Datsun Head Bolts Torque Specs and Sequence

The information on this page applies to the Datsun L16, L18, and L20B engine.

The following describes the location of the short and long cylinder head bolts
There are 10 Head Bolts in total; Long bolts and Short bolts

REAR OF ENGINE

short        long

short        long

short        short

short        long

short        long

FRONT OF ENGINE

The following describes the Loosening sequence for the engine.

LOOSEN

REAR OF ENGINE

2         1

6         5

10       9

8         7

4         3

FRONT OF ENGINE

Loosen the bolts gradually in the sequence shown. Do multiple passes and start with 1/8 of a turn for each bolt to ensure proper removal.


The following describes the torque sequence and torque specs for the engine.

TIGHTEN

REAR OF ENGINE

10        9

6          5

2          1

4          3

8          7

FRONT OF ENGINE

Torque all bolts to 20 ft-lb, first pass

Torque all bolts to 40 ft-lb, second pass

Torque all bolts to final 60 ft-lb, third pass

Torque all bolts to 60 ft-lb, fourth pass

Torque all bolts to 60 ft-lb, fifth pass

Datsun L16 intake manifold vacuum port plug size

The thread size for the L16 intake manifold vacuum port size is shown in the following picture:

The vacuum adapter shown is what is going to be replaced.

Carburetor on an l16 510 wagon

Update:
Yesterday I made my own carburetor base gasket. It didn't work. The carb has large vacuum leaks around the base. The motor doesn't drop below 1600 rpm at idle.

Update 08/14/2016:
The carburetor that I was using is a 32/34 Weber downdraft carburetor. This needed an adapter plate and the carburetor is NOT a direct bolt on as I had need told in the past. The carburetor did run all the time but it ran rough.
I ended up installing a Weber 32/36 with manual choke and it worked so I am keeping it now.

This is the adapter plate that was needed. This particular one only fit the 32/36.

Also, Autozone sells a gasket that fits the stock intake manifold. It's for a 1977-1979 Datsun 200sx.
The following gasket is the one that works on L series motors. The part number is G31154:

Replacing A Freeze Plug

This is a quick and simple explanation on how I replaced and installed freeze plugs on my L16 motor in my Datsun 510 wagon.

Tools needed to remove a freeze plug:
-an iron mallet
-a sturdy bolt or something with a tip of about the same width. The bolt works great.
-pliers. I used water pump pliers and it was easy enough.
Hit the freeze plug on one point near the edge. This will drive this side in and the freeze plug will become free. pull the plug out with the pliers.

To insert the new plug back in:
-sheet metal hammer with round head.
-iron mallet

place the freeze plug where you want it to go in and put the sheet metal hammer inside of the freeze plug. hit the sheet metal hammer with the iron mallet and drive the freeze plug in little by little. Turn the sheet metal hammer to drive the freeze plug in on different points around the plug.

I was told that a socket that fits inside of the freeze plug works well, but the one in the pictures (29 mm) fits tight, as opposed to the sheet metal hammer. it is difficult to insert the plug with the socket shown.

1975 Datsun 620 tranmission seal

This post is about the transmission seal that I used on my 1975 Datusn 620 with an  L20B and a 4-speed transmission.

There were two seals available at the auto parts store; a black one and a red one. My 620 came with a black transmission seal, but I purchased both to compare the new ones to the old one.

Here is a picture of the two new seals on top of their respective boxes. The old seal is without a box.

Here is a picture showing the thickness of the seals:

I had installed the red seal even though the black seal was installed. I thought the red seal was OK to use because it still fit, but I was wrong. I had not seen the black seal at the auto parts store and was not aware it was available. When I went back to the store to fix the leaking newer seal, I found the red and the black seals available. I purchased both and luckily I was able to compare the original seal to the two seals that I purchased. I removed the red seal that I had installed and I installed the black seal shown on the picture. I assume that this will keep the output shaft from leaking, but it is no warranty.

These pictures are of the seals next to each other:

Datsun 1972 ball joint

This figure shows  two different types of Ball Joints.
FA2026 is an 11mm thread Ball joint. It is smaller in shaft diameter compared with FA1044.
The following pictures show how I installed FA2026 on my '72 wagon. This was not a great set up as I had to tighten it a lot and required a lot of work. I uninstalled it after I realized that I was using the wrong ball joint.

This picture shows a washer installed underneath the nut. This is how the 11mm thread ball joint was installed after it was completely tightened up.

This picture shows the 11mm ball joint being tightened down. A harmonic balancer tool was used to help install the ball joint. Again, this was the wrong ball joint to install on a '72 510 wagon.

This note from the autoparts store shows prices for parts that I need to purchase to upgrade my front suspension system.

The correct ball joint for my 510 is the 14mm ball joint.

1972 Datsun 510 Wagon 4-speed transmission

The following are the part numbers provided by a Ratsuner regarding the part number for a Back-up light switch for a 1972 Datsun 510  Wagon with a stock 4-speed transmission mated to an L16 engine.