Please tell me about these A-series timing covers

[brodster]

I have these two media-blasted timing covers. To be straight up, I am trying to sell them, but I don't know all the details. What I think is correct, is that they are from A12 engines. I was told the one with the single notch mark is from an early A12.

 

Also, is that a speedo connection on the front of the old timing cover?

 

Finally, which engines will this fit?

 

Thanks for help.

[metalmonkey47]

GGzilla should be able to tell you right away what they belong to.

 

 

 

Thats not a speedo connection though. Speedo connects at the output shaft of the transmission.

[wayno]

Maybe it has something to do with a mechanical tach.

[brodster]

I think somebody said the same thing about it being for a mechanical tach, but they weren't sure. I wonder if that was even stock.

[metalmonkey47]

I think somebody said the same thing about it being for a mechanical tach, but they weren't sure. I wonder if that was even stock.

 

Thats possible. I've only ever seen my own A15, so I'm not sure if the A12 had a mechanical tach, but I suppose the earlier probably did.

[datsunaholic]

A-series were widely used in forklifts, generators, and other non-highway use. Many of those have mechanical tachs.

[ggzilla]

It might be for an aftermarket or Nismo mechanical tachometer -- it's right over the camshaft sprocket. None of the covers came that way from the factory.

 

This single-mark cover is 1966-1970:

 

This mutiple-mark cover is 1971-2011 (the A15 is still in production):

 

Repair manuals say the cutover was 1973, but the parts catalog says 1971. My 1972 had the new style cover and matching crank pulley.

[ggzilla]

Here's a race A-series with a tachometer drive:

[brodster]

It might be for an aftermarket or Nismo mechanical tachometer -- it's right over the camshaft sprocket. None of the covers came that way from the factory.

 

This single-mark cover is 1966-1970:

 

This mutiple-mark cover is 1971-2011 (the A15 is still in production):

 

Repair manuals say the cutover was 1973, but the parts catalog says 1971. My 1972 had the new style cover and matching crank pulley.

 

Thank you for the info.

 

So the timing cover will fit an A12 and A15 correct? What about the A13 and A14? I read on Wikipedia that there were some block height variations between a couple of the engines. I know on the L-20B this meant a new timing cover, but wasn't sure how this affected the A-Series.

 

And yeah, I read the A15 was still in production too. I had to read that twice on Wikipedia. Thought I misread that the first time.

[edp]

so david, can one order a new A15 long block from Nissan - got a part #?

 

And since were on timing covers whats this one too, it confused me as well......its the bottom one w/o the water pump section thats odd - A10??

 

[ggzilla]

Yes, the one with multiple timing marks fits all A-series engine: A10, A12, A12A, A13, A14 and A15.

 

The cover without the water pump bosses is a not a Datsun-Nissan A-series part.

[gpimm]

I like using the timing cover with multiple marks along with the early crank pulley. Allows you to directly measure the total advance of the distributor with a simple timing light.