Description

Nissan Cedric Service Manual – What You’re Actually Getting

If you’re elbow-deep in a 31 Series Cedric and the aftermarket book tells you to “tighten until snug,” you already know the rest of the story. A stripped thread, a leaky gasket, or a control arm that drops off at 60 mph – all because some third-party outfit guessed at the Nissan Cedric Service Manual specs. I’ve torqued enough metric bolts to tell you: you don’t guess on a car that was engineered half a century ago. This 205-page factory binder is the only document that carries Nissan’s own seal – not a photocopy, not a re‑typed PDF from a guy in a basement. OEM or walk.

Engine Overhaul: Factory Disassembly and Inspection

Chapter 2 of this manual walks you through pulling the L-series engine – every bolt sequence, every shim thickness, every clearance. If you try to reuse a head gasket because the aftermarket diagram didn’t show the copper coating specs, you’ll be doing the job twice. Page 26 gives you the exact cylinder head bolt torque sequence and values in ft‑lbs. That page alone pays for the manual. The book also covers carbon deposit inspection, ring gap measurement, and valve seat reconditioning – all with Nissan’s own measurement limits, not “snug plus a quarter turn.”

Torque Specs and Fluid Capacities – Real Data, Not Guesses

Every fastener on a Cedric 31 Series has a factory torque value. The manual separates them by thread size and location: suspension, engine mounts, transmission bellhousing, steering box. You’ll also find the correct oil capacities – engine oil (SAE 10W‑30 or 20W‑40 depending on climate), manual transmission (GL‑4 80W‑90), rear axle (hypoid gear oil). Third-party manuals often merge these into a single table and call it done. This document treats each system separately because a cross‑threaded axle nut will ruin your Saturday.

Does This Manual Cover the Full Electrical System?

Yes. The electrical section includes the full wiring harness routing for the 31 Series, including the generator (DC dynamo), starter motor, ignition system, and lighting circuits. If you’re chasing a no‑start or a dim headlight, you get the factory color codes and connector views. None of that generic “check ground” nonsense – you get the pin numbers and wire gauge. I’ve used these diagrams to find a broken wire inside the steering column on a 1969 Cedric. They work.

Transmission Service: Full Disassembly Steps

The manual covers the four‑speed manual transmission (F4C63) and the three‑speed automatic (Jatco 3N71B) that came in later 31 Series cars. For the manual, you get synchro ring clearance, shift fork wear limits, and bearing preload specifications. For the automatic, there’s a complete valve body overhaul procedure and clutch pack clearance charts. If you skip the selective snap‑ring measurement on the automatic, the transmission will slip within 500 miles. The factory manual forces you to check it.

Brake System: Specs and Bleeding Procedure

Front disc and rear drum brakes. The manual gives you rotor thickness minimum, pad friction material thickness, drum inside diameter, and shoe lining wear limit. Bleeding sequence is specific to the 31 Series – left rear, right rear, right front, left front – not the generic diagonal pattern that aftermarket books love to print. Use the wrong order and you’ll have a spongy pedal that never hardens. The brake section also includes the factory pedal free play spec (10–15 mm) and master cylinder pushrod clearance.

Source Validity: OEM Print vs. Aftermarket Reprints

This is a direct scan of the original Nissan Motor Co. manual printed for the Model 31 Series in the late 1960s. The OCR excerpt on page 1 shows the factory address in Tokyo and the cable address “NISMO.” Every page carries that same authenticity. Aftermarket “reprints” often omit pages, swap sections, or use low‑resolution scans that make torque specifications unreadable. This copy is clean, searchable, and complete. You can trust the numbers because Nissan’s engineers put them there.

Related manuals if you’re working on other Nissans:

• Nissan Xterra 2005 Service Manual – OEM Factory Spec
• Nissan 60 1967 Service Manual – Original Factory Bulletin
• Nissan L60, L60-U, KL60-U 1968 Service Manual – Factory Specs

For broader automotive repair context, check Automotive Industry Overview and Automotive Industry Overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same manual used by Nissan dealers in the 1960s?

Yes. This is the official service manual issued to Nissan distributors and dealers for the Model 31 Series. It contains the same procedures, torque values, and diagrams that factory-trained mechanics used.

Does this cover the Cedric 230 or 330?

No. This manual is specifically for the 31 Series (late 1960s). The 230 and 330 are different chassis. You need the matching manual for those models.

What tools do I need to follow the procedures?

A torque wrench that reads ft‑lbs (0–150 range), metric sockets (8–19 mm), a dial indicator for end play measurement, a micrometer (0–1 inch), and a feeler gauge set. The manual lists required tools at the start of each major section. Don’t skip them.

Are the wiring diagrams in color?

They are black and white factory schematics with wire colors labeled (e.g., “Red/White stripe”). The manual includes a legend for the color abbreviations. They are clear enough to trace circuits with a test light.

Don’t trust guesswork on a Japanese classic. Access the Factory Manual and get the real specs – the ones that keep the Cedric running right the first time.