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Contents |
North America
In North America, the B210 was marketed as the "B-210" (with a hyphen) or B210 (without). NOTE: It was not the 210, that is a newer Datsun.
Also See: * Emission Controls * A-series Engine Changes
Serial Numbers
1974 Model years * HLB210-000001 to ~070000 * HLB210-400000 to ~510000
1975 Model Year * HLB210-070001 to ~140000 * HLB210-510001 to ~710000 1975 Standard Model * starting with HLB210-578528 and mixed among deluxe models
1976 Model Year * HLB210-140001 to ~184390? * HLB210-710001 to ~793936?
1977 Model Year * HLB210-184391 to ~233661? * HLB210-793937 to ~830000 * HLB210-870216 to ~900000 * HLB210-922771 to ~999999
1978 Model Year * HLB210-233662 to ~310000 * HLB210-353322 to ~400000
1974
For the 1974 Model Year the goals were:
- conforming to anti-pollution regulations
- EGR added
- Air Compensator now standard
- requirements of FMVSS
- notably large heavy bumpers
- starter interlock
One of the most obvious changes from the B110 -- other than the all-new sheet metal -- is the large 5-mph "park bench" safety bumpers of the type fitted to all 1974 USA autos.
Since both affected performance, only the high-grade A13 engine was offered (model HLB210) to keep performance on par with the lighter Datsun 1200.
A13 Engine for USA market: see wikipedia:Nissan A engine.
- New 1974 A Engine Redesign common to all A-engines
- Tall-block engine (like A14) 30 mm higher than previous A12
- 77 mm stroke, up from 70 in A12 engine. Bore same as before
Also causing some consternation was an incredibly complicated starter interlock. A seven-input (!) transistor "brain box" prevented the engine from being started if the driver's seat was occupied but the belt unfastened.
Seat belts for 1974 were 3-point, but unlike B110 the shoulder belt is semi-permanently fastened to the seat buckle (no need for a zip tie). Also the inboard belts have a round flexible-wire design so they don't fall down around the seats when not in use. This is a good swap for the B110 belts.
1975
For 1975, the main design points were:
- Introduction of the California-destined model (Chassis Code suffix 'N')
- Introduction of factory Air conditioning. Previously, only dealer-installed Aircon was available
- As usual, emission and safety requirement changes
Because of the performance-robbing emission and weight-gain changes in the USA market, the larger A14 Engine was adopted to keep performance on par with last year's model. This triggered a cascade of parts changes, including:
- Intro of A14 Engine
- stronger 4-speed 60-Series Transmission instead of the 56-series fitted to A12 engines. It has a higher first gear
- Heavier clutch to handle increased engine torque output (now 794 lbs, up from 694 lbs for A13 engine)
- stronger H150 differential
- New axle housing
- shorter Propeller Shaft
- 140 mm (5.55") wider Radiator core
- Fan Shroud now standard equipment
- Longer front coil springs
- stiffer rubber Engine Mounts
- Automatic Transmission changed from air-cooling to water cooling
- Intro of Air Pump to Sunny family
- Cylinder head recast with air passage to each exhaust port
- Port for anti-backfire valve added to Intake manifold
- Evaporative changes from crankcase-storage to charcoal canister
- Intro of spark delay valve
- Leaner carb settings:
- Improved heating duct
- PTC Automatic Choke
- Larger exhaust stove from 610 adopted
- Remove engine compartment heat from engine
- Intro of fresh-air ducted air cleaner
- Two-stage Idle Compensator
- Heat Shielding:
- plate around carb
- insulator between throttle body and center body
- shield between intake and exhaust manifolds
- stainless bolts in carb (to lessen heat transfer)
- stainless bolts for manifold mounting
California Model: In 1975, California had a population of 20+ million. This size made it a very important market to international companies, so when California legislated the strictest emission limits in the world, the automakers said "Yes, Sir!"
- Intro of catalytic converter, which made the following needed:
- Modified fuel filler and hose
- Modified floor pan
- Modified driver's seat (thinner, and cutaway on inside). Driver's inner seat belt also redesigned slightly
- Converter Floor temperature warning lamp
- Floor insulation (full jute padding)
- Routing of fuel, brake and EVAPO tubes rerouted under car: Along outside stiffener instead of in tunnel
- Exhaust piping insulators
- Intro of fully-transistorized ignition, adapted from 240Z. See B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap
- Altitude compensator (for high-altitude markets within California)
Safety:
- bumper overriders add (rubber bumperettes, a la B110) to meet the Cost Saving Act. 1974 models had 'smooth' bumpers
- Illuminated light switch introduction
- Brake Hose Marking (FMVSS No. 106)
- Bumper height requirements (FMVSS No. 215), raised ~ 2 inches
Misc:
- 50A Alternator (LT150-19) now fitted instead of 35A
- Adoption of 610 Voltage Regulator (TL1Z-82)
- Engine crossmember clearnanced slightly for aircon compressor
Cool Changes for 1975:
- Wood-grain shift knob (Canada only)
- Three-spoke steering wheel (Canada only)
- Speedometer with trip meter now standard!
- Door Mirror mounted 100 mm forward relative to 1974 model
- Intro of ingition relay switch (California only), no more burned switches?
1975 Standard Model
In the height of the Fuel Crisis and economic problems, Nissan introduced for the first time to the american market a Standard (base) model Sunny. It was a low-cost 2-dr sedan.
Standard models have an 'S' suffix in the model number
This also marked the introduction of the B-210 Deluxe name (fitted to all existing sedans), to differentiate it from the new standard model sedan.
This is the difference, among other deletions, this equipment is not fitted:
- Wheel covers (no hubcaps!)
- Spare tire cover
- Trunk mat
- Cigarette lighter (blind plug fitted)
- Speedometer trip meter
- Rear window defogger switch (blind plug fitted)
- Carpet (only Mat). California still gets carpet :-)
- Arm rest (pull handle is fitted)
- Door trim moulding
- Rear side moulding
- Rear seat ashtray
- Wiper blade high-speed fin (uses basic type from 620 truck)
- Door lamp switch for assitant side
- Console box
- Non-glare glass (optional on Deluxe)
- Chrome moulding for windshield
- Chrome moulding for rear window
Changed Equipment:
- Blackwall tires now fitted (optional on Deluxe models)
- Trunk finisher: hardboard instead of laminated
- Front seat is folding only, instead of reclining + forward-folding
- Interior Trim: Black or Beige only (Deluxe has Black, Blue or Brown)
- Floor trim: Black only (Black or Brown in California)
And the good part:
- 10 pounds lighter than Deluxe model 2-dr sedan
1976
- New fuel tank return line. See Fuel tank
- Wheel covers
- Sedan: silver honeycomb
- Coupe: black honeycomb
- New safety bumpers to meet FMVSS No. 215
- Lighter than 1975 bumpers
- Bumpers now Chrome plated with black end caps (instead of previously silver/gray paint)
- Coupe: Urethane side bumpers
- Sedan: Rubber side bumpers
- Front bumper sight shield: Black
- Rear bumper sight shield: Black on Coupe, Body color on Sedan
- Rear panel: Black on Coupe, Body color on Sedan
Interior
- Larger rearview mirror (7/8" longer)
- Seatbelt comfort clip (prevents belt from tighening too far)
- Steering column shell cover extend 4" back to cover wiring
- Sun visor: extended above mirror, now uses clip at center
- Package tray (except STD models)
- Hood release moved inside vehicle (as in B110)
- STD Model USA: Adds rear window defroster (wire type)
- Radio now has variable illumination
- Clock now has variable illumination
- Tachometer now uses Rectangular round-pin connector instead of previous individual wires
- Clutch Master Cyliner: New dual piston cup design
- Plastic front fender liners to prevent road debri from hitting protective fender undercoating
- New floor with swell portion for converter.
- Smaller swell than 1975 California model
- Both Seats modified (non flat bottom) to match the swell
- Lighter door guard beams
- Coupe rear panel is black-out
Suspension: New larger brakes and suspension
- Wheels welded circumferentially (new design with slots), from 610/710 models
- More space inside for larger brakes
- New 'sized-up' knuckle spindle, wheel hub & bearings -- from 610/710 models
- Strut changed to match
- New 10mm longer stroke shock absorbers
- New larger brake discs (245mm, up from 232mm) from the 1975 610 model
- New NP switch to meet FMVSS No. 105. Once the brake warning lamp lights, it stays lit.
- Brake warning lamp lights when key is in START
- Brake lines routed under floor side stiffener, not inside tunnel (away from exhaust pipe). Same as 1975 California models.
- Coupe: sporty changes for manual transmission models:
- Simulated leather 3-spoke steering wheel
- Simulated leather shifter knob
- Large rough grained console
- Coupe: sporty change for Automatic models:
- Simulated leather steering wheel
California:
- Catalytic Converter temp warning light removed
Canada only:
- New cloth seats for Deluxe models
- Speedometer now dual scale (MPH with secondary KPH scale)
- 5-speed model offered 1976.5 (USA only)
1977
Canada
- 5-speed model offered in Canada
- Speedometer: Secondary (KPH) scale changed from blue to white
Interior
- New grille design
- Chrome plated mirror introduced
- Black instrument panel
- Speedometer: New 100 MPH (formerly 120 MPH)
- New heater control panel
- Enlarged "Fasten Belts" lamp (except California)
- EGR warning lamp removed
- New console (to fit A/C) standard on USA A/T models
- 2-dr Sedan/Coupe Seats now have rear-passenger tilt lever
- Carpet is now cut pile type
- Plastic covers for front seat crossmember
- New solid-state Illumination control replaces old heat-producing type
- Passenger door switch added for dome lamp
Exterior
- New smoother bumper (less exposed bolts, only 2 or three at the ends instead of six)
- Larger overriders, with three-side front instead of flat
- New rectangular grille
- rectangle combo lamps in grille
Brakes
- New self-adjusting rear drum brakes
- Anti-salt corrosion coating on brake tubes on axle housing (CANADA only)
- Redesigned hand brake cable
Misc
- Extended fuel filter bracket
1978
- USA Speedometer now with dual scale (MPH, with secondary blue KPH scale)
- Canada speedometers moved to KPH primary (previously, MPH was primary and white KPH secondary)
- Grilles changed from dark gray to black
- Side mirrors changed to black
- Coupe only:
- center pillar painted black
- rear quarter finisher painted black
- Wiper blades: matted black for non-glare