Datsun 1200 Workshop Manual – Factory Repair Specs 1969-1973

Description

If you are digging into a Datsun 1200 from the era when men were men and carburetors had float bowls, you already know the problem. Aftermarket manuals leave out half the torque specs, and the wiring diagrams look like a kindergarten finger painting. This Datsun 1200 Workshop Manual is the factory-sanctioned reference. 136 pages of procedures that actually match the hardware on your lift.

Drake Publishers printed this in 1973, back when the 1200 was still on the road new. The book doesn’t assume you own a scan tool or a lift – it assumes you have a wrench set and a willingness to read the specs before you turn a bolt. That is exactly what you need.

Valve Clearance Adjustment

Page 6 of the manual walks you through valve clearance checks on the A-series engine. No ambiguous “adjust to spec” nonsense – it gives you the cold clearance numbers and the order to check them. You will also find the rocker arm and pushrod inspection procedures later in the Engine section. If you have ever had a 1200 that sounded like a sewing machine with a loose needle, this chapter saves you a second teardown.

What Torque Values Are Listed?

The manual includes a dedicated Specifications section starting on page 129. But the critical assembly torques are printed right in the step-by-step text. For example, page 26 gives the torque for the piston connecting rod nuts – that is where most DIY guys get into trouble. Over-torque those and you stretch the bolts. Under-torque them and you spin a bearing. The book does not leave you guessing. Head bolt torque, flywheel bolt torque, even the little ones like the oil pump mounting bolts – they are all in there.

12 Major Systems Covered

Flip through the table of contents and you see exactly what is inside: Maintenance Tune-Up, Engine (disassembly, inspection, assembly), Electrical System (starter, alternator, regulator), Ignition System (distributor, spark plugs), Fuel System (fuel pump, carburetor adjustment), Cooling System (water pump, thermostat), Brakes (front disc, rear drum, hand brake bleeding), Front Suspension, Steering, Rear Drive (axle, differential, shocks), Clutch, and Transmission. That is every system that will leave you stranded if you guess.

Electrical System: Starter and Alternator Procedures

The starter and alternator sections on pages 36-37 are worth the price alone. I have seen backyard mechanics toss a perfectly good Hitachi starter because they did not know the brush inspection procedure. The manual tells you how to remove, install, and troubleshoot both units. The regulator description on page 39 includes a trouble-shooting flow chart that actually works. If your 1200’s charge light stays on, you can work through the chart instead of replacing parts until the problem goes away.

Get the Right Fuel System Data

The carburetor adjustment on page 53 is where the manual separates itself from aftermarket junk. It details the idle mixture screw turns, the dash pot setting for automatic transmission models, and the float level specs. Do not trust a generic Weber tuning guide for a stock Hitachi carb. This manual gives you the factory jet sizes and the throttle return spring routing. The fuel pump testing procedure on page 51 tells you how to check pressure and volume with a basic gauge – no special tools required.

FAQ

Does this manual cover the automatic transmission?

Yes. The Transmission section includes automatic transmission trouble-shooting steps on page 103. However, the manual does not contain a full rebuild procedure – it focuses on adjustments and common failures.

Are the wiring diagrams complete?

They are factory-original for the 1969-1973 Datsun 1200. The Electrical System chapter includes the battery, ignition timing, starter circuit, alternator wiring, and regulator connections. No aftermarket interpretation.

This is the book you keep on the bench, not on a shelf. When a customer asks why his 1200 won’t start and you have already checked the distributor points, you flip to the ignition timing page, verify the static timing, and move on. Stop wasting time with third-party summaries that leave out the critical footnote. Access the Factory Manual and get the original OEM data that has been proving itself since 1973.

Related manuals you might need: Datsun 1000 1200 Workshop Manual”>Datsun 1000 1200 Workshop Manual, Datsun 1200 1973 Service Manual – Section: Automatic Transmission”>Datsun 1200 1973 Service Manual – Section: Automatic Transmission, Datsun Multiple Models Service/Repair Handbook”>Datsun Multiple Models Service/Repair Handbook.

External reference: See Automotive Industry Overview”>Automotive Industry Overview for context on OEM documentation standards. Also check Automotive Industry Overview”>Automotive Industry Overview for related history.