Distributor
The distributor on the Datsun 1200's A12 engine is of the traditional "points" type. A contact breakerᵂ, rather than an electronic control module, are used to switch the coil on and. off thus generating a spark. GX models with the A12GX Engine used the same type of distributor but with different advance curves.
Overview
Distributor hole in A12 block
Points
Late-Model Distributor
Late-model 1200 distributor (after 1973).
See Main Article: Sunny Truck Distributors
Some have spade connections for 1) earth and 2) coil
Mitsubishi T3T distributor 22100-G6410
Lucas
Australia-assembled 1200s may be fitted with Lucas Australia distributor.
Warning
Most old distributors have a bad vacuum advance unit. This goes for wrecking yards, and probably the one in your 1200 too, if you haven't checked it recently. On a recent trip to the wrecking yard, 9 out of 10 circa 1980 Datsun distributors had a bad advance.
See Vacuum Gun
If your advance is bad, plug the vacuum hose at the carburetor until you get a new unit. It will drive fine plugged, but fuel economy will suffer.
Advance Characteristics
Datsun 1200 uses base (static) timing of 5 degrees or 7 degrees (EXHAUST Emission-controlled engines).
Total Timing is 30 degrees +- 2 degrees (28 to 32 degrees).
See main articles:
Timing
See Ignition Timing
Adjustment
For points gap and other maintenance, see:
Removal & Installation
Identification
Interchange
In general you can swap any A-series distributor into any other A-series. Technically, few are a strict interchange do to variations in advance curves used for various years and markets.
When interchanging distributors between 1966-1973 (early A-series) and 1974-2007 (late A-series) engines, minor modification to the mount plate is needed. See Using Newer Distributor or Using Older Distributor.
Part Numbers
Datsun 1200 uses a Hitachi D40/D41 type distributor, with the smaller 70mm I.D. cap. Same as Datsun B10, L-series and many other Datsun engine families. Datsun B210 Van also used this small-cap distributor. A14 did not use this type.
JDM 1200s alternately use a Mitsubishi TVA/TVG distributor. See T3T.
All these distributors are physically the same (will bolt right in and connect electrically). The difference is:
- Mechanical advance curve
- Vacuum advance curve
They differ due to differences in requirements for automatic transmission vs manual transmission, and for emission control requirements.
North America B110 * 22100-H1001 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (HITACHI D411-61) non-EXHAUST CANADA * 22100-H1901 DISTRIBUTOR [early] (HITACHI D412-63) EXHAUST AT EXHAUST * 22100-H1902 DISTRIBUTOR 1271- (HITACHI D412-63A) (Hollander 152) * 22100-H7100 DISTRIBUTOR 0772- (HITACHI D412-89) (Hollander 1060) MT EXHAUST * 22100-H3900 DISTRIBUTOR 0671- * 22100-H3901 DISTRIBUTOR 1271- (HITACHI D412-80A) (Hollander 1059)
Japan-market * 22100-H1011 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (MITSUBISHI TVG-4FL) Except GX * 22100-H1001 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (HITACHI D411-61) Except GX * Also CANADA 1970 * 22100-H2300 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (HITACHI D407-54) (High Gas) GX * 22100-18016 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (MITSUBISHI TVA-4F2L) (Reg Gas) GX * 22100-18006 ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR (HITACHI D412-53K) (Reg Gas) GX * Same as B10 sedan, last revision
Hitachi D4n Parts * 22136-H2300 ASSY-BRAKER (breaker plate) * 22136-E4600 ASSY-BRAKER PLATE from 1271 * 22145-18005 SET-CONTACT * 22157-H1000 ROTOR-HEAD, formerly 22157-78500 * 22162-21007 CAP * 22165-30101 POINT-CARBON * 22102-00801 CONDENSOR
Competition Distributor
The Datsun Competition distributor had no vacuum advance, as it was designed for full-throttle use.
See main article: Competition Distributor
Maintenance Parts
To identify which cap, rotor and ignition points (or ignitor) your distributor uses, look at the ID number stamped on the side of the aluminum housing.
Nissan Part Number begins with 22100
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/wiki/12965.jpg
The part number can be search for here using the Fast Search box, and will tell you the exact model the distributor originally came in.
The type of the distributor is the first three letters. Potential Hitachi or Mitsubishi types include:
* Hitachi D410/411/412 * Hitachi D4A/D4F/D4K * Mitsubishi T3T * Mitsubishi T4T
See main article: Distributor Types
22403-18005 wire insulator block
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/22403-18005-21.jpg https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/22403-18005-11.jpg
Cap & Rotor
Inspection
normal oxidization. Scrape clean to bare metal and keep using the cap
Electrical tracking. Replace cap
Make sure the rotor button hasn't fallen out (replace cap & rotor if the button is missing)
Missing rotor button
Rotor is missing the metal part, so replace it
Compare to complete rotor (the rotor button rides on the metal at center):
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/wiki/3D1149.jpg
Part Numbers
1966-1986 Hitachi D41 style * 70 mm cap 22157-H1000 HEAD-ROTOR 22162-21007 ASSY-CAP also fits: Isuzu Bellett 1970-1973 1970-1985 Mitsubishi T3T * same as D41 style, but with Mitsubish numbers 22162-71311 CAP ASS'Y 22157-18010 ROTOR ASS'Y
1974-1982 D4A Points or D4F/D4K EI type * See 75 mm cap
Cheap - no track-resistant moldings
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/DSC038512.jpg
Better - track resistant
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/NCA-821.jpg
early clip type cap
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/wiki/BOSCH%2003097.jpg
Forklift-style (side terminals)
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/H1161-11.jpg
Bolt-down cap: 1985-1995 Mitsubishi T4T type
1970-1973 cap buy at Rockauto STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS 133429/JH110 AIRTEX/WELLS 9D2/5D1077A BOSCH 03097 * Fits: Subaru GL/DL/Brat 1979-1988 Honda Accord/Civic 1979-1983
Points & Condensor
Contact Set include new points (contact breaker) + new condensor.
For Hitachi D40/D41 distributor (1966-1973) 22145-18005 SET-CONTACT 22102-00801 CONDENSER 
For Hitachi or Mitsubishi distributor (1974-up): see Hitachi_D4A_Distributor#Points_Set 
Condensor Interchange Rockauto $5 as of 2025 Isuzu 1.8 Mazda 1972-1973 1.8/1.6 Honda 1973-1979 Nissan A/L/R/U/J Subaru 1971-1975 1.1/1.3/1.4 H4
http://datsun1200.com/uploads/newbb/174_67899b234a536.jpg
Vacuum Advance
Mitsubishi
For Datsun B110 equipped with Mitsubishi distributor, see T3T.
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/wiki/23710.jpg
Hitachi
Hitachi D411/D412
ASS'Y-VACUUM CONTROL * 22301-H1000 non-EVAPO superseded by part number 22301-M1500 $27.25 * 22301-B3000 EVAPO * 22301-B3001 EVAPO (formerly 22301-B3000) $35.07 * 22301-H3900 EVAPO from 0671 $35.92 * 22301-H3901 EVAPO from 1271 (formerly 22301-H3900) $32.22 * 22301-H1900 EVAPO AUTO from 1271 (formerly 22301-B0300) $30.13 * 22301-E4603 EVAPO AUTO from 0772 (formerly 22301-H1900) $39.13
CARQUEST 57-7656 * Nissan 22301-H1000, 22301-M1500 * AIRTEX 4V1153 * WELLS JV1449 * GM 88925022 * ECHLIN VC4050 * STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS VC-460 * BWD V532 * ACDelco E1339
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts/22301H1000-1.jpg
Orange: * 4mm travel adjustment * Inside needle height: 21.5 mm (from spring seat) * Spring 33.5 mm free height * Diaphragm diameter approx 52mm
The needle/screw height adjust max travel. The spring sets the starting point.
* diameter: 63 mm (cut gasket larger)
Possible Fit: * Standard Motor Product VC507 Nissan 240Z 71-70 $26 * Nardek NVA-605 Australia
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/wiki/SMP-VC460.jpg
Inspection and Repair
* For inspection and disassembly instructions, see Distributor Repair * For inspection, see Inspecting Distributor
Distributor Upgrades
See Ignition Modifications Overview
Photo Index
Timing Plate
https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts2/22136-H2300-2.jpg https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts2/22136-H2300-1.jpg
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