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Installing a Nissan A14 engine:
Nissan A14 engines are relatively easy to obtain. You can either get one second hand from the scrap yard (from a Datsun Pulsar), or you can get an imported Japanese engine.
You will need an A14 inlet manifold. The 1200 exhaust manifold does fit onto the A14 block, but get an A14 exhaust manifold if possible, as it is much larger, and allows a much better exhaust flow. The A14 exhaust manifold flange (where the exhaust bolts up to the exhaust) is different to the A12 exhaust manifold flange. As a result, you will need to modify the exhaust flange to fit. An exhaust specialist will be able to replace the first foot or so of your exhaust, together with a new flange fitting to match the A14 exhaust manifold.
All the pollution control stuff can be removed from the A14, if it is going into a car from before 1978. Remove it all, and then weld up or otherwise plug up all the holes in the inlet and exhaust manifolds.
The engine mounts of the A14 are in a different position on the block than on the A12. I believe that you can put a 120Y cross member into a 1200, and then the A14 will drop straight in. You will need to move the cross member mounts outward slightly as the bolt spacing on the 120Y is different to that on the 1200.
If you use a 1200 Ute cross member, both the A14 and A15 will bolt straight on.
However, it is easy enough to modify the mounts. The easiest way to do so is to remove the 1200 engine, and drop in the A14 (using a winch or block and tackle). Bolt the engine to the gearbox, and then lower the engine till it is in the required position. You can then see how the mounts will need to be modified to fit. One way to do it is to weld a short length of angle iron to the side of the mounts on the block. Then drill two holes in this angle iron so that the mount can be bolted to the block through the angle iron. This will then move the mounts rearward, so that they are in the correct position with respect to the cross member. Another method of modifying the mounts is to bolt a steel plate to the mounts on the A14 block, and also bolt it to the rubber mounts on the cross member.
The A14 engine will fit into a 120Y with no modifications to the engine mounts.
The alternator on a 1200 engine is on the left hand side of the block, while the alternator mounts on the A14 block are on the other side. The 1200 alternator is perfectly adequate for the A14, and it is a relatively easy matter to extend the wiring so that it runs under the radiator, to the new position on the other side of the block.
The 1200 radiator is not really adequate for the A14 engine, unless it is in excellent condition. A Holden Gemini radiator is sufficient (and has the inlet and outlets in the right position), and can be quite easily mounted. If you want a really big radiator, a Nissan Skyline radiator will fit (only just).
The 1200 carb will fit onto the A14 inlet manifold. The 1200 carb actually has bigger jets than the A14 carb, so you are probably better off using the 1200 carb (or put a Weber or similar on...or a pair of SU's).
Bore out the A14 out to 120 thou, with flat tops with valve recesses, fully floating pins, balanced, finished shortened, etc rods. The head ported to the max to allow more flow. Cut down 1600 valves, and a 54/86 cam, as well as twin 45 mm Webbers. It produces about 97 hp at the rear wheels.
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