Description

Nissan 210 1979 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs for the 8310 Series

If you’ve ever reached for a torque wrench on a Nissan 210 and found yourself guessing because the aftermarket book you bought said “tighten to spec” without listing the number, you know the feeling. That’s not a manual, that’s a paperweight. The Nissan 210 1979 Service Manual you’re looking at here is the exact same 548-page document Nissan Motor Co. issued to its dealers in ‘79. It covers the 8310 Series, and it doesn’t leave anything to your imagination. I’ve been turning wrenches since before this car was new, and I can tell you: the difference between a job that holds and a comeback is having the factory page in front of you.

Engine Tune-Up Specs: What the Manual Covers

Section ET (Engine Tune Up) walks through compression test procedures, ignition timing, and valve clearance adjustments with values in both metric and imperial. Need the exact firing order for the A-series engine? It’s in there. The manual also lists the recommended SAE viscosity numbers in the lubrication chart (Section GI). That’s not a generic “use 10W-30” – it’s the actual factory graph for your climate. If you skip the tune-up steps and just throw parts at it, you’ll be chasing drivability issues all season.

Cooling System and Fuel System: Real Numbers

Section CO (Cooling System) gives you the radiator cap pressure test spec, thermostat opening temperature, and coolant capacity – not “fill until it comes out.” Section EF (Engine Fuel) covers the carburetor adjustments, float level, and idle mixture settings. On a car that old, the carb is the first thing people screw up because they don’t have the factory jetting data. This manual has it. And the fuel system section includes the emission control vacuum routing (Section EC) that changed year to year. Use an aftermarket diagram? Good luck.

Transmission and Brake System: Factory Procedures

Manual transmission rebuild? Section MT gives you the synchro ring clearance, bearing preload, and shift fork specs. Automatic transmission (Section AT) covers the band adjustments and line pressure checks. The brake system (Section BR) lists the master cylinder bore diameter, drum brake shoe clearance, and the correct way to bleed the system – one port at a time, not the “pump and hold” nonsense. You also get the wheel and tire specs (Section WT) including the factory recommended tire pressure for the original 155SR13 tires.

Electrical System: Wiring Diagrams That Match

Section BE (Body Electrical System) and Section EE (Engine Electrical System) include full wiring diagrams for the 210’s harness. These aren’t generic schematics; they’re the exact wire colors, connector pinouts, and ground locations from Nissan. Chasing an intermittent short without the factory diagram is like trying to read a map in the dark. The manual also covers the alternator output specs and starter motor draw – the kind of data you need to avoid replacing parts that aren’t actually bad. Section AC (Air Conditioning) gives you the compressor and refrigerant capacities if your car still has the factory A/C setup.

Suspension and Steering: Torque Values That Matter

Section FA (Front Axle Front Suspension) and Section RA (Rear Axle Rear Suspension) cover everything from ball joint inspection limits to rear spring bushing torque specs. Steering system (Section ST) includes the manual and power steering gearbox adjustments. Missing a torque spec on a lower control arm bolt by 10 ft-lbs on a 40-year-old car can cost you an alignment at best, a wreck at worst. The manual gives you the number – it’s your job to set the wrench to it.

Source Validity: Why Factory Nissan Documentation Matters

This is an original Nissan Motor Co. service manual, not a reprint or a third-party compilation. The Quick Reference Index puts every section at your fingertips – General Information GI, Engine Mechanical EM, Propeller Shaft Differential Carrier PD, you name it. Page counts are real: 548 pages, each one sourced from the factory binder. Aftermarket manuals for the 210 are often condensed, missing the “CAUTION” and “WARNING” notes that Nissan put in to keep your fingers attached. This one has them all. Nissan Xterra 2005 Service Manual – OEM Factory Spec is a different beast, but if you’re working on the older 210, this is the only paper that counts. Nissan 60 1967 Service Manual – Original Factory Bulletin and Nissan L60, L60-U, KL60-U 1968 Service Manual – Factory Specs are also in the collection if your shop handles vintage Nissan trucks.

FAQ

Does this manual include the automatic transmission section?

Yes, Section AT covers the automatic transmission – band adjustments, line pressure checks, and valve body removal. 12 pages of factory procedure.

Are the torque values given in both ft-lbs and Nm?

The manual lists torque specifications mostly in ft-lbs with the metric equivalent in parentheses, as printed by Nissan. For example, the cylinder head bolt torque is given in the Engine Mechanical section (EM). There are also approximate refill capacities in both quarts and liters in Section GI. If you need a specific value for a job, look up the section and you’ll have it in front of you – no conversion table required. I’ve had too many arguments with guys who say “it’s close enough” when torquing to a different unit. That’s how stuff leaks.

Before you start any repair on a 1979 Nissan 210, have the factory data in your hand. Access the Factory Manual and get the specs that Nissan wanted you to use – not something a third-party writer guessed at. Automotive Industry Overview Automotive Industry Overview