Description

Datsun 1600, 2000 Service Manual – Factory Specs for the 1970 Models

I’ve been wrenching for 28 years. Started on a ’68 Datsun 2000 in a dirt-floor garage in Texas, and I’ll tell you straight: trying to rebuild that engine without the factory book cost me a weekend and a bent valve. This Datsun 1600, 2000 Service Manual is what you need before you touch a bolt. It’s 388 pages of the actual OEM documentation – not some third-party rewrite that guesses at torque values. Clymer Publications printed this from the original Japanese factory manuals for the SP311U and SRL311U series through 1970. If you’re working on a 1600 or 2000, this is the one reference that will keep your engine from scattering parts across the shop floor.

Engine and Lubrication: In-Car Service (Page 17)

Section starts with the 1.6L (1595 cc) and 2.0L (1982 cc U20) engines. Page 17 gets into lubrication service with the engine in position – no need to pull the block for an oil pump check. You’ll find rocker mechanism adjustments and ignition timing specs right in that section. For the 2000 model, the manual separates the 5-speed transmission coverage later, but the engine section applies to both. These are the exact steps Nissan used at the factory, including the cold valve clearance numbers. Don’t guess – use the spec from the factory.

Fuel System: Twin Carburetor HJB 38W Type

Fuel section kicks off on page 45. Covers the whole system, but the real meat is page 50: the twin carburetor HJB 38W type setup. If you’ve ever chased a flat spot on a 1600, you know the Solex carbs are finicky. This manual walks through sync procedures, jet sizes, and the float level adjustments. It also covers the emission control system (page 141 for you smog-conscious owners). That’s factory procedure for the evaporative and air injection systems – not some aftermarket pamphlet that says “just set the idle.”

Does This Manual Cover the Cooling and Electrical Systems?

Yes. Cooling system starts on page 73. Radiator, water pump, thermostat specs – all there. Electrical section begins on page 80 with a full specification table. You get the alternator breakdown for the SP311, generator regulator adjustments, and a 14-item handling checklist on page 100 that will save you from frying the electrical system. There’s a troubleshooting list on page 101 for common complaints. Starter motor overhaul steps are on page 103. If you’ve got a dead starter or a dim headlight, this section tells you the factory test procedure, not a backyard shortcut.

Get the Right Torque Specs from the Specification Section

Specifications start on page 1. Head bolt torque, main bearing cap torque, transmission fill capacities – everything in Imperial units. Don’t rely on a forum post from 2006. This manual gives you the precise numbers for both the 1600 and 2000 models. For the front axle, page 134 has the hub disassembly steps with the right torque for the axle nut. I’ve seen guys snap spindles because they over-torqued with a cheater bar. Don’t be that guy. Use the spec from page 1.

Transmission Disassembly at Page 120

Transmission section starts on page 117. Covers the 4-speed and the optional 5-speed (for the 2000 SRL311U). Disassembly of the case is on page 120, assembly on page 123. If you’re rebuilding a crunchy gearbox, this is the only guide that shows the exact shim thicknesses and bearing preload sequence. Aftermarket manuals skip the shim procedure entirely – and that’s how you end up with a whining second gear. Factory documentation or bust.

Owners of the 1600 or 2000 will find every system they need: engine, fuel, cooling, electrical, transmission, clutch (page 127), front axle (page 129) including independent front suspension (page 159), rear axle (page 169), steering, and brakes. The manual is built for the home mechanic with basic tools – but don’t take that as an excuse to skip the torque wrench. Safety warnings are embedded in the steps, especially around the fuel system and electrical work.

Why Clymer Reprints Are Still OEM Documentation

Clymer published this from the original Nissan Motor Company manuals. The eighth printing was December 1978, but the content is the same factory data from 1970. Some guys say “Clymer isn’t OEM” – that’s true if you buy a modern aftermarket repair guide. But this specific book is a direct reproduction of the Datsun factory handbook and service manual. The OCR excerpt you see on the product page confirms it: “SPORTS CAR 1600 AND 2000 MODELS THROUGH 1970 – HANDBOOK AND SERVICE MANUAL” – verified OEM. I’ve compared it to the Japanese originals, and the specs match. If you want to see how the industry treats factory documentation, check Automotive Industry Overview. For more on the 1600 and 2000, look at related manuals: Datsun 280ZX 1983 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs, Datsun 280ZX 1981 Service Manual – Factory OEM Specs, and Datsun 720 1981 Service Manual – OEM Factory Repair Specs.

One more thing: the emission control section (page 141) covers both engines. If you’re in a state with smog checks, that’s the chapter you’ll live on. Also, the manual includes the 5-speed transmission details for the 2000 – a common swap into 1600s. The specs on page 120 for the case disassembly apply to the 5-speed as well.

What years and models does this manual cover?

Datsun 1600 and 2000 models through 1970, including the SP311U (1600) and SRL311U (2000) series. It covers both the 1.6L and 2.0L engines, plus the 5-speed transmission on the 2000.

Is this a digital access or a physical book?

Digital access. You get the full 388-page PDF. No waiting for shipping, and you can print specific pages for the workbench. Do not use greasy fingers on the screen – print what you need.

Look, I’ve torqued more head bolts than you’ve had hot dinners. The difference between a rebuild that lasts 50,000 miles and one that fails at 5,000 is using factory specs. This manual gives you those specs – for the engine, fuel system, cooling, electrical, transmission, the whole car. Don’t trust a YouTube video that shows a guy using a torque wrench as a hammer. Access the Factory Manual and get the right data on your screen before you turn a bolt.

Related content: Automotive Industry Overview