Building my engine

[DoctorPDR]

Will Mark's header (I call it a ball of discombobulation -- no offense Mark ) work on an FI car? Will it sit below the Air Intake Hose, or will the intake hose get in the way?

The reason I ask this is apparently Vick Autosports is working on a programmable ECU for the FIAT Spider and will generate approximately 140 HP. It will be mappable with your own laptop and their software. The word is they should have it completed within the next couple of months. I love the looks of dual 44 IDF Webers but feel that FI is more reliable and precise, when controlled by an ECU. I do plan on taking the plunge with pulling out my motor, trans, and rear-end in the not so distant future in order to beef up this car's potential. I thought about converting to the 131 Transmission (I know the trans tunnel will need to be widened) but have been told by someone that if I go with this Transmission, my Spider will shift like a TRUCK. I certainly don't want this.

Are there any plans to make the 124 syncros and gears out of stronger material? This would be ideal, since a 131 Brava Transmission can handle 400 HP.

[BEEK]

Will Mark's header (I call it a ball of discombobulation -- no offense Mark ) work on an FI car? Will it sit below the Air Intake Hose, or will the intake hose get in the way?

The reason I ask this is apparently Vick Autosports is working on a programmable ECU for the FIAT Spider and will generate approximately 140 HP. It will be mappable with your own laptop and their software. The word is they should have it completed within the next couple of months. I love the looks of dual 44 IDF Webers but feel that FI is more reliable and precise, when controlled by an ECU. I do plan on taking the plunge with pulling out my motor, trans, and rear-end in the not so distant future in order to beef up this car's potential. I thought about converting to the 131 Transmission (I know the trans tunnel will need to be widened) but have been told by someone that if I go with this Transmission, my Spider will shift like a TRUCK. I certainly don't want this.

Are there any plans to make the 124 syncros and gears out of stronger material? This would be ideal, since a 131 Brava Transmission can handle 400 HP.

maybe the truck is a hino! kinda fiat like. the brava trans is not the best feeling shifting gearbox around for sure.

[wachuko]

Bringing this thread from the dead Finally started to take it apart. A few photos:

[wachuko]

If I can get photos from those that went from FI to carb and comments it would be great. I need to know what goes and what stays.

The easy... all FI stuff goes out and with it most of the wiring, AFM goes out as well... But what about hoses? What needs to be put back?

Going with Marks electronic ignition... so that will get rid of the old distributor as well.

[BEEK]

all you need is an intake manifold , carburator and an electric fuel pump (3psi), as you have a block with no provision for a mechanical pump. can use all the rest of the original parts.

[wachuko]

all you need is an intake manifold , carburator and an electric fuel pump (3psi), as you have a block with no provision for a mechanical pump. can use all the rest of the original parts.

Thank you Randy! So it becomes a very simple setup then. Cool.

[wachuko]

Might as well ask away...

Since the plan is to make it pretty and reliable. Should I tear it down completely? Should I do a complete engine rebuild and also order a piston ring set and rod and main bearings?

I already have a complete engine gasket kit, a new water pump, and a few other small items.

[BEEK]

depends on what your performance intention is. stock with a carburator, or a mild build or more performance. and what budget you have for the project. stock cams and compression or high compression. ect...

[wachuko]

depends on what your performance intention is. stock with a carburetor, or a mild build or more performance. and what budget you have for the project. stock cams and compression or high compression. ect...

Randy,

Sounds silly, but all I want is a sweet sound and a good looking engine (reason for the Mark's header, intake manifold and carbs). Everything else should be around reliability.

Reason I ask if it is wise to take it apart is simply because I am cleaning and removing a lot of stuff from the engine. Just checking if it is good to also replace the head gasket, well... all engine gaskets and piston ring set and rod and main bearings? Stock bearings and piston rings are not that expensive. Outside the expense for the headers and carb setup there is no budget for much else.

Or, since it was running fine. Leave it alone and just clean it, paint and move on.

[mdrburchette]

Do you know the history of this engine?

[wachuko]

Do you know the history of this engine?

This is the engine that came from the '83 car (My First Fiat - Parts car )

So outside of the work I did initially to get it running, no, I don't have the history of it.

So it might make sense to open it up and snap a few photos to share and get your thoughts?

[wachuko]

Reading a few of the threads.

What do they mean by balancing the engine? What is the typical cost of doing that for this engine? And, if something I should do, any one locally (Orlando, FL) that knows of a shop that can do it, or this is something any machine shop should be able to tackle ?

Looks like I should also add to the list an aluminum flywheel or lightened and balance the stock unit. I need to see what would be less expensive. I have a new clutch kit, stock unit, that I will install to this.

I have seen a few photos with the oil filler cap on the front instead of the back. Is that just a swap of the valve covers (left to right, right to left)?

If I take the engine apart, can I reuse the head bolts/nuts? Or those are one time use bolts/nuts?

Looks like I will also need a new coolant T or a cap for the sensor hole. I will also need to replace the coolant pipe that runs under the header.

[narfire]

I'd tear it down and change the bearings, clean inside the oil pan, hone,perhaps re-ring,change the seals. This way you now know the history and hopefully will not have issues,say just before you might want to go somewhere(FFO)
Replace with stock parts from any of the vendors. The head I'd check for flat and again perhaps have the valves done just so you know the history. Same cams? If it is going to be a FI engine,I like Marks cam upgrade with Jason's adjustable cam wheels.
Re-shim the head, put it all back together and I think you'll have a piece of mind now knowing what is propelling your car.
An upgrade many make while the engine is out is to shave a few pounds off the flywheel and have the whole lot balanced,still keeps the reliability but I found the engine alot smoother.
Good luck and I'm sure we'll be seeing the pics before long
Chris

[wachuko]

I'd tear it down and change the bearings, clean inside the oil pan, hone,perhaps re-ring,change the seals. This way you now know the history and hopefully will not have issues,say just before you might want to go somewhere(FFO)
Replace with stock parts from any of the vendors. The head I'd check for flat and again perhaps have the valves done just so you know the history. Same cams? If it is going to be a FI engine,I like Marks cam upgrade with Jason's adjustable cam wheels.
Re-shim the head, put it all back together and I think you'll have a piece of mind now knowing what is propelling your car.
An upgrade many make while the engine is out is to shave a few pounds off the flywheel and have the whole lot balanced,still keeps the reliability but I found the engine a lot smoother.
Good luck and I'm sure we'll be seeing the pics before long
Chris

Chris,

Not Fuel Injected, this will be a dual carburetor setup with Mark's kit (intake/Empi carb/air cleaner/sync adapter).

What is re-shim the head??

[narfire]

What is re-shim the head??

Just making sure the clearances are at spec. ie around 17 thou intake and I believe 18-19 exhaust with stock cams.
With the duel carbs, ever entertain re camming the head? Perhaps Randy could offer some insight there as I'm still kinda new to this compared to others and have delt with FI engines only so far.
Regardless sounds/looks like you'll have a great car when all sorted.
Chris