Hitachi D4K Distributor

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Hitachi D4K is the famous "matchbox" distributor first used in 1979 Datsuns for USA -- the 2nd-gen electronic ignition for Datsuns. Later used by a few JDM models too.

Overview

The integrated distributor and electric control module design replaced the 1st-generation EI with separated control module used in the B210.

About $120 rebuilt.

Hitachi "Ignition Module" (IGN. Module), or as Nissan calls it the "IC Ignition Unit":

Some L-series used an spark-retard unit with two connectors:

But don't worry about these. None of the A-series distributor use it.

Buying Used

Matchbox distributors are common in USA.

If not buying new, there are two things to watch out for:

* Advance plate bearing gone bad
* Vacuum advance canister not holding vacuum

CAUTION: These often go bad after 20 years. 
Inspect carefully before buying.

Inspection

To ensure you obtain a good unit:

1. make sure the 'teeth' line up evenly, evenly spaced (gap is equal with all four)

   bad:

2. Check vacuum advance -- most are bad! -- bring a gun with you:

   

3. Wiggle the shaft from side to side. It should have no or a tiny bit of play. If it has enough to allow the teeth to hit the relucator, that's way too much.

About the teeth alignment: Most of the distributors I got have this problem. In the photo, note the mis-alignment of the reluctor. It is caused by a bad "breaker plate" assembly -- what i would call the vacuum-advance plate, which you cannot see without disassembly the distributor. In some of the distributors you can see ball bearings loose in the housing. In the others I couldn't see, but they are all broken. That's the problem, the BBs are held in by a plastic race, which is broken on every distributor I have, save one which used a different design.

For a photo guide of inside parts, see:
Atlantic Z distributor rebuild

Nissan have new breaker plates, but they are a $72 part.

If the alignment is good, chances are the breaker-plate bearings are OK.

You can disassemble it for inspection like this, it only takes a few minutes:

1. Remove cap and rotor
2. Unbolt the black box from the side of the distibutor
   1. Remove the red and green wires from the black box
3. Remove toothed ring (3 screws) and carefully pry the ring & magnet assembly straight up and out
4. Remove Vacuum Advance diaphragm
   1. Screw on outside
   2. Screw on inside
5. Remove the two assembly retaining screws, deep inside in the "box" sections 180 degrees around the edge
6. Pop the rubber plug out of the shaft (where the rotor pushes on
   1. Unscrew the screw inside the shaft
7. Pull out the assembly
8. Assembly is reverse of these instructions

Also See

• Matchbox Testing
• B310 Electronic Distributor Swap
• E15 Electronic Distributor Swap
• E-Series Distributor

Wiring

See B310 Electronic Distributor Swap

Ignitor

MATCHBOX TYPE IGNITION - bolts to outside of Hitachi D4K Distributor body

• Nissan 22020-S8002, 22020-S6701, 22020-S6702
• Airtex/Wells 6H1203
• BWD CBE503
• MasterPro MPI 2-7004 $147 O'Reilly Auto
  • Standard Motor Products LX516
  • 12334609
  • E1908

Vehicles

E-Series Distributor includes:
JDM B11 8110-[8608] E15S.(GL,LT).F5 
JDM N12 8205-[8610] E15S.5F.(TS,D,FC)
USA N10 E15

A-series:
B310 USA A12A/A14/A15  
N10 USA A14

L-series
620 USA L20B 1979
720 USA L20B 1979-
810 USA L24E 1979-
A10 USA L20B 1979
S10 USA L20B 1979
S130 USA L28E except Turbo

Z-series
S110 USA Z20E

Part Numbers

Cap & Rotor

For cap and rotor interchange, see part number section of B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap

Coil

For interchange, see part number section of B-210 Electronic Distributor Swap

Breaker Plate

CAUTION: These often go bad after 20 years. 
Inspect carefully before buying. 

• Breaker plate assy: Nissan 22136-H9501 (formerly 22136-Q1700) $72
• 22433-H7280/22433-H7280 COIL-IGNITION HITACHI CIT-30 78-81 A/Z/L Engine

Reluctor

• Reluctor (rotating part): Standard Motor Products LX-528

  Make	Model	Year
  NISSAN	200 SERIES	81-80
  	210	82-79
  	310	81-79
  	510	80

  Pickup

  Pickup: Standard Motor Products LX-502

  Make	Model	Year
  NISSAN	210	82-79
  	310	81-79

  Ignitor

  The matchbox per se:

  Ignitor: Standard Motor Products LX-516, F2045-18322 at drivewire.com ($126)

  Make	Model	Year
  NISSAN	200 SERIES (uses UF-5 (Hanshin coil Calif.), UF-10 (Hanshin Federal) or UF-4 (Hitachi), Federal Hitachi used different reluctor.	81-79
  	210	82-79
  	280 SERIES , canada, US (except dist. 22100-P9000)	81-79
  	310	81-79
  	510	80-79
  	810	81-79
  	PICKUP	80-79

  The Ignitor (elec. module) seems to be bulletproof. I'm told that the currently available replacement modules are junk, but the original Hitachi units are very good. They are still working after 25+ years!

  Model	Year Range	Engine	Chassis	Transmission
  Nissan Maxima/810 4 Door Gas	1980 - 1981	L24E	910	5MT,3AT
  Nissan Maxima/810 5 Door Gas	1980 - 1981	L24E	910	5MT,3AT
  Nissan 620 Pickup 2.0	1978 - 1979	L20B	620
  Nissan 720 Pickup 2.0	1979 - 1980	L20B	720
  Nissan 200SX 2.0	1978 - 1979	L20B	S10
  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 280ZX 2.8	1978 - 1981	L28E	S130
  Nissan 310 1.4	1978 - 1980	A14	N10
  Nissan 310 1.5 OHV	1980 - 1981	A15	N10
  Nissan 510 2.0	1978 - 1979	L20B	A10
  Nissan 810 2.4	1978 - 1980	L24E	810
  Nissan 200SX 2.0	1979 - 1980	Z20E	S110
  Nissan 510 2.0	1979 - 1980	Z20S	A10

  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

  Matchbox distributors for A-series engines are all identical except for the mechanical advance and vacuum advance Spark Curves. Advance varies slightly by year and model.

  22100-H9560

  • D4K81-01 1X01 1982 California A12A manual transmission

    dual-diaphragm (advance and retard). Mine had what loosk like an adjustable advance

    • Vacuum Advance: 0/4.13 in, 9/11.81
    • Centrifugal Advance: 0/600 rpm, 9/1700, 11.5/2800

  22100-H9760

  • D4K9-05 9Z02 1980 Federal A12A and A14, manual transmission
    • Vacuum advance: 0/3.15 inch,8.4/7.87,14.5/12.99
    • Centrifugal Advance: 0/560 rpm, 3.2/1000, 12/2800
  • D4K9-05 9Z04

  22100-H9102

  • D4K8-19 9604

  1979

  • 22100-H9162 D4K8-18 A14 FED(KFU)
  • 22100-H9106 D4K8-13 A14,A15 FED(AUTO)
  • 22100-H9305 D4K8-16 A14,CAN(AUTO)
  • 22100-H9166 D4K8-02 A14,A15 CAL

  1980

  • 22100-H9701 D4K9-12 California A12A, A14 m/t
  • 22100-H9900 D4K9-04 Federal A15 auto
  • 22100-H9905 D4K9-04 A15 FED(MTM)
  • 22100-H9760 D4K9-05 Federal A12A m/t
  • 22100-H8700 D4K9-05 Federal A14 m/t
  • 22100-H9700 D4K9-06 California A15
  • 22100-H9806 D4K9-06 California A15 auto
  • 22100-H9801 D4K9-06 California A15 m/t
  • 22100-H9960 D4K9-07 Canada A15 auto
  • 22100-H9300 D4K8-15 Canada A12A, A14 m/t
  • 22100-H8720 D4K8-15 Canada A12A, A14 m/t
  • D4K9-20 Federal A15 m/t

  1981

  • 22100-H9501 D4K80-01 1981 California, Federal, A12A m/t

    Also Federal A14 m/t

    Also Federal A15 auto

  • D4K80-02 1981 California A15 m/t
  • D4K80-03 1981 Federal, Canada A14 m/t
  • D4K80-04 1981 California A15 auto
  • D4K80-05 1981 Canada A15 m/t
  • D4K80-06 1980 Canada A15 auto

  1982 -- California and Federal have Vacuum Retard

  • D4K81-01 California, Federal A12A m/t

    Also: Federal A15 m/t, auto

  • D4K81-02 California A15 m/t
  • D4K81-03 Federal, Canada A14 m/t
  • D4K81-04 California A15 auto
  • D4K81-05 Canada A15 m/t
  • D4K81-06 Canada A15 auto

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