Hey guys. New 1200 owner from America (It looks like alot of you are not from here lol)

Just bought a 72 Datsun 1200 coupe for $250 dollars. I'm going to pick it up with my friend James' Cummins Dodge tuesday. I'm real excited about this project. The body is really strait considering its age, all it needs really is a good once over, and new driver's side floor pans. Its a 3 speed automatic, yellow... ish (been sitting for a few years) and has a clean title (woot) Im considering either a SBC 350 swap along with a ford 9 inch rear end, or a Ca18Det. New white paint, some nice old school rims, and a bunch of other goodies.

A little about me:

Im a certified mechanic and work for the Army (not in the army, just work for them.) Im an Irish citizen, but I've lived in America my whole life. I've owned 2 s13's, now I own a 1993 BMW 325is, a 1987 Dodge Aires wagon (biggest best POS ever) along with the Datsun. I am getting ready to go off to school to become a Geologist, and I have 3 dogs.

welcome and lucky its an auto tunnel, no tunnel modding for you to conver the gearbox.

Only thing is for ca18det i thought it was hard for the yankies to get the turbo parts?

Yes somewhat, but I have alot of connections in japan via www.zilvia.net and there are a few places I know of that can get me entire rebuilds if I so desire. The engine, however, is proving to be an elusive find for one in good condition and on the cheap. American's seldom recieved the good engines from japan, with exception of the Supra.

The suspension is going to be a tricky find as well. The local autoparts stores don't carry anything for this vehicle. I'll have to do a little more research to see what all is compatable between the different models.

Welcome, bimmer-panda

If you wanna go with a small V8, here are some SBC 1200s:







V8 1200s

why not go sr20, at least you got the sr20de in the 240sx....

wow, nice to know it'll fit and has been done... Wonder what rear end some of those guys are running?

Now, please forgive my noob-ness on anything I say. Im completely new to the datsun 1200, and I am completely new to fabbing 1 off parts for a car that don't hold on a headlight or something of that sort. I will ask stupid questions and I will say and do stupid things

oh and the SR20DE we got was front wheel drive (200sx, sentra se-r, nx2000. The 240sx was a KA24E and DE.) I'd still have to do alot of work to make one of those work right. Im an american. I like quick and easy lol

200sx is rear. wouldent that hav be'n what your 2 s13 were?

super edit:

we got the 240sx. 2.4 l Ka24 engine. Yes, america fails.

200sx here was the... shoot what was it called in other markets...

the 2 door B14 (another edit i've been out of the nissan game too long)

V8s usually run Ford 9" ... but a Ford 8.8" is a better choice for a street car (lighter). Use the 8.8 or larger for anything over 275 lb. ft. torque, e.g. hot 5-liter or any 5.7 liter.

hmmm... didnt think about the weight issue.

For now Im going to get the car running again. Rebuild the carb, pull the engine and replace alot of stuff, clean clean clean everything, fix the little bits of rust, replace the suspension, new wheels, new paint, new interior. (been sitting for too long. It has plates from the late 70's on it, and last registered in 91.)