Jump to content
HybridZ

Can it be done?


Randalla

Recommended Posts

I have a 1971 240-Z with the original engine in it. I bought the car knowing it had a blown head gasket, intending to pull the head and fix it. After pulling the valve cover, I'm now suspecting the engine sat for years because of the scaly rust I see on the cam, timing chain and gear. I have not yet pulled the head or oil pan but expect to see a similar condition when I do. Two questions. First, has anyone successfully resurected an engine like this without a complete disassembly and rebuild. Second, I have located a low mileage, running, fuel injected N42 engine with N47 head that I could swap in but I'd like to convert it to SU carburetors. I've read that the N47 head is not be tapped for them. Is anyone here currently running this combination that can advise re: feasibility?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

All US market L6 heads are drilled and tapped to accept factory carb intakes, from the first '240-Z up to and through the last L6 powered '83 280-ZX and '84 810/Maxima. :wink: Have even installed the early SU's on a Z car N47 and Maxima N47 head, bolts right no, no mods. :2thumbs:

 

Now if you want to install a factory EFI intake on an L6, it must be a '75 or newer head, Z or 810/Maxima. It wont bolt on to the '70-'74 heads, unless you drill and tap it and have the injector slots machined. B)

 

 

 

Where did you read that the N47 head is not tapped for the carb intakes? :unsure:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please select your answer to the following question carefully:

 

Can you drill two holes in an intake / exhaust gasket for a Nissan L6 engine?

a: Yes

b: No

 

If you answered 'a' to the above question then you too can bolt a set of SU carburetors to your engine that was originally fuel injected!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Now if you want to install a factory EFI intake on an L6, it must be a '75 or newer head, Z or 810/Maxima. It wont bolt on to the '70-'74 heads, unless you drill and tap it and have the injector slots machined."

 

75 or newer US MARKET head!

 

I have an unmolested N42 from a 77 Nissan Cedric that does NOT have the EFI bolt pattern, or notches! And I pulled the engine myself (30C 95% R/H bought for 2 50# bags of Rice and a Half Gallon of Whiskey) from the Cedric where I was able to review the service records of the vehicle. It was all original, unmolested, 42,000 Km Automatic!

 

B)

 

Another thing to watch for when using carbs on an EFI head is that some of those large EFI bolt holes seem to have been tapped a bit too exuberantly, and bored a tad deep---resulting in a terribly pesky oil leak that will have you scratching your head as to how the hell you can seal your valve cover to stop it...but you won't! It's coming from the *(&%*&%$ intake manifold bolt hole!

 

RTV works wonders in this instance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

"Now if you want to install a factory EFI intake on an L6, it must be a '75 or newer head, Z or 810/Maxima. It wont bolt on to the '70-'74 heads, unless you drill and tap it and have the injector slots machined."

 

 

75 or newer US MARKET head!

 

I have an unmolested N42 from a 77 Nissan Cedric that does NOT have the EFI bolt pattern, or notches! And I pulled the engine myself (30C 95% R/H bought for 2 50# bags of Rice and a Half Gallon of Whiskey) from the Cedric where I was able to review the service records of the vehicle. It was all original, unmolested, 42,000 Km Automatic!

 

B)

 

Another thing to watch for when using carbs on an EFI head is that some of those large EFI bolt holes seem to have been tapped a bit too exuberantly, and bored a tad deep---resulting in a terribly pesky oil leak that will have you scratching your head as to how the hell you can seal your valve cover to stop it...but you won't! It's coming from the *(&%*&%$ intake manifold bolt hole!

 

RTV works wonders in this instance.

 

 

Oops... :unsure: Thanks for catching that Tony.

I recall getting bit on that a few years back with the welded chamber N42 race head we built documented in the "Custom Cylinder head building.. What’s involved…" thread. Turned out to be a JDM N42, no EFI intake bolt holes or injector slots.

 

Phil3Medium.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are out there, especially in So Cal where K. Watanabe and other JDM suppliers flooded the market with $200 used engines in the mid 90's. Here you never know what it's going to get. Dismissively passing a Maxima station wagon in the junkyard some years ago (due to the probability stats saying L24E) my eye caught 'Y70' on the head.

 

Car had a JDM Transplant L20E! Wouldn't have ever expected THAT here in the USA either!

 

There is strange stuff out there. Nissan didn't export to just the North American Market as some would try and make you believe (Channelling Alan T now... :D )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...