L Series Diesel

General & Technical discussion about other Nissan/Datsun cars
Gensaiken1
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L Series Diesel

Post by Gensaiken1 »

I am wondering if anyone has some experince with L-Series Diesel engines.

I'm mostly wondering what vehicles had them and how good they were.

I have seen some Diesel 620's for sale every so often but I don't know anything about them or if the engine is even L-Series.


Thanks.
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1971 2dr Datsun 510 - L20b, 219 SSS Head, Roundtop SU's
datzenmike
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by datzenmike »

Starting in '81, the 720 truck had them as an option and were called an SD22 with the same bore as an L16, but totally different block, and an awesome 3.94" stroke . From '84 through at least '87 they were replaced by the SD25 with just a bore increase from 3.27" to 3.5" . The 2.2 liter SD22 made only 61 HP but the torque of an L20B 102 ft. lbs. at only 1,800 rpms. The 2.5 liter SD25 made 70 HP and 115 ft.lbs. at 2,000rpms. So a low numerical rear was in order to take advantage of this really low end torque.
All I have talked to say they were always impressed after driving it, as it was fantastic on fuel and peppy at highway speeds but not a high rever at lower speeds. As with any diesel it requires little but critical maintenance to easily outlast several bodies. I don't no of any cars that used the 4 cylinder diesel but the LD28 diesel based on the L28 block but about 20mm taller, was an option in the Maxima till '84. Quite rare.
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
Gensaiken1
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by Gensaiken1 »

Hmm, thats what I figured. I was hoping to either find some sort of L20B diesel engine (doesn't sound like it exsists) or one of those L28 type.


I will likely not find one but it'd be nice. Thanks for the info. I assume these engines are slightly more common up in canada then down here in the US.
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1971 2dr Datsun 510 - L20b, 219 SSS Head, Roundtop SU's
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thisismatt
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by thisismatt »

I saw a 720 diesel for sale here recently
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Baz
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by Baz »

The LD20 was available, we used the Diesel crank in race L20Bs.
510rob
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by 510rob »

Baz, what was different about the LD20 crank that made it more desireable than a L20B crank?
datzenmike
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by datzenmike »

Jeff, you know the LD28 was inline 6 right? Never heard of a LD20 before, so that's neat! Don't know if they made it to N. AM.

Looks like a JDM motor used in the U12 series Bluebird around '89
ish. I found a weight of over 400 lbs, less than 40 hp, and 81 ft. lbs.

The 720 SD's could maybe be turboed?
"Nissan 'shit the bed' when they made these, plain and simple." McShagger510 on flattop SUs
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thisismatt
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RE: L Series Diesel

Post by thisismatt »

I'm your huckleberry.
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datsunfreak
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Re: RE: L Series Diesel

Post by datsunfreak »

datzenmike wrote:Never heard of a LD20 before, so that's neat! Don't know if they made it to N. AM.
They didn't, officially.
Looks like a JDM motor used in the U12 series Bluebird around '89
ish. I found a weight of over 400 lbs, less than 40 hp, and 81 ft. lbs.

The 720 SD's could maybe be turboed?
They made an LD20T (turbo version) that made plenty of torque, 160+ IIRC. I spoke with a guy in the N. Carolina area who had 6 new ones for sale cheap. Don't know if I still have his contact info.

FYI, the LD20T won't fit in a LHD car without a TON of fab work.
510mango
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Post by 510mango »

theres a l22 sitting in a junkyard her in sacramento ca
Cruez
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Re: RE: L Series Diesel

Post by Cruez »

datsunfreak wrote:
datzenmike wrote:Never heard of a LD20 before, so that's neat! Don't know if they made it to N. AM.
They didn't, officially.
Looks like a JDM motor used in the U12 series Bluebird around '89
ish. I found a weight of over 400 lbs, less than 40 hp, and 81 ft. lbs.

The 720 SD's could maybe be turboed?
They made an LD20T (turbo version) that made plenty of torque, 160+ IIRC. I spoke with a guy in the N. Carolina area who had 6 new ones for sale cheap. Don't know if I still have his contact info.

FYI, the LD20T won't fit in a LHD car without a TON of fab work.
Where at ???? I am in NC...
bigjim5551212
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RE: Re: RE: L Series Diesel

Post by bigjim5551212 »

if you look at http://groups.msn.com/nissandatsun720pickupowners there is a section on diesels. If you want to join that group, apply and include a message that you are a member here.
"He forgot more than what i know about a Datsun"
Dimebag
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Re: RE: L Series Diesel

Post by Dimebag »

dusting the cobwebs off this one...

datsunfreak wrote:FYI, the LD20T won't fit in a LHD car without a TON of fab work.
How about the LD20II-T? There's one on ebay and the seller claims will fit '79 truck w/L20B thru '86 truck with Z24
LD20-T-2.png
LD20-T-2.png (391.23 KiB) Viewed 6316 times
LD20-T-4.png
LD20-T-4.png (390.06 KiB) Viewed 6316 times
LD20-T-1.png
LD20-T-1.png (373.42 KiB) Viewed 6316 times
John Thiessen
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Amocat.
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Re: L Series Diesel

Post by Amocat. »

I'm doing one of these 2 swaps either an ld20t or a ld20tii. There's a nissan diesel forum out of New Zealand that has a lot of info about these motors. I'll try to find the link.



http://nissandiesel.dyndns.org/viewtopi ... light=swap

I found this forum really helpful. I also contacted one of the senior members from my state and asked for info on anyone who had actually done the swap, he sent me a link of a guy dropping a ld20t into a 81 toyota pick up.
(*_*Dimus*_*)
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Re: L Series Diesel

Post by (*_*Dimus*_*) »

Hello Guys

here I come again with questions.

I found an LD20T in my local junkyard.

I have ear that they use the same crank as normal L20B but better I think.

It's so cool to see a stock turbo exhaust manifold this have me thinking ....

And I have several questions about this engine that maybe you can help me out with.

1 - I know that is a totally different head but did any of you guy's know if the valves and cam are the same as the normal L20B?

2 - Did any of you know whats the difference between the L20B and LD20T block if there is any?
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