Coolant passages are below the intake ports in some A-series Cylinder Heads. They can be large holes or small holes.
Overview
- Standard Datsun 1200 heads have no coolant holes on the intake side.
Interchange
A-series heads will interchange with either dry or wet Intake Manifold with the following caveats:
- If the intake doesn't have coolant passages, tap the head's coolant ports and install plugs
- If the intake does, but the head doesn't, cold-weather starting and cold-idle may suffer due to insufficient heat. However, warm-engine operation should be OK.
Port Plugging
Discussion: H89 water gallery pluging?
Directions for plugging the cylinder head with blind plugs:
Nissan plug parts 99996-H1149 STUD & PLUG KIT
You can buy grub screws in many places, most auto shops for example. Measure the hole, tap the mext mm up and screw in a plug. A bit of form-a-gasket, copper seal or anti-seize on the threads will help prevent corrosion.
If your dry inlet manifold comes down far enough to cover the holes, you can use silicone sealer like this:
This is an easy way to seal it, but coolant may leak when you change the manifold. Just re-seal it each time. By contrast, blind plugs are a one-time semi-permanent solution.
Used RTV silicone sealer. After fitting the intake/exhaust gasket, before fitting the intake manifold, press some RTV into the water ports, the put a button of goo over it. Let it tack up slightly before fitting the intake.