some c20 vanette's came with a 4.1:1 ratio,
usually the passenger ones.the quick check seems to be alloy centre = 4.6:1,steel centre = 4.1:1,so cruise round some of the commercial wreckers,& you might find the right ratio.the problem with bluebird h190's are that they have large diameter axles,while the c20's have the same diameter as h165's.also,use the tailshaft from a h165 1200 ute,they are the correct length.where abouts are you r-fast,cause i know there are some c20's out at rushes pick & payless here in sydney.

Thanks very much 1200Rallycar and Dodgeman - excellent info !!!
My H190 appears to have about a 4.6 :1 ratio so it will be a hillclimb special !! Will look for something around 4.1 : 1 (Bluebird 4 speed wagon you say ?) Yes, the Bluebird discs look like a bolt up once the backing plates are changed. Interestingly, inspired by your comments I placed an old axle from my coupe (H 145) next to the Bluebird and tried one of the 1200 shims on it. Lines up spot on. Axle dia for bearing mount measures identical as does the bearing retainer collett. Only issue to determine will be the setback comparison between axle flange and bearing. A machined spacer should rectify any discrepancy. If all went well, I could see a possability of a fairly easy fit up. I will keep you all posted with the outcome. Would like also to track down a 5 speed for the A14 - thought I saw one offered a little while back ? Let me know if it is still out there. (no use shortening a tailshaft for the H190 and run it with a 1200 4 speed !!! Cheers for now ... EDIT - My 13" wheels fit over both front and rear brake setups ! (very little clearence on rear - about 2.5mm but that's without any grinding or cutting)

Thanks 1200RC
The beauty of our beloved Datsuns is that by knowing just which selected parts from other models to use, we can build a much improved automobile without needing to do too much fabricating or butchering to achieve the desired result.

The diff ratio in the alloy diff center from the 1000 will be 4.11 to 1 if it's from a passenger model, & 4.375 to 1 if it's from a commercial model, which includes the Van / Wagon.

Now,.. which models of Datsun used a rear disc brake system that will fit inside a 13" wheel. Hmmmmm. That might be a hard one. Any of the front drive cars perhaps? Even if it is a model that was not sold in Australia. I have a 1000 model remember, so i am really restricted to the original rear axle as any replacement is likely to be too wide.

EDIT
Hang about, if i remember rightly, the original Bluebirds of the early 60's used a rear axle that is dimentionally suitable. I wonder what diff center that they used, & what brake mounting flange also. Hmmmm.

To put things in perspective, Chryslers mainstream diff was the 8" model. They were used behind even the V8 engines
The H190 is dimentionally only about 10mm smaller in the ring gear. What does that tell us.

just to complete the topic a little i thought i should chuck in that the vanette h190 diff requires the spring mounts to be cut-off and rewelded closer in to suit a 1200 and is approx 90mm wider than the 1200 diffs

the 190 is an 8.5" diff and very very tuff!!!

yeah well as u suspected, no the brakes wont fit the smaller diffs, they fit H190 and H165, if u could find a 1200 ute 165 for a 1200 youd be right, but thats even too wide for the 1000, [also the brakes require minimum 14" rims]

i have a 1000 diff here along side a 1200 and theres a fair diffrence between the two, just wish i had a 1200 with a 145 so i could put the alloy centre to good use, see you can never win,

a 190 alloy centre would be awesome from one of those utes with the j15 motor but it seems even that is asking too much

its all good fun

1200RC
God i love this forum as it is a constant learning curve for me too.
I didn't know that the disc brakes fitted the ute rear axle.

The next trick is to try to match up the front discs, & late 200B used the same spec caliper as the Bluebird [same pad too] so 200B struts should fix that one.
I dont know what master cylinder works best, but series 1 Bluebird & late 200B used the same bore size, & had the same brake bias pressure of 450lb's The series 2 bluebird used a 550lb bias pressure & need the correct series 2 metalic pads to work as per factory specs.
The 200B Vac chamber is the smaller of the two & may prove to be a good choice along with it's attached master cylinder.

This setup should prove to be a serious brake system for a road going "improved performance" 1200 & it's ALL made from standard Datsun parts. WOOHOO

What i want to know is whether the brake mounting flange is the same for the smaller 1200 rear ends. That is to say, will the disc brake mounting plate fit the smaller Datsun 1200 & 1000 housings.
I suspect not, but one never knows unless one asks.

fair enough, i didnt realise they were pins mounting it, ill edit that bit about the nipple to avoid confusion slip of the tongue ya see

1200RC
The calipers in these rear brakes are single piston types. The piston pushes the pad onto the disc on one side only. Once this is in contact with the disc, it pushes the whole caliper across to drag the other pad onto the other side of the disc.

The caliper mounting is firmly fixed, but the caliper itself rides on two large pins that allow it to move lateraly. In normal use, it moves only a few thou. with each brake application. If the disc is warped, it moves quite a bit as it wobles side to side with the disc runout. Over time, the caliper migrates across by the amount that the fixed pad wears. When replacing the pads, it is necessary to not only push the piston in, but to push the caliper across to provide room for the new pad on the fixed [non piston] side.
The rubber hoses allow the caliper to move about all that it needs to without problems, which is why the factory put them there.

Bleeder niples usualy go on the high side as air rises to the top in a liquid, & the purpose of the bleeder niple is to allow ALL the air to be purged from the system.

mine has rubber hoses but im sure this was from stock, im wondering why the caliper is going to move???, its bolted down tight

if you go bluey discs make sure ya put the calipers on the right sides, so that bleed nipples are highest, as mine was on the wrong way (not my fault) and i didnt have back brakes for a few days

Quote:The series 1 & 2 Bluebird wagon [& only the wagons] that came with the 4 speed trans had the H190 diff. Wagons with 5 speeds or Auto's, along with all othes in these models used the H165B diff.
I have no info on what series 3 cars used, but i suspect that it was basicly the same.

The ute used the H165 diff, & the ute housing can be used in the coupe. The 3.9 to 1 & the 3.7 to 1 H165 diff can be used & it looks like the Bluebird disc brakes will fit right on also.
The H190 diff will NOT fit this axle housing

If you use the Bluebird rear disc brakes, you will need to incorporate the original Bluebird flexible brake hose to each caliper into your hydraulic system. The caliper is designed to move & if you use a metal line to it, you are subjecting it to fatigue failure, & such an arangement is both illegal & unsafe. Just replicate the original setup & everything will be fine.