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In USA, starting with 1975 California B210 models, a fully-transistorized Electronic Ignition was fitted, adapted from the 240Z. It is commonly called the "Remote Ignitor" distributor, and was expanded to all USA models in 1978. It is of the Hitachi D4F type. This was used by other 1975-1978 Datsuns in USA and Canada (including L20B engine).
Contents |
Advantages
- stealth. Looks very much like a factory 1200 point setup
- Larger cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid climates)
Late model cap (left) versus smaller Datsun 1200 cap (right)
- High-energy spark -- uses full 12V coil (no ballast resistor)
- No points to wear out, no dwell to adjust
Overview
The B210 EI uses the same distributor housing as with other A14 engines (same as points-type).
The 1978 distributor. Looks very similar to the stock B110 distributor.
This distributor is factory stock on all 1978 Datsun B-210 (USA versions).
Using the B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap in other A-series engines is a fairly simple swap:
- If using in an A10 or older A12, perform the usual minor modification needed to put a 1974-up distributor in a pre-1974 engine. See Using Newer Distributor
- Set the engine to TDC, remove old distributor and insert new distributor, in correct timing
- Bolt the control unit somewhere. For reliabilty it should be inside the cabin for protection from dampness and vibration
- This step makes the B-210 swap a bit more difficult than the B310 Electronic Distributor Swap
- Wire the control unit to the coil and IGN+ (3 wires)
Identification
When you remove the cap, you can see the unique angle-pickup and reluctor of the Hitachi D4F system.
Further identification is by looking at the control module, located under the dash on the kick panel.
NOTE:
- 1978 USA models used a high energy ignition module with full 12V coil
- Also used by all GFU models (5-speed, which was introduced Dec 1976)
22020-H7281
- COIL: 22433-H7280 or 22433-H7285
- 1978 Canadian models low energy module, and a ballast resistor with the coil (Ballast Resistor type)
- 1976-1977 CAL Used a Ballast Resistor type. These earlier control units have screw-type terminals, as opposed to push-on connector for the 1978 controller.
22020-F1703
- COIL: 22488-H7301/22488-H7302 or 22448-H7311/22448-H7312
- 1975 California models used a dual-resistor ballast. Both primary and secondary coil terminals were wired into it.
22020-U6800
- COIL: same as 1976-1977
The distributor with Ballast Resistor looks the same. While the resistor setup is better than stock (it eliminates the points) ... if you have a choice you definitely want the high energy setup. I'm guessing you could use the 1975-1977 distributor and control unit along with a 12V coil and no resistor, but don't know for sure whether the controller will handle the higher coil load.
Parts Needed
When buying/looking for a setup like this, get:
- distributor + rotor & cap (or buy new cap & rotor, it's the same as all later models)
- control unit. A new control unit is about $175-$200 USD, so be sure to get the used one
-
- (optional) as much of the wiring harness as you want. At least the control wiring plug makes it easy. The rest is just wires
- Matching coil. You can probably use any coil with the right ohms
Mechanical
1. Modify distributor hold-down bracket to fit 1971-1973 A-type engines. The mounting bracket on newer distributors needs a slot cut with a hacksaw. See the Using Newer Distributor article.
2. Remove old distributor, Insert new distributor. And of course, set initial timing. See the Ignition Timing article.
Mounting the control Unit
On a factory install, the 'black box' for the B210 distributor mounts inside the car on the right kick panel. So it may be important to keep the box away from moisture, excessive vibration or high underhood temperatures. The box is called the "Hitachi Transistor Ignition Unit" (aka TIU/T.I.U./electronic ignition module/control module).
The odd-looking junction box is not really necessary to use, but is handy to connect the "inside" wiring with the "outside" wiring.
Wiring
Ah, wiring is the beautiful part of this swap, especially if you get a cut of the wiring harness when you purchase your distributor. But if you don't, it's still easy to hook up the wires.
wiring - connect it as shown here if you don't have the wiring harness
- Remove the standard low-energy coil and ballast resistor, then bolt the 12V coil in its place
- One side of the 1200's original ballast resistor has a 12V IGN feed, so connect the TIU black wire to this original wire (Black/white) and then both to the coil + side
| TIU B (Black) | Ground/Earth |
| TIU B/W (Black/White) | coil + (IGN) |
| TIU L (Blue) | coil - |
| TIU R (Red) | dizzy R |
| TIU G (Green) | dizzy G |
| distributor R | TIU R |
| distributor G | TIU G |
- NOTE: California models routed the power through an relay (ignition relay). I'm not sure how it is wired, but you can simply just not use the relay and wire it as shown here.
Adjustment
No periodic adjustment is required. Before or after installation, set the Air Gap to .008 to .016 inch (smaller than a points gap).
Air Gap: 8-16 thousands inch (.2 to .4 mm)
At tune-up intervals, check the condition:
- Air Gap
- Vacuum Advance module (does it leak)?
- Bearing plate? Move smoothly?
- Inspect Cap & Rotor, wash if dirty. Replace if burn marks found in cap.
Part Numbers
Distributor:
- D4FB-03 7904 22100-H3760 (and others)
- Cap (same as later points ignition): Standard Motor Products JH-63X/JH-63T/JH-63
Coil
ASSY-IGNITION COIL HITACHI 22433-H7280 FED,CAL 0877 22433-H7280 FED(GFU) 1276- 22488-H7302 CAL 0277-0777 <> 22448-H7301 22448-H7301 CAL -0177 22448-H7208 FED 0277-0777 <> 22448-H7207 [Points] 22448-H7207 FED 0875-0177 <> 22448-H7206 [Points] 22448-H7206 FED -0775 [Points] HANSHIN 22433-H7285 FED(GFU) -1276 22433-H7285 FED,CAL 0877- 22448-H7312 CAL 0277-0777 <> 22448-H7311 22448-H7311 CAL -0177 22448-H7217 FED 0875-0177 <> 22448-H7206 [Points]
COIL IGNITION 22462-H7310 CAL 0277- 22462-N7110 FED 0277-
22460-H7210 RESISTOR FED -0277 22460-H7310 RESISTOR CAL -0277
For the 1978 unit (high energy)
Coil: 12V non-resistor:
- Nissan 22433-H7280
- CIT-30/STC-30
- Primary Resistance at 20C (68F): 0.84 to 1.02 ohms
- Secondary Resistance at 20C (68F): 8.2 to 12.4 Kohms
- Bosch 00200
- Beck/Arnley 1800039
- AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584)
- Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T
- Airtex/Wells 5C1017
- Primary 200 Scale .7 - 1.4
- Secondary 200 Scale 9.0k - 15.5k
- 12321584, 22433-AA140, 22433-H7280, 22433-H7285, 22433-KA040, 22433-P7500, 22433-P7510, 22433-V0801, 22433-V0821, 22448-P9000, 22448-V0801, 22448-V0821, 429887900, 802518100, 88921271, 8942483450, C840, MD013789, MD025702, MD025703
- Coil: 12V non-resistor
- Bosch 00200, Beck/Arnley 1800039, AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584), Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRYSLER | --- | CHRYSLER VEHICLES | 84-82 |
| CHRYSLER IMPORTS | --- | CHRYSLER IMPORT VEHICLES | 82,79 |
| SAPPORO | 82-80 | ||
| DODGE | --- | CHALLENGER | 82-80 |
| COLT | 81-80 | ||
| DODGE CARS | 84-81 | ||
| DODGE LIGHT TRUCK | --- | CARAVAN / GRAND CARAVAN | 84 |
| PICKUP - FULLSIZE / RAMCHARGER | 81-80 | ||
| PICKUP - MINI | 82 | ||
| ISUZU | --- | IMPULSE | 89-83 |
| MAZDA | --- | 808 | 77-75 |
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 81-78 |
| 210 | 82-79 | ||
| 280 SERIES | 83-79 | ||
| 310 | 81-79 | ||
| 510 | 80-78 | ||
| 810 | 81-78 | ||
| B210 | 78-77 | ||
| F10 | 78 | ||
| MAXIMA | 84-82 | ||
| PICKUP | 80-78 | ||
| PULSAR | 84 | ||
| PULSAR NX | 83 | ||
| SENTRA | 87-84 | ||
| PLYMOUTH | --- | ARROW | 80 |
| CHAMP | 81-80 | ||
| PLYMOUTH VEHICLES | 83-81 | ||
| RELIANT | 84 | ||
| VOYAGER / GRAND VOYAGER | 84 |
Cap
The Hitachi D4F cap also fits Hitachi D4A points ignition and Hitachi D4K electronic ignition. A-series, L-series and Z-series four plug use the same cap. Also fits Subaru, Honda and Isuzu with one of the above Hitachi types.
Part Number and aftermarket caps interchange, but differ by color, type of terminals (brass vs aluminum), cap finish material, presence or abscence of anti-tracking bosses inside, resistor type, vent/no vent, etc.
- Nissan 22162-19M01 CAP ASSY $36.48 USD
- superceded 22162-19M00, 22162-U6004, 22162-U6003, 22162-U6002, 22162-U6001
- Standard Motor Products JH-63/JH97 (aluminum terminals)
- Standard Motor Products JH-63X (Blue?)
- Standard Motor Products JH-63T/JH97T
- Bosch 03107 (resistor type) (or cap & rotor set: Bosch 06054) F2010-13140
- Niehoff WA435CS
- Beck/Arnley 1743145/1746544
- BWD C561/C561P
- AC/Delco E386(12321929)/E374
- Mighty 6343
- Nissan 22162-AA020
- 30102657005
- JA918
- AirTex/Wells 5D1172
- Master Pro 2-4825
Fits Nissan:
- 1977-1979 with L20B
- 1980 200SX with Z20E
- 1974-1979 620 PICKUP
- 1979-1982 210
- 1974-1977 710
- 1979-1981 310
- 1980 720 PICKUP
- 1978-1980 510
- 1974-1978 B210
- 1974-1976 610
- 1976-1978 F10
Also Fits:
- Isuzu 1983 - 1986 IMPULSE
- Honda 1976 ACCORD
- Honda 1975 - 1976 CIVIC
- Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL
- Subaru 1986 - 1987 RX
- Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL-10
- Subaru 1986 - 1987 XT
Vacuum Advance
All 1974-1982 USA model B210 and B310 use the same vacuum advance modules. Advance varies slightly by year and model. Some are advance/retard units. See Datsun Factory Service Manual for details.
See Late-model Vacuum Advance for part numbers.
Breaker Plate
- 22136-M5600 Breaker A12A Canada (points type)
- 22136-H9501 PLATE ASSY-BREAKER (IC Type Hitachi) (formerly 22136-Q1700) $73.08
Rotor
Rotor is same as points ignition, 1974 up:
- Standard Motor Products JR-79X/JR-79/JR-79T
- Bosch 04095, F2020-13435
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HONDA | --- | ACCORD | 76 |
| CIVIC | 76-75 | ||
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 81-77 |
| 210 | 82-79 | ||
| 260 SERIES | 74 | ||
| 280 SERIES | 78-75 | ||
| 310 | 82-79 | ||
| 510 | 80-78 | ||
| 610 | 77-74 | ||
| 620 PICKUP | 77-74 | ||
| 710 | 77-74 | ||
| 810 | 78-77 | ||
| B210 | 78-74 | ||
| F10 | 78-76 | ||
| PICKUP | 80-76 | ||
| PULSAR | 85-84 | ||
| PULSAR NX | 86 | ||
| SENTRA | 86-82 | ||
| SUBARU | --- | SEDAN, COUPE, WAGON | 85 |
| XT | 85 |
Daiichi F2020-18361
| Model | Year Range | Engine | Chassis | Transmission |
| Honda Accord 1.6 | 1976 | EF1 | SJ_ | 5MT,HMT |
| Honda Civic 1.5 2 Door/3 Door | 1975 - 1976 | ED_ | SG_ | |
| Honda Civic 1.5 Wagon | 1975 - 1976 | ED_ | WB_ | 4MT,HMT |
| Nissan B210 1.3 | 1973 - 1974 | A13 | B210 | |
| Nissan B210 1.4 | 1974 - 1978 | A14 | B210 | |
| Nissan F10 1.4 | 1976 - 1978 | A14 | F10 | |
| Nissan Pulsar and Pul. NX 1.6 | 1983 - 1986 | E16 | N12 | 5MT,3AT |
| Nissan 620 Pickup 1.8 | 1973 - 1974 | L18 | 620 | 4MT,3AT |
| Nissan 620 Pickup 2.0 | 1974 - 1979 | L20B | 620 | |
| Nissan 720 Pickup 2.0 | 1979 - 1980 | L20B | 720 | |
| Nissan Sentra 1.5 | 1982 - 1983 | E15 | B11 | |
| Nissan Sentra 1.6 | 1983 - 1986 | E16 | B11 | |
| Nissan 200SX 2.0 | 1976 - 1979 | L20B | S10 | |
| Nissan 200SX 2.0 | 1979 - 1980 | Z20E | S110 | |
| Nissan 210 1.2 | 1979 - 1982 | A12 | B310 | |
| Nissan 210 1.4 | 1978 - 1982 | A14 | B310 | |
| Nissan 210 1.5 | 1978 - 1982 | A15 | B310 | |
| Nissan 260Z 2.6 | 1973 - 1974 | L26 | S30 | |
| Nissan 280Z 2.8 | 1974 - 1978 | L28E | S30 | |
| Nissan 310 1.4 | 1978 - 1980 | A14 | N10 | |
| Nissan 310 1.5 OHV | 1980 - 1981 | A15 | N10 | |
| Nissan 310 1.5 SOHC | 1981 - 1982 | E15 | N10 | |
| Nissan 510 2.0 | 1977 - 1979 | L20B | A10 | |
| Nissan 510 2.0 | 1979 - 1980 | Z20S | A10 | |
| Nissan 610 2.0 | 1973 - 1976 | L20B | 610 | |
| Nissan 710 1.8 | 1973 - 1974 | L18 | 710 | |
| Nissan 710 2.0 | 1974 - 1977 | L20B | 710 | |
| Nissan 810 2.4 | 1976 - 1978 | L24E | 810 | |
| Subaru 4WD Turbo excluding Brat | 1983 - 1984 | EA81T | AM5,AW5 | 3AT |
| Subaru Brat 1.8 Turbo Pickup | 1983 - 1984 | EA81T | AT55B | 3AT |
| Subaru Leone/Loyale Turbo 4WD | 1985 | EA82T | A10/A11 |
Pickup
- LX-507
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | --- | 280 SERIES | 78-75 |
| 810 | 78-77 | ||
| B210 | 78-75 |
Control Module
Ignition control module (ICM)
- Nissan 22020-H7281 UNIT-TRANSISTOR IGNITION (HITACHI E12
- marked 'Hitachi E12-27 12V 7298'
- 1978 B210
- 620 0877-0678
- Airtex/Wells 6H1202
- 22020-H7281, 88921666, JA114
- Standard Motor Products/Intermotor/Ultrapower: LX-513
- 12334610, 22020-H7281, D302, E1909
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 78 |
| 280 SERIES | 78 | ||
| 510 | 80,78 | ||
| 810 | 78 | ||
| B210 | 78-77 | ||
| F10 | 78 | ||
| PICKUP | 78 |
620 Pickup unit was marked 'E12 - 27 12V 7X15', is this the same???
Contactor
LX-699
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 78-77 |
| 210 | 81-80 | ||
| 280 SERIES | 78-75 | ||
| 610 | 76-75 | ||
| 620 PICKUP | 78-76 | ||
| 710 | 77-75 | ||
| 810 | 78-77 | ||
| B210 | 78-75 | ||
| F10 | 79-76 |
Older Modules
UNIT-TRANSISTOR IGNITION 22020-H7281 CAL+FED.0877- FED(GFU).1276- 22020-F1703 CAL 0775-0777 <> 22020-U6800 22020-U6800 CAL -0675
- 1977 Federal Module: LX-512. Use with coil UF-4
- NISSAN --- 280 SERIES: 77-75
75-77 Federal, Canada 280Z
- 22020-U6800 UNIT-TRANSISTOR IGNITION (HITACHI E12
- CAL 620 0875-0777
- B210 1975-77 California Module: LX-511. use with coil UF-5
- 280Z 75 California and Hi-Altitude models
- 280Z 76-77 California
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 77 |
| 280 SERIES | 77-75 | ||
| 610 | 77-76 | ||
| 710 | 77-76 | ||
| 810 | 77 | ||
| B210 | 77-75 | ||
| F10 | 77-76 | ||
| PICKUP | 77-76 |
- Coil older UF-5
| Make | --- | Model | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN | --- | 200 SERIES | 79-77 |
| 260 SERIES | 74 | ||
| 280 SERIES | 78-75 | ||
| 610 | 77-76 | ||
| 710 | 77-76 | ||
| 810 | 77 | ||
| B210 | 77-75 | ||
| F10 | 77-76 | ||
| PICKUP | 77-76 |