actually the casting number is a reference to the part number. Nissan part numbers are fairly specific as to what they are. almost all are 10 charicters in length with the first 5 charicters define the actual part it's self, the next 3 give the model that part was originally designed for and the last 2 designate design changes, color codes, original vendor, or other info.
as an example, a water pump would have a number of 21010-H1027, with 21010 designating the actual part, the H10 would designate that it was origanally intended to be used in a B110 and the 27 at the end would designate that it's an assembly on it's 3rd design change.
I never did memorize all the part number codes when I was at a dealer, there are just some things the stay with you after years of doing it for a living. what I do remember are some of what I have shared here. IF your dealer parts man is worth his pay, he should also understand this and be able to explain it to you also.

casting numbers, (not serial numbers) are located on the left side of the block (manifold side) usually. I say usually because not every one I have seen actually has a casting number, that said the ones that I know of are as follows;
H10 = A12 70-73
H23 = A12 70-73 GX
H63 = A13 74
H72 = A14 75 and up
G34 = A15 80 up
If anyone knows of any others, please post them

Nothing special about them, basicly it was a standard B210 2 door sedan with the bare necessities, ie: rubber floor mats instead of carpet, cheap, ugly tan vynal interior trim, a 4 speed transmission, no radio, etc. it was a U.S. only thing to sell a basic car with no frills. the only thing that made them different from other B210's was the stripe kit and the lesser quality interior trim.
the stripe kit could be purchased for about $100 and anyone could have made thier B210 deluxe into a "Honey Bee". somewhere I have a stripe kit that was going to be thrown out when I worked at a dealer, NO it"s not for sale.

try this one also vintage datsun trucks

nor am I trying to imply that your not inteligent, it's just that we can all make a mistake now and again, or get sidetracked or distractracted.
IF all else fails, go back to the basics, is the point gap correct? are the valves properly adjusted? is the timing at the correct setting? ETC.
I have, over the years seen where valves are ourt of adjustment, and they will be tight, as in keeping some or all of the valves partially open. intake valves are prone to do this on A series engines and the exhaust valves will be loose.
all any of us are trying to do is offer suggestions that might help, please don't take it personal.

no they don't, I've tried to order them.
a good friend of mine is the parts manager of the local dealer I deal with, (I taught him his job 20 years ago) many of the part numbers don't even exist in Nissan USA's system any more

more to the point cyls 1 and 4 are directly across from each other on the cap:

1 2

3 4

swap any two across and it will still run, just not too well
remember the firing order is 1-3-4-2
not 1-2-4-3

another possable scenerio is that you could have mixed up#1 and #4 plug wires and they are not firing in the correct order.
or it could be that your cap needs to be replaced because it's leaking electricly

Quote:

be very careful about passing your judgement, many states here have anual inspection programs that are required before a vehicle can be reregestered, they don't defect it here, they condem it. that means that the state confiscates for safety reasons, almost impossable to get it back if it happens.

are you now using an internal regulator alternator???
when I got my car, it did the same thing, someone had put an internal regulator alternator into it and did not eliminate the external regulator. if this is the case, the alternator will continue to supply voltage to the coil and distributor even though the ignition has been switched off. the easist way to check for this is to start the engine, turn off the key (so it's still running), and then disconect the T conector at the back of the alternator, that should make the engine shut off. IF it does, you will need to make a decision to either put the external alternator back on it, or remove the external regulator and change the wiring to work with an internal alternator. it's a no brainer to make the change to internal unless you are trying to keep the car completely original. if this solves your problem and you want to stay with an internal regulator alternator, let me know and I explain how to make the changes.