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[Datsun 1200 encyclopedia]

Hitachi D4K Distributor

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Categories: Engine Electrical System | Distributor

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.

Contents

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.
19607.jpgAlbum 19607

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

Some L-series used an spark-retard unit with two connectors:
DatsunEI003Large-1-1.jpg
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. Remove the cap and if it's rusty, pass on it.
    26834.jpgAlbum 26834
  2. Turn the rotor. If it moves back and forth floppily, the springs are broken
    26835.jpgAlbum 26835
  3. Check vacuum advance -- most are bad! -- bring a gun with you:
    new advance units are $30-$120 USD
    14074.jpgAlbum 14074
  4. make sure the 'teeth' line up evenly, evenly spaced (gap is equal with all four)
    bad:
    14075.jpgAlbum 14075
  5. 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 reluctor teeth, that's way too much. Shaft wear is rare; more common is bearing plate wear
  6. Grab the toothed ring, and try to move it side to side. It should not move. If it does, the bearing plate bearing holders are broken, and vacuum advance will not work correctly.

Ball Bearing Alignment

About the teeth alignment: Most of the 20-year old distributors I purchased 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

26844.jpgAlbum 26844

The D4K plastic bearing holders (become brittle with time, then break). There are ball bearings on the bottom of the unit, and ball bearings in-between the two plate. It's the in-between ones that often go bad.

A new bearing holder can be made out of poly. It should be fixed to a plate to prevent rotation too far and the bearing falling out :-)

Original (thin) bearing 'finger' | replacement holder disc
26843.jpgAlbum 26843 26833.jpgAlbum 26833

Durable Metal bearing holders are used on the bottom side of the plate. They rarely go bad:
22136-H2300-1.jpg 22136-H2300-2.jpg

Metal bearing plates can rust out (pass on rusty distributor, even at bargain price)
26838.jpgAlbum 26838

Also See

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

Ignitor

MATCHBOX TYPE IGNITION - bolts to outside of Hitachi D4K Distributor body
23264.jpgAlbum 23264
  • 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

Maintenance Part Numbers

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

Part Numbers

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

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
    MakeModelYear
    NISSAN200SX81-80
    21082-79
    31081-79
    51080

    Pickup

    Pickup: Standard Motor Products LX-502
    MakeModelYear
    NISSAN21082-79
    31081-79

    Ignitor

    The matchbox per se:

    Ignitor: Standard Motor Products LX-516, F2045-18322 at drivewire.com ($126)
    MakeModelYear
    NISSAN200SX (uses UF-5 (Hanshin coil Calif.), UF-10 (Hanshin Federal) or UF-4 (Hitachi), Federal Hitachi used different reluctor.1981-1979
    2101982-1979
    280ZX, canada, US (except dist. 22100-P9000)1981-1979
    3101981-1979
    5101980-1979
    8101981-1979
    PICKUP1980-1979

    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!

    ModelYear RangeEngineChassis
    Maxima/810 4 Door Gas1980-1981L24E910
    Maxima/810 5 Door Gas1980-1981L24E910
    620 Pickup 2.01978-1979L20B620
    720 Pickup 2.01979-1980L20B720
    200SX 2.01978-1979L20BS10
    210 1.21979-1982A12B310
    210 1.41978-1982A14B310
    210 1.51978-1982A15B310
    280ZX 2.81978-1981L28ES130
    310 1.41978-1980A14N10
    310 1.5 OHV1980-1981A15N10
    510 2.01978-1979L20BA10
    810 2.41978-1980L24E810
    200SX 2.01979-1980Z20ES110
    510 2.01979-1980Z20SA10

    Vacuum Advance

    All 1974-1982 D4A, D4F, and D4K 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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