1608 block

[dom]

The 1608's are good engines. The bore is "square" 80mm diameter by 80mm stroke. They came stock with 9.8:1 CR but you will need a 1608 or 1438 head to top it off.

I love 1608s, but the US version only had 8.5:1 CR, not 9.8:1.

Also somebody mentioned 110 Hp. That was the Euro version with twin IDF Webers. The US model was rate at 104 gross HP, or 94 net Hp. Still not bad from a 100 cu.in. engine!

Is this true about the compressin ratios? I thought the compression ratio was the same for Europe and North America. Can anyone verify this and if its true what on the motor was different to change the compression ratio?

[vandor]

>Is this true about the compressin ratios?

Yes. It's true for pretty much EVERY car. When emissions controls started to take effect manufacturers lowered the compression ratios.

>I thought the compression ratio was the same for Europe and North America.

Read the shop manual, the car magazine articles from the period, the owner's manuals, they all state the CR.

>what on the motor was different to change the compression ratio?

Piston dome height.

[dom]

Thanks for the info.
Do any suppliers in the US offer pistons to raise compression to Euro spec?

[BEEK]

you must buy euro spec 9.8-1 pistons , from what i have understood borgo and mondial no longer make the oem ones. the pistons will ahve to be sourced aftermarket, weisco, cp, arias and there are a few others who will make custom pistons.

[manoa matt]

There are lots of NOS pistons on ebay, but they are all standard size 80.00mm. Probably not the best thing to stick into a worn out cylinder.

[dom]

I found this web page which states that the compression ratio is 9.8:1.
I guess it's a mistake. Were all North American cars 8.5:1. I am in Canada I wonder if they may be different here. The domes on my pistons are about 3mm on my stock motor.

http://www.mirafiori.com/id/tableeng.html

[vandor]

Mirafiori usually has a lot of good info, but there are several mistakes in that table.
I'll email the owner and see if we can correct it.