This is something I compiled myself, so don't take it as gospel,, but it works for me!
Datsun/Nissan part numbers are a
clever and usually very logical system for identifying all the
components on
a car. All new parts will have the number on the packaging. Some used
parts
also have the number stamped into them, like badges, silencers and
shock
absorbers. Part numbers would usually looked up in either a parts book,
or much more commonly, on a microfiche slide. Only the later Nissan
models
have their parts on computer format.
If you want to order new parts
for your car, you only need the part number, and don’t need to say what
car it’s for, and the year etc. The information is all contained in the
number. Being able to cross-reference parts from other models is
useful,
so you can see what parts are used on more that one car.
I’ll try and explain the system in a simple way. I have not taken this info directly from a book or anything, it;s just what I have discovered through my experience with supplying parts. Here we go...
All Datsun part no.s are 10 Digits.
example 21400
U7400
There is a space in the middle,
to aid reading and to separate the two halves. The FIRST five digits
tell
you WHERE abouts on the car the part is from, and what it is, and
whether
it’s left or right etc. The SECOND half of the number is basically WHAT
CAR the part fits.
Where the part fits more than one
model, the first model (oldest) that the part was designed for is
indicated.
The first two digits give you a rough idea where the part fits. This is useful for something like a bearing where it could be from a gearbox, a diff, a hub, a strut top, or even steering.
The next three digits give you the full detail of what part it is. For instance 21501 is a top radiator hose. I’m afraid I can’t be arsed to list all 100,000 part descriptions!
This is a rough guide to the FIRST TWO DIGITS in the part number (example 21)
10 Engine complete
11 cylinder,sump, engine mounts
12 piston, conrod, crank, flywheel
13 Camshaft & valves
14 manifolds
15 lubrication, oil pump etc.
16 fuel. Carb, airfilter etc.
17 fuel pump, tank, pipes
18 eng. control. choke, throttle etc
19 decomp & governor (diesel)
20 exhaust pipe / silencer, mounts
21 cooling hoses,
w/pump, thermostat, rad
22 distributor, plugs
23 starter, alternator, regulator
24 battery & cables etc
25 meters, switches, fuse holders
26 lamps inside & outside
27 heater, radio, clock
28 wipers, washers
30 clutch parts, cable, hydraulics
32 gearbox
33 transfer box etc. 4x4
34 gearlever, linkage
36 handbrake cables, linkage
37 prop shaft
38 final drive, diff
40 front axle, wheel, balljoints, discs
41 front brake pads, calipers etc.
43 rear axle, hub, brake drum
44 rear brake shoes, wheel cylinder
46 brake pipes, master cyl, pedal
47 brake servo, vacuum pipe
48 steering joints, rack, box, wheel
50 chassis , subframe
51 crossmember , towing hooks
54 front suspension spring, wishbone
55 rear suspension spring, wishbone
56 shock absorber, antirollbar
57 spare tyre, carrier
60 bodywork, front, cab (pickup)
61 front body
62 rad supp panel, grille, f. bumper
63 front wing and fittings
64 inner wings, trumpets
65 bonnet, hinges, latch
66 front pillar, scuttle panel
67 dashboard, fitting, trim
68 instrument panel, glovebox
72 windscreen & fitting
73 roof, gutters, finishers
74 floorpan, inner sill, chassis leg
75 outriggers, crossmembers
76 sills, b & c pillars, wheelhouse
78 rear quarter panel, fuel flap, badge
79 back panel, rear corner, window
80 front door, skin, window, handle
82 rear door, skin, window, handle
84 boot area, bootlid
85 rear bumper & brackets
86 front seat
88 rear seat
90 tailgate, handle, trimming estate
92 air conditioning, pipes etc
93 pickup bed parts, tailgate
95 body mounting (separate chassis)
96 mirrors, labels, centre console
99 tools, whole chassis, complete car
Then you'd have digits 3,4&5 telling you EXACTLY which part you've got. (but I'm not listing all these!)
SECOND
HALF OF NUMBER........ APPLIED
MODEL
As you can see from the table below, early models have
Letter-Number-Number,
later models (from about 1984) have Number-Number-Letter. So you can
tell
the rough age of the part.
Remember this is just the first THREE DIGITS of the second half of the number. (Or of you like, the 6,7,8th digits of the part number)
Model_____number id If you need to know what model names are meant by E10, F10, N10 etc. See my handy Models Guide.
E10
M01 to M29
F10
M30 to M60
N10
M64 to M90
B110
H10
to H49
B210 H50
to H81
B310 H82
to H99
710
K01 to K99
710 facelift N20 to N29
A10
W50 to W80
610
U01 to U70
810
U74 to U96
810 facelift W03 to W05
910
W10 to W49
C130 S01 to S49
C230 Q01 to Q42
C31 01L
to 49L
C32 50L
to 62L
C110 R30 to R58
C210 S50 to S79
230
P01
to P59
330 Y01
to Y89
430 V01
to V39
Y30 V50 to V79
620
B50
to B95
720 01W
to 60W
S30
N30
to N49
S130 P60 to P99
Z31 01P
to 29P
The last two digits (9&10) aren't mega important
but can help to distinguist betreen two similar parts, for instance
coloured
interior parts. A blue door trim might end in 01 and a grey one might
end
in 02. Sometimes parts that get improved slightly or are perhaps
from a different factory may have a different digit at the end. This I
would imagine is partly to help trace any faulty parts, not that that's
very likely with cars of this superb build quality!
There are a few exceptions to this system. Firstly standard parts such as bolts, nuts and washers which are used across hundreds of different models often have a different kind of number. The sizes are given within the number.
ALSO: Nissan have recently thought it a really good idea to confuse you by changing the first digit from a number to an equivilant letter. 1 = A, 2 = B etc. I have no idea why though!