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The Nissan L-series engine (as in the 1600/510) is a good swap. Inexpensive, readily available both in USA and Australia, and these are a larger engine family than the Nissan A Engine. From L13 to L18, they are nearly identical on the outside. The L20B 2-liter engine is a tall-block variation but it still will fit under the hood and without cutting the sheetmetal. The Z-series Engine is closely related but has a crossflow cylinder head.

1 Discussions
2 Engines
3 Crossmember
4 Engine Sump
5 Rear Crossmember
6 Transmission
- 6.1 Clutch
7 L20B Swap
- 7.1 L20B Sources
8 Swap Notes
- 8.1 Diff
9 Photo Index

Discussions

And for L Engine questions unrelated to Datsun 1200s specifically:

Ozdat Forums

Engines

From L13 to L20B, you have many choices. The larger engines make more power. An L20B makes more power than an L18, similarly outfitted (stock vs stock, or modded vs modded). Rod/stroke ratio don't matter except in theory, because 200 more CCs trumps it. But there seems to be no reason to use an L13 or L14, as the A15 makes about the same power and is lighter and fits easier. So choose an L18 or L20B, depending on availability. Use an L16 if it is handy or free.

L13: early Datsun 510 Standard models came with L13. Don't bother to swap this, an A14 is better.

L14: Nissan put the L14 in the Japan-only PB110.

However, why bother these days? Nissan didn't have an A14 in 1970, but we do now, and it is much less work to fit, and weighs a lot less.

L16: A bit more power than an A15, the L16 is good choice if you obtain one inexpensively.

L18 is a big power boost over an A15:

L20B fitted:

LZ Engine: A super-rare racing engine was the LZ20 twin-cam, fitted to 1200 racing cars.

See main article: [LZ engine]]

LZ20 DOHC engine

Crossmember

You can modify the 1200 crossmember: Have the mounts trimmed to an angle simular to that of a 200B, then cut the 200B mounts in 1/2 to finish the job and locate the motor lower and improve the mounting angles. A 910 Bluebird L20B sump fits almost perfect, reshape it with a hammer a little just so it will clear the 1200 crossmember, maybe 1/2cm.

If using other sumps, you may need to do the following:

Remove notch from Datsun 1200 xmember
Reshape sump to clear the drag link

NOTE: These do not fit a 1200:

Stanza/510 A10 crossmember
120Y B210 crossmember
510 crossmember

Engine Sump

L20B Bluebird or 200B sump and oil pick up to allow motor to sit as low as possible.

Datsun A10 (Stanza/510) sump and oil pump pickup are the most forward type that is available, so they fit the 1200 best.
Most L20B sumps are same as A10
Datsun 200B uses mid-sump type
Datsun 1600 and Datsun 180B sump is slightly more rearward

Sumps and pickups can be interchanged, but the blocks may need to be drilled for the dipstick.

Rear Crossmember

Rear crossmember (Transmission Mount)

Transmission

63-series transmissiosn for L Engine fit quite snuggly in the standard Datsun 1200 manual tunnel. Transmissions for Z engine and L engine bolt to either engine but the L engine is slanted by about 10 degrees, so it affects the angle the shifter comes out.

engine tilt
Note the CA Engines have a different bell pattern so their gearboxes do not fit the L Engine.

Using a stubby transmission will line up with the 1200 shifter hole. It is about 5 or 6 inches shorter than the more common L-engine transmissions. These are also called shorty, stumpy, or short-tailed.

Stubby is ~26.3 inches -- same length as Datsun 510 automatic transmission

4-speed stubby gearboxes are common:

1968-1973 Datsun 510 ("1600") F4W63

5-speed stubby gearboxes comes from:

1981-1985 R30 Skyline with L24 six-cylinder engine
1977-1979 200SX USA S10 (L-series engine, FS5W63 "smoothcase" dogleg)
1968-1973 PL510 (L-series engine, F4W63 "bottom pan")
720 FS5W71B "ribbed case" used on certain 720 4X4s (long wheelbase?)
- Z-engined series
- may have had an L series in 1980 only

Comparo

Regular
- ~31.5 inches overall transmission length
- transmission extension housing about same length as (front) transmission case
- From the bottom front of the bell housing to the cross member bolts is ~21-1/2"

Stubby
- ~26.3 inches overall transmission length
- transmission extension housing about 5" shorter than transmission case

Or use a standard L-engine tranmission. The only bit of cutting wil be 1/2 of the gearstick hole but that can be welded that back in the other side to make the factory rubber shifter gasket fit back in. You can see it here:

Comparo: Stubby vs Regular transmission
Notice the shifter location (top part of picture)

Photo Gallery: L Engine transmission comparison photos at Ratsun.net

Clutch

L Engine transmissions use a hydraulic clutch. For LHD 1200s, just connect the existing hose to the new transmission.

Changing the clutch over to hydraulic from the Datsun 1200 cable system. You can use a Clutch Master Cylinder from Stanza A10. Put a hole through the firewall with a hole saw and bolt it up. Its very close to the brake master cylinder. Straighten the clutch pedal at the top so that it pivots correctly.

Also see for more ideas: Hydraulic Clutch

L20B Swap

The L20B is a 2-liter four cylinder engine. Not to be confused with the L20 six cylinder. The L20B is about 19mm taller than other L-series fours.

no holes cut
just panel beat the lower corners of the front of the tunnel with a hammer, as the L series is wider
modify the engine mounts and make a crossmember
- 1200 crossmember had the mounts trimmed to an angle simular to that of an 810, then cut the 810 mounts in 1/2 to finish the job and locate the motor lower and improve the mounting angles.
810 oil sump is a near-perfect fit in the 1200, reshape it a little just so it will clear the crossmember, maybe 1/2cm with a hammer

fitting the radiator in isn't a problem. you'll need a thermostat-controlled fan in front of the radiator (i.e. on the grill side)

L20B Sources

Datsun 200B 810 Australia model with L20B engine
Datsun 620 Pickup USA (1976-1979)
Datsun 200SX (S10)
Datsun 720 Pickup (1980)
Datsun/Nissan 910 Bluebird
Nissan Skyline C210 2000GT, 2000GT-EX (L20ET)
Nissan Leopard F30 L20E, L20ET

Swap Notes

Engine fitment: It is a tight fit

Remove front and rear crossmembers
Lift car over engine and gearbox
Replace crossmembers

Clearance the 1200 manual tunnel:

Datsun 510 (1600) headers reportedly fit well in a 1200.

When using a 63-series 5-speed, you can use Datsun 1200 Manual tailshaft.

Use an electric fan, as there usually is not enough room for standard engine-driven fan.

New struts are not required. The L Engine is not that much heavier than a 1200, so you can modify slightly heavier springs to fit the Datsun 1200 struts. Or just let the extra weight lower your 1200 a bit.

If you plan to drive faster, and so want to fit bigger brakes, see Brake Upgrades.