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Nissan/Datsun Y40 V8?


David K

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I cannot get over the lack of information i get when i search the entire net for this engine. All i know is that its a 3988cc 195hp V8. Some people i talk to tell me it looks JUST like a Ford engine, and others tell me im a fool for listening to them.

 

All the helpful info i could find on the 'net is this:

 

"NISSAN PRESIDENT 1965 - 1973

The President is HUGE by Japanese standards. A luxury car fitted with features that would put many modern luxury cars to shame. The Presidents I've seen have twin air conditioners, one for the front passengers and another for the back. They have power windows, electrically operated quarter glass windows, power seats, front and back radios, leather seats, and heaps of other amazing things. It was powered by a 3988cc 195hp V8 Y40 series engine."

 

I know what the car looks like, all im interested in is the engine. Im picking it up this weekend, and i dont wanna get into removing the heads if i cant find a proper gasket set. Is this a ford/chevy design engine?

 

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Hi David,

I have a little bit of data on the Y40 from some early Japanese literature. I collect that stuff.

 

Apparently the Y40 was NOT based around the design of any particular American V8 engine - but took certain design characteristics from several and mixed them all together. Nissan claimed that it was a stand-alone new design ( although that does not mean its true ) - and it was introduced to the President range in October 1965. It had a fairly long production life, and I would have thought ( knowing Japanese manufacturers ) that there would have been many updates and modifications / improvements during that time.

 

I don't know where the data you have comes from - but the Japanese engine technical data article I have states:

 

Y40 water-cooled V8 OHV.

92mm x 75mm ( 3988cc )

Compression Ratio 9:1

180ps @ 4800 rpm

32kgm @ 3200 rpm

 

There are a couple of power / torque graphs and stuff - but not much else. Sorry.

 

There are quite a few Presidents of that era still knocking around in Japan ( I've seen a fair few at car shows and swapmeets etc ) so you SHOULD be able to get pretty much anything once you get in with the right contacts.

 

Its usually more a case of who you know than what you know when it comes to these long-horn breeds of Nissan and Prince exotica.

 

Want me to ask around a little for you in Japan? I know a couple of people who might know the right people to ask.

 

Alan T.

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OK - I'll see who knows who. Leave it to me for a little while, as I'll have to make some calls on it.

 

Kaiser eh? Now we're REALLY talking about long-horn breeds! I wonder if it was a Kaiser design licensed by Nissan or if Nissan licensed it to Kaiser?

 

Surely you'd be well-placed to get Kaiser stuff a lot easier than obscure Nissan stuff? Sure hope so.

 

Good luck!

Alan T.

( ps - I know how you feel. I'm deep into an S20 twin cam rebuild at present ).

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Alan, the main thing is knowing where the engine came from, and what design it is. My main concern is rebuilding it. My second concern is hooping up the internals for a little more power. I need to know what engine this is, hehehe.

 

Im not sure if it was shared with Kaiser. I searched online and nothing is clicking in my head. Nothing looks alike.

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I know im probably dreaming, but does that engine bolt into a z?

Im wondering, auction said he got it out of a z, maybe it still has the mount setup? now thats a scarab configuration!!! what are you plans for it, stick in the zx with efi or put it in a carbed year z?

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Hrm, i forget which racer had it back in the 70's, but there was a 240Z that had a TT V8 in it, and think it was all Dastun based. Is this the same engine that was used back in the 240Z racing heyday?

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I was looking through the engine page...and it shows the Y40 as being DOHC/32V/EFI...

 

but...in the pictures it looks like a pushrod style carbed engine...???

 

ok...

 

Went back and looked at the vehicle model page...it definitely shows it having a 4bbl carb...so, that's some contridicting information there.

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David,

You're going to have to leave it with me a bit longer than a couple of days. I'm really busy with work at the moment, and I'm out of the house for 18 hours a day. I hardly have enough time to sleep let alone anything else.

 

With a bit of luck, my friends in Japan will be able to give me the contact details for some specialist suppliers - but it will be a long chain of favours for me and they will do it in their own time. I can put you in touch with the right contacts as long as you are patient. If nothing else, I like to think of myself as a man of my word, so please trust me.

 

If I were you, I'd not tear into it too fast. If you DO bear with me I think I can furnish you with a parts list / rebuild manual at the very least. This will have part numbers in it, and those part numbers will allow you to track down what you need more accurately with the Japanese suppliers.

 

I've done the same thing with my S20 twin cam, and the parts lists are absolutely invaluable. They have all the exploded diagrams and data that you will need.

 

But like I say, it won't happen overnight.

 

David, please PM me a direct e-mail address for me to contact you on.

 

Many thanks,

Alan T.

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