Description

Datsun 1200, 510, 610, B210, 710 Service Manual – 245 Pages of Factory-Grade Procedures

If you’ve ever stripped a head bolt because some aftermarket PDF told you “tighten until snug,” you know why this manual exists. I’ve been turning wrenches for 28 years, and I’ve seen plenty of backyard rebuilds go sideways when the torque spec was pulled from a forum. This Clymer manual for the Datsun 1200, 510, 610, B210, 710 covers 1968–1977 models and gives you the actual numbers you need to keep those Japanese engines and drivelines together. It’s 245 pages of shop-tested data, not marketing fluff.

Engine Rebuild: L‑Series and A‑Series Disassembly Sequence

Chapter Four walks through removal and installation for both L‑series and A‑series engines. You get the disassembly sequence for rocker arms, pushrods, camshaft, timing chain and sprockets – separated by engine family. The tightening torques at the end of the chapter list values for cylinder head bolts, main bearing caps, and connecting rods in foot-pounds. No more guessing which fastener gets what. If you’re pulling the head on a 1200 or B210, you need those numbers. Datsun 1000 1200 Workshop Manual covers earlier models if you’re mixing parts.

Fuel and Exhaust Systems – Carburetor and Emissions

Chapter Five covers the Fuel system from air cleaner to carburetor, plus the early emission controls: exhaust gas recirculation, throttle opener, boost‑controlled deceleration device, and the evaporative emission control system. There’s a section on fuel injection for the 280Z, but the core of this chapter is the carbureted setups that run on the 1200, 510, 610, B210, and 710. Adjustment specs for idle mixture and float level are all there. Datsun 1200 1973 Service Manual – Section: Automatic Transmission is a separate book if you’re doing trans work on that specific year.

Cooling System Diagnosis – Page 126

Overheating a A‑series engine because the thermostat was installed backward is a mistake you only make once. Page 126 shows the factory flow direction and test procedures for the thermostat and radiator. The flushing procedure is step‑by‑step, and the water pump removal notes include the order of bolts and a torque sequence. One paragraph here is worth ten YouTube videos that skip the part about air pockets.

Brake Bleeding Sequence That Actually Works – Page 167

Brake work on these Datsuns can be a frustration if you don’t get the bleeding order right. Page 167 gives the factory bleeding procedure for disc and drum brakes, including the proportioning valve and load‑sensing valve adjustments. The tightening torques for caliper mounting bolts and wheel cylinder bleed screws are listed in foot‑pounds. Skip that and you’ll be chasing a soft pedal that never recovers. Automotive Industry Overview shows how manufacturers standardize these procedures – Clymer followed that approach here.

Why Aftermarket Manuals Get It Wrong

I’ve seen reprints that blur torque values into unreadable messes. This Clymer manual is an aftermarket publication, but it’s based on factory service data and printed in the U.S. with clear diagrams. The copyright from 1975/1977 means it predates the era of mass‑scanned junk. The pages are crisp, the tables are legible, and the chapter organization follows factory layout – not some editor’s idea of what looks nice. If you want OEM, you need the Nissan green books. But for most home garage work, this manual gives you the same Engine specs without the $300 dealer price. DATSUN Workshop Manual 1972 – Section: Conversion Tables helps if you need to switch between metric and imperial fasteners.

Who Should Use This Manual

This is for the guy who owns a 510 and wants to do a clutch swap himself, or the enthusiast with a B210 that won’t start. The troubleshooting chapter (Chapter Three) methodically works through instruments, starter, charging system, ignition, Fuel system, and clutch – no random guessing. If you’ve never pulled a Datsun engine, Chapter Four’s step‑by‑step removal list will keep you from forgetting a ground strap or a hidden bolt. Beginners will need a basic socket set and a torque wrench; I recommend a beam‑style for accuracy over a click‑type.

What You Won’t Find in This Manual

There’s no coverage of the 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z’s suspension – those are in a different Clymer book. The manual covers the 1200, 510, 610, B210, and 710 models only. Also, the automatic transmission section in Chapter Nine is thin – it covers general removal and tightening torques, but not full overhaul. For that, get the specific Nissan service manual. Automotive Industry Overview gives context on how service documentation evolved during that era.

Does this manual include wiring diagrams for all models?

Chapter Seven covers the electrical system – battery, alternator, voltage regulator, starter, lighting, horn, fuses, ignition system, and distributor. There are wiring diagrams, but they are generic for the model range, not model‑specific. For a 1972 510, you’ll get enough to trace a bad ground or a short.

Can I use these torque specs for a 1975 B210?

Yes. The tightening torques in Chapter Four and Chapter Ten are listed by engine family and year range. The B210 is covered in the A‑series section.

Access the Factory Manual and put it on your tablet or print the pages you need. When you’re torquing the cylinder head on a 1200 or adjusting the valves on a 710, you’ll be glad you have the real numbers – not some internet opinion. This is the same manual I’ve used on bench jobs, and it’s saved me from two cracked blocks and one stripped cam tower bolt. That’s worth the price of the access.