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In USA, starting with 1975 California B210 models, a fully-transistorized ignition was fitted, adapted from the 240Z. It was expanded to all USA models in 1978. Using the B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap in other A-series engines is a fairly simple swap:
- The usual minor modification needed to put a 1974-up distributor in a 1971-1973 A-type engine
- remove old distributor and insert new distributor
- bolt the control unit somewhere. Supposedly it should be inside the cabin.
- This step makes the B-210 swap a bit more difficult than the B310 Distributor Swap
- Wire the control unit to the coil and IGN+ (3 wires)
Contents |
Identification
It uses the same distributor housing as with other A14 engines.
The 1978 distributor. Looks very similar to the stock B110 distributor.
This distributor is factory stock on 1978 Datsun B-210 (North American version of the B210).
NOTE:
- 1978 Canadian models used a ballast resistor with the coil
- 1977 models used a resistor
- 1976 California models used this setup, but with resistor
The type with 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 1976-1977 or Canada distributor and control unit along with a 12V coil and no resistor, but don't know for sure.
- 1975 Californa models used a dual-resistor ballast. Both primary and secondary coil terminals were wired into it. The 1975 control unit has screw-type terminals, as opposed to push-on terminals for the 1978 controller.
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
- 12V coil. You can probably use any 12V coil with the right ohms
Advantages
- stealth. Looks very much like a factory 1200 point setup
- Larger cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid climates)
- High-energy spark -- uses full 12V coil (no ballast resistor)
- No points to wear out, no dwell to adjust
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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-
<li>Remove the standard low-energy coil and ballast resistor, then bolt the 12V coil in its place</li>
<li>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</li>
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.
Part Numbers
Distributor:
- D4FB-03 7904 22100-H3760(and others)
Coil
Coil: 12V non-resistor:
- Nissan 22433-H7280
- Bosch 00200
- Beck/Arnley 1800039
- AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584)
- Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T
Make Model</TD> Year </TR>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 </TABLE>
Cap
The cap is same as points ignition, 1974 up:
- Standard Motor Products JH-63X/JH-63T/JH-63
- Bosch 03107 (or cap & rotor set: Bosch 06054) F2010-13140
- Niehoff WA435CS
- Beck/Arnley 1743145/1746544
- BWD C561/C561P
- AC/Delco E386/E374
Fits Nissan:
- 1977-1980 200SX
- 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
$35-$40 at RockAuto.com. $20-up eBay.
- AIRTEX 4V1174/4V1179/4V1150
- Standard Motor Product VC506/VC469/VC483/VC436
All fit 1974-1982, but advance varies slightly by year and model. Some are advance/retard units. See Datsun Factory Service Manual for details.
Possible Fit: Standard Motor Product- VC508 Nissan 720 Pickup 84-83
- VC506 Nissan 210 80
- VC505 Nissan Stanza 82
- VC504 Nissan Stanza 82
- VC503 Nissan 510 80
- VC502 (Advance/Retard) Nissan 310 81
- VC499 (Advance/Retard) Nissan Sentra 83
- VC498 (Advance/Retard) Nissan Sentra 1982
- VC497 Nissan 620 Pickup 77-75 . Nissan B210 76-75
- VC495 Nissan B210 74
- VC492 Nissan 280Z 77, Nissan 810 78-77
- VC489 Nissan 510 79
- VC486 Nissan 310 81-80
- VC485 Nissan B210 77-76, Nissan F10 77-76
- VC483 Nissan Nissan B210 78-77, Nissan F10 78-77
- VC482 Nissan 720 Pickup 84-83
- VC481 Nissan B210 76-75
- VC469 Nissan 210 80-79, Nissan B210 78-77
- VC466 Nissan 720 Pickup 82-81
- VC463 Nissan Pulsar NX 85-83, Nissan Sentra 85-83
- VC437 (Advance/Retard) Nissan 210 80
- VC436 Nissan 210 82-79, Nissan 310 80-79, Nissan B210 78, Nissan F10 78
- VC351 Nissan 280Z 77, Nissan 280ZX 79, Nissan 810 78-77
- VC350 Nissan Stanza 84-83
- VC284 (Advance/Retard) (1978 Honda Accord)
- VC285 Nissan Stanza 86-85
Rotor
Rotor is same as points ignition, 1974 up:
- Standard Motor Products JR-79X/JR-79/JR-79T
- Bosch 04095, F2020-13435
Late model cap (left) versus smaller Datsun 1200 cap (right)