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MG TD TF 1500 - Datsun/Nisson Connecion

I read (maybe on this board)that after WWII Datsun/Nisson (?) was given the rights to use some BMC parts as part of the progarm to get Japan back on it's feet. I belive this included cams and heads ??? Does anyone have more info on this or can anyone recommend any reading to enlighten me?

Thanks,
Jim
Kalamazoo
James Budrow

They licensed the BMC Series B motor (MGA, MGB) which was used in the Datsun 1600. The head fits exactly on a B.Also the brakes, etc you could get Austin Healy rear brake cylinders from you Datsun Dealer cheaper than from the BMC guy (where they were in short supply.
The first Datsun Z cars were supposedly all Austin Healy in a different skin. (Identicat engine, transmission, etc)
No help for T-cars however.
Don H.
Don Harmer

Hi Don. Actually the original '70 240Z was a clean sheet unit body design. The straight six engine has a light OHC aluminum head. The carbs were made under SU license, and the later 280 FI a licensed copy of the Bosch electronic. The earlier roadsters may be the AH copy. George
George Butz

Jim: Your question is interesting. Why do you ask it? Are you interested in using Datsun parts on your MG or do you want to swap engines? Just to let you know my situation: my TD is presently powered by a Datsun 1300 engine, gearbox, and complete rear end. All these parts fit the TD without any cutting, susupension changes, etc. The Datsun engine resembles the XPAG (that is on the work bench); the gear box is just slightly forward of the MG box, and the Datsun axle is 1.5 inches narrower. The clutch is hydraulic, the manifold is on the left, but other than those things, it fits just great. The Datsun engine is from the mid 60's. Parts are available and cheap. Any way, that's the toot of my horn.
Michael

Michael - When I first got hooked on MG's about 10 years ago I had no idea of their relationship with Triumph, the French connection (metric - Whitworth fasteners) and any connection with Japan. I don't have the time to become an expert but I would be curious to learn a little more.

Best regards,
Jim
James Budrow

FWIW:

The Datsun connectection goes back before WWII when they built Austin Sevens under license. "In 1947, though, car production was resumed on a modest scale. The first models were again British based, derived from the then-current Austin models, and this was to set the pattern right throught to the early 1950's. By this time, Nissan's cars closely remsembled the Austin Devon and Somerset, but the firm was busy on designs of its own. By 1955, they were ready to go into production."

I had a 68 Datsun pickup (320?) with a 1300cc engine which was identical to the Austin designed 1500cc BMC B series engine except the size and ancilleries. There have been several examples of this 1300cc engine being replaced by any B series because of the greater power of the larger engines. The Datsun 1300cc engine even used SAE fasteneners, not metric! Most readers know that Austin joined Morris to form BMC in 1952. The original B series engine was 1300cc according to Neil Cairns.
Blake J.

Actually, the Datsun Z engine is a copy of the mid 60's Mercedes Benz 6 cylinder engine, the Hitachi carbs are copies of the SU. The 75 and later 280Z's had EFI which was a licensed copy of the Bosch Jetronic set up.

The only thing the Z had in common with Austin Healy is the number of cylinders (6). The Z was a unit construction, full independent suspension design, miles ahead of any British offering in ride, handling, and of course, reliability. They did share a rather pathetic rustproofing technique (nonexistant).

The Z pretty much put the affordable British sports car on the slippery slope to oblivion

Pete W. (78 280z, 53 MGTD)
Peter Whelan

<<<snip>>>
Actually, the Datsun Z engine is a copy of the mid 60's Mercedes Benz 6 cylinder engine
<<<snip>>>
Actually the Z engine was just a 6 cylinder version of the four cylinder 1600cc engine used in the Datsun 510 and S1600. Add two 400cc capacity cylinders to the 1600, and walla, a 240. I believe my Datsun mechanic brother told me the rods, pistons, and oil pump from the 1600 will fit the 240. I believe he did say that the OHC layout was similar to the Benz.

Blake
MG TD
mga twin cam
Datsun 240Z
Blake J.

This is scary- Sept.51 TD, 77 280Z, one of the very first 5 speeds (a real Datsun transmission in a Datsun!), with reverse directly under 5th with no detent/lockout. Both mine for 20 years. My wife gets the next play car-although the new Explorer is better to haul kids and friends in-when it isn't broken-which has been quite often.
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 09/09/2002 and 15/09/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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