Michael's Datsun 210 SU Carb Tech Page
This is basically a compilation of info I've scavenged from the internet and through
discussions with Datsun and British car enthusiasts through web forums and emails. I
personally can't guarantee that all of this info is correct, so do your own research, but I think
I've done a decent job of getting it right. I'm in the process of acquiring my own SU setup for my
'79 210, so I'm sure I'll learn more as I go along. This page will be updated to reflect that.
Manifolds
There are 2 manifolds that I've seen that let you bolt dual "SU" carbs to an A series engine.
Most A-series Datsun SU swaps are done using the A12GX engine manifold. For more info
on this engine see this
datsun1200.com tech article and
this section of the carb tech article on this same site. This manifold works for the heads with
oval intake ports.
The other SU manifold I know about is made by Lynx in Australia. The part number for the A series manifold
is M137. I've never seen an engine with one of these and don't know much about it. I did get this pic from
an Australian distributor but I haven't confirmed if this is the actual manifold or simply a representative
picture of a Lynx manifold. But the head side of the manifold (as shown) appears to match the intake hole
shape and bolt pattern of the early round-port A series heads so most likely it is a pic of the actual M137
manifold. But what threw me off is that the carb hole
pattern (at the back) doesn't appear to match the standard GX carb hole pattern or any other 1.5"
patterns I've seen. It
looks like a 4 bolt pattern. The hole patterns of the various carbs out there will be discussed below so I won't
get into that here. I have found one US distributor for the Lynx manifold.
Here's a link
to that site. It looks like an interesting design for an intake with the crossed over channels, but it
doesn't look much like the pic I have of the M137. Please contact me with any more info on these
(and pics of an installation if possible!) I did give Carbs Unlimited a call. They don't have the
M137 in stock and they said it'd be about $240 to get one (as of 11/04). Also the part number "M042 MANIF
DATSUN 1200 2 x HS4 SU"
is incorrect according to guy I talked to. He didn't explain what that part really is but he said for the
Datsun SU it is the M137.
So what carbs will work?
The SU style carbs were produced by two different manufacturers. The original SU carbs were made in England
for MGs, Minis, Spitfires etc by the company Skinner's Union. The SU carbs supplied with Datsuns in the 60's and 70's
such as the Roadster/Fairlady, 240Zs and 510s are licensed copies of SU carbs made by Hitachi. I'm still
trying to figure out exactly how similar they are and what if any parts are interchangable. Also at this
point I'm not sure how to tell the difference between the Hitachi carbs and the real SU carbs. Some of the MG
carbs are stamped with SU part numbers on the bodies, but I don't know if all of the SU's are and I don't know if
the Hitachi's are stamped with numbers either.
Carb pics from ebay and other places on the web
