major engine noise

[lamborghinikid]

I'm getting alot of ticking topside I think its a broken spring or something its ticking like crazy during idle its really bad under load and higher idle its not so bad,,, I'm really hoping it is not the crank I rally hope its top side thats an eaiser fix, Also where can I get cam seals they are throwing oil on one side,. I have seen some cam gears where the belts are that have holes in them where can you get those? Thanks for the help

[So Cal Mark]

sounds like an exhaust leak at the manifold

[lamborghinikid]

it doesn't sound like its coming from down that low, I really hope its not a rod. is it possible to break a valve spring with the spacers in the cup like piston I can't see a problem here. I am going to pull the valve train and everything down to the head. I even thought it may be the aux on the timing belt for the oil pump may have slipped or something. Its ticking loud enough it has to be found before it gets worse. I do have the original block I was going to build it up and use it after I painted the car, any good sites for proformance building. I would love to find a 16 valve head.

[So Cal Mark]

pull it apart if you like, but I'd listen to the exhaust manifold with a stethoscope before I tore the engine down searching for a noise.

[azruss]

I'm with Mark on this one. I have seen loud valve noise come thru a small exhaust leak. too small to get much exhaust sound. A rubber hose works good as a stethoscope. one end in the ear the other end on the metal. this will help you locate the noise position. once you take it apart, you may be looking for a needle in a haystack.

[lamborghinikid]

I'll try it guys thanks

[lamborghinikid]

any suggestions on where to pick up those trick cam pulleys or a 16 valve head from may be a Lancia

[maytag]

any suggestions on where to pick up those trick cam pulleys or a 16 valve head from may be a Lancia

for the cam pulleys, you're probably talking about the adjustable ones that most builders are using:
you can find at least one example here:
http://www.millersmule.com/

as for the 16v head: there's one on ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Fiat-Lancia-16v ... 3f06c214fc

But be careful, it's is not as easy as "off with the 8v, on with the 16v".

[lamborghinikid]

found a fiat/lancia head on e bay how hard is it to go this route and will I get the higher revs or do I need a lighter crank shaft ect? Is it worth the trouble to install the 16 valve head?

[bradartigue]

found a fiat/lancia head on e bay how hard is it to go this route and will I get the higher revs or do I need a lighter crank shaft ect? Is it worth the trouble to install the 16 valve head?

Worth the trouble? That's up to you and the level of satisfaction you get in doing the work. The money is horrendous - head set (right now at almost $5k) and then the engine work you'd need just to get the pistons and everything right (let's say another $2k) and then you have to invest in a good system to deliver fuel (another $1k), and so on. So let's say you're into $9k by the time the ignition turns over. I'd be thinking about a lot of other things before I even considered such a thing.

Alternative - I'm pretty sure with $9k you could have addressed every single mechanical component of your Spider and have money to spare. Rebuilt 8v motor with high compression pistons and hot cams, rebuilt transmission if it needs it, new cooling system, new oiling system, new electricals, new suspension front and rear, driveline rebuilt, hell you might even be about to squeeze new tires and such.

Most 16v projects I've heard of NEVER touch the road.

[So Cal Mark]

I've yet to hear of one being completed

[divace73]

We have had a few 16V jobs converted here down under, infact a turbo 124 16v coupe is for sale at present. Really nice Job and the asking price is nowhere near what it would have cost him.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 1&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294966327 4294966318 904&silo=1011

[pastaroni34]

Some of us have 16v heads in the states already, I'd sell you one for $1500. The conversion is not practical at all though. At the very least you'll have to have custom intake and exhaust manifolds, and notch the firewall. If you're down for that, I am happy to hear it!

[divace73]

Hi Jason

Is that $1,500 with everything, cams, wheel, and manifolds....??
You've got me thinking about it again; even will all the headache involved...

I love it when you read in some retro classic car mag that the "16V head is literally a bolt on"...there is never any mention of the issues you have just raised.

But still I want one....

What cars did you end up with in the States that had the 16V, we didn't get any here in OZ, Fiat pulled out by the time they released them.

[pastaroni34]

Including cams, pulleys, and intake manifold. The manifold is useless without modification though, for that matter, the manifold is pretty useless as the design is fairly poor flow wise. Its also very big and heavy. This is for a used head in good condition.

I have a couple of these heads, and a couple more on their way. I guess you could count the one on my Integrale also but its not for sale. They're all imported to the states, we have the same problem you have.

As for putting the head on the block, apart from plugging an oil passage, it IS literally a bolt on. Getting it to fit in your car is another matter all together.