noob to engine, advice?

[Leesfer]

I am just learning engines and I want to take my fiat engine apart to learn it and change parts... Are there any special tools I'll need and does anyone recommend any particular repair manual?

Or better yet does someone want to talk me out of doing this all together?

[rlux4]

Leesfer, Don't let me be the one to try to talk you out of it. My attitude is "hey, we should all suffer together". Talk about forming strong bonds! As far as manual go, I think most of the advice has been to get as many as you can. I've found that even similar manuals will give different, or even conflicting info. You probably already know what the basic tools will be needed, but a mechanics mirror, socket universals, magnetic pick up tool, and a very-very small helper would make most jobs easier. And of course the biggest help: FS.com
Keep us posted, and good luck.
Ron

[pope]

If you do it, dont take it apart just for the heck of it. Have a plan. What is it that you want to do to the engine? You would replace all the gaskets on the engine. Fiat Spider shop manual and another one would be good. Special tools would be a valve spring c-clamp compressor tool, a fiat tappet compressor tool for changing shims, piston sleeve for putting pistons back in, a digital caliper for checking specs on parts and a torque wrench for tightening the bolts back down. An engine stand is a necessary luxury.

Take pictures of the engine as you take things apart, so you know where things go back. You might want new valve springs, recut new valve seats in the head, check the head for warpage, re-hone the piston bores and check that the oil pump doesn't have too much play. Put all bolts and parts in zip-lock bags that you have listed what they are from. You can also repaint the engine block a cool color. Plus what ever performance option you want, and a pine tree shaped air freshener for the rear view mirror.

I would do it at at time of year that you would drive the car less anyways. Leave yourself plenty of time to do this. Have another car to drive during this operation. Give this a month.

Of course there is more than enough help here, if you get stuck.

[racydave]

I work on cars daily, and am not always anxious to come home and do so. There are always things thatll need repairs, I wouldnt go lookin for big adventures, just the necessary ones. Us techs usually say we charge double if its already apart, and 3 times if you want to help! Goodluck!!!

[mdrburchette]

Okay, I'll be the voice of reason. Don't take the motor apart if there's nothing wrong with it! A simpler way of learning that engine is leafing through a maual. Eventually, you'll need to start replacing things and it's best to learn one thing at a time. If you've just purchased the car and don't know when the timing belt has been changed, there's your chance.

[Leesfer]

my main goal in taking the engine apart would be to upgrade things like pistons, cams, headers, vavles and springs and all that good stuff and I wanted to do it all at once... My mechanic wants a few grand to do it and I'd rather save that extra cash

[mbouse]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

while we're on the subject, what size engine? i have a complete, still in the vacuum seal packaging gasket kit for an 1800 engine. for sale REAL cheap. did i just say REAL cheap? how's $10 plus shipping?

[bradartigue]

At a minimum you need a good set (Craftsman) of metric sockets and extensions in 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, and 19mm, then another huge one for the crankshaft nut and transmission nut (depends on the motor, 1438 was 34mm and 27mm). Also helps to have all of these sizes in hand wrenches. You also need a good set of screwdrivers, philips and flat head, and a magnetic tool. The only FIAT tool you need is the valve shim replacement tool. You need a good torque wrench and a lot of room to work. And feeler gauges. And an engine hoist. And a clutch alignment tool. And a case of carburetor cleaner. And some scrub brushes. And some degreaser. And lots of those $1.99 Rubbermaid buckets from Target. I can go on and on and on and on.... Oh and boxes of paper towels and cheap rags.

I think the DOHC is a wonderful motor to work on and isn't very hard if you are organized. Use the FIAT service manual and actually read in advance of working and you'll be fine.

The first two motors I built did not work. The first had excessive blowby because I thought I could use the engine without cutting new bores. I was wrong. The second I installed the rear oil galley plugs wrong and blew oil all over Dekalb Industrial Parkway...sorry about that. Should have seen that cloud of white smoke! All of the others have been fine (the 1438 rebuild is at http://www.artigue.com/fiat/1970)