A12A into 68 520

[Cahoon520]

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.

[datzenmike]

I would think so. They even look similar.

[sparkle]

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.

[datzenmike]

Different, yes but a lot of similarities.

OHV, small displacement, intake and exhaust both on driver's side, oil filter on right side.

[greybeard]

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.

[ggzilla]

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.

[what]

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.

[Happy]

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.

[Cahoon520]

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?

[MikeRL411]

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.

[tdaaj]

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.

[Cahoon520]

Here's the Kijiji ad for the 210 donor car.

http://lethbridge.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1981-Datsun-210-Sunny-W0QQAdIdZ168165271

[nukeday]

What's wrong with the J13 that's in it now?

[Cahoon520]

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.

[DRIVEN]

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.