L18 or J18? help me identify

[Lockleaf]

This engine is for sale near me and I just want to know which engine it is before I decide to go get it. The owner claims it's a 1976 but didn't know which engine it was. It is attached to a 4 speed trans that supposedly came with it. Thoughts?

 

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?page=1&ssid=33702931&nid=389&rnid=218#1

[DanielC]

It looks like a L-engine to me.

[Lockleaf]

That's what I would think, I just am slightly weirded out by the fact that the serial plate looks more like a J than an L to me. But having never owned an L, or a J, I wanted a more experienced eye to look at it for me.

[datsunfreak]

That's what I would think, I just am slightly weirded out by the fact that the serial plate looks more like a J than an L.

 

 

Definitely L18. 

 

J18 is a smaller pushrod engine, and has the distributor on the other side. 

[Lockleaf]

Ok cool. That is two of you who would know better than me who say L. I think I'm going to buy another engine. :-) thanks guys.

[datzenmike]

This engine is for sale near me and I just want to know which engine it is before I decide to go get it. The owner claims it's a 1976 but didn't know which engine it was. It is attached to a 4 speed trans that supposedly came with it. Thoughts?

 

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?page=1&ssid=33702931&nid=389&rnid=218#1

 

There were no '76 L18s in North America, one year only '74. 

 

 

I'd say L18. Ask someone who has a J series exactly where the engine number is located on the block. The L is directly behind the dip stick..

[datsunfreak]

There were no '76 L18s in North America, one year only '74. 

 

Probably an import motor, as would the J18 be (only sold in Mexico AFAIK?). I've bought a lot of various Datsuns from the 70s that had L18s transplanted. It was sold in other markets for many, many years, so there used to be a glut of "low mileage" L18s from engine importers. 

[Lockleaf]

Hmm interesting info. Cool

[wayno]

I would say it's an L block because of the exhaust manifold and where the dist. is, all the J blocks I have seen had the dist. on the right side.

[ppeters914]

What john and wayno said plus that trans. It's an L18.

Edited March 7, 2015 by ppeters914

[datsunfreak]

I would say it's an L block because of the exhaust manifold and where the dist. is, all the J blocks I have seen had the dist. on the right side.

 

 

What wayno said plus that trans. It's an L18.

 

Umm...

 

J18 is a smaller pushrod engine, and has the distributor on the other side. 

 

:rofl:

[datzenmike]

 

This is a 71B transmission, a four speed. The 71B was never made to fit a J series engine.

 

By the looks of it this is a '74 620 engine and trans.

[Lockleaf]

Thanks fellas. I'm now the proud owner of an L18 and a trans. It even came with the front half of the drive shaft. Nothing to put it in, but for the price I paid, I can't go wrong :-). Thanks for the help.

 

 

It's bolted to a welded steel structure and rigged with an ignition coil so I can even run the engine as it sits if I feel like it. Kinda neat

[wayno]

What is the head cast designation?

[Lockleaf]

It's an A87 head.

[wayno]

I have something like the engine stand, but I put wheels and a bracket to put a radiator on it, it was made for a diesel engine though, no coils or anything like that.

An A87 head is a good head, it might even be a great head depending on the valves, and if it is a closed chamber.

[Lockleaf]

It will probably be a long while before I open up this engine, so I won't know if it's the closed chamber version or not.

 

That engine run stand you built is great. I feel like it should have a motorcycle solo seat mounted on the narrow part of the trans and maybe some handle bars. Make a bitchin ratsun trike!