Slow datsun and audioless:(

[voesredat]

Hey guys, i have been fixing an old 1978 mexican 610 with a 3 speed auto and its slow it only goes like 80 kmph (50mph) and i wanted to know if there are some tips to get them faster or parts that wear out a lot that could affect my vehicles preformance

 

I have also been trying to get an audio system but i dont want to remove my cool looking am radio so i am going to Install a bluetooth amp and hide under the dash but i dont know how to remove the dash if anyone had some clues and what size is the speaker in the dash 

[datzenmike]

J15 engine? If so you will have to find out the settings*

 

I would start by bringing the engine in tune. Including:

 

Setting the valve lash.*

Check, set the timing.*

Replace or check condition of distributor cap/rotor/wires and plugs. 

Replace, set the points 0.018"-0.022" gap 

Replace the fuel filter.

Make sure the secondary is clear to open and not stuck.

 

As it will be bluetooth doesn't really matter where you mount it. I would place it under the front seat.

 

Front speaker (besides being 45 year old quality) won't play stereo, so place 4"? 5"? speakers in the kick panels for good separation.   

[ggzilla]

5 hours ago, voesredat said:

fixing an old 1978 mexican 610 with a 3 speed auto and its slow it only goes like 80 kmph (50mph)

That should go to 110 kph or more, when the engine is tuned to specification

[voesredat]

its a 1.6l ohv i think its an l16 , thanks for replying

[ggzilla]

L16 is OHC (overhead cam). L16 in stock condition can go to 150 kph. As long as it is adjusted correctly (valve clearance, timing, points gap). The age does not matter, unless the engine is smoking, when adjusted correctly it will reach high speed

1 hour ago, voesredat said:

its a 1.6l ohv i think its an l16 , thanks for replying

 

[banzai510(hainz)]

dId they make a j16 for mexico?

[datzenmike]

J15 was used worldwide, J16 was Taiwanese and SE Asia. 

[ggzilla]

The mexican J was the J18, before that Mexico used the same J13 and J15 as the rest of the world

[voesredat]

on the documents it says 1978 Nissan/Datsun Sedan/Station Wagon (Mex) 1.6L 2BL (Mex) 4cyl

[banzai510(hainz)]

tAke a foto of the motor

[ggzilla]

1978 Datsun guayin wagon is an A10 with L16 engine

[voesredat]

here it is and the ad is exactly the same model  100%  

[voesredat]

https://ibb.co/nNhsh52V

[datzenmike]

4 hours ago, voesredat said:

here it is and the ad is exactly the same model  100%  

 

Looks like a 4 door 710

 

 

J series. For a mid '7s car I would expect J15 or J16 size.

[ggzilla]

agreed, that's a Datsun 710

 

The encyclopedia says: 

"All Mexican 710 Violets featured the 1.6-litre carbureted engine (160J)"

 

and the photo is of a J-series engine

 

J13 from Datsun 510 should go 135 kph

J16 OHV should go 145 kph

L16 OHC will go 150 kph

 

So  ... tune the engine. Which means: 1. adjust valves 2. set timing 3. set points dwell

[datzenmike]

All in the second post. Sometimes all it takes is a good tune up.

[voesredat]

I am going to tune it but as for now if i cannt go fast at least i want to listen to some music  about the speakers ii see some holes in the rear parcel and i wonder if ii cann add 2 speakers there and if ii put them in the kick pannels i was wonderiinng if someone had some examples that i could see

[Rustbin]

This reminds me of when I got my '69 510 four door auto, I had to set the timing and tune it to drive it home but it always had incredibly poor acceleration and almost couldn't make it up a hill with two fat girls riding with me. I always attributed it to the Borg Warner automatic transmission and I swapped a manual in just before starting customizing it and remember it having much more power. I have no idea of how to fix an auto trans but I have some names like slosh box and auto tragic that I like to call them. Good luck on your sound system. 

[voesredat]

UPDATE: it now gets up to about 120kmph, adjusted the carburator and timing and seemed to do the trick up. It still struggles with hills but that I blame to the transmision, this one I hear is made for a very flat city and has high 1st gear.  Speedo and fuel gauge don't work so if you can provide some tips that'd be great. Gave up on sound system got a speaker instead. I want to modify exhaust too but don't know where to start.

 

[datzenmike]

4 speed or automatic?

[voesredat]

3 speed auto 😞

[datzenmike]

On 7/2/2026 at 8:21 PM, voesredat said:

UPDATE: it now gets up to about 120kmph, adjusted the carburator and timing and seemed to do the trick up. It still struggles with hills but that I blame to the transmision, this one I hear is made for a very flat city and has high 1st gear.  Speedo and fuel gauge don't work so if you can provide some tips that'd be great. Gave up on sound system got a speaker instead. I want to modify exhaust too but don't know where to start.

 

 

 

Did you do this.....

 

On 7/7/2025 at 11:53 AM, datzenmike said:

J15 engine? If so you will have to find out the settings*

 

I would start by bringing the engine in tune. Including:

 

Setting the valve lash.*

Check, set the timing.*

Replace or check condition of distributor cap/rotor/wires and plugs. 

Replace, set the points 0.018"-0.022" gap 

Replace the fuel filter.

Make sure the secondary is clear to open and not stuck.

 

As it will be bluetooth doesn't really matter where you mount it. I would place it under the front seat.

 

Front speaker (besides being 45 year old quality) won't play stereo, so place 4"? 5"? speakers in the kick panels for good separation.   

 

Carburetor and timing is only part of a tune up to get the most out of your L16.

Valve lash VERY important.

A dirty fuel filter might only allow enough gas past to go 120KPH.

 

[voesredat]

Will do and I was also thinking of changing the carburator so which do you recommend

[datzenmike]

Pierce Manifolds sell conversion kits for Weber 32/36. Has everything you need, adapter, gaskets, air filter. Be sure to get the electric choke and idle cut solenoid.