Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Gotta love that wiring . . .
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Spider1977
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:39 am
Your car is a: 1977 Spider

Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by Spider1977 »

Hello everyone,

I am doing an engine swap on my 1977 Fiat Spider. The engine I am putting in to replace the 77' engine is a from a 76' Spider. On the 1976 engine, the Alternator is mounted on the passenger side of the engine; versus on the 77' engine the Alternator is mounted on the driver side of the engine. Any suggestions to get around the wiring harness issues? The 77' engine has a stud coming out of the engine block(where the bracket for the Alternator is mounted), looking at the same side on the 1976 engine, there is no hole for a stud. How hard would it be to drill/ tap a hole in the block for the stud? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Andrew
spider2081
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Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by spider2081 »

I have never performed this engine swap. So others may have another opinion. I would leave the 76 alternator where it is and lengthen the existing alternator wires to reach the passenger side of the car, I would route the wires behind the engine and secure the to the fire wall as tight as possible. for maximum engine clearance.
Spider1977
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:39 am
Your car is a: 1977 Spider

Re: Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by Spider1977 »

Thank you! that seems to be the most logical way to get around this. Would anyone happen to have a diagram of the wiring for the starter/ alternator. Last thing I need is a wiring nightmare :lol:
davery
Posts: 806
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:51 pm
Your car is a: 1985 Spider
Location: Ohio

Re: Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by davery »

Spider1977 wrote:Thank you! that seems to be the most logical way to get around this. Would anyone happen to have a diagram of the wiring for the starter/ alternator. Last thing I need is a wiring nightmare :lol:
Should be able to find it here
https://www.mirafiori.com/forum/viewtop ... 49&t=96319
Don Avery
Dayton, OH/Sarasota,FL
1985 Pininfarina
2011 Eos
2012 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet
spider2081
Patron 2024
Patron 2024
Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by spider2081 »

I forgot to ask are the alternators on the 76 and the 77 engines the same make and model? If not I would use the one off the 77 so the cars wiring is compatible with the alternator.
Spider1977
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:39 am
Your car is a: 1977 Spider

Re: Engine Swap Wiring Issues

Post by Spider1977 »

I'm not 100% sure if they are the same, but i did plan on keep the same alternator due to the wiring compatibility. Thanks for your input!
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