Nissan SD33

Nissan SD33The Nissan SD33 is a 3.2 l (3245 cc) straight six, water-cooled diesel engine from SD family, manufactured by the Minsei Diesel Industries, Ltd., which was renamed Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd in 1960.

The Nissan SD33 most known for its use in the Nissan Patrol MQ/MK (160 series). In 1983 the engine was updated. Revisions included the use of three piston rings instead of five, piston oil squirters and spin-on oil filter instead of a paper cartridge type.

The Nissan SD33 produced 70 kW (95 PS, 94 HP) and 220 Nm (22.4 kg-m; 162 ft-lb) of torque.

In Australia and some other parts of the world, the SD33-engined Patrols were revised to standard 12-volt electronics. (First generation has a 24-volt electronics). Revisions in electronics included another alternator, starter motors, glow plug relays.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • SD – Engine Family
  • 33 – 3.3 Liter Displacement

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine codeSD33
LayoutStraight-6, vertical
Fuel typeDiesel
Production
Displacement3.2L, 3245 cc (198.02 cu in)
Injection pumpDiesel Kiki-Bosch (in-line)
Power adderNone
Horsepower net95 PS (70 kW, 94 HP) at 3,600 rpm
Torque output220 Nm (162 ft-lb) at 1,500 rpm
Firing order1-4-2-6-3-5
Dimensions (L x H x W):
Weight

Cylinder block

The cylinder block has a monoblock high-strength cast-iron structure with replaceable dry liners and four-bearing-support system. The engine has a drop-forged steel crankshaft with balance weights, all main and connecting rod bearing surfaces are induction-hardened. Bearings are a precision type, steel-backed trimetal shell.

The Nissan SD33 motor has an aluminum alloy piston for high strength, lightweight and good heat conductivity; three compression and two oil control rings (before 1983) and two compression and single oil control ring (after 1983), they are chrome-plated for long service life. The cylinder bore is 83 mm, piston stroke is 100 mm and a compression ratio rating is 20.8:1.

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloyCast-iron
Compression ratio:20.8:1
Cylinder bore:83 mm (3.27 in)
Piston stroke:100 mm (3.94 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil): Before 1983: 3 / 2
After 1983: 2 / 1
Number of main bearings:4
Block Height:268.00 mm (10.55 in)
Cylinder liner inner diameter:82.995-83.025 mm (3.2675-3.2687 in)
Piston with 3 rings
Piston skirt diameter82.905-82.945 mm (3.2640-3.2655 in)
Piston ring side clearance:№10.06 – 0.010 mm (0.0024 – 0.0039 in)
№20.04 – 0.08 mm (0.0016 – 0.0031 in)
№30.02 – 0.06 mm (0.0008 – 0.0024 in)
Piston ring end gap:№10.30 – 0.45 mm (0.0118 – 0.0177 in)
№20.20 – 0.35 mm (0.0079 – 0.0138 in)
№30.15 – 0.30 mm (0.0059 – 0.0118 in)
Piston with 5 rings
Piston skirt diameter82.845-82.885 mm (3.2616-3.2632 in)
Piston ring side clearance:№10.06 – 0.010 mm (0.0024 – 0.0039 in)
№20.04 – 0.08 mm (0.0016 – 0.0031 in)
№30.04 – 0.08 mm (0.0016 – 0.0031 in)
№4,50.02 – 0.06 mm (0.0008 – 0.0024 in)
Piston ring end gap:№10.30 – 0.45 mm (0.0118 – 0.0177 in)
№20.20 – 0.35 mm (0.0079 – 0.0138 in)
№30.20 – 0.35 mm (0.0079 – 0.0138 in)
№4,50.15 – 0.30 mm (0.0059 – 0.0118 in)
Piston pin outer diameter25.993-26.000 mm (1.0233-1.0236 in)
Piston pin bore diameter26.025-26.038 mm (5.5295 – 5.5335 in)
Connecting rod center distance:170.0 mm (6.69 in)
Crankshaft journal diameter:70.907-70.920 mm (2.7916-2.7921 in)
Crankpin diameter:52.913-52.926 mm (2.0832-2.0837 in)

Cylinder head

The SD33 has a one-piece high-strength cast iron cylinder head, special cast-iron valve inserts are shrink-fitted. It has high-quality cast iron camshaft, lobes are specially processed to improve hardness and durability.

The engine has OHV design with two valves per cylinder: single intake and single exhaust valves are made of special heat-resistant steel. The exhaust valve with a stellite-treated surface. Intake valves are 38.0 mm (1.496 in) in diameter, and the exhaust valves are 32.0 mm (1.260 in).

Cylinder head
Cylinder head alloyCast iron
Valve Arrangement:OHV
Valves:12 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake valves diameter:38.0 mm (1.496 in)
Exhaust valves diameter:32.0 mm (1.260 in)
Valves length:117.0 mm (4.61 in)
Intake valve stem diameter:7.970-7.985 mm (0.3138-0.3144 in)
Exhaust valves stem diameter:7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in)
Camshaft journal diameter: Front: 45.434-45.447 mm (1.7887-1.7892 in)
Center: 43.897-43.910 mm (1.7282-1.7287 in)
Front: 41.218-41.231 mm (1.6228-1.6233 in)
Cam height:37.28-37.32 mm (1.4677-1.4693 in)

Problems and malfunctions

The SD33 family of Nissan engines are very reliable, strong, and ask for little in the way of maintenance. The engine uses industry-standard BOSCH injection system components (license-built by Diesel Kiki) and is known worldwide as a reliable, long-lived powerplant.

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve0.35 mm (0.014 in)
Exhaust valve0.35 mm (0.014 in)
Compression pressure
Standard30.0 kg/cm2 (29.4 bar, 427 psi) / 200 rpm
Minimun25.0 kg/cm2 (24.5 bar, 356 psi) / 200 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders3.0 kg/cm2 (2.9 bar, 43 psi) / 200 rpm
Oil system
Recommended engine oilSemi Synthetic 10W-30 or 10W-40 (“CD” or higher: “CH”, “CI”)
Engine oil capacity9 l (9.5 U.S. qt, 7.9 imp. qt)
Oil filters Nissan: 15208-61525
Baldwin: PT-153
FleetGuard: LF 720
AC DELCO: PF-1052
Purolator: L44754
FRAM: CH3505
Fuel system
Injection timing20 ° B.T.D.C. / 600 rpm
Idling 550-600 rpm (withuot power steering)
650-750 rpm (wiht power steering)
Max engine speed under no load4200-4400 rpm
Glow plugsNGK Y-103
Primary fuel filters – Spin-on, mounts on core support LONG STYLE
Baldwin – BF-979
FleetGuard – FF5020
WIX – 33341

SHORT STYLE
Baldwin – BF-984
FleetGuard – FF196
WIX – 33339
Secondary fuel filters – Cartridge filter, mounts in canister above injector pump Nissan – 16444-99125
Baldwin – PF-861
FleetGuard – FF221

Tightening torque specs

Tightening torque specs (engine outer parts)
Water outlet bolt10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Water pump bolt (M8)10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Water pump bolt (M10)20-25 Nm; 2.0-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb
Manifold bolt and nut15-18 Nm; 1.5-1.8 kg·m; 11-13 ft·lb
Injection pump nut (in-line)20-25 Nm; 2.0-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb
Injection nozzle to cylinder head Type 1: 59-69 Nm; 6.0-7.0 kg·m; 43-51 ft·lb
Type 2: 69-78 Nm; 7.0-8.0 kg·m; 51-58 ft·lb
Oil cooler bolt10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Oil cooler pipe nut10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Timing gear cover bolt10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Injection pump timer nut59-69 Nm; 6.0-7.0 kg·m; 43-51 ft·lb
Injection tube flare nut29-34 Nm; 3.0-3.5 kg·m; 22-25 ft·lb
Spill tube with cap nut39-49 Nm; 4.0-5.0 kg·m; 29-34 ft·lb
Oil filter bracket bolt26-36 Nm; 2.7-3.7 kg·m; 20-27 ft·lb
Alterator bracket bolt26-36 Nm; 2.7-3.7 kg·m; 20-27 ft·lb
Alterator to adjusting bar bolt11-14 Nm; 1.1-1.4 kg·m; 20-27 ft·lb
Diesel pump controller bolt11-13 Nm; 1.1-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Diesel pump controller bracket bolt45-61 Nm; 4.6-6.2 kg·m; 33-45 ft·lb
Thermostat housing10-131 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Engine internal parts
Main bearing cap bolt167-172 Nm; 17.0-17.5 kg·m; 123-127 ft·lb
Crank pulley nut294-324 Nm; 30-33 kg·m; 217-239 ft·lb
Flywheel bolt44-49 Nm; 4.5-5.0 kg·m; 33-36 ft·lb
Flywheel bolt w/washer127-147 Nm; 13-15 kg·m; 94-108 ft·lb
Front cover bolt (M6)4-6 Nm; 0.4-0.6 kg·m; 2.9-4.3 ft·lb
Front cover bolt (M8)10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Front end plate bolt10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Camshaft gear bolt44-49 Nm; 4.5-5.0 kg·m; 33-36 ft·lb
Oil pump bolt13-19 Nm; 1.3-1.9 kg·m; 9-14 ft·lb
Oil pan bolt7-10 Nm; 0.7-1.0 kg·m; 5.1-7.2 ft·lb
Cylinder head bolt Sub: 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb
Main: 118-127 Nm; 12-13 kg·m; 87-94 ft·lb
Rocker arm shaft bolt20-25 Nm; 2.0-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb
Rocker arm lock nut20-25 Nm; 2.0-2.5 kg·m; 14-18 ft·lb
Camshaft thrust plate bolt4-6 Nm; 0.4-0.6 kg·m; 2.9-4.3 ft·lb
Connecting rod big end nut51-56 Nm; 5.2-5.7 kg·m; 38-41 ft·lb
Rocker cover bolt10-13 Nm; 1.0-1.3 kg·m; 7-9 ft·lb
Oil jet (for piston)29-39 Nm; 3.0-4.0 kg·m; 22-29 ft·lb

Type 1: Part № of injection nozzle: 16600-90060; 16600-36W00; 16600-T9000
Type 2: Part № of injection nozzle: 16600-37502; 16600-90012; 16600-90019; 16600-J5571; 16600-T3401; 16600-T3470; 16600-T6200; 16600-T6201; 16600-Y8400; 16600-Y8401

Vehicle applications

The SD33 engine was used in the UD 3400 series light truck, large forklifts, marine applications and following vehicles:

ModelYears Produced
Nissan Patrol MQ
Nissan C80
International Scout*1976–1979
Jeep CJ-10/Cj-10A1985–1986
Monteverdi Sahara

* – Nissan 6-33 engine code.

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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We try to use verified sources and official documentation, however, differences between sources or errors in entering information may occur. We do not provide advice on technical issues related to the engines operation or repair. We do not recommend using provided information for engines repairing engines or spare parts ordering, use only official service manuals and spare-parts catalogs.

10 Comments

  1. Have two SD_33’s in my 1974 32′ Uniflite boat. Am in the middle of installing Machined filter adapters in place of canisters and mounting remote full flow filters. Using 1/2″ oil lines and B-118 Baldwin oil filters. Have 3 spare engines also.

    • Hi Chuck, I have a bayliner with two of these engines as well. I might need to replace one of them. What area are you located in ? I’m in Seattle.

      • I’m in Longview Washington. Engines are not rebuilt though. How fast is your Bayliner? My 20,000# uniflite is a 12 knot boat. Someone said 7 knots max for me.

    • Hi Chuck
      Are you still picking up late comments?
      I am based in the U.K. I have a 32 foot RLM cruiser with 2 SD33 or M6-33 Chrysler / Nissan diesels with Volvo Penta 275 outdrives. Is your boat on outdrives / Z drives or shafts?
      Regards
      Steve

  2. I have a nissan sd33 marine engine. I am trying to find repair manuals, adapter plate pattern from bell housing to borg warner, and injector part numbers. Removed the Ford lehman in our large trimaran and we are putting in the sd33. Any websites, info and knowledge greatly appreciated.

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