The 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 code | J15 |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Production | 1969-1980s |
| Displacement | 1.5 L, 1,483 cc (90.5 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Carburetor |
| Power adder | None |
| Max. horsepower | 77 PS (57 kW; 76 HP) |
| Max. torque | – |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| 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 alloy | Cast 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: | Top | 0.036-0.076 mm (0.0014-0.0030 in) |
| Second | 0.036-0.076 mm (0.0014-0.0030 in) | |
| Oil | – | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.20-0.35 mm (0.079-0.138 in) |
| Second | 0.14-0.33 mm (0.055-0.130 in) | |
| Oil | 0.30-0.90 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: | INTAKE | 37.8-38.0 mm (1.488-1.496 in) |
| EXHAUST | 31.9-32.1 mm (1.256-1.264 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 109.35-109.65 mm (4.3051-4.3169 in) |
| EXHAUST | 109.35-109.65 mm (4.3051-4.3169 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 8.680-8.693 mm (0.3417-0.3422 in) |
| EXHAUST | 8.680-8.693 mm (0.3417-0.3422 in) | |
| Valve spring length (Double spring type): |
OUTER | 52.0 mm (2.047 in) |
| INNER | 50.0 mm (1.969 in) | |
| Valve spring length (Single spring type): |
47.1 mm (1.854 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) | |
| REAR | 41.218-41.231 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 nut | 50-60 Nm; 5.0-6.0 kg·m; 36-43 ft·lb |
| Rocker shaft bracket bolt | 20-30 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod big end nut | 28-35 Nm; 2.8-3.5 kg·m; 20-25 ft·lb |
| Flywheel fixing bolt | 40-50 Nm; 4.0-5.0 kg·m; 29-36 ft·lb |
| Main bearings cap bolts | 100-110 Nm; 11.0-11.0 kg·m; 72-80 ft·lb |
| Camshaft sprocket bolts | 40-50 Nm; 4.0-5.0 kg·m; 29-36 ft·lb |
| Oil pan bolts | 5-10 Nm; 0.5-1.0 kg·m; 3.6-7.2 ft·lb |
| Oil pump bolts | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 3.6-7.2 ft·lb |
| Oil pan drain plug | 20-30 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14.5-21.7 ft·lb |
| Carburetor nuts | 8-12 Nm; 0.8-1.2 kg·m; 5.8-8.7 ft·lb |
| Manifold nuts | 17-23 Nm; 1.7-2.3 kg·m; 12-17 ft·lb |
| Fuel pump nuts | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 8.7-13.0 ft·lb |
| Crank pulley bolt | 12-14 Nm; 1.2-1.4 kg·m; 8.7-10.1 ft·lb |
| Water pump bolts | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 8.7-13.0 ft·lb |
| Oil filter bolts | 16-24 Nm; 1.6-2.4 kg·m; 12-17 ft·lb |
| Side cover bolts | 4-8 Nm; 0.4-0.8 kg·m; 2.9-5.8 ft·lb |
Maintenance data
| Valve clearance (HOT) | |
| Intake valve | 0.35 mm (0.0138 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.35 mm (0.0138 in) |
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Minimun | 9.0 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 API | SE |
| 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 gap | 0.8-0.9 mm (0.03 -0.035 in) |
| Spark plug tightening torque | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Datsun 521 | 1969 |
| Datsun Cabstar PA321 | – |
Author:
The J15 i have is not over head cam and has only 2 valves per cylinder. Are there two versions?
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.
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
Can anyone give tell me spark plugs & gap for J15 converted forma gas to LP? It is a forklift & always starts hard.
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.
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
Здравствуйте,Есть у кого нибудь видел код авто с j15? Немогу запчасти заказать
I have a Nissan J 15 van and I need the valve guide or the complete new cylinder head. I am in Zimbabwe and where can I get the above items or any engine parts for Nissan J 15 cause I love my boy so dearly. Thank you.