This may be a stupid question, but can any one tell me what the difference is between a L20 & L20B engine, besides the "B" and is one better than the other or are some part better and are they interchangeable.

Cheers Adrian

An L20/L20a is actually a 2 litre strait six. I believe it's basically and L16 with 2 extra cylinders.
And an L20b is a 2 litre 4 cylinder.

_________________
When the sign says "don't feed the bears", man you better not feed the bears.

Thanks Nad015. So the motor in a 200B is a L20B

Correct. It is a unique engine since the extra displacement is achieved by raising the block height by ~20mm. You can see that the front cover has two sets of fasteners at the top where is has been extended.

_________________
Regards, Graeme
Just trying to help...
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/
graemes@internode.on.net

Great Thanks, I'm assuming the engines are longer, how are they for tuneability and are they common

I think you mean taller but yes they are very similar to the 1.6 and 1.8 versions.
Were fitted to all 200Bs [810s] SI and II Blueys [910s] and some utes as well.
The SII Bluebird engine is probably the better version since it was factory fitted with a High Energy Electronic Ignition System.
That system though can be retro fitted to all the L4 engines quite easily.

_________________
Regards, Graeme
Just trying to help...
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/
graemes@internode.on.net

Thanks Graeme, appreciate the info, sounds like you know a lot about the dato drive trains. just one more question, getting back to the L20A engines. I have a Hillman hunter 1968 HB with a L20B engine with matching dato 4 Speed. I have been looking at some basic mods on the L20B, but if I could fit up a 2L 6 that would be really something different, how much longer is the L20A, would the Z carbs fit up to the L20A as well. Thanks Adrian

Rough guess - 80-odd mm per piston, plus another 20mm or so between pistons, so roughly 200mm longer (give or take 50mm).

Z carbs should fit up, may have difficulty getting jetting correct for the smaller engine.

L20a is an obscure engine, not fitted to anything delivered to Australia. If you want to fit a 6, why not an L24 or bigger ? L24 came in everything from 240Z, 240K, R30 skyline, etc, etc and is no bigger physically than an L20a.

_________________
1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

Great thanks Dave, really appreciate the help, I had a 240Z back in the day and yes I am a D!ck head for selling it, the L24 would be a good upgrade, Cheers Adrian

Years ago I attempted to install an L24 into a 200B. The engine would fit physically but without cutting the firewall it would not go back far enough to fit a radiator. There was maybe enough room in between the radiator support panel and the grill for something but I never pursued it further. So I don't know how you'll go squeezing one into a Hillman. Good luck though, that would be a lot of fun.

_________________
green200b - aka Alistair

The fleet:

Australia:
'80 200B GX - the green200b - hibernating
'81 RX-7 - 12A extend port - daily
'74 RX-2 - 13B bridgeport - cruiser

Europe:
'93 200SX - CA18DET - tourer