. I datsun engines around here are just about imposible to find so I think this might just be the best bet right now. I just want to drive this truck. What would a fair price to pay for this car? Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 You should find a good used R16 motor out of a roadster. They are little and come factory with dual su carbs ect. You will have to get the roadster 4 speed to bolt to it. They were rated at 96 horses i believe. Or, the roadster 2 liter engine with 5 speed transmission. Quote Link to comment
tdaaj Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 if its in good running order, i think $300 is a fair price. you can always part out the rest of the car to recoup some of your money. Quote Link to comment
Cahoon520 Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Here's the Kijiji ad for the 210 donor car. http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1981-Datsun-210-Sunny-W0QQAdIdZ168165271 Quote Link to comment
nukeday Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 What's wrong with the J13 that's in it now? Quote Link to comment
Cahoon520 Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 The j13 needs to be rebuilt and can't source all the parts that I need to rebuild. I would love to keep the j13 but it is just not possible. Quote Link to comment
DRIVEN Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 An A-series would be a great swap - probably the easiest one possible. I have to agree with ggzilla. The A12A may not give much of a performance improvement. At $300 the price is fair and once the swap is done you could always keep an eye out for an A14 or A15 to toss in later. Quote Link to comment
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