Nissan J15

Nissan J15The Nissan J15 is a carbureted 1.5 liter (1,483 cc, 90.5 cu.in.) straight-four, four-stroke cycle gasoline from Nissan J-family. The J15 engine was producted since 1969 to 1980s.

The J15 is a bored-out version of the Nissan J13. The Nissan J15 engine has a deep skirt, cast-iron cylinder block with cast-iron cylinders and cast iron head with bathtub type combustion chambers. It has an OHV type valve mechanism and 8 valves (2 per cylinder).

The J15 engine has a 78 mm (3.07 in) cylinder bore and 77.6 mm (3.06 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio of 8.3:1. The J15 produced 77 PS (57 kW; 76 HP) of horsepower.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • J – Engine Family
  • 15 – 1.5 Liter Displacement

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine codeJ15
LayoutFour stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4)
Fuel typeGasoline
Production1969-1980s
Displacement1.5 L, 1,483 cc (90.5 cu in)
Fuel systemCarburetor
Power adderNone
Max. horsepower77 PS (57 kW; 76 HP)
Max. torque
Firing order1-3-4-2
Dimensions (L x H x W):
Weight

Cylinder block

The crankshaft of the J15 engine is a fully counterbalanced, three bearing type designed to turn out smooth, dependable power. Water is forced through the water jackets to deprive the cylinders of unwanted combustion heat. The crankshaft is of special steel forging with three main bearing journals. To provide balance, four counter-balance weights arc provided just opposite the cranks. The main bearing journals and connecting rod journals are cases hardened and finished to extreme smoothness for increased wear resistance.

The pistons are made of aluminum alloy casting. The pistons are each fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The piston pin is a full floating fit to the piston while it is press-fitted to the connecting rod small end. The connecting rod is a special steel forging.

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloyCast iron
Compression ratio:8.3:1
Cylinder bore:78 mm (3.07 in)
Piston stroke:77.6 mm (3.06 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil):2 / 1
Number of main bearings:3
Cylinder inner diameter (standard):77.950-78.000 mm (3.0689-3.0709 in)
Piston pin outer diameter:20.993-20.998 mm (0.8265-0.8267 in)
Piston pin hole diameter:21.001-21.008 mm (0.8268-0.8271 in)
Piston diameter:77.935-77.985 mm (3.0683-3.0763 in)
Piston ring side clearance:Top0.036-0.076 mm (0.0014-0.0030 in)
Second0.036-0.076 mm (0.0014-0.0030 in)
Oil
Piston ring end gap:Top0.20-0.35 mm (0.079-0.138 in)
Second0.14-0.33 mm (0.055-0.130 in)
Oil0.30-0.90 mm (0.0118-0.0354 in)
Connecting rod center distance:142.67 mm (5.617 in)
Crankshaft journal diameter:50.813-50.825 mm (2.0005-2.0010 in)
Crankpin diameter:47.640-47.652 mm (1.8756-1.8761 in)
Crankshaft center distance:38.8 mm (1.528 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of steel casting. It contains bathtub type combustion chambers. A special sintered alloy valve seat is installed on the exhaust valve. It is press-fitted.

The camshaft is of special steel casting and is supported by three main bearings. The cam lobes are case hardened and finished to extreme smoothness for increased wear resistance. The rocker shaft is made of carbon steel: it is also case hardened for increased durability. The valve train consists of the camshaft, push rod, valve rocker arm, and valve; motion is transmitted through these four parts in the order listed. The valve spring is of double spring type, inner and outer.

Cylinder head
Valve Arrangement:SOHV, chain drive
Valves:8 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake/Exhaust duration:252°/252°
Valve head diameter:INTAKE37.8-38.0 mm (1.488-1.496 in)
EXHAUST31.9-32.1 mm (1.256-1.264 in)
Valve length:INTAKE109.35-109.65 mm (4.3051-4.3169 in)
EXHAUST109.35-109.65 mm (4.3051-4.3169 in)
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE8.680-8.693 mm (0.3417-0.3422 in)
EXHAUST8.680-8.693 mm (0.3417-0.3422 in)
Valve spring length
(Double spring type):
OUTER52.0 mm (2.047 in)
INNER50.0 mm (1.969 in)
Valve spring length
(Single spring type):
47.1 mm (1.854 in)
Camshaft journal diameterFRONT45.434-45.447 mm (1.7887-1.7892 in)
CENTER43.897-43.910 mm (1.7282-1.7287 in)
REAR41.218-41.231 mm (1.6228-1.6233 in)
Camshaft lobe height:37.605-37.650 mm (1.4805-1.4823 in)

Tightening torque specs

Tightening torque specs
Cylinder head stud nut50-60 Nm; 5.0-6.0 kg·m; 36-43 ft·lb
Rocker shaft bracket bolt20-30 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb
Connecting rod big end nut28-35 Nm; 2.8-3.5 kg·m; 20-25 ft·lb
Flywheel fixing bolt40-50 Nm; 4.0-5.0 kg·m; 29-36 ft·lb
Main bearings cap bolts100-110 Nm; 11.0-11.0 kg·m; 72-80 ft·lb
Camshaft sprocket bolts40-50 Nm; 4.0-5.0 kg·m; 29-36 ft·lb
Oil pan bolts5-10 Nm; 0.5-1.0 kg·m; 3.6-7.2 ft·lb
Oil pump bolts12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 3.6-7.2 ft·lb
Oil pan drain plug20-30 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14.5-21.7 ft·lb
Carburetor nuts8-12 Nm; 0.8-1.2 kg·m; 5.8-8.7 ft·lb
Manifold nuts17-23 Nm; 1.7-2.3 kg·m; 12-17 ft·lb
Fuel pump nuts12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 8.7-13.0 ft·lb
Crank pulley bolt12-14 Nm; 1.2-1.4 kg·m; 8.7-10.1 ft·lb
Water pump bolts12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 8.7-13.0 ft·lb
Oil filter bolts16-24 Nm; 1.6-2.4 kg·m; 12-17 ft·lb
Side cover bolts4-8 Nm; 0.4-0.8 kg·m; 2.9-5.8 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve0.35 mm (0.0138 in)
Exhaust valve0.35 mm (0.0138 in)
Compression pressure
Standard12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm
Minimun9.0 kg/cm2 (8.83 bar, 128 psi) / 250 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles)up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil 5W-30
5W-40
10W-30
10W-40
Oil type APISE
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) With filter change 4.4 l
Without filter change 3.4 l
Oil change interval, km (miles)5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000)
Ignition system
Ignition timing (B.T.D.C./rpm)6°/600 rpm
Spark plug NGK: B4ES
Spark plug gap0.8-0.9 mm (0.03 -0.035 in)
Spark plug tightening torque15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Datsun 5211969
Datsun Cabstar PA321
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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7 Comments

    • You are absolutely right, it is my mistake. All J series engines have OHV desing and 2 valves per cylinder. Thank you for your comment.

  1. I have a J15 motor in my Nissan Forklift that’s getting very tired. I picked up a good (hopefully) J15 motor from a local heavy equipment yard. I cleaned it up and got looking at both motors. The motor mount bracket is on the front of the forklift motor and the motor mount bracket is more towards the middle of the motor I picked up. I’m beginning to wonder of these motors aren’t interchangeable.There are other difference like the front timing cover and misc brackets. I was hoping to just swap the parts from my old motor to my new motor. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

  2. Can anyone give tell me spark plugs & gap for J15 converted forma gas to LP? It is a forklift & always starts hard.

  3. I have a 1483cc motor is there a TDC and If so how to set it to replace cylinder head gasket.? What is the procedure for this project. Thank you.

  4. Hi, I have a 1977 Datsun Pickup with the J15 Engine.
    Could anyone tell me what the Flap on the bottom of the Exhaust Manifold does?
    Kind regards… Frank

  5. Здравствуйте,Есть у кого нибудь видел код авто с j15? Немогу запчасти заказать

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