The Nissan / Datsun L28 is a carbureted 2.8 liter (2753 cc) straight-six, four-stroke cycle, liquid-cooled gasoline engine from Nissan L-family.
The Nissan / Datsun L28 engine features a cast-iron block, a wedge-shaped combustion chamber, aluminum head with overhead camshaft and a fully balanced 7-bearing crankshaft. The cylinder block is cast in a single unit and features deep skirting.
It has an 86.0 mm (3.39 in) cylinder bore and 79.0 mm (3.11 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio rating of 8.6:1.
It produced from 120.0 PS (88.0 KW; 118.0 HP) to 140.0 PS (103.0 KW; 138.0 HP) of horsepower and from 201.0 Nm (20.5 kg·m; 148.3 lbf·ft) to 220.0 Nm (22.4 kg·m; 162.4 lbf·ft) of torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- L – Engine Family
- 28 – 2.8 Liter Displacement
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | L28 |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-6 (Straight-6) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Production | – |
| Displacement | 2.8 L, 2,753 cc (168.0 cu in) |
| Max. horsepower |
From 120.0 PS (88.0 KW; 118.0 HP) to 140.0 PS (103.0 KW; 138.0 HP) |
| Max. torque |
From 201.0 Nm (20.5 kg·m; 148.3 lbf·ft) to 220.0 Nm (22.4 kg·m; 162.4 lbf·ft) |
| Fuel system | Carburetor |
| Power adder | None |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cooling system | Liquid-cooling |
| Dimensions (L x H x W): | – |
| Weight | – |
Cylinder block
The L28 engine has a cast-iron cylinder block, bore is 86.0 mm (3.40 in) and stroke is 79.0 mm (3.10 in). The cylinder block, a monoblock specially cast structure, employs the seven bearing support system for quietness and higher durability. The pistons are each fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The crankshaft of L28 engine is made of special forged steel.
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.3:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 86.0 mm (3.39 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 79.0 mm (3.11 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 7 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 86.000-86.050 mm (3.3858-3.3878 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 85.965-86.015 mm (3.3844-3.3864 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 20.993-20.998 mm (0.8265-0.8267 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance (Top): | 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance (Second): | 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance (Oil): | Combined | |
| Piston ring end gap (Top): | 0.250-0.400 mm (0.0098-0.0157 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap (Second): | 0.150-0.300 mm (0.0059-0.0118 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap (Oil): | 0.300-0.900 mm (0.012-0.035 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 130.35 mm (5.13 in) | |
| Connectin rod small end inner diameter: | 20.965-20.978 mm (0.8254-0.8259 in) | |
| Crankshaft journal diameter: | 54.942-54.955 mm (2.1631-2.1336 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 49.961-49.974 mm (1.9670-1.9675 in) | |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 39.50 mm (1.5551 in) | |
Cylinder head
The cylinder head is made of a light, strong aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. The camshaft is made of special cast-iron and is located inside the rocker cover. Intake valves are 44.0 mm in diameter, intake duration is 240 °, and the exhaust valves are 35.0 mm, exhaust duration is 248 °. The intake manifold is cast aluminum.
| Cylinder head | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV, chain drive | |
| Valves: | 12 (2 valves per cylinder) | |
| Valve timing (INTAKE): | 240° | |
| Valve timing (EXHAUST): | 248° | |
| Valve head diameter (INTAKE): | 44.0 mm (1.732 in) | |
| Valve head diameter (EXHAUST): | 35.0 mm (1.378 in) | |
| Valve length (INTAKE): | 116.15-116.55 mm (4.5728-4.5886 in) | |
| Valve length (EXHAUST): | 117.15-117.55 mm (4.6122-4.6279 in) | |
| Valve stem outer diameter (INTAKE): | 7.965-7.980 mm (0.3136-0.3142 in) | |
| Valve stem outer diameter (EXHAUST): | 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height (INTAKE): | 39.950-40.000 mm (1.5728-1.5748 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height (EXHAUST): | 40.300-40.350 mm (1.5866-1586 in) | |
| Outer camshaft journal diameter: | 47.949-47.962 mm (1.8878-1.8883 in) | |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Main bearing cap bolt | 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod big end nut | 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb |
| Water pump bolt |
M8: 12-16 Nm; 1.2-1.6 kg·m; 9-12 ft·lb M6: 5-10 Nm; 0.5-1.0 kg·m; 3.6-7.2 ft·lb |
| Flywheel bolt (M/T) | 137-157 Nm; 14.0-16.0 kg·m; 101-1116 ft·lb |
| Drive plate bolt (A/T) | 137-157 Nm; 14.0-16.0 kg·m; 101-1116 ft·lb |
| Cylinder head bolt | 69-83 Nm; 7.0-8.5 kg·m; 51-61 ft·lb |
| Cylinder head to front cover bolt | 8-14 Nm; 0.8-1.4 kg·m; 5.8-10.1 ft·lb |
| Camshaft thrust plate bolt | 8-14 Nm; 0.8-1.4 kg·m; 5.8-10.1 ft·lb |
| Pivot bushing bolt | 78-118 Nm; 8.0-12.0 kg·m; 58-87 ft·lb |
| Pivot lock nut | 49-59 Nm; 5.0-6.0 kg·m; 36-46 ft·lb |
| Camshaft sprocket bolt | 127-147 Nm; 13.0-15.0 kg·m; 94-108 ft·lb |
| Chain guide / tensioner bolt | 6-10 Nm; 0.6-1.0 kg·m; 4.3-7.2 ft·lb |
| Oil pump bolt | 11-15 Nm; 1.1-1.5 kg·m; 8-11 ft·lb |
| Crank pulley nut | 118-157 Nm; 12.0-16.0 kg·m; 87-116 ft·lb |
| Rocker cover bolt | 18-27 Nm; 1.8-2.8 kg·m; 13-20 ft·lb |
| Spark plug | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
| Manifold bolt and nut |
Bolt: 15-25 Nm; 1.5-2.5 kg·m; 11-18 ft·lb Nut: 12-16 Nm; 1.2-1.6 kg·m; 9-12 ft·lb |
| Water outlet bolt | 12-20 Nm; 1.2-2.0 kg·m; 9-14 ft·lb |
| Thermostat housing | 10-16 Nm; 1.0-1.6 kg·m; 7-12 ft·lb |
| Distributor support bolt | 4-8 Nm; 0.4-0.8 kg·m; 2.9-5.8 ft·lb |
| Alternator bracket | 39-59 Nm; 4.0-6.0 kg·m; 29-43 ft·lb |
| Engine mouting bracket | 69-81 Nm; 7.0-8.3 kg·m; 51-60 ft·lb |
| Carburetor nut | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 9-13 ft·lb |
| Fuel pump nut | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 9-13 ft·lb |
Maintenance data
| Valve clearance (HOT) | |
| Intake valve | 0.25 mm (0.010 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.30 mm (0.012 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 liters (4.6 US.qts, 3.9 Imp. qts) Without filter change: 3.9 liters (4.1 US.qts, 3.4 Imp. qts) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug |
Cold: BP7ES, L44PW, BPR7ES Standard: BP6ES, L45PW, BPR6ES Hot: BP5ES, BP4ES, L46PW, L47PW, BPR5ES, BPR4ES |
| Spark plug gap | 0.8-0.9 mm (0.03 -0.035 in) |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Nissan Laurel C130 | 1975–1977 |
| Nissan Cedric 330 | 1978–1979 |
| Nissan Gloria 330 | 1978–1979 |
| Nissan Patrol 160 | 1980–1989 |
| Nissan Patrol 260 | 1986–2002 |
| Dome-Zero | 1978 |
Author:
I’m looking for skyline l28 distributor with Leeds And Nikki cabourater I’m staying in Captown SA
hi i’m looking for a price on a recon straight 6 petrol l28 laurel engine ( NISSAN CABSTER)
Great detail here, but do you have the ignition timings?
hi
I do have the complete repair manual on the L28 engine from 1985. It does cover all the requirements one needs to rebuild the engine.
Questions, what is the Torque Setting for the Camshaft Housing to Head, please.
Is the Rearmain Seal a 2 piece wax rope type or a Truck Axle Seal type, please.
Any legit answers please email,
[email protected]
Thank you.