Replacing Engine - With Photos as I Progress - DONE!

[focodave]

I'm Done!
The new engine is in and she sounds pretty strong.
Now the breaking-in mode begins.
I've pulled and installed about 20 engines in my life, and I would have to say that this was actually one of the easiest ones.
I did this one all by myself with a Harbor Freight engine hoist ($100).
If anyone is pondering whether they can do this on their own, trust me -- you can if you have perseverance and the proper tools.
It took me about 12 hours to re-install the new engine and get it to the state of running and ready to go out on the road.
Worst part -- honestly -- was the top starter bolt installation.
Other than that, it was a breeze...

[fiat218]

Looking good

[focodave]

Thanks, Jim.
It feels great to have a running Spider again.
Been a long couple of months....

[fiat218]

Oh I bet it does, that your only one

[81SPIDERMATT]

yeah.... yyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh ..... awesome.... woo hoo ..... congratulations..... looks great...

[wizard124]

Nice!
Keep us posted on your performance gains and any FI mods or issues. Driving should be a kick with those high compression pistons.

[4uall]

a true inspiration

[westy64]

don't you see this man is a liar ?
yes, and I can prove it !

he pretends that he did everything on his own, but look carefully at the picture below ...



don't you see the leg and the foot at the center of the picture ?

how do you explain this, mister focodave ?
this forum is a serious place, and not a club for pretenders !!!!

Nice job anyway (I mean even if you got a helper )
I am jealous of your courage.
Thanks for sharing your work.

Jean

[fiat218]

Maybe it his leg

prosthetic ?

[focodave]

Haha!

Dear sirs --- and especially you, Jean -- that is MY leg in the photo.
My wife happened to be the one snapping the photos!

Dave

[westy64]

Haha!

Dear sirs --- and especially you, Jean -- that is MY leg in the photo.
My wife happened to be the one snapping the photos!

Dave

Your wife, your leg, ?
Why should we believe you now ?
And you do repair cars wearing brown suede shoes ?
Or maybe only for fiats !

Nice pictures, indeed.

[westy64]

BTW, I forgot to thank you and/or your wife for the engine left side picture, showing the oil gauge.
It's perfect to explain my mechanic (I mean, me) how I want mine to be modified (I hate to put my hand down under these oily parts in the engine bay).
So thank you mister (and madam).

[focodave]

Haha!

Dear sirs --- and especially you, Jean -- that is MY leg in the photo.
My wife happened to be the one snapping the photos!

Dave

Your wife, your leg, ?
Why should we believe you now ?
And you do repair cars wearing brown suede shoes ?
Or maybe only for fiats !

Nice pictures, indeed.

Ha!

If I was working on a Ferrari, I would have been wearing my black wing-tips!

[focodave]

Nice!
Keep us posted on your performance gains and any FI mods or issues. Driving should be a kick with those high compression pistons.

wizard124,
Yes, it is a blast to drive, now. I liked it before, but it really is a joy to drive with 100+ HP back in the engine bay. I am running stock FI -- no mods. and it runs just perfect.
10:2 to 1 pistons, bored +0.8mm, stock head (completely rebuilt), stock bottom end.
I've set the timing to about 7 degrees BTDC and am running plugs that are 2 steps cooler than stock.
No pinging on 91 Octane.
Much more torque than before.
This engine was built by VAS, in Fort Worth. So far, it feels and sounds remarkable --- and the guys at Vick's were top notch to deal with.
Dave

[wizard124]

Nice!
Keep us posted on your performance gains and any FI mods or issues. Driving should be a kick with those high compression pistons.

wizard124,
Yes, it is a blast to drive, now. I liked it before, but it really is a joy to drive with 100+ HP back in the engine bay. I am running stock FI -- no mods. and it runs just perfect.
10:2 to 1 pistons, stock bore, stock head (completely rebuilt), stock bottom end.
I've set the timing to about 7 degrees BTDC and am running plugs that are 2 steps cooler than stock.
No pinging on 91 Octane.
Much more torque than before.
This engine was built by VAS, in Fort Worth. So far, it feels and sounds remarkable --- and the guys at Vick's were top notch to deal with.
Dave

That's great to know. Mine is running well so I have no immediate plans to pull and build. One thought I have is swapping out a 1800 head to raise the comp a bit. Based upon your experience, a head swap shouldn't raise any issues either.