Connecting Rods

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The conrods are part of the short block assembly.

Overview

4 of each required: (measurement is center-to-center)
* 117.5 mm 12100-18000 A10 ASS'Y-ROD, connecting  
* 121.5 mm 12100-H1000 A12 CONNECTING ROD  [17.45 mm piston pin]
* 121.5 mm 12100-H8500 A12/A12A/A13S CONNECTING ROD [19 mm piston pin]
* 133.0 mm 12100-H6200 A13 (1974) CONNECTING ROD
* 133.0 mm 12100-H7200 A14/A15 CONNECTING ROD

H1000 rods are used by all A12 through 1977 and most A12 engines up to 1994 models including all Sunny Trucks.

H8500 rods are used by A12 in B310 sedan and coupe - but not in B310 van A12.

12100-H1000 uses 17.45 mm piston pin
 * B310 A12S.V [[[VB310]] squareback wagon]
 * B120 all years
 * C22 A12S
 * C120 A12

12100-H8500 19 mm piston pin
 * B310 A12S.S,K
 * B310 A13 (A13 replaced A12 8011-)
 * B310 A12A

Weight

The weights of the 4 stock A15 rods with ARP rod bolts and nuts installed, no bearings is: 514.00 to 511.81 grams.

A12 rods from 1982 Renn Teile Cherry catalog
12100-H5720 TITANIUM  121.5mm 100kg
12100-M0820 CAST IRON 121.5mm 490kg

For maximum performance, use the lightest rod that will hold up to the intended usage. Stock A-series rods are forged, and will last a lifetime in a stock or moderately upgraded performance engine. There is no need to use a heavier duty rod unless you are using a high boost turbo or supercharger, or revving higher than 8500 RPM.

For road racing engines with sustained high-RPM loads, a heavier duty rod may be required.

The weight of a stock A15 rod with ARP rod bolts and nuts installed, no bearings is:

Approximately 514 grams

Bearings

See main article: Bearings

Rod Bolts

The same rod bolts are used by all A-series engines, from A12 to A15.

The Factory Service Manual says nothing about replacing the rod bolts during overhaul. Never overtighten the factory rod bolts as it will weaken them. Replace them if you suspect they have been overly torqued.

8 each required:

• 12109-H1001 CONNECTING ROD BOLT TOKYO RASI $3.63 USD
  • superceded 12109-18000 BOLT-connecting rod
• 12109-H1011 CONNECTING ROD BOLT TOKYO SEATI
  • alternate supplier

  

• 12112-H1000 NUT-HEX CONNECTING ROD $1.47 USD
  • superceeded 12112-18000 or 89-11238

  

ARP Brand connecting rod stud set

• 102-6002 about $60 USD [compared to about $32 from Nissan]

  

Carillo rods for A12 (listed in 2013 catalog, special order) about $250 each

CP-Carillo
1902 Mc Gaw
Irvine, CA 92614 USA
Phone: 949-567-9000

Nissan Competition

1984 Nissan Competition Catalog

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The Datsun rod bolt is a true stretch bolt and should be torqued only once. New bolts should be installed at every disassembly.

PART NO.    DESCRIPTION    QTY. REQ.
12109-H1001 CONNECTING ROD BOLT   8
12112-H1000 CONNECTING ROD NUT    8

Although Nissan Competition made this statement, it doesn't match any other documentation. Many racers replace the rod bolts on the theory that "it's cheap insurance ... since a rod bolt letting go will ruin an engine, why not use new bolts?". However, we have no reports of actual failures caused by Datsun A-series rod bolts letting go.

Quinn: the standerd bolts are very good in the a series and ive heard of people pulling large rpm with big compression and not busting them and if the motor was for road usage and i was going to keep the rmp to a sensible limit i wouldnt bother with ARP bolts, i'd just crack test the standard ones.