79' Intake Manifold off, 1800 Conversion started!

[Fiat88]

So, I finally picked up a 1800 Intake manifold, got it from our very own Mike here on LI. My father and I drove out to his shop on tuesday which was around an hour and 20 minutes from us, we all had a nice chat about our Fiats. Turns out we both have '79! He showed me some brake calipers he was repainting and rebuilding. He's a nice guy.

Well yesterday I took off the the old emission intake, it was a pain to get off but after using some different extensions got the bolts off, the last one towards the firewall was the hardest.

Today I started inspecting the stuff the intake was hiding. I started degreasing and cleaning up the accumulated dirt, grease, and grime. Looked like it hadn't been cleaned in awhile! I finally could see the starter and the gear box. After I cleaned it up, I opened up the fill plugged and to my suprise it looks bone dry! That could explain why I have lots of play in my steering wheel!

[So Cal Mark]

while the intake is off, you might consider removing and cleaning the vapor separator and installing a complete clamp on the hose. Are you going to block off the egr crossover in the head? Or are you changing the exhaust manifold too?

[Fiat88]

while the intake is off, you might consider removing and cleaning the vapor separator and installing a complete clamp on the hose. Are you going to block off the egr crossover in the head? Or are you changing the exhaust manifold too?

Mark,
You're talking about where the crankase ventilation hose connects to,right? The hoses need to be replaced as the long one had cracks in it and the short one feels very hard, so gonna order new ones. How does the vapor seperator come out, just that top bolt? Mike was nice enough to cut me a blank plate to fit over that egr hole as I'm still using the stock exhaust. Thanks.

[So Cal Mark]

the separator comes out with just the single bolt, good idea to replace the hoses if they're cracked.

[Fiat88]

the separator comes out with just the single bolt, good idea to replace the hoses if they're cracked.

I don't have to drain the engine oil to remove that vapor seperator, do I?

Also, as I'm running an electric fuel pump can I remove the mechanical fuel pump and do you know who sells a blanking plate for that or do I need to make one myself out of aluminum?

[minimike]

john,
hi. you don't have to drain the oil. when you pull out the single bolt and lift the separator out, you'll see it's a maze of curves
that lets the fumes up and the oil falls back into the engine/pan. My elbow hose was cracked and I took off washed it good in
lacquer thinner and caulked up the cracks with black silicon. Not sure how long it will last but I didn't want to wait for a new hose to start the engine. I also bought 2 pancake breathers. One for the 'exhaust' of the separator, and one for the top
of the engine where there's a vent in the head. I put both of them on with 4" and 2" hoses respectively. I think if you
plug the breathers, you might start an oil leak somewhere else. Why take that chance.

I read your post. It was a pain in the ass, arms, wrists, back, etc getting the old stock 2000 intake off. Perseverance wins out.

I'd leave the mechanical fuel pump in place. Never know when your electric one craps out. Are you plumbing the electric up front or in the rear? Leave yourself enough fuel line to reconnect the mechanical one for an emergency.
mike

[Fiat88]

john,
hi. you don't have to drain the oil. when you pull out the single bolt and lift the separator out, you'll see it's a maze of curves
that lets the fumes up and the oil falls back into the engine/pan. My elbow hose was cracked and I took off washed it good in
lacquer thinner and caulked up the cracks with black silicon. Not sure how long it will last but I didn't want to wait for a new hose to start the engine. I also bought 2 pancake breathers. One for the 'exhaust' of the separator, and one for the top
of the engine where there's a vent in the head. I put both of them on with 4" and 2" hoses respectively. I think if you
plug the breathers, you might start an oil leak somewhere else. Why take that chance.

I read your post. It was a pain in the ass, arms, wrists, back, etc getting the old stock 2000 intake off. Perseverance wins out.

I'd leave the mechanical fuel pump in place. Never know when your electric one craps out. Are you plumbing the electric up front or in the rear? Leave yourself enough fuel line to reconnect the mechanical one for an emergency.
mike

Hey Mike,
I rather play it safe and order new hoses for the seperator,as the parts are inexpensive and I have good access now as the intake is not blocking me from replacing them. I noticed auto-ricambi sold them. I know that the vent hoses have to be open otherwise oil could be blown pass the seals due to the pressure. I did notice that the PO plugged the one in the head,though but you gotta have at least one open!

I actually have an electric fuel pump hooked up already in the trunk as the PO installed it.

[So Cal Mark]

the port in the head is not a vent, it's an air injection port that connects to the exhaust ports. Keep it plugged

[Fiat88]

the port in the head is not a vent, it's an air injection port that connects to the exhaust ports. Keep it plugged

Good to know, plugged it stays.

[vandor]

Hi,

The 1974-76 Spiders came with an electric fuel pump from the factory and had a blanking plate over the fuel pump hole.
They used to be available new, but lately they have been hard to come by. Someone told me that the Chevy blanking plates available at auto parts stores are the same size, but looking at them they looked bigger. I have not actuaqlly
Yes, we do have the crankcase vent hoses at Auto Ricambi.
Thanks,

Csaba
Auto Ricambi, LLC

[Fiat88]

Hi,

The 1974-76 Spiders came with an electric fuel pump from the factory and had a blanking plate over the fuel pump hole.
They used to be available new, but lately they have been hard to come by. Someone told me that the Chevy blanking plates available at auto parts stores are the same size, but looking at them they looked bigger. I have not actuaqlly
Yes, we do have the crankcase vent hoses at Auto Ricambi.
Thanks,

Csaba
Auto Ricambi, LLC

Thanks for the info Csaba! Maybe someone here will have one. Gonna order a few parts from you guys later tonight.

[Fiat88]

So, as far as blocking the exhaust I am a little confused. I'm I suppose to remove that single pipe leading from/under the exhaust manifold to the engine and then plug the opening with the blanking plate or do I keep the pipe connected and sandwich the blanking plate between the pipe and the engine?

[baltobernie]

If you're going to re-attach the breather hose to the air cleaner, order one of these, too. It goes inside that hose.

This prevents a backfire from igniting crankcase vapors.

[Fiat88]

If you're going to re-attach the breather hose to the air cleaner, order one of these, too. It goes inside that hose.

This prevents a backfire from igniting crankcase vapors.

I picked up a new one(flame arrestor) when I ordered my breather hoses a few days ago. Thanks for the suggestion,though!

[Fiat88]

So, as far as blocking the exhaust I am a little confused. I'm I suppose to remove that pipe leading from the exhaust manifold to the engine and then plug the opening with the blanking plate or do I keep the pipe connected and sandwich the blanking plate between the pipe and the engine?

Anyone?