Hitachi D4K Distributor

Hitachi D4K is the famous "matchbox" distributor first used in 1979 Datsuns for USA -- the 2nd-gen electronic ignition for Datsuns. Later used by a few JDM models too.

Overview

The integrated distributor and electric control module design replaced the 1st-generation EI with separated control module used in the B210.

About $120 rebuilt.

Album 19607

Hitachi "Ignition Module" (IGN. Module), or as Nissan calls it the "IC Ignition Unit":

https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/wiki/ignitionMODULE.jpg

Some L-series used an spark-retard unit with two connectors:

https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/wiki/DatsunEI003Large-1-1.jpg

But don't worry about these. None of the A-series distributor use it.

Buying Used

Matchbox distributors are common in USA.

If not buying new, there are two things to watch out for:

* Advance plate bearing gone bad * Vacuum advance canister not holding vacuum

CAUTION: These often go bad after 20 years. Inspect carefully before buying.

Inspection

To ensure you obtain a good unit:

1. Remove the cap and if it's rusty, pass on it. Album 26834
2. Turn the rotor. If it moves back and forth floppily, the springs are broken Album 26835
3. Check vacuum advance — most are bad! — bring a gun with you: new advance units are $30-$120 USD
   Album 14074 If it won't hold vacuum, replace the unit. In the meantime you can install and use the distributor, just plug the vacuum hose instead of connecting it to the distributor
4. make sure the 'teeth' line up evenly, evenly spaced (gap is equal with all four) bad:
   Album 14075
5. Wiggle the shaft from side to side. It should have no or a tiny bit of play. If it has enough to allow the teeth to hit the reluctor teeth, that's way too much. Shaft wear is rare; more common is bearing plate wear
6. Grab the toothed ring, and try to move it side to side. It should not move. If it does, the bearing plate bearing holders are broken, and vacuum advance will not work correctly.

Ball Bearing Alignment

About the teeth alignment: Most of the 20-year old distributors I purchased have this problem. In the photo, note the mis-alignment of the reluctor. It is caused by a bad "breaker plate" assembly -- what i would call the vacuum-advance plate, which you cannot see without disassembly the distributor. In some of the distributors you can see ball bearings loose in the housing. In the others I couldn't see, but they are all broken. That's the problem, the BBs are held in by a plastic race, which is broken on every distributor I have, save one which used a different design.

For a photo guide of inside parts, see:

Atlantic Z distributor rebuild

• Nissan have new breaker plates, but they are a $72 part.

• If the alignment is good, chances are the breaker-plate bearings are OK.

You can disassemble it for inspection like this, it only takes a few minutes:

1. Remove cap and rotor

1. Unbolt the black box from the side of the distibutor

1. 1. Remove the red and green wires from the black box

1. Remove toothed ring (3 screws) and carefully pry the ring & magnet assembly straight up and out

1. Remove Vacuum Advance diaphragm

1. 1. Screw on outside

1. 1. Screw on inside

1. Remove the two assembly retaining screws, deep inside in the "box" sections 180 degrees around the edge

1. Pop the rubber plug out of the shaft (where the rotor pushes on

1. 1. Unscrew the screw inside the shaft

1. Pull out the assembly

1. Assembly is reverse of these instructions

Album 26844

The D4K plastic bearing holders (become brittle with time, then break). There are ball bearings on the bottom of the unit, and ball bearings in-between the two plate. It's the in-between ones that often go bad.

A new bearing holder can be made out of poly. It should be fixed to a plate to prevent rotation too far and the bearing falling out :-)

Original (thin) bearing 'finger' | replacement holder disc

Album 26843 Album 26833

Durable Metal bearing holders are used on the bottom side of the plate. They rarely go bad:

https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts2/22136-H2300-1.jpg https://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/ddgonzal/Datsun%201200/Parts2/22136-H2300-2.jpg

Metal bearing plates can rust out (pass on rusty distributor, even at bargain price)

Album 26838

Also See

• Matchbox Testing

• B310 Electronic Distributor Swap

• E15 Electronic Distributor Swap

• E-Series Distributor

Wiring

Ah, this is the easy part, especially if you get a cut of the wiring harness when you purchase your distributor. But if you don't, it's still easy to hook up the wires.

The module has two wires

Battery

Signal out

Connect wiring as shown here.

• The small black square on right side of schematic is the condensor

• As you can see, the two wires on the distributor go to the two coil wires.

The two wires on the distributor go to + and - terminals of the coil

• Remove the standard low-energy coil and ballast resistor, then bolt the 12V coil in its place

• I believe the condensor is optional, it is to reduce radio interference. I bolted the condensor to the distributor mounting screw. Keep it away from the vibration and heat of the engine (mount it to the body panel). One end of the condensor can go to the ground spade-connector on the distributor body

• One side of the ballast resistor has a 12V IGN feed, so connect the Black/white wire to this original wire (Black/white)

On the distributor's black box module, the T-connector wiring is:

• Head of T: "C" connector goes to Blue (L) wire (coil negative)

• Stem of T: "B" connector goes to B/W wire (coil positive)

Ignitor

MATCHBOX TYPE IGNITION - bolts to outside of Hitachi D4K Distributor body Album 23264

• Nissan 22020-S8002, 22020-S6701, 22020-S6702

• Airtex/Wells 6H1203

• BWD CBE503

• MasterPro MPI 2-7004 $147 O'Reilly Auto

• • Standard Motor Products LX516

• • 12334609

• • E1908

Vehicles

E-Series Distributor includes: JDM B11 8110-[8608] E15S.(GL,LT).F5 JDM N12 8205-[8610] E15S.5F.(TS,D,FC) USA N10 E15

A-series: B310 USA A12A/A14/A15 N10 USA A14

L-series 620 USA L20B 1979 720 USA L20B 1979- 810 USA L24E 1979- A10 USA L20B 1979 S10 USA L20B 1979 S130 USA L28E except Turbo

Z-series S110 USA Z20E

Maintenance Part Numbers

Cap & Rotor

The Hitachi D4A cap & rotor also fits Hitachi D4F electronic ignition and Hitachi D4K electronic ignition. A-series, L-series and Z-series four-plug distributors use the same cap. Also fits Subaru, Honda and Isuzu with one of the above Hitachi types.

Cap

Part Number and aftermarket caps interchange, but differ by color, type of terminals (brass vs aluminum), cap finish material, presence or abscence of anti-tracking bosses inside, resistor type, vent/no vent, etc.

• Nissan 22162-19M01 CAP ASSY $36.48 USD

• • superceded 22162-19M00, 22162-U6004, 22162-U6003, 22162-U6002, 22162-U6001

RockAuto.com

• Standard Motor Products JH-63X/JH-63T/JH-63

• Standard Motor Products JH-63/JH97 (aluminum terminals)

• Standard Motor Products JH-63X (Blue?)

• Standard Motor Products JH-63T/JH97T

• Bosch 03107 (resistor type) (or cap & rotor set: Bosch 06054) F2010-13140

• Bosch 1235999104

• Niehoff WA435CS

• Beck/Arnley 1743145/1746544

• BWD C561/C561P

• AC/Delco E386(12321929)/E374

• Mighty 6343

• Nissan 22162-AA020

• 30102657005

• JA918

• AirTex/Wells 5D1172

• Master Pro 2-4825

Fits Nissan:

• 1977-1979 with L20B

• 1980 200SX with Z20E

• 1974-1979 620 PICKUP

• 1979-1982 210

• 1974-1977 710

• 1979-1981 310

• 1980 720 PICKUP

• 1978-1980 510

• 1974-1978 B210

• 1974-1976 610

• 1976-1978 F10

Also Fits:

• Isuzu 1983 - 1986 IMPULSE

• Honda 1976 ACCORD

• Honda 1975 - 1976 CIVIC

• Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL

• Subaru 1986 - 1987 RX

• Subaru 1986 - 1987 GL-10

• Subaru 1986 - 1987 XT

Rotor

Nissan 22157-U6091 Rotor, Distributor $10.67 USD

Rotor is same as points ignition, 1974 up:

• Standard Motor Products JR-79X/JR-79/JR-79T

• Bosch 04095, F2020-13435, 1987234015

• Lucas DRJ102C

• Subaru 22157-AA030

Make	---	Model	Year
HONDA	---	ACCORD	1976
		CIVIC	1976-1975
NISSAN	---	200 SERIES	1981-1977
		210	1982-1979
		260 SERIES	1974
		280 SERIES	1978-1975
		310	1982-1979
		510	1980-1978
		610	1977-1974
		620 PICKUP	1977-1974
		710	1977-1974
		810	1978-1977
		B210	1978-1974
		F10	1978-1976
		PICKUP	1980-1976
		PULSAR	1985-1984
		PULSAR NX	1986
		SENTRA	1986-1982
SUBARU	---	SEDAN, COUPE, WAGON	1985
		XT	1985

Daiichi F2020-18361

Model	Year Range	Engine	Chassis	Transmission
Accord 1.6	1976	EF1	SJ_	5MT,HMT
Civic 1.5 2 Door/3 Door	1975-1976	ED_	SG_
Civic 1.5 Wagon	1975-1976	ED_	WB_	4MT,HMT
B210 1.3	1973-1974	A13	B210
B210 1.4	1974-1978	A14	B210
F10 1.4	1976-1978	A14	F10
Pulsar and NX 1.6	1983-1986	E16	N12	5MT,3AT
620 Pickup	1973-1974	L18	620	4MT,3AT
620 Pickup	1974-1979	L20B	620
720 Pickup	1979-1980	L20B	720
Sentra 1.5	1982-1983	E15	B11
Sentra 1.6	1983-1986	E16	B11
200SX 2.0	1976-1979	L20B	S10
200SX 2.0	1979-1980	Z20E	S110
210 1.2	1979-1982	A12	B310
210 1.4	1978-1982	A14	B310
210 1.5	1978-1982	A15	B310
260Z 2.6	1973-1974	L26	S30
280Z 2.8	1974-1978	L28E	S30
310 1.4	1978-1980	A14	N10
310 OHV	1980-1981	A15	N10
310 SOHC	1981-1982	E15	N10
510 2.0	1977-1979	L20B	A10
510 2.0	1979-1980	Z20S	A10
610 2.0	1973-1976	L20B	610
710 1.8	1973-1974	L18	710
710 2.0	1974-1977	L20B	710
810 2.4	1976-1978	L24E	810
4WD Turbo exc. Brat	1983-1984	EA81T	AM5,AW5	3AT
Brat Turbo	1983-1984	EA81T	AT55B	3AT
Loyale Turbo 4WD	1985	EA82T	A10/A11

Part Numbers

Coil

Coil: 12V non-resistor, used by USA models 1978 B210 D4F and 1979-1982 B310 and other D4K electronic ignition systems.

• Nissan 22433-H7280

• • CIT-30/STC-30

• • Primary Resistance at 20C (68F): 0.84 to 1.02 ohms

• • Secondary Resistance at 20C (68F): 8.2 to 12.4 Kohms

• Bosch 00200

• Beck/Arnley 1800039

• AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584)

• Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T

• Airtex/Wells 5C1017

• • Primary 200 Scale .7 - 1.4

• • Secondary 200 Scale 9.0k - 15.5k

• • 12321584, 22433-AA140, 22433-H7280, 22433-H7285, 22433-KA040, 22433-P7500, 22433-P7510, 22433-V0801, 22433-V0821, 22448-P9000, 22448-V0801, 22448-V0821, 429887900, 802518100, 88921271, 8942483450, C840, MD013789, MD025702, MD025703

• ** Coil: 12V non-resistor

• • Bosch 00200, Beck/Arnley 1800039, AC Delco E525 or C502 (replaces F519 #12321584), Standard Motor Products UF-4/UF-4T

Make		Model	Year
CHRYSLER		CHRYSLER VEHICLES	1984-1982
CHRYSLER IMPORTS		CHRYSLER IMPORT VEHICLES	1982,1979
		SAPPORO	1982-1980
DODGE		CHALLENGER	1982-1980
		COLT	1981-1980
		DODGE CARS	1984-1981
DODGE LIGHT TRUCK		CARAVAN / GRAND CARAVAN	1984
		PICKUP -19 FULLSIZE / RAMCHARGER	1981-1980
		PICKUP -19 MINI	1982
ISUZU		IMPULSE	1989-1983
MAZDA		808	1977-1975
NISSAN		200 SERIES	1981-1978
		210	1982-1979
		280 SERIES	1983-1979
		310	1981-1979
		510	1980-1978
		810	1981-1978
		B210	1978-1977
		F10	1978
		MAXIMA	1984-1982
		PICKUP	1980-1978
		PULSAR	1984
		PULSAR NX	1983
		SENTRA	1987-1984
PLYMOUTH		ARROW	1980
		CHAMP	1981-1980
		PLYMOUTH VEHICLES	1983-1981
		RELIANT	1984
		VOYAGER / GRAND VOYAGER	1984

Breaker Plate

CAUTION: These often go bad after 20 years. Inspect carefully before buying.

• Breaker plate assy: Nissan 22136-H9501 (formerly 22136-Q1700) $72

• 22433-H7280/22433-H7280 COIL-IGNITION HITACHI CIT-30 78-81 A/Z/L Engine

Reluctor

• Reluctor (rotating part): Standard Motor Products LX-528

Make

Model

Year

NISSAN

200SX

81-80

210

82-79

310

81-79

510

80

Pickup

Pickup: Standard Motor Products LX-502

Make	Model	Year
NISSAN	210	82-79
	310	81-79

Ignitor

The matchbox per se:

Ignitor: Standard Motor Products LX-516, F2045-18322 at drivewire.com ($126)

Make	Model	Year
NISSAN	200SX (uses UF-5 (Hanshin coil Calif.), UF-10 (Hanshin Federal) or UF-4 (Hitachi), Federal Hitachi used different reluctor.	1981-1979
	210	1982-1979
	280ZX, canada, US (except dist. 22100-P9000)	1981-1979
	310	1981-1979
	510	1980-1979
	810	1981-1979
	PICKUP	1980-1979

The Ignitor (elec. module) seems to be bulletproof. I'm told that the currently available replacement modules are junk, but the original Hitachi units are very good. They are still working after 25+ years!

Model	Year Range	Engine	Chassis
Maxima/810 4 Door Gas	1980-1981	L24E	910
Maxima/810 5 Door Gas	1980-1981	L24E	910
620 Pickup 2.0	1978-1979	L20B	620
720 Pickup 2.0	1979-1980	L20B	720
200SX 2.0	1978-1979	L20B	S10
210 1.2	1979-1982	A12	B310
210 1.4	1978-1982	A14	B310
210 1.5	1978-1982	A15	B310
280ZX 2.8	1978-1981	L28E	S130
310 1.4	1978-1980	A14	N10
310 1.5 OHV	1980-1981	A15	N10
510 2.0	1978-1979	L20B	A10
810 2.4	1978-1980	L24E	810
200SX 2.0	1979-1980	Z20E	S110
510 2.0	1979-1980	Z20S	A10

Vacuum Advance

All 1974-1982 D4A, D4F, and D4K use the same vacuum advance modules. Advance varies slightly by year and model. Some are advance/retard units. See Datsun Factory Service Manual for details.

See Late-model Vacuum Advance for part numbers.

Distributor Numbers

Matchbox distributors for A-series engines are all identical except for the mechanical advance and vacuum advance Spark Curves. Advance varies slightly by year and model.

22100-H8700 D4K80-03 0702

22100-H9560 D4K81-01 1X01 1982 California A12A manual transmission * dual-diaphragm (advance and retard). Mine had what loosk like an adjustable advance * Vacuum Advance: 0/4.13 in, 9/11.81 * Centrifugal Advance: 0/600 rpm, 9/1700, 11.5/2800

22100-H9760 D4K9-05 9Z02 1980 Federal A12A and A14, manual transmission * Vacuum advance: 0/3.15 inch,8.4/7.87,14.5/12.99 * Centrifugal Advance: 0/560 rpm, 3.2/1000, 12/2800 D4K9-05 9Z04

22100-H9102 D4K8-19 9604

1979 22100-H9162 D4K8-18 A14 FED(KFU) 22100-H9106 D4K8-13 A14,A15 FED(AUTO) 22100-H9305 D4K8-16 A14,CAN(AUTO) 22100-H9166 D4K8-02 A14,A15 CAL

1980 22100-H9701 D4K9-12 California A12A, A14 m/t 22100-H9900 D4K9-04 Federal A15 auto 22100-H9905 D4K9-04 A15 FED(MTM) 22100-H9760 D4K9-05 Federal A12A m/t 22100-H8700 D4K9-05 Federal A14 m/t 22100-H9700 D4K9-06 California A15 22100-H9806 D4K9-06 California A15 auto 22100-H9801 D4K9-06 California A15 m/t 22100-H9960 D4K9-07 Canada A15 auto 22100-H9300 D4K8-15 Canada A12A, A14 m/t 22100-H8720 D4K8-15 Canada A12A, A14 m/t D4K9-20 Federal A15 m/t 1981 22100-H9501 D4K80-01 1981 California, Federal, A12A m/t * Also Federal A14 m/t * Also Federal A15 auto D4K80-02 1981 California A15 m/t D4K80-03 1981 Federal, Canada A14 m/t D4K80-04 1981 California A15 auto D4K80-05 1981 Canada A15 m/t D4K80-06 1980 Canada A15 auto

1982 -- California and Federal have Vacuum Retard D4K81-01 California, Federal A12A m/t * Also: Federal A15 m/t, auto D4K81-02 California A15 m/t D4K81-03 Federal, Canada A14 m/t D4K81-04 California A15 auto D4K81-05 Canada A15 m/t D4K81-06 Canada A15 auto 

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