Description

Nissan 720, PL720 Technical Manual – 1984-1986 Factory Specs

I’m Mike Callahan, and I’ve been turning wrenches professionally since before some of you were born. If you’re tearing into a Nissan 720 or PL720 with a Z20 or Z24 engine, you need the original factory documentation – not a condensed aftermarket reprint that leaves out half the torque values. This Technical Manual comes straight from Nissan’s engineering team, and it’s 641 pages of what you actually need to fix these trucks right.

Exactly 641 Pages of Factory Data – No Shortcuts

You get the complete table of contents covering every system: ACE-00 through ACE-126, including separate sections for automatic transmission (ACE-98 AT) and manual transmission (ACE-99.3 MT). The manual doesn’t skip the nitty-gritty like the CCS (cruise control) system on ACE-82 or the emission system on ACE-44. Every torque spec, every clearance, every wire color – it’s all from the same engineers who designed the truck. I’ve rebuilt more Z20 engines than I can count, and having the factory assembly sequence and torque values in front of me saves a comeback.

VIN Decoding and Engine Identification on Page 1

Flip to page 1 and you get the factory VIN interpretation breakdown for the 720 and PL720. The manual shows both the 1984-1986½ VIN format and the 1987-1988 format. You’ll see the fourth digit identifies the engine – ‘F’ for the 2.0L gas (Z20), ‘N’ for 2.2L gas, ‘J’ for 2.5L diesel. That’s the kind of detail that keeps you from ordering the wrong parts. The engine system identification section later in the manual shows where to find the engine code stamp on the block – left side for pickups, right side for others. No guesswork.

Fuel-Air System: What You’ll Find in the ACE-27 Section

Fuel system diagnostics are a common headache on these trucks. The ACE-27 Fuel – Air section covers the carburetor and air intake system with OEM adjustments. You get float level specs, throttle linkage settings, and the factory choke calibration. If you’re chasing a lean misfire or a rich condition, the troubleshooting charts in the Diagnosis section (section 5) walk you through it step by step. The manual also includes the emission system application chart on page 2 – that shows which EGR and evaporative components came on which model year. Missing that can leave a truck failing a smog check.

Emission and CCS Systems: Factory Diagnostics

Most aftermarket manuals gloss over the emission controls and the cruise control system. This Technical Manual dedicates ACE-44 to the emission system and ACE-82 to the CCS. You get vacuum hose routing diagrams, component location photos, and the factory test procedures for the EGR valve, vacuum modulators, and the cruise control actuator. If you’re in California or any state with strict smog, you need this data. Don’t trust a generic manual that shows three different diagrams and none match your truck’s VIN.

Why Aftermarket Manuals Don’t Belong in Your Toolbox

I’ve seen too many DIYers bring in a truck that was “fixed” using a $20 online PDF from a third-party reseller. The torque spec for the intake manifold was off by 10 ft-lbs – gasket blew within a month. With this factory manual, you get the exact values from Nissan’s own service bulletins. The TSB index (section 6.1) lists all known updates, and the actual bulletins are included in section 6.2. That’s something Chilton never had. For related factory coverage on later models, check the Nissan D-21 Technical Manual – Factory Fuel & Emission Data – it continues the lineage of factory-accurate information. If you’re working on a Patrol, the Nissan Patrol – Patrol GR Technical Specifications covers a different platform but same engineering philosophy. And for modern SRS systems, the Nissan Altima SRS Airbag Control System Service Manual has the safety protocols you need. For background on VIN standards, see Automotive Industry Overview. And if you’re rebuilding a manual transmission, the Manual Transmission overview can supplement the factory MT section in this manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this manual cover the Z20 engine?

Yes, all L4 Z20 2.0L SOHC details are inside.

What about wiring diagrams and torque specs?

The manual includes full wiring diagrams in the Diagrams section and torque specs in the Specifications section. For example, head bolt torque sequences are listed with factory values in inch-pounds and foot-pounds. The TSB index also has updates from Nissan that correct earlier torque values for certain components. You’ll also find fluid capacities, bearing clearances, and a complete set of electrical schematics covering the engine harness, body harness, and emissions control circuits. Every connector pinout is identified by color and terminal number – saved me hours of tracing when I rewired a PL720 that had a melted fusible link.

If you want to stop chasing ghosts and start using data that comes straight from the factory, Access the Factory Manual now and put it on your bench. Your 720 will thank you.