![[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]](/wiki/upload/wiki.png)
L-series distributors are nearly the same as A-series but uses a spacer/riser to mount to the engine (the pedestal). J-series is like the L-series in using a slotted tang drive, but uses a thin pedestal. It is more like the A-series in that the shaft has no tang, but the tang is in the drive-end.
Contents |
Overview
Differences from A-series:
- Require a "pedestal" or "base" (Distributor Support) that bolts to the engine, and the distributor is inserted into
- Clocked differently (timing plate tab is at a different position on the otherwise-identical distributor body)
- Has a tang-drive shaft (A-series has a plain shaft with gear fitted)
Because the L-series uses an offset-slotted drive, it can be fitted in only one position. This makes getting the correct pedestal and timing plate very important. It is possible to remove and "re-index" the driveshaft inside the engine, but not recommened.
Types
L-series early points: D4n small cap L-series late points: D4A large cap L-series early EI: D4F remote ignitor type L-series late EFI: D4K matchbox type Z-series 4-plug: D4K matchbox type Z-series 8-plug: D4N
Support
The distributor support or base is sometimes called the "pedestal".
SUPPORT-DISTRIBUTOR
L-Series
Because the L-series uses an offset-slotted drive, it can be fitted in only one position. This makes getting the correct pedestal and timing plate very important. It is possible to remove and "re-index" the drive shaft inside the engine, but is not recommended because it will make future adjustments or repairs non-standard. The next mechanic may think the engine is put together incorrectly.
It seems the pedestal must match the distributor type, and not the engine? In other words, L16/L18/L20B use the same pedestal when using a Matchbox distributor, but a different pedestal for a points distributor. The pedestals are clocked differently, and the fixing bolt is in a different location.
NOTE: There are 2 versions of the Matchbox distributor. If wrong pedestal is used the rotor will point in between the number 1 and 3 plug wires at TDC.
IMPORTANT: The timing plate should match the pedestal. There are three or four different plates for L-series engines. If you don't have the right one, you can #modify the plate.
Here's what the plates look like for the original distributors. When swapping distributors you may need a different plate for the same engine.
22178-21000 small cap distributors (4-cyl & 6-cyl)
22178-U6000 large cap D4A/D6A, D4F/D6F, D4K/D6K some matchbox
with or without extra tab
22178-S6700 some matchbox
Z-series
Z18/Z20/Z22 22178-W7001 8-plug USA/JDM 4-plug USA 22178-W3800 4-plug JDM
Z24 uses no pedestal, only a unique timing plate:
Z24I - no support used * WD21 * GC22 * 720
North America
A10 22178-U6000 L20B -0678 D4F remote ignitor 22178-S6700 L20B 0778- D4K matchbox 22178-W7001 Z20S fed 4-plug (uses boomerang plate)
510 22178-21000
521 22178-21000 L16
610 22178-21000 1973 L16/L18 [matching timing plate is L16] 22178-U6000 1974- L20B [matching timing plate is like A14]
620 22178-21000 1972 L16 22178-U6000 1974- L18/L20B
710 22178-U6000 L18/L20B
720 22178-S6700 L20B 22178-W7001 Z20/Z22/Z24 810 22178-U6000 L24E
910 22178-S6700 L24E
S10 22178-U6000 L20B D4A/D4F/D4K
S30 22178-21000 L24 22178-U6000 L26/L28E
S110 22178-W7001 Z20E/Z22E * 4-plug Z20E FED ell plate * 8-plug Z20E CAL wiggly plate * 8-plug Z22E
S130 22178-S6700 L28E * L28ET uses no support
Application
22178-U6000 L-series * A10 L20B -0678 D4F * 610 L20B * 620 L18/L20B D4A/D4F/D4K * 710 L18/L20B * 810 L24E * S10 L20B D4A/D4F/D4K * S30 L26/L28E D6F/D6K
22178-S6700 L-series * A10 L20B 0778- D4K * 720 L20B * 910 L24E * S130 L28E (L28ET uses no support)
22178-W7001 Z-series * 720 Z20/Z22/Z24 * S110 Z20E/Z22E * A10 Z20S fed 4-plug
Japan
NOTE: Some L20 use a no-support type distributor.
JAPAN 720 22178-21000 L18 points 22178-W3800 Z16/Z18 points 4-plug
C31 22178-S6700 L20S/L20ET D4K matchbox FAT 22178-U6000 L20S/L20E/L28E ? 22178-W7001 Z18S/Z18P/Z20S 8-PLUG
F30 22178-U6000 L20E/L28E (some use Z24I style distributor) 22178-W7001 Z18S 8-PLUG points/EI
R30 22178-W3800 Z18S 4-plug points triangular 22178-W7001 Z20E/Z18S 8-PLUG points
910 22178-21000 L16S D4n 22178-W3800 Z16S 22178-W7001 Z16S/Z18S/Z18P/Z18E/Z18ET/Z20S/Z20E 8-PLUG
Application
22178-21000 L-series points * 720 L18 * 910 L16S
22178-W3800 4-PLUG * E24 Z20 * D21 Z16S/Z18S/Z20S * TC22 Z20S * W40 Z22S * 720 Z16/Z18 * 910 Z16S * E23 Z18/Z20 * F22 Z16/Z20 * H40 Z20S/Z20D (Atlas cabover) * R30 Z18S
22178-S6700 matchbox FAT * C31 L20S/L20ET
22178-U6000 * C31 L20S/L20E/L28E * F30 L20E/L28E
22178-W7001 Z-series * E24/WE24/910/C120/C31/E23/F30/R30/S110
Mismatches
It is tricky to make the wrong plate work.
https://ratsun.net/topic/49183-72-510-going-to-ei-distributor
http://nwde.ratsun.net/nwde/archive/3103.htm
http://community.ratsun.net/topic/44014-wrong-distributor-adjustment-plate
Here are two L16 plates on top of each other. They differ by a fraction of an inch, to match the bolt hole on the later distributor
If you don't have the right plate, you can slot it with a hacksaw to make it fit the newer distributor
Fixing Plate
Timing plate
Early L16 small-cap points distributor (Hitachi D40/D41 type) 22180-21000
These are plate for original-application use. When swapping distributors, you may need to use a 6-cylinder plate on a 4-cylinder, depending on which of the four distributor types you have