Hi
I have a bit of a problem, I own an old 1973 Datsun 1200 Deluxe and the existing engine that is in it is not running at this pointing time, what I would like to do is instead of fixing this engine put another engine in it that will give me a little more power and more speed. Do you have any suggestions?

One other problem I

If your short on cash, then Datsuns are the car to have.
Most of the 1200 & A12 engines had about the same power output, & the ones with more grunt [GX models] are usually much more costly & much harder to locate.

A series engines built after 1974 [120Y models] were changed a little. The engine mounts were moved back 40mm & the alternator is now on the drivers side, but other than that, the engine is pretty much a bolt in, so the A14 engine from a Sunny Sportswagon is probably your most cost effective alternative. The A15 engine pulls even more strongly, but is less common & usually more expensive.

As long as you can handle a little fabricating work with the engine mounts, & some wiring with the alternator [or fab a bracket & mount it back where it was before] you should be fine.

Now if you would care to include some basic location details in your profile, you will find help in your area will be easier to find.

Hi Edge,

If you have little money an A14 or A15 is the way to go. Make sure you get the transmission to match. It will increase power across the range (compared to A12). This is *almost* a bolt in job.

For a little more money, a KA24E engine is easy and cheap to find in the USA, and is exactly twice the cubic inches. It will need a bit of fabrication but no more than usual for an engine swap.

See Engine Swaps

wouldn't the KA24E engine be to powerfull for the cars gearbox, diff etc. And another problem I live in South Africa

L18? those are a bit more fun and available everywhere.

Will the A14 and the A15 give my ride more speed or will i need another gearbox

Alright, now we know that your'e in ZA, you know little about Datsuns [for now] & you'r short on cash.

You have a Datsun 1200 & you want more grunt than a 1200 delivers.

The A14 is relatively easy to find in ZA as they are still being used in Bakkies, but A15's seem to be quite rare & would be more expensive if you could find one.

Here's the deal.
The original 1200 gearbox will fit ther A14, but is regarded as a bit weak behind the larger motors. None the less, if this car is to be a driver, & money as a real object, then use the stock gearbox but do not abuse it & it will serve just fine.

If your budget will stretch that far, then get the A14 with the factory four speed attached. These gearboxes are a little stronger & will cope with the engine even when used in a 'spirited' way.

If you shop wisely, you might find a Bakkie engine with the five speed. These are really just a four speed with an overdrive & this will pick up your speed at any given RPM thanks to the OD.

An engine with more torque will allow you to run a larger diameter rear tyre & this too will pick up the pace a little to at any given RPM.
There may also be options with the diff ratio if speed is still an issue as there was a 3.7 to 1 diff offered in the B310 models which I presume you got.

If you have bigger plans for the future, then see if you can get a look under a Bakkie rear end as we got the larger differential from the larger models with L series engines in our Utes, so I think that you did too.

These larger rear ends will go under 1200 Passenger models with little work & offer greater strength as well as higher diff ratios if the right models of Datsun passenger cars were sold in ZA to act as differential donors. The original Bakkie differential ratio is lower than passenger model 1200's, so a swap is needed to pick up the speed.

So,... will the larger A14 engine give you more speed? In stock trim, ...probably not, but you will get to those speeds that it can reach more quickly, it will require less pedal to maintain highway cruise, it will hang on when climbing up hills much better, & when driven right, can easily produce better fuel ecnomy as well.

Your options are plentifull so check them out.