User Login    
 + Register
  • Main navigation
Login
Username:

Password:


Lost Password?

Register now!
Fast Search
Slow Search
Google Ad


[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

B310 Electronic Distributor Swap

From Datsun 1200 Club

Datsun 1200 encyclopedia | Recent changes | Edit this page | Page history | Switch to MediaWiki mode

Printable version | Disclaimers | Privacy policy
Categories: Engine Electrical System | Ignition Modifications | Datsun B310


Using the B310 electronic distributor in other A-series engines s a very simple swap, with only one minor modification needed to put it in an older 1971-1973 A-type engine. This distributor is factory stock on 1979-1982 Datsun 210 (North American version of the B310), and is commonly known as a "matchbox" distributor for the small black electronic box bolted to the outside of the distributor.

3517.jpg
The 1980 Hitachi "matchbox" distributor on 1972 A12 engine. Note how it looks very similar to the 1971-1973 Hitachi or Mitsubishi distributor.

NOTE: This is not the same as the Hitachi electronic distributor as can be found in some New Zealand Sunnys and earlier North American B-210s. The one we are talking about here has a small 'black box' bolted on the side of the distributor.

Contents

Advantages

  • stealth. Looks very much like a factory 1200 point setup
  • Larger cap -- less chance to crossfire (important in humid climates)

  • 3516.jpg

  • High-energy spark -- uses full 12V coil (no ballast resistor)
  • No points to wear out, no dwell to adjust </ul>

    Inspection

    See: Matchbox#Inspection

    CAUTION: The mechanical parts often go bad after 20 years. 
    Inspect carefully before buying. 
    

    The good news is the electronics almost never go bad!

    Mechanical

    1. If you are working with an old-style A-series engine (1966-1973), modify the distributor hold-down bracket to fit old-style block. The mounting bracket on newer distributors needs a slot cut with a hacksaw. For details, see Using Newer Distributor.

    2. Remove old distributor, Insert new distributor. And of course, set initial timing. For details, see the Ignition Timing article.


    Wiring

    Ah, this is the easy part, 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.

    The module has two wires
    Battery
    Signal out
    24020.jpg

    1885.jpg

    Connect wiring as shown here.

    • The small black square on right side of schematic is the condensor
    • As you can see, the two wires on the distributor go to the two coil wires.
    The two wires on the distributor go to 
    + and - terminals of the coil
    
    • Remove the standard low-energy coil and ballast resistor, then bolt the 12V coil in its place
    • I believe the condensor is optional, it is to reduce radio interference. I bolted the condensor to the distributor mounting screw. Keep it away from the vibration and heat of the engine (mount it to the body panel). One end of the condensor can go to the ground spade-connector on the distributor body
    • One side of the ballast resistor has a 12V IGN feed, so connect the Black/white wire to this original wire (Black/white)


    On the distributor's black box module, the T-connector wiring is:

    • Head of T: "C" connector goes to Blue (L) wire (coil negative)
    • Stem of T: "B" connector goes to B/W wire (coil positive)

    2B1_coilwireing.jpg

    Plug Gap

    D4K can work fine with stock gap (.031 to .035 inch), but can reliably fire gaps up to .051 -- which fire the mixture better.

    Spark Plug gap specification
    
    USA 1.0 to 1.1 mm (0.039 to 0.043 inch)
    * with NGK BPR5ES-11 plugs
    * or Hitachi L46PW-11 plugs
    
    FU  1.1 to 1.3 mm (0.043 to 0.051 inch)
    * with BP5EQ-13 plugs
    * or L45PM-13 plugs
    

    Spark Curve

    When swapping distributors, will the spark curve be right?

    Actually, the weights and curves from a stock A12 distributor are not right for performance. You should calibrate every distributor if you want maximum performance.

    Otherwise, yes it will run as-is no problems. Set the static initial timing to 5 degrees BTDC for USA distributors, as they have MORE advance than non-USA distributors (which are set to 7 degrees initial). Likely you could go up to 7 or 9 degrees, but it depends on the tolerance of the individual distributor and your specific engine. In other words, don't let it ping.

    Troubleshooting

    The black matchbox controller is super-reliable, so any problems are likely to be elsewhere. For testing procedure, see Matchbox Testing.

    19607.jpg

    Part Numbers

    For non-maintenance parts see Hitachi D4K Distributor

    Cap & Rotor

    The Hitachi D4A cap & rotor also fits Hitachi D4F electronic ignition and Hitachi D4K electronic ignition. A-series, L-series and Z-series four-plug distributors use the same cap. Also fits Subaru, Honda and Isuzu with one of the above Hitachi types.

    Cap

    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

    RockAuto.com

    • Standard Motor Products JH-63X/JH-63T/JH-63
    • 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
    • Bosch 1235999104
    • 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

    Rotor

    Nissan 22157-U6091 Rotor, Distributor $10.67 USD

    Rotor is same as points ignition, 1974 up:

    • Standard Motor Products JR-79X/JR-79/JR-79T
    • Bosch 04095, F2020-13435, 1987234015
    • Lucas DRJ102C
    • Subaru 22157-AA030
    Make---ModelYear
    HONDA---ACCORD1976
    CIVIC1976-1975
    NISSAN---200 SERIES1981-1977
    2101982-1979
    260 SERIES1974
    280 SERIES1978-1975
    3101982-1979
    5101980-1978
    6101977-1974
    620 PICKUP1977-1974
    7101977-1974
    8101978-1977
    B2101978-1974
    F101978-1976
    PICKUP1980-1976
    PULSAR1985-1984
    PULSAR NX1986
    SENTRA1986-1982
    SUBARU---SEDAN, COUPE, WAGON1985
    XT1985

    Daiichi F2020-18361

     Model Year Range Engine Chassis Transmission
    Accord 1.6 1976 EF1 SJ_ 5MT,HMT
    Civic 1.5 2 Door/3 Door 1975-1976 ED_ SG_
    Civic 1.5 Wagon 1975-1976 ED_ WB_ 4MT,HMT
    B210 1.3 1973-1974 A13 B210
    B210 1.4 1974-1978 A14 B210
    F10 1.4 1976-1978 A14 F10
    Pulsar and NX 1.6 1983-1986 E16 N12 5MT,3AT
    620 Pickup 1973-1974 L18 620 4MT,3AT
    620 Pickup 1974-1979 L20B 620
    720 Pickup 1979-1980 L20B 720
    Sentra 1.5 1982-1983 E15 B11
    Sentra 1.6 1983-1986 E16 B11
    200SX 2.0 1976-1979 L20B S10
    200SX 2.0 1979-1980 Z20E S110
    210 1.2 1979-1982 A12 B310
    210 1.4 1978-1982 A14 B310
    210 1.5 1978-1982 A15 B310
    260Z 2.6 1973-1974 L26 S30
    280Z 2.8 1974-1978 L28E S30
    310 1.4 1978-1980 A14 N10
    310 OHV 1980-1981 A15 N10
    310 SOHC 1981-1982 E15 N10
    510 2.0 1977-1979 L20B A10
    510 2.0 1979-1980 Z20S A10
    610 2.0 1973-1976 L20B 610
    710 1.8 1973-1974 L18 710
    710 2.0 1974-1977 L20B 710
    810 2.4 1976-1978 L24E 810
    4WD Turbo exc. Brat 1983-1984 EA81T AM5,AW5 3AT
    Brat Turbo 1983-1984 EA81T AT55B 3AT
    Loyale Turbo 4WD 1985 EA82T A10/A11

    Coil

    Coil: 12V non-resistor, used by USA models 1978 B210 D4F and 1979-1982 B310 and other D4K electronic ignition systems.

    • 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
    MakeModelYear
    CHRYSLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES1984-1982
    CHRYSLER IMPORTSCHRYSLER IMPORT VEHICLES1982,1979
    SAPPORO1982-1980
    DODGECHALLENGER1982-1980
    COLT1981-1980
    DODGE CARS1984-1981
    DODGE LIGHT TRUCKCARAVAN / GRAND CARAVAN1984
    PICKUP -19 FULLSIZE / RAMCHARGER1981-1980
    PICKUP -19 MINI1982
    ISUZUIMPULSE1989-1983
    MAZDA8081977-1975
    NISSAN200 SERIES1981-1978
    2101982-1979
    280 SERIES1983-1979
    3101981-1979
    5101980-1978
    8101981-1978
    B2101978-1977
    F101978
    MAXIMA1984-1982
    PICKUP1980-1978
    PULSAR1984
    PULSAR NX1983
    SENTRA1987-1984
    PLYMOUTHARROW1980
    CHAMP1981-1980
    PLYMOUTH VEHICLES1983-1981
    RELIANT1984
    VOYAGER / GRAND VOYAGER1984

    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.

    Distributor Numbers

    See Hitachi D4K Distributor

Retrieved from "http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=B310_Electronic_Distributor_Swap"

This page has been accessed 49,766 times. This page was last modified 06:34, 16 April 2014. Content is available under Datsun 1200 Club.