I'm saying the USA got the 1971-1973 A12, then later got the 1979-1982 A12A. They have a totally different block. The size is different also: A12 is 1179 cc and the A12A is 1237 cc.

Re: "Datsun engine is based on the British Motors Corp engine" ... you are thinking of the Datsun J-series engine. See
Forged crank, rods, springs 4 a10 and a15?? for a discussion.

Thanks for the info. but is seemed to say the J was fashioned after the BMC B series engine which was in the MGA/MGB.
The A engine was created new in the late 50's and was used in the Frog eyed sprite, and the mini, and various other little Austins I don't think it was the same engine the Nissan was building license from Austin before that time.
Please keep me strraight
dog
Does the A12 use Hitachi's that resemble SUs?

The Datsun 1200 "GX" model (japan) had twin carbs. Yes, these were Hitachis that are just like SUs. Same carbs the 240Zs had.

Interesting - I heard that the datsun 1200 motor was a copy of the Triumph Spitfire motor - the 1147cc version.

Quote:

Quote:

SU's require two cylinders per carb to function so I fail to see how someone would be running 4. I think you mean twin SU's.

It will be a street car with occassional track use. No, you are right I am low budget, I'm building a Locost 7. My original plan was for a MG Midget 1275. with $$$ could get up to a good 90hp and be dependible. I figured the Datsun would be more dependiable and maybe cheeper to get that 90/100 hp figure. I'll have to fabricate an exhaust which will probaply be freer than one in a stock car. I have a pair of 1 1/4 SUs from a Mg Midget. I'd like to look into the Honda MC carbs. Are GX heads readily available? would an A14 head work just as well?

What engine is in the picture on your reply
with the four cabs?
Thanks again for the info
dog

Quote:
The Austin A series was actually created in either the very late 40s or early 50s. Originally used in the A30 then when BMC was formed it was used in the Morris Minor from late 1952. Its first sports application was the Bug eye sprite in 1958. Then first used as FWD in the mini

Datsun/Nissan A series is based on the Austin motor not on the triumph motor which is a good thing as from my totally biased point of view the Triumph motor is an inferior unit.

HTH

Hey Dog , your idea of an A series Datto engine is a good one. I have helped friends build two of those Locosts so far, sadly neither with a Datsun engine yet. Over here in NZ I know of one Locost that runs an A15 with twin Webers and 5 speed. It is a street car that has been club raced and goes well. A Locost is something I plan to build one day too. Use the Midget SUs on a homemade manifold or I think Redline in Aussie may still make them to use SUs on a Datsun A series. Good luck.

Thanks for the support. I can get a NOS (New Old Stock) A12a for US$ 300. It seems to be a more dependible engine than the MG 1275, though I can spend a lot of $$$ on speed stuff for the 1275, they sell everything for it. I hope with a little work, A14 head, twin SUs, and exhaust that I can get a good 90hp.

dog

The A14 "oval port" is a high-flow head, if you plan on revving the engine high, is a good one.

But for high-compression the GX or Nissan Competition head is better (both are oval port heads).

For an overview of the A-type cylinder heads see the Tech Section article here