1959 Datsun [Austin] The Daustin?

[Mickey Richaud]

Just breezed the Moss FAQ. The only mention it has about a SC on a 3-bearing main is that a special water pump pulley has to be made?

Is that the only reason it isn't used? Curious what the problem is with the stock pulley?

Again I am far from an expert on forced induction, so forgive me. Why would a turbocharger be better than a SC on a low compression engine like the 59?

I probably overstepped myself there - I do that a lot!

I think both units work better with low compression. But in the recesses of my memory, I seem to recall that turbos are easier to regulate (or at least at one time they were).

Someone with more knowledge on this is bound to chime in here. In the meantime, check here for a good overview.

 

[aeronca65t]

Moss sells supercharger kits for various cars including the MGB and 1275 Spridget.

The supercharger itself is a fairly common Eaton unit (the kit involves a custom manifold and carb).

All the 1275 Spridget engines are 3 main bearing, but it is a short, tough engine so it can stand the extra load.

The bigger "B" series engines with 3 main bearings might be a little more fragile (but might still be OK depending on how hard you really drive).
As you probably know, later versions of the "B" series engines used in the MGB had five main bearings so these would be better to supercharge.

In the UK, some factory 1275 Minis came with turbochargers so that's also a possibility.

 

[Billm]

Unfortunately I know of no Datsun cross-over for the BMC a-block, only the b-block. The Datsun 210 is close to the same as the a-block & 1500 but nothing is a bolt-up.
The "J" motor mounts bolts up just like a B-block, here is is a picture of an MGA engine, a 3-main MGB engine and the Datsun "E" engine together:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._eng#Post515348

By the way the I am not positive but I think that the Datsun is a 5-main engine and I think that the "E" engine bolts up the same way.

BillM

 

[Fisch]

Unfortunately I know of no Datsun cross-over for the BMC a-block, only the b-block. The Datsun 210 is close to the same as the a-block & 1500 but nothing is a bolt-up.
The "J" motor mounts bolts up just like a B-block, here is is a picture of an MGA engine, a 3-main MGB engine and the Datsun "E" engine together:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._eng#Post515348

By the way the I am not positive but I think that the Datsun is a 5-main engine and I think that the "E" engine bolts up the same way.

BillM

Some fine info here Bill, THank you!

So the mounts for the Datsun e and J match the B-series. And you can also take the heads from the e and J on put them directly on the BMC B.

That would suggest that the Moss supercharger kit could bolt to the Datsun E and J series, right?

And if you are you thinking the J-series is a 5 bearing main, sounds like that would be a fine choice! (I have the shop manual for the e and J series, I will look it up!)

 

[Billm]

With one of those engines I don't really think that you NEED a super/turbocharger, you will already have way more power than those brakes and suspension can handle. Of course if you just want a 'charger because it is "cool" then you fit right in with the rest of us!!
BillM

 

[eddyramrod]

Also to my new friend in Cyprus, I am just learning myself what might be direct swaps between the brit and Jap engines. I am very curious too! I imagine your A40 has many of the same fitting issues that my Datsun would.

But you have me really hot on these Japanese cars all over Cyprus! I need to get over there with a big boat!!!

If you're doing that, Scott, don't forget to bring a 59 Impala Sport Sedan with you! Do that and you can take both of mine back...

Billm, thanks for that. I understand the Datsun gearbox fits the Austin engine, so it was something worth considering.

 

[Silverghost]

Of course if you just want a 'charger because it is "cool" then you fit right in with the rest of us!!

The EXACT reason I want to put one on my MkI Jag!! :laugh:

 

[78Z]

Fantastic find! I love it. Good to see you have it running already. If it where me I'd get it drivable and decide from there if it needs an engine upgrade.

 

[Fisch]

Thanks! And hey, I discovered that Datsun carried the lineage of their BMC B-series copies all the way to the J16 and J18!!! Saddly they were never brought to the usa. The j18 is a 5 main engine used all the way up to the 1980's in Mexico in the Datsun 180sx Sakura (Datsun Samurai?), and also in some datsun trucks.

The J16 was also 5 main, and had pretty limited export out side of Japan I think. So these are copies of BMC b-series engines pretty much. But I hear were cast and made with better steel and tolerances. I've read that bolting a Datsun head on your B block alone gives a few HP.

So I would love to find a 5 main J16 J18 Datsun B-series and supercharge it! Ahhh someday... Here is a thread I started about them if you are interested:

Datsun J16 and J18

Pics:

J16

J18

The 5-main crank for some incarnation of the J18 (I've seen a pic of a J18 that was 3-main, but I am pretty sure they were mostly 5.):

And finally, as some of you know I am a professional illustrator. The NE winter has me dreaming more than working on the Datsun. But I did a little dreaming in Photoshop w/ the Datsun! So this is me imagining I am tearing up the roads of new england in my little Daustin!