What I need to complete my L20B

[Eriks]

Hi, a while ago I purchased a L20B longblock from the US, similar to the one in the photo. I need to complete the engine with all the add-ons, such as distributor, fuel pump etc. However, In Europe we only have parts available from L16 and L18 engines. I there anything unique to the L20B that I will need to complete the engine? 

 

Eg. I know the crankcase vent tube is different. The L20B is also taller that the L18, so I asume the fan belt is longer. How about the pulleys, are they the same on L18 and L20B?

Appreciate your inputs, thank you.

 

[wayno]

EDIT

 

The photo has appeared and it appears you have almost everything you need except the crank case breather tube and maybe a decent intake manifold, the exhaust manifold from a L16 will be best, do you have an intake?

I have not seen many 219 heads, I guess I just assumed they all had the coolant holes in them, but yours doesn't and maybe most didn't have them as they are in fact racing heads and why would a race car need a heater, you can put the intake gasket on and drill the holes depending on which intake you use, if your intake has the holes I would drill them in the head.

Did you get a flywheel with this engine?

[datzenmike]

L16/18 distributor water pump belts and pulley will work on the L20B.

 

See those two pair of bolts at the top left and right sides of the timing cover? Well the L16/18 only have one on each side. The difference in height of an L20B is at the very top of the block. 

 

A long block should include the head. For an L20B that would be a U67 or a later W58. Look for the embossed casting along the bottom of the aluminum head where it meets the block, between #1 and #2 spark plugs

[Eriks]

It really depends on what the long block had on it as there is no photo of it.

Does it have the front timing chain cover?

It would also be good to have a head anything other than a 210 cast head.

Hi Datzenmike, good to hear from you. The engine is as in the photo above, including the timing chain cover. Got a 219 head on it. Good news that the difference in height is above the pulleys. It might mean that I have all I need.

[datzenmike]

219.... nice!

[d.p]

That picture from California datsuns eBay Page. That where you got it from??

[Eriks]

Yes

[Eriks]

EDIT

 

The photo has appeared and it appears you have almost everything you need except the crank case breather tube and maybe a decent intake manifold, the exhaust manifold from a L16 will be best, do you have an intake?

I have not seen many 219 heads, I guess I just assumed they all had the coolant holes in them, but yours doesn't and maybe most didn't have them as they are in fact racing heads and why would a race car need a heater, you can put the intake gasket on and drill the holes depending on which intake you use, if your intake has the holes I would drill them in the head.

Did you get a flywheel with this engine?

Wayno, the block shown in the photo is not mine, but missing the same parts. You’re right, the 219 have coolant holes. Thanks for the reminder. The engine is for a restored 610 sss. In addition to the 219 it has flat top pistons and a mild cam. The original engine was a L18 with A87 head, so the original intake should do the trick. Got a flywheel, original but lightened and balanced.

 

To be realistic, the 219 is very similar to the A87. I do not expext to notice much difference. It just happened to be that I had two of them on the shelf, so I thought Id use one for this project.

[Crashtd420]

They definitely are similar but the 219 should have 38mm intake runners verses the 32mm on the a87...

I would have gone with the 219 also ... I think those a rarer to see....

[Eriks]

They definitely are similar but the 219 should have 38mm intake runners verses the 32mm on the a87...

I would have gone with the 219 also ... I think those a rarer to see....

Yes, this is the intake runners I have on the head on the L20B. Exception is the first 219 heads for the 510 sss, which is the other 219 head I have, which have 32mm intake ports. That one I plan to use in my 510 Wagon. An amusing feature is that my wagons licence plate number just happens to be X219 :)

[Datfish]

That picture from California datsuns eBay Page. That where you got it from??

 

 

I was wondering how you were growing palms in Norway   :confused:

[wayno]

It's all about air flow when it comes to these heads, the 219 has large valves and large intake ports/runners, that helps it breath.

Another thing is the intake manifold, as long as the intake runners/ports are the same size or smaller than the head ports/runners you are good, if the intake has larger ports/runners than the head you have an issue like putting a dual SU intake manifold on an A87 head without port matching the head to the intake.

Not all A87 heads have large valves, nor are they all closed chamber, does the A87 head you have have a 219 cast into the head next to the timing chain inspection plate on the front of the head, I expect it doesn't if you have 32mm intake ports so it is not a 219 head, I am assuming it is closed chamber as it is on a shelf where you can confirm it is closed chamber and not on the L18 block where you cannot see it is closed chamber.

Around here we have to remove the head to see if it is a closed chamber and has the large exhaust valves.

[datzenmike]

The A87 has narrower intake ports although it may have the same valve size as the 219/U67 and W58 heads. Like wayno says, they can be closed chamber, if it was from an import engine, but most are open. 

 

If an A87 but has the 219 cast in the front left it should be the same as the closed chamber 1.5" intake port 219 head.

 

[Eriks]

Thanks for replies. Im away from home, but both my heads are closed chamber and have the 219 cast between spark plug #1 and #2. I also have two engines from 610 sss. They have A87 heads, but not sure if they also have the 219 cast in the front. Will check when I get home. Thanks again.

[datzenmike]

We didn't get those here as we diddn't get the L16SSS or the later L18SSS (both were known to be used on the 510 coupe and were 219 heads) I know there were L18SSS used elsewhere in the world in the European 810 or 910 SSS and in the 610s in Australia? both with dual SUs. I always assumed they were 219 heads but maybe the A87 casting with the 219 on the front?

[Eriks]

We didn't get those here as we diddn't get the L16SSS or the later L18SSS (both were known to be used on the 510 coupe and were 219 heads) I know there were L18SSS used elsewhere in the world in the European 810 or 910 SSS and in the 610s in Australia? both with dual SUs. I always assumed they were 219 heads but maybe the A87 casting with the 219 on the front?

In Europe we had the L18 with A87 head and su carbs in 610 sss, 810 sss and 910 sss. I’ll check if the heads has the 219 cast in front. I do not think they do.

[thisismatt]

Hopefully Al didn't screw you on the motor, considering it would be harder for you to get it straightened out if he did :/

[Eriks]

Hopefully Al didn't screw you on the motor, considering it would be harder for you to get it straightened out if he did :/

Time will show. Is there a better place to buy overhauled L engines?

[thisismatt]

Time will show. Is there a better place to buy overhauled L engines?

Probably only more expensive, but reputable shops such as Rebello. Otherwise I would say buy a running motor and get it rebuilt locally.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Rebello Racing is definitely the L series leader, still applying more modern technology to the L motor than any other shop I know of. You won't get a "rebuilt" engine from them, but a custom engine, built to your driving needs. They can source everything needed to get the engine running, but since they are a machine shop/engine shop, it would be cheaper and quicker to source the bolt-ons elsewhere.

 

They also offer both engine and chassis dyno tuning.

 

I still keep in touch with them and still have them do work for me. They have been upping their game and they do a ton of custom EFI work now days too. They had a BMW V10 in the shop a while back and also a Lamborghini V12. But the shop is still littered with L series heads, blocks and cranks.

 

Sounds like a commercial, right? Well, they are the best at what they do.

[Rays74]

Hopefully Al didn't screw you on the motor, considering it would be harder for you to get it straightened out if he did :/

THIS /\ /\ /\ !!

Both my wagon's L-16 and my 620's L20B came from him...........one had a bad head (cracked internally) and one had been built incorrectly and started using oil. I won't be a repeat buyer from here on, he's had other probs as well on here.

[Eriks]

We didn't get those here as we diddn't get the L16SSS or the later L18SSS (both were known to be used on the 510 coupe and were 219 heads) I know there were L18SSS used elsewhere in the world in the European 810 or 910 SSS and in the 610s in Australia? both with dual SUs. I always assumed they were 219 heads but maybe the A87 casting with the 219 on the front?

Over here only the 510 had 219 head. The next generations had A87 with no stamp.