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Revision as of 03:20, 19 November 2012

Nissan chassis model B310 was the fourth-generation Sunny. They were sold during Model years 1979-1982 and marketed in various countries as the Datsun 210 or Datsun Sunny. In some countries it was designated Datsun 120Y, Datsun 130Y, Datsun 140Y or Datsun 150Y, depending on the engine fitted.

For more details and how the Sunny family was developed, see History of Datsun 1200.

WikiMedia - Sunny California (sweepback) Wagon

B310 vs. 310

Datsun model B310 was the fourth-generation Sunny family:

1978-1982 B310, marketed as Datsun 210 in North Ameria

It is sometimes confused with the Datsun 310, which was a totally different model.

Datsun 310 was a front-wheel drive model from the Cherry/Pulsar family:

1979-1983 Datsun 310 (Nissan model N10)

Identification

International Comparison

1980 Australia

1980 USA

1980 Malaysia

Bumpers

As always starting from 1974, North America got the large 'park bench' bumpers while other countries got boxy but lighter bumpers.

Front

Worldwide - lights in Bumper

Blackout

Rubber bumper ends

North America - no lights in bumper

Rear

North America

North America - 5 mph crash resistant (Sedan Wagon Coupe)

Sedan

Yulon

Australia - rubber ends

Worldwide - no rubber bumper ends

Coupe

Australia - wide cutout for number plate

Japan - narrow cutout for number plate

Wagon

Worldwide - no cutout for number plate

Grille

Early - Round headlights

62300-H8510 GRILLE ASSY-RADIATOR JDM Sedan & Coupe -7909, all Van
62312-H9107 GRILLE-RADIATOR USA Sedan/Wagon 0679-, Coupe 5-spd 0679-
62300-H9106 GRILLE-RADIATOR USA Coupe 5-spd -0579
62300-H9102 GRILLE-RADIATOR USA Coupe except 5-spd -1179

Late - Square headlights

62310-H8502, 62310-H8503 GRILLE ASSY-RADIATOR JDM
- 7910- Coupe/Sedan/Wagon (W) but not Van (V)
62312-H8501 GRILLE ASSY-RADIATOR
62310-H9102 GRILLE-RADIATOR USA Sedan, Coupe, Wagon 1279-

North America

Identification

1979 and early 1980 Model year: round headlights
Until Oct 1979
1980 late Model Year: square headlights 'D' grille emblem
From Oct 1979
1981-1982 Model Years: square headlights 'DATSUN' grille emblem
From August 1980
North America models got 'DATSUN' badge

Model Identifications

This legend will help partially to understand the plate codes listed below.

B310 Model Identifications

Prefixes

Body type
(Sedan)
K = Coupe
W = Wagon (Sunny California/Sport Wagon)
V = Van (Squareback wagon)

Engine
(Base engine, which for B310 is A12S, A12A, or A13S)
* H = High Engine (for B310, this is A14S)
* P = Power Engine (for B310, this is A15S)

(Right Hand Drive)
* L = Left-Hand Drive

Suffixes

Destination Country/Territory Codes
* M = Australia
* V = California, USA
* U = USA FED (Federal, meaning non-California)
* N = Canada

Transmission Codes
(4-speed manual)
* F = 5-speed manual
* A = Automatic

Engine Suffix
* E = EGI (A14E or A15E)

Body Suffix
* R = 2-door sedan

B310 Trim Codes
(DX [Deluxe])
* S = STD (Standard)
* G = GLA (Grand Luxe Automatic)
* A = ES (Coupe Elegance　Sport, 7910-)
* S = CT (Standard sedan)
* Y = CITY DX (City Deluxe)
early Van Standard
SPDX A (late Van Super Deluxe A)
* P = DXA (mid Van Deluxe A)
* P = SPDX (early Van Super Deluxe)
* H = GL# (GL, GLA)
* H = GS (Coupe Grand Sport)
* H(LA) = SGL
* X = GX
* X = RSE (Coupe Rally Sport, 7910-)
* X(LA) = SGX
SPT (Coupe Sport 7910-, no suffix code)
DX (Coupe Deluxe -7909, no suffix code)
J = DXA (late Van Deluxe A)

ID Plates

The "Car Number Plate" (Type Plate) is found on the cowl dash panel, in the engine room, on the center of the firewall.

Old-style Plate type used through September 1979

WHLB310 - Wagon, Sunny Calfornia-style (semi-fastback wagon)
H9300 - Nissan part type H93
65HP - lo-po (economy) A14 Engine

New-style VIN plate type used starting October 1979

This style plate was first used in October 1979

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Japan: If you didn't know, Datsuns were made by Nissan
Type KPB310
- K = Coupe
- P = 2nd biggest optional engine
- B310 is the model series
Chassis No. JN1PB04S2B9259790: VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- JN1: Japan, Nissan
- PB04S2: Manufacturer-specific
  - PB04S: KPLB310
  - 2 is the check digit
- B: Model year 1981
- 9: Fuji Plant
- 259790: Chassis Number
Model KPLB310FUG
- F = Five-speed
- U = United States
- G = GL Trim
Color, Trim 804 P
Engine A15 Engine(S) 1488cc: S = single carb
Trans Axle FS5W60A HB37: 60-Series Transmission and Hitachi 3.700 ratio Differential, B-style carrier
Plant 9: Fujiya

A12A plate

LB310RSU
- R = 2-dr sedan
- S = Standard Trim
- U = United States
A12A Engine, 1237 cc [different from A12 engine]
HA38: Hitachi differential 3.839 ratio, A-style carrier

Japanese plate for LHD USA vehicle (FU B310)

Japanese plate for LHD CANADA vehicle

Australia (M-code) A15

Trim Color Codes

Interior Trim Color

P = Black (黒)
G = Brown (茶)

Badges

Round headlight grille

62392-H8500 ORNAMENT-FRONT

Square headlight grille 7910-

- 62392-H8505
- 62395-H8705 K, W-GX 7910-8010
- 62395-H8705 S, W-GX 8011-
- 62395-H8705 4S GX 7910-8010

Side badge

78801-H8500 EMBLEM-SIDE REAR RH -7909 ['SUNNY' block letters]
- van to 8109
78801-H8505 EMBLEM-SIDE REAR RH 7910- ['Sunny' script letters]
- van from 8110-

Year

1978: Japan only
1979: Export first year. Early 1979 USA has locking fuel door
1980: Change to square headlights, intermittent wipers
1981: Change to rectangular gauges
1982: final year

Models

KB310: Coupe

B310: 4-door sedan

B310R: 2-door sedan

VB310R: Van 2-door (square back wagon)
VB310: Van 4-door (square back wagon)

WB310: Wagon 4-door (Sunny California, and all USA wagons)

North America

Coupe: A14, A15, automatic, 4-speed or 5-speed
A12A - 2-dr Sedans only. Only with 56A 4-speed

Suspension

B310 with 13" wheels were fitted with Datsun A10 (Stanza/510) front suspension, including the struts and steering linkage. This includes the large 245mm disc brake rotors. It used the larger W50 balljoints so the front track is wider than the rear by 30mm

tire edge to body edge
rear: 2.5"
front: 1-3/8"

B310 with 12" wheels have even track front to rear.

Rear Axle

B310 sedans and coupes got coil-spring 3-link rear axle assembly.
Wagons got coil spring (Wagon = slant-back wagon, called "Calfornia" in Japan market)
Vans (square back wagon) got a leaf spring rear axle
GX models (including California wagon) got a rear sway bar

The differential is H150 in all cases.

Key Dates

1978 Sep 16: EPA announces Fuel Economy of 35 mpg
1978 Sep 21: First advert in Canada
1978 Sep ~23: Canada Press introduction with "Datsun Media Challenge" Rally in Calgary