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Datsun 1200 uses a traditional type of flywheel at the back of the engine. The face matches the Clutch while a ring gear is attached to the perimeter to let the Starting Motor turn the engine. It uses a 271mm (10.7 inch) flywheel with a 105-tooth ring gear.
Also See: * Clutch * Crankshaft
Contents |
Overview
All flywheels for A-series engines interchange -- for rear-wheel drive vehicles. Differences are the A12 flywheel weighs 2.2 lbs (1 kg) less than the A14/15 flywheels, and is also thinner.
A10 8.0 kg (17.6 pounds) A12 12310-H1000: 9.5 kg (20.8 pounds) A12 12310-H2310: 6.4 kg (14.1 pounds) GX, also sold as 'Race Option' A14 12310-H7200: 10.7 kg (22.3 lbs)
A14/A15 flywheel is thicker than the A10/A12 flywheel. When fitting the thinner flywheel to A14, remove the Engine Plate to compensate.
A10: 25 mm thick? (does not fit A12 due to different gear angle) A12: 28 mm thick (fits A10) A14: 30 mm thick
In 1974 flywheel bolts changed from British Threads to Metric threads. So the bolts are not interchangeable from early to late. See Crankshaft for details.
A12 Flywheel Measurements:
thickness: 28mm ring gear + backing: 20mm back rim to flywheel face depth: 5mm clutch face to inner face depth: 17mm
starter ring gear
Inspection
If the starter occasionally makes grinding sounds, chances are the flywheel ring gear needs replacing (or just replace the whole flywheel, which is often less expensive).
Yes, you should resurface the flywheel if it is not in good shape!!! Better to not re-grind the flywheel if it doesn't need it.
It is not indicated to turn the flywheel UNLESS cracks appear, or it is not flat (worn unevenly), or the surface is burnt (heavy glazing). Guys will tell you "it is cheap insurance" to machine the flywheel clutch surface regardless, but that's not what the Datsun factory service manual says.
Wash ... in suitable cleaning solution to remove dirt and grease ... Check friction surface of flywheel and pressure plate for scoring or roughness. Slight roughness may be smoothed by using fine emery cloth. If surface is deeply scored or grooved, the part should be replaced.
- 1980 B310 service manual
If it is warped, have it resurfaced. It is it burnt, chattered, or is grooved, resurfacing is called for. But it if still worked great, is flat, and not burnt, don't bother. The Nissan factory service manual does not recommend a resurface unless needed. Every time my Datsun flywheel did not look great, I should have resurfaced it. And everytime it looked great and I didn't resurface it, all was fine.
If the teeth are worn, replace ring gear
Flange damage
Removal and Reinstallation
The crankshaft needs to be locked from turning when removing or tightening the flywheel bolts.
Flywheel Stop:
Less effective type of stop, can be used in a pinch using a scrap of metal. The bolt will bend while bolting or unbolting the flywheel
Installation - torque the bolts in a star pattern
When installing the Clutch, use a spline-aligner so the transmission will slide on
Lightening
For race cars, a light flywheel allows the engine to rev faster according to this principle:
The more weight, the more time it takes to accelerate
Now a street car wants a heavier flywheel, so that it will:
- smooth out the combustion pulses
- smooth out the drivetrain
These are the factory specs for flywheel weight reduction:
Finished wheight is about 6.5 kgs --a total of 2 kgs removal
Reference: Datsun B110 Competition Tune-Up Manual, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Tokyo Japan 1974
Bolts
Nissan flywheel bolts are very strong. Just clean the threads and use a torque wrench to install. ARP does not make A-series flywheel bolts (though some use non-A-series ARP bolts on the A-series). In any case the stock bolts are plenty strong.
For bolt part numbers, see Flywheel Bolts
Best practices:
- Reusing the flywheel bolts is acceptable. Even new bolts will come loose due to shaking. Even ARP bolts will snap!
- To reduce vibrations, always re-balance the engine after changing rods or pistons or crank
- For 7000+ rpm use have the flywheel doweled. Loctite is not needed.
- Make sure the flywheel-to-flange surfaces are clean. Do not let oil or Loctite get between the two, or the bolts may loosen over time. Do not oil the bolts. Using Loctite threadlocker (red) on the bolts is recommended, apply to the crank threads using a cotton swab instead of putting it on the bolts
- Overtightening weakens them. Always use a torque wrench.
- Use stock Datsun flywheel bolts. If using aftermarket bolt, ensure they are 1) not too long and bottoming out 2) ensure the head face shoulder design is compatible 3) Use high strength steel like the factory bolts 4) Ensure head size does not interfere with the clutch plate
If using high RPM, look at getting the crank flange dowelled. The flywheel is actually clamped on the head of the bolt not on the shank of the bolt (there is side-to-side play), so three dowels 120° apart should do the job. The end of the crank is soft (unlike the crank journals) and easy to drill.
Also see: Harmonic Balancer
For 7000+ rpm use have the flywheel doweled
A10 Flywheel
A10 engine flywheel is lighter than A12 flywheel, so will not smooth out the power pulses as well.
On the other hand it has less mass, so aids acceleration. You can lighten the A12 flywheel (by machining) or use the already light A10 flywheel (after machining). Unfortunately the A10 flywheel requires machining to use with an A12 (where is machining needed?)
The smaller clutch pressure plate is held on using M6x1.0 bolts which are prone to snapping. May be worth drilling and retapping to suit M8x1.25 bolts like the rest of the A-series use, but the pressure plate may not have enough clearance/seat area to fit regular M8x1.25, though socket head cap screws may be used as they have small heads. Using M6x1.0 socket head cap screws may be another alternative as they are a stronger material (grade 12.1, vs 8.8 or less for regular bolts)
160 mm clutch area (vs 180mm for all other A-engines)
* Machine step out of the A10 surface * Drill new holes for the larger clutch * Use a longer Release Bearing Sleeve Some say you can shim it
FWD
Front-wheel-drive flywheel from E10 Cherry/120A, F10 Cherry/F-II or N10 (310/Pulsar) is smaller diameter and the clutch fits down inside the FWD flywheel.
Interchangeability with Datsun 1200: none
Part Numbers
* 12310-18001 ASS'Y-FLYWHEEL B10 * 12310-18002 ASS'Y-FLYWHEEL B10 (from E/# A10-87871) * 12310-H1000 FLYWHEEL ASS'Y A12, A12S, A12A, A13S * 12310-H6200 ASSY-FLYWHEEL A13 * 12310-H7200 FLYWHEEL ASS'Y A14 -7909 * 12310-H7201 FLYWHEEL ASS'Y A14 7910-8010 * 12310-H8900 FLYWHEEL ASS'Y V A14S, A15 8011- * 12310-H8910 FLYWHEEL ASS'Y A14S, A15 8011-
BOLTS - See Flywheel Bolts
* 12313-10600 DOWEL (3) all A-series A10-A15 * 12312-18000 GEAR-ring, flywheel A10/A12/A14 * 12312-18010 GEAR-ring, flywheel A14S 8110-
BUSHING-pilot: see Pilot Bushing
The flywheel "Assembly" includes these parts: * 12312 GEAR-ring, flywheel * 12313 DOWEL-flywheel
ATP ZA543 Flywheel Ring Gear $22.79 * Outer Diameter=10.655" * Inner Diameter 9.451" * Pitch=10/12 Width=.400" * Teeth=105 * Chamfer=FRONT #1231218000
VW Conversion
MT conversion
Aluminum Flywheel
