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Current revision

The Datsun 1200 A12 engine came with slightly dished pistons for approximately 9.0:1 compression ratio. Standard bore size for the A10, A12 and early A13 block is 73mm (2.874 in). Pistons are cast for quietness, and lightness. Nissan Competition does not recommend forged pistons for street use as they are not as close tolerance as the cast pistons (forged pistons are noiser due to larger tolerances required). The A12GX engine used the same dished pistons, except for the "high gas" version which used flattop pistons from the Datsun 1000 Coupe motor.

Overview

Pistons are connected to the crankshaft via the Connecting Rods.

Datsun 1200 (A12) pistons are modern design of the lightweight slipper type -- unlike the earlier 1200 Bluebird/pickup 60hp engine which used old-design heavy alloy pistons.

light piston from A12
Album 11574

heavy piston from older Datsun

Specifications

Piston Pin Diameter x Length  to fit Connecting Rods
A10/A12: 17.45 mm x 65.5 mm
A14/A15/A12A: 19.00 mm x 63 mm

Pin Height (Compression Height)
A10/A12/A13/A14: 32.5 mm
A15: 30 mm

Piston length
A12/A13: 67.40 mm
A14: 67.5 mm
A15: 65.00 mm

CLEARANCE, Piston to cylinder wall
cast (stock pistons):
 A12:     0.0009-0.0017"
 A14/A15: 0.0010-0.0018"
forged: Use manufacturer's suggestion
 typical: 0.0050-0.0070"

CLEARANCE, Piston to valve
* See ^POST discussion

GX Pistons

A12GX Engine came with two kinds of pistons:

dished for low-gas (regular octane) engine
flat-top for high-gas (high octane) engine

Album click to view Album click to view Album click to view

Piston Comparisons/Potential Swaps

Also see:
* Justy Piston Swap for 1607cc A15 engine
* Bored And Stroked for performance oversize pistons

KB10 and 1200GX Engine - flattop

1mm oversize

A12 STD and 1200GX low-gas

1.0mm oversize A12

A14 Cosworth pistons
Post 414840 Post 414840

A14 early

A14 76mm Piston
Album click to view

A14 early quench head - deep dish

A14 late model for quench head

A14 76.85mm Tomei Piston
Album click to view

A15 Piston (small dish - early A15)

A15 Pistons (late A15 H98 quench type vs round-port A15)
Album click to view

A15 late model

A14 79mm from Matsuoka
Post 488063 Post 488063

High Quality Cast Pistons

See ^POST Jmac's comments on strong cast pistons

Forged Pistons

The downside of forged pistons is noise and wear. But they do hold up to massive stress, so good for turbocharged engines or high-RPM racing engine. Also, super high-compression (dome-top pistons) are available in forged.

quote: Nissan Competition does not recommend forged pistons for street use.

Main Forum: ^POST Are forged pistons really worth it

ARIAS forged pistons a12 +040 with floating pins, teflon buttons
Album click to view Album click to view Album click to view

Arias forged pistons with press wrist pins and rings $175 each (2008)
Album click to view

Venolia forged flattops
Album click to view

Kameari A14+3mm (79 mm)

Wiseco
Album 13014

Cosworth A12 dome-top pistons (for stock 73mm bore)
Post 414746

Cosworth A12+040 pistons (74mm)
Post 414746

Suppliers

Datrats (Australia) is listing A14 oversize Tomei forged pistons
JE Pistons -- custom order
JP Pistons (Australia) -- custom order pistons
Malvern Racing
JE and Wiseco forged pistons
HP engineering (Rhode Island). Phone 401-789-6700
A12 std. Cosworth race pistons with pins (19mm)
A12 +0.040 Cosworth race pistons with pins (17mm).
Nissan Competition no longer carries these.
Nissan
76mm race pistons sold by Nissan under the number 12010-A14STD. These are used in the A12A engine when it is bored close to its maximum +0.040 inch overbore.
PAECO These folke are real nice people lots of A-series goodies, custom order pistons, and a great price for the hi perf valve spring, pushrod and lifters, and some nice cam grinds .You can request a catalog via E-mail. Custom order $460/set
Peter Zekert - click to see current available pistons
Ross Racing pistons (California) $359 without wrist pins and domed for $391 also sans pins
Wiseco
Venolia (part number 10400 for standard pistons, $67 each in 2008). They told me on the phone a while back that they would make me any piston I wanted for about $86.00 each but they may be more by now

PISTON RINGS

Total Seal premium piston rings
Page 38 of the catalog has the A14 and A12A piston rings listed
These can be bought from many parts stores

A12A +0.040" over (1.0 mm oversize) is the same as stock A14 pistons

Part Numbers

12010 Piston with Pin
12033 Ring Set

1200

See also: Piston, Crank & Rod Part Numbers

12010-H1001/H1011 PISTON SET-with pin A12 regular, A12 GX-low
* 1.6mm dish
12010-18021/H2301 PISTON SET-with pin A12 GX-high
12033-B3040 RING SET-piston A12 all

SET-RING PISTON STD - 73mm bore
12033-H1002
12033-B3040 ^12033-H1002

ITM Part # 51283.STD RPB Standard size Alternate # 021-1335

Interchange: 
* B110 1970-1973
* B210 1974 A13
* 410, 411 Sedan & Wagon, 1200cc, 1300cc 1964-1968
* 520, 521 J13 Pick-up Truck, 1300cc 1965-1969
** Replaces Nissan 12033-H6200, 12033-19100, 12033-B3040

SET-PISTON WITH PIN STD (4) A12 (Source: USA catalog)
12010-H1001
12010-H1061
12010-H1011 0672- <> 12010-H1001

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 0.25 OVER SIZE (4) A12
12010-H1003

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 0.50 OVER SIZE (4) A12
12010-H1004
12010-H1065 0672- <> 12010-H1014
12010-H1014 0672- <> 12010-H1004

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 0.75 OVER SIZE (4) A12
12010-H1005

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 1.00 OVER SIZE [0.040"](4) A12
12010-H1006
12010-H1066 0672- <> 12010-H1016
12010-H1016 0672- <> 12010-H1006

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 1.25 OVER SIZE (4) A12
12010-H1007

SET-PISTON WITH PIN 1.50 OVER SIZE (4) A12
12010-H1008

Nissan Competition Parts

NOTE: 99996- part numbers are Nissan Competition

Nissan Competition Catalog

A12/A13 FACTORY CAST FLAT-TOP PISTONS
12010-H2361 73MM/2.874" PISTON
12010-H2310 73MM/2.874" PISTON 
* Similar to 12010-12361 except for valve reliefs 
  for increased piston-to-valve clearance
12010-12364 73.5/2.894" PISTON
12010-H2366 74mm/2.913" PISTON

12010-H2366 pistons (4) +1.00 mm over size

Cylinder wall thickness should be checked by sonic testing when increasing initial bore size in excess of 1 mm/.03937". Standard bore size for the A12 or A13 block is 73mm/2.874".

PISTON RING SET
12033-H6200 RING SET FOR 12010-H2361 STD
12033-H6200 RING SET FOR 12010-H2310 STD
12035-H6200 RING SET FOR 12010-H2364 +0.5
12037-H6200 RING SET FOR 12010-H2366 +1.0

ARIAS FORGED RACING PISTONS
All of the forged pistons are of the dome-top design. Modifications must be made to the spark plug side of the combustion chamber for proper clearance. The compression ratio will vary depending on the swept volume of the engine and amount of material removed from the cylinder head. Piston-to-wall clearance for forged pistons should be approximately.005" to .007". All forged pistons use a full-floating .750" pin retained by Teflon buttons. For this reason the A12 and A12A pistons require the use of the A12A connecting rod (12100-H8500). Also, the A13 and A14 pistons require the use of the A14 connecting rod (12100-H7200). Because of the full-floating pin the small end of the rod should be sized with a clearance of .0006" to .0009". End gap for the top ring should be .012" to .015". The second ring should have an end gap of .010" to .013". Clearance on the oil scraper ring is not critical. Forged pistons are not recommended for street use

PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY REQ. 
99996-H1017 73MM/2.874" A12/A13 PISTON          4
 99996-H1027 RING SET FOR 99996-H1017           1
 99996-H1022 REPLACEMENT PIN FOR 99996-H1017	 4
 99996-H1123 REPLACEMENT BUTTON FOR 99996-H1017 8

99996-H1011 74MM/2.913" A12/A13 PISTON	         4
 99996-H1021 RING SET FOR 99996-H1011	         1
 99996-H1022 REPLACEMENT PIN FOR 99996-H1011	 4
 99996-H1127 REPLACEMENT BUTTON FOR 99996-H1011 8

99996-H1060 76MM/2.992" A12A/A14 PISTON 	 4
 99996-H1065 RING SET FOR 99996-H1060           1
 99996-H1022 REPLACEMENT PIN FOR 99996-H1060    4
 99996-H1124 REPLACEMENT BUTTON FOR 99996-H1060 1

99996-H1061 76.75MM/3.022" A14 PISTON           4
 99996-H1067 RING SET FOR 99996-H1061
 * This ring set is designed for 77mm/3.032" pistons, 
   therefore, some sizing will be necessary to achieve 
   the proper end gap.
 99996-H1022 REPLACEMENT PIN FOR 99996-H1061    4
 99996-H1023 REPLACEMENT BUTTON FOR 99996-H1061 8

99996-H1062 77MM/3.032" A14 PISTON              4
 99996-H1067 RING SET FOR 99996-H1062	         1
 99996-H1022 REPLACEMENT PIN FOR 99996-H1062	 4
 99996-H1126 REPLACEMENT BUTTON FOR 99996-H1062 8

COSWORTH FORGED RACING PISTONS
The only exception to the information provided in the above paragraph <for Arias pistons> is that the Cosworth piston still utilizes circlips to retain the full floating piston pin.

PART NO.	DESCRIPTION 	   QTY REQ 
99996-H1170 76MM/2.992" A12A/A14 PISTON 4
99996-H1175 RING SET FOR 99996-H1170    1

Other A12

B310 JPN 
12010-H1061 Van 1.3mm dish

C20 Vanette
12010-18011 [flattop]
12010-18021 > 12010-18011

A12A

A12A 75mm bore 1237cc

B310 JPN (S,K "A12", replaced by A13 8011)
12010-H8511 JPN -7901 2.4mm offset dish <2,0> 12010-H8521
12010-H8521 JPN 7910-8010

12010-H9012 USA 0879-0780,CAN ALL YEARS <> 12010-H9022 <> 12010-H9001
12010-H9502 USA 0880- <> 12010-H9512

A13 Tall Block

same dimensions as A12 except
* smaller 0.7mm dish
* 32.65 compression height

USA B210 model year 1974 (from July 1973 to Oct 1974)
12010-H6201 SET-PISTON WITH PIN STD
12010-H6211 SET-PISTON WITH PIN STD <> 12010-H6201

L61-4374 A13 +030" oversize

A13 Short Deck

New A13 engine 1981-1982. 76mm bore, same as A14, but with A12 type crank.

12010-H8661 B310 JPN

H866 designed for B310 2-dr sedan 1300 GL

Aftermarket +0.5 overbore pistons (76.5mm flattops)
Album 18364

A14

Factory A14 pistons came in several versions with differing piston dishes, including offset dish
Album 19508 Post click for topic

A15 vs A14 differs in pin height
Post click for topic

DISH TYPES
02 centered dish
10 centered dish, bevel edges
65 offset dish

Dish: Small vs Large (large used with wedge chambers on FU Engine)
Album 19795

Late high-Quench offset dish
Album 19796

H72 5.37 mm dish
12010-H7284 STD
* STD GFU EARLY 1276-0777
* STD CAN 0877-

H75 JAPAN B210
* 12010-H7511 3.3mm dish

H76 4.08 mm dish
12010-H7684 STD
* STD GFU LATE 0877-

H87 Offset Dish 4mm
* 12010-H8702 A14 B310 FED 0880-

H89

H92 EFI piston (flattop?)

USA B210 A14 (See A-series Engine Changes)
SET-PISTON WITH PIN
NON-GFU EXCEPT CAN 1978
12010-H7211 STD <> 12010-H7711 <> Sealed Power 12158P 1mm bevel dish
* H721x B210 -0977
*       F10
* H771x B210 1077- <> 12010-H7211 <> Sealed Power 12146P

B310 USA
12010-H7284 A14 CAN
12010-H7684 A14 KFU -0779 4.2mm bevel dish
12010-H7685 A14 FED 0879-0780 <> Sealed Power 12147P
                CAL
12010-H8702 A14 FED 0880- 4mm dish

B310 JPN A14
12010-H7511 V.-7909 3.3mm dish
  12010-H7514 +0.5 oversize
  12010-H7516 +1.0 oversize
12010-H7685 V.7910- 3.3mm dish
  12010-H7687 +0.5 oversize
  12010-H7689 +1.0 oversize
12010-H8911 S,K+AT <2,0> 12010-H8931 7mm offset dish
  12010-H8914 +0.5 oversize
  12010-H8916 +1.0 oversize
12010-H8931 S,K.7910-8010 7mm dish
  12010-H8934 +0.5 oversize
  12010-H8936 +1.0 oversize
12010-H9211 A14E -7909 <2,0> 12010-H9221
   12010-H9214 +0.5 oversize
   12010-H9216 +1.0 oversize
12010-H9221 A14E 7910-8010 7mm dish
   12010-H9224 +0.5 oversize
   12010-H9226 +1.0 oversize

A10 JPN with A14
12010-H7511 -7803, Van 7804-7906 <2,0> 12010-H7685
12010-H7685 Van 7907-
12010-H8911 S,K.7804-7811 <2,0> 12010-H8921
12010-H8921 S,K.7812-7901 <2,0> 12010-H8931
12010-H8931 S,K.7902-

021-6086-STD 76mm
Album 25806 Album 25805 Album 25804

A15

12010-H9718 A15 B310 CAN 0879-

12010-H9704 A15 B310 FED -0779 [2.8mm centered dish]

12010-H9714 A15 B310 FED 0879-0780 [5.4mmm centered dish]
                     CAL -9780
                     CAN 0879-
                     150Y 1979-1982

12010-H9802 A15 CAL 0880- [6.5mm offset dish]

12010-G3421 A15S JPN 8011- [Offset dish]
12010-H9261 A15E JPN 8011- [Offset dish]

Album 24811 Post click for topic

North America

Late A15 -- offset dish pistons
Album 7630

B310
PISTON SET-WITH PIN

STANDARD
12010-H9714 A15 CAL	-0780
12010-H9802 A15 CAL	0880-
12010-H9704 A15 FED	-0779
12010-H9714 A15 FED	0879-0780
12010-H9802 A15 FED	0880-
12010-H9714 A15 CAN	0879-

+0.5 mm oversize
12010-H9804 (0.50 O.S.) A15 USA	0880-
12010-H9716 (0.50 O.S.) A15 CAL	-0780	
12010-H9706 (0.50 O.S.) A15 FED	-0780	
12010-H9716 (0.50 O.S.) A15 CAN	0879-0378

+1.0 mm oversize 
12010-H9806 (1.00 O.S.) A15 USA	0880-
12010-H9718 (1.00 O.S.) A15 CAL	-0780
12010-H9708 (1.00 O.S.) A15 FED	-0780
12010-H9920 (1.00 O.S.) A15 FED(MAN)	-0780
12010-H9718 (1.00 O.S.) A15 CAN	0879-

N10
12010-H9802 A15 STD
12010-H9804 A15 +0.5
12010-H9806 A15 +1.0

E15 Piston

E15 engine (1983-up SOHC) piston share similar dimensions to A15, but uses a different kind of dish. Possibly they might work in A15 engine.

Bore: 76 mm (same as A15)
Compression Height: 32.5 mm (same as A15)
Piston Pin: 19 mm (same as A15)

E1 Piston

Old-tech E1 engine piston with full skirts may be used in the A12 engine, but it is heavier, and not certified for 6400 RPM use (the stock A12 redline).

1958-1964 Blubird 211/311/312/410
E1 engine (1189 cc) 73 mm flat-top
* AE 17482
* Kolbenschmidt 91 071 600

AE brand 17482 +0.75 mm pistons placed in Nissan box
Album 26398

The Nissan box belong to the modern slipper-skirt pistons

12010-H1016 PISTON SET-with pin (1.00 over size) (Reg Gas)
* (from '72-6) ALL (exc. GX-H)

Using T-slot like early Datsun B10 (A10 engine) pistons.
Album 24385

Kolbenschmidt listing

Rings

See main article: Piston rings

Damage

Detonation (too much spark advance) causes broken ring lands.
Album 19359 Album 8065 Album 8066

Broken piston
Album 9793

Evidence of detonation can be seen in the combustion chamber:
Album 19347

Piston top disintegrated
Album 1730

Rod pulled the center out of the piston
Album 17120

¤

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