Description

Datsun 210 1972 Technical Manual

If you’re working on a Datsun 210 and don’t have the factory bulletins, you’re guessing. Guessing gets you stripped threads, blown head gaskets, and a car that leaks oil worse than a sieve. I’ve seen too many guys chase ghosts with aftermarket data. This Datsun 210 1972 Technical Manual is the real deal – a compilation of actual Nissan Technical Bulletins from January 1969 through December 1972. 237 pages of OEM intel that tells you exactly what changed and why.

Cylinder Head Torque Specs and Bolt Procedures

Page 23 gives you the cylinder head tightening torque for the 1972 models. Not the generic 35 ft-lbs you see on forums – the actual factory value after they figured out the head gasket was failing. The manual walks you through removal and installation of cylinder head bolts, including the revised bolts introduced for the SRL311. You will find the torque sequence and the exact angle if any. Do not trust a third-party PDF that claims to have these numbers. They don’t.

4 Major Technical Sections Covered

General Information, Engine, Cooling System, Engine Fuel – those are the four pillars of this manual. Under General Information you get flat rate changes, lubricant specifications, and the steering wheel puller procedure. The Engine section alone has 30+ bulletins covering everything from cam locating plates to cartridge oil filters. Cooling System gets into water pump installation for the 240Z and the improved water pump housing. Engine Fuel covers the BCDD circuit, SU carburetor idle mixture adjustment limiter, and high altitude carburetor modifications. This is not a reprint of a service manual – it’s the record of changes the factory made as they fixed problems.

Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System?

Yes, and it’s specific. You get the throttle switch bracket stay, the high altitude carburetor modifications, and the boost controlled deceleration device (BCDD) circuit. There is a bulletin on the air bleed screw and lock nut, plus carburetor cleaning for the A12 engine in the Model 1200. If you’re chasing a stumble or a hard start, this is where you start. The manual includes the setting for the SU carburetor idle mixture adjustment limiter – a common point where aftermarket guides get it wrong.

Boost Controlled Deceleration Device: What the Manual Says

The BCDD circuit is a vacuum-operated system that prevents backfire during deceleration. Page 35 (if memory serves – check the engine fuel section) gives the test procedure and the adjustment specs. You’ll also find the automatic choke relay for 1972 automatic transmission cars. These bulletins were written for dealers, so the language is straight and the steps are numbered. No fluff, no guesswork – just the factory procedure.

Factory Bulletins: Why Aftermarket Copies Fall Short

I’ve seen aftermarket manuals that claim to be “factory spec” but then use a generic torque value for the camshaft gear bolt. This manual has that torque value – from the actual bulletin. The aftermarket ones skip the revisions, like the improved head bolts on SRL311 or the modified cylinder head bolts for the aluminum head. If you buy a copy that was scanned from a third-party, you lose the original page numbers and the context. This is a direct reproduction of the Nissan technical communications department publication. You get the foreword, the table of contents that tells you what page each bulletin starts on, and the exact wording the factory sent to dealers. Related manuals: Datsun 510 PL521 1968-1973 Workshop Manual”>Datsun 510 PL521 1968-1973 Workshop Manual, Datsun 1200 1969-1973 Workshop Manual”>Datsun 1200 1969-1973 Workshop Manual, Datsun 510 1969-1973 Workshop Manual”>Datsun 510 1969-1973 Workshop Manual.

Who Needs This Manual?

If you’re a home garage guy who owns a Datsun 210 from 1972 and wants to keep it running right – you need this. Also if you’re a collector restorer and you’ve got a 510, 240Z, or 1200, these bulletins overlap. The engine section applies to L16, L18, and the 240Z’s engine. The cooling system bulletin on the 240Z water pump installation is in here. For a professional mechanic like me, it’s the difference between a comeback and a satisfied customer. For the Automotive Industry Overview, these bulletins show how Nissan managed changes in the early 70s. There’s even data on Manual Transmission adjustments in the general bulletins.

Is this manual for the 1972 model only?

It covers bulletins from 1969 through 1972 for multiple Datsun models, but the 210 is included.

Can I use this manual to rebuild an engine?

Yes, but understand this is a collection of technical bulletins, not a full service manual. It contains specific torque specifications (see page 23), cylinder head bolt removal/installation procedures, and modifications. For a complete rebuild, you’ll want to pair it with a factory service manual. The bulletins fill in the gaps where the factory made running changes. For example, the manual details the change in cylinder head gasket part numbers and torque values. If you’re swapping pistons or rings, you need the revised specs from these bulletins.

Every time I reach for this manual, I find something I would have missed. The cylinder head torque on page 23 kept me from over-torquing a 1972 head and cracking it. The water pump bulletin saved me from buying the wrong part. You don’t need guesswork – you need the factory word. Access the Factory Manual and stop wasting time on forums.