L16 intake manifold on a 79?

[Llittle_Llama]

ok, did some research and it seems the 79 lb20 has some sort of water cooling passages in the intake..... i assume also that the L16 does not. so can i still use it, and has anyone done it and possibly have a write-up or pics? as soon as it gets here imma port and polish what i can on it and gasket match it but when i went to the part store today i couldn't figure out which gasket i needed, any help on that front? and last but not least, what gasket do i get to go between the carb and intake? they dint show one at all at advanced auto parts......

[kiznook]

[Llittle_Llama]

[makya]

he's just giving you crap because there are eleventybillion posts on l16 intakes on an l20.

[Llittle_Llama]

i searched, i got a few but none with pics, and none that answered the question of the water passages.....

[datzenmike]

You probably have the W58 head with round exhaust ports. These came on the '77-'79 620 and had the coolant passages. '75-'77 were likely U-67 square exhaust ports and no coolant passages. The L16 intake will still fit and the gasket will seal the holes in the head.

Nissan didn't put them there for looks, they do serve a function on the L20B. They make it more efficient and drivable in cool weather and startup.

[Llittle_Llama]

so it's just gunna be a dead end? the water will just sit there?is that gunna be ok? do i need to modify anything at all or is this completely normal?

[datsunaholic]

No, because the L16 intake has water passages, AND the '78-80 L20B (W58 and N56) heads have water passages. So they match up.

 

Unless you have a U60, U67, or W53 head. Those do not have water passages.

[Llittle_Llama]

and the head is stamped on the side? pass or driver? sorry i know so little, i'll catch on one day.....i hope....

[Farmer]

My w53 head had water passages for the intake. Matched right up to the SU Manifold.

 

Larry

[datsunfish]

Sure it wasnt a w58?It may have been tapped out.Never heard of a w53 with water passages.

Definitely use the L16 intake mani.If the head doesnt have water ports then bypass the hose to the mani.You only need to port match to the head tapering in about 3/4" to 1".You should hog out the carb area to match a weber.Open up the adapter too.Dont polish it.

Here is one I did.I use a router bit chucked up in a straight die grinder.The side force will strip out the head on an angle grinder.Takes a seriously steady hand and you have to rotate the piece otherwise the grinder will bounce around.A dremel will take you forever.After opening it up a bit use an actual porting kit with heavy grit sanding drums to clean it up a bit.Its no picnic so you should find something to practice on.

[Llittle_Llama]

well i have the w58 head, so that solves that, and imma port the shit outa the thing once i get it. why not polish the adapter?and last of all, can i take the carb butterflies out of the choke section? im in the lower south and it never gets cold enough.....

[Farmer]

Not a w58. Its my w53 peanut from Japan. Never was installed on another vehicle. Heres a picture

 

Larry

[Farmer]

Fixed

 

 

Larry

[Llittle_Llama]

I'm assuming that the water ports were talking about is the hole underneath the intake ports right? and that is a DAMN nice head......

[Farmer]

Yes.

 

Larry

[motavated]

But wait..... I have a A87 head without the water holes.... Where they filled in or are the original.... Thanks!!!

[datzenmike]

Some heads had the intake water heating, some didn't. The '75-'77 620 L20Bs didn't I believe as they used a connected intake/exhaust manifold. The exhaust heated the intake. I think it was the U-67 head. (could be wrong) The hole could be drilled out if you wanted to run the intake with water passages.

[Llittle_Llama]

my intake came in today, effin SWEET! pics up later, i might be able to get some titans tonight so it will b e tomorrow before i can get pics up, lol.