Engine options for my king cab 720

[Palisade620]

I have 3 Datsun trucks now.

84 with a z24

81 with a z22

And a 79 with an L20b

 

The 81 is in the best shape (and lowest miles) and I want to make it a bit faster.

But I'm young dumb with not a lot of money so I want to know what you all think would be the best route for me to go without doing a swap. I have 3 running trucks so I should be able to get one with some power if I combined them right?

 

I've been reading about the head swapping a lot lately and that sounds like a great idea but a lot of work at the same time. From what I read I think I have most of the parts for a lz24

 

Just looking for advice. Once I figure out what I should do I'll get to tearing them apart.

[datzenmike]

The Z22 and the L20B blocks are almost the same. The Z22 has a larger cylinder bore, larger pistons with longed stroke crankshaft. It's all internal. For an LZ22 just put everything other than the block from the L20B onto the Z22. This would be the head, intake and exhaust manifolds, oil pan and pick up tube, timing gear/chain/cover and the oil pump and distributor. In effect making an L22B engine. Use the L20B engine mounts and brackets.

 

An LZ24 is about the same but you would need to weld up a custom timing chain cover and lengthen the timing chain. If the Z22 runs best... go with it.

[flatcat19]

LZ22. Doo eet.

[Palisade620]

What would the house power and compression be like if I do the LZ22? If I can sell my other car I might have around 1000$ to sink into this right away.

Is there any gasket grafting? I think I read you have to splice some of the L20b gasket to the z24 gasket for that swap. Should I get dual side draft carbs? Or maybe even a cam right way?

 

Thanks for the help. You seem like the go to guy for this stuff Mike

[Palisade620]

Another follow up I forgot was, do I need to rebuild both engines before I do any swapping? I assume yes but I've never done any engine work like this before. Only repairing stuff so far but that's expect because I only buy old an cheap. I also figured I get to keep the z22 transmission.

[datzenmike]

Use a Z22 head gasket (but you will need to drill a few extra water coolant holes) and the front timing chain part from an L20B gasket for the front. The front part is not critical as it only seals in fumes and oil spray. The front off the old L20B gasket will do with some RTV on it.

 

 

You said the Z22 ran fine, and if so, no rebuilding necessary.

 

Z22 with L20B open chamber head... 9.82 compression.

[Lockleaf]

When building LZ, you want to use an L transmission, or at least bellhousing. What you are essentially building is a big bore L series. L engines tilt to the passenger side, to allow clearance for both manifolds on the drivers side. The bellhousings have the same bolt pattern, but it is twisted to a different angle between L and Z to account for the difference in engine angle.

 

A Z trans on your Lz will have the shifter leaning on about 11 or 13 degree angle.

[cruznude]

whats wrong with the l20b? If you have a 1000.00 why not just re-build and side drafts with your cam. Speed only means one thing when its for street, you can afford the tickets.

[flatcat19]

Why rebuild the 2.0L when you can do the exact thing to the 2.2L?

 

 

Do the LZ. You will love it.

 

Weber 38 carb, have a good day.

[izzo]

The L20 is a great motor. The z22 is a torque motor.  Very good motor, and you can swap an L series head on it.  Z24 is a good motor as well. Great for torque.  They are more prone to head gasket failures.  There are ways around it, and you can always swap on a victor reignz head gasket when it pops.    Personally I would go with the Z22, or even the Z22 with an L series head. 

[Palisade620]

So if I want to use the z22 5 speed I can? I just have to steal the bell housing from the L20b's tranny? Would I still need the L transmission mounts with that setup?

[Palisade620]

I didn't end up selling that car so I'm going to have to do this the cheapest way possible. Do I need to get any extra parts for this build? Like pistons or anything like that? Thanks for answering all my questions. They'll be plenty more to come. Waiting for another project to clear out of the garage before I start pulling the L20b and tranny out. I'll keep you posted and get pictures

[banzai510(hainz)]

If the L20b is good why bother fucking with it

 

 

Personally I see 3 broken trucks comming on line soon.

 

1000$ isnt going to get you much

 

Find a spare L20head  for the Z series motors in the other trucks. and keep the L20b620  truck running otherwise youll be riding the bus soon.

 

 

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