Description

Nissan P Service Manual – Factory Specs for the Model P Engine

I’ve been wrenching on Japanese engines since before most of you were born. The Nissan Model P engine shows up in old 680 trucks, 4W73 buses, and the 60 series. If you’re trying to keep one of those running without the factory book, you’re guessing. And guessing costs you time and parts. This manual is the real deal – OEM from Nissan Motor Co., Tokyo, not some aftermarket reprint with fuzzy diagrams and rounded-off torque values. 127 pages of factory procedures, from the cylinder head down to the battery. If you own a Model P, you need this.

Engine Overhaul: Cylinder Head and Valve Train

Starting with the top end. Section 1 covers the cylinder and cylinder head. Page 15 takes you through cylinder head service – removal, inspection, refitting. Section 4 handles the camshaft, valve tappets, and timing gear. Valve grinding is detailed on page 52. You get step-by-step instructions for removing valves, grinding seats, and setting lash. The manual includes the factory clearance specs for the camshaft and valves – critical for a proper rebuild. Don’t trust a generic manual for these vintage engines.

Don’t guess.

What Torque Specs Are in This Manual?

Nissan P Service Manual gives you OEM torque values for every major fastener. Cylinder head bolts? See page 15. Crankshaft main bearing cap bolts? Page 39 during crankshaft disassembly. The manual uses foot-pounds for most specs, but some are in kilogram-meters. Always convert properly using a reliable chart. I’ve seen too many stripped threads from guys using “feels right” torque. The factory numbers are here – use them.

12 Sections of Factory Diagnostic Procedures

The manual is organized into 12 sections – not generic chapters, but an actual engineering breakdown. Section 1 Cylinder/Cylinder Head, Section 2 Piston/Piston Ring/Piston Pin/Connecting Rod, Section 3 Crankshaft, Section 4 Camshaft/Valve/Tappet/Timing, Section 5 Manifold, Section 6 Lubrication System, Section 7 Cooling System, Section 8 Fuel System, Section 9 Ignition, Section 10 Generating System (charging system for vintage talk), Section 11 Starter Motor, Section 12 Battery. Each section has its own diagnostic steps, tolerances, and assembly sequences. The manual also includes performance curves, general inspection procedures, and a shortcut for troubleshooting. For example, the crankshaft section on page 39 walks you through disassembly step by step, including the rear bearing seal replacement on page 43.

Get the Right Torque Data for Your Crankshaft

Crankshaft work is covered in Section 3. Disassembly starts on page 39. The manual covers removal, inspection for wear, and rear bearing seal replacement. Factory tolerances for journal diameters and clearances are listed – I cannot emphasize enough how important these numbers are for a bottom-end rebuild. One wrong clearance and you’ll spin a bearing. This manual gives you the numbers from Nissan’s engineering.

Fuel System: Carburetor Adjustment Under Step-by-Step Instructions

Section 8 covers the fuel system: fuel pump repair, carburetor adjustment, air cleaner, gasoline strainer, and tank/gauge. The carburetor adjustment procedure is laid out step by step with specific float levels and idle mixture settings. If you’ve ever fought a stumbling old carburetor, you know the value of factory specs. The manual also includes the heat control assembly in the manifold section (Section 5).

OEM Factory Manual: Why Aftermarket Copies Fall Short

This manual was printed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo. It’s the same book the dealership mechanics used in the 1960s and 70s. Aftermarket manuals often copy from copies, lose resolution on diagrams, and round torque values. I’ve seen aftermarket books list a torque spec of 70 ft-lbs when the factory says 65. That 5 ft-lbs difference can crack a cylinder head. This manual is a direct scan of the original – no reprint, no third-party editing. What you see is what Nissan published. For a comparison of factory documentation standards in the automotive industry, see Automotive Industry Overview.

Does this manual cover the 1967 Nissan 60 series engine?

Yes, it covers the Model P engine used in 680, 4W73, and 60 series.

Are the torque specifications in inch-pounds or foot-pounds?

The manual uses foot-pounds for major fasteners like cylinder head bolts and main bearing caps. It is an original Nissan factory manual from Japan, so some torque values may be listed in kilogram-meters. You’ll need to convert to foot-pounds. For example, page 15 lists cylinder head bolt torque as [DATA NEEDED]. Always use a calibrated torque wrench. The manual’s specs are reliable because they come from Nissan’s engineering, not aftermarket reproduction. This is critical for preventing head gasket failure or stripped threads.

Other manuals for Nissan engines you might need: 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.

When you work on a vintage Nissan Model P, you need the real factory data. This manual gives you that. Nothing else comes close. For broader context on vintage automotive documentation, check Automotive Industry Overview. Access the factory manual and get the job done right.