Advice needed. Best combination to use?

[juvius]

I bought a 79 spider to restore, but once I got it home and got a good look at it, the rust is way too bad on the frame and the rest of the underneath. Now I bought a nice 71 (very very little rust). Between the two cars, I have the following and want to know the best combo to use for the 71:

2000 engine (runs)
1438cc engine (not sure about it - head is off but the PO don't know why cause that's the way he bought it)
1800 head (reconditioned) and intake manifold from a 76 spider
2000 intake
26/34 DHSA carb
32 ADFA carb
28/32 ADHA
5spd transmission for the 71

I also have the auto transmission from the 79, but I don't want to use it.

I would like to use the 2000 engine in the 71 and i know i'd need a newer transmission. I have a feeling that a different carb will better.

thanks,
steve

[manoa matt]

2L block, 1800 head, 1800 intake manifold, 32ADFA carb, 5 speed trans. For better highway gearing you could use the differential from the automatic.

[juvius]

thanks. as far as transmission, what should i look at spending? also, does the 32adfa deal with smog? I don't want to use smog stuff - i'm not checked here.

[redcars]

If the 71 tran is ok use it. The trans can be used from any year.

[juvius]

i was hoping so, but when i was researching i could have sworn that i read that the bellhousing was different and didn't line up.
to clarify... the thread i read said that the 1438cc was different but the 1608cc would work. In 71 both engines were put in it.

edit.. just found where i read that:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12466

[So Cal Mark]

the 1438 bellhousing is too small to accomodate the 2L flywheel. But that is easily changed on the tranny

[juvius]

i actually don't have a 2.0 flywheel since the 79 was auto. does that mean, I can use the current flywheel in the 71 and be fine? if so, that's awesome and i have an extra 1438 engine to donate to someone who needs it.

i want to say, that I don't know much about this stuff. My dad is a mechanic and will be doing the work with my assistance. I just want to make sure I have everything figured out and ready to go when we start on it.

thanks,
steve

[vandor]

> I can use the current flywheel in the 71 and be fine? if so, that's awesome and i have an extra 1438 engine to donate to >someone who needs it.

First of all: are you sure it's a 1438? Most '71s had a 1608 with the larger clutch/flywheen/bellhousing.

If you have a 1438 you can use it's clutch/flywheel/bellhousing on the 2000 if you drill out the flywheel bolt holes to 12mm, as now they are 10mm. The 1438cc clutch is smalled diameter and thus lighter duty, so you may possibly have problems with a hi-po 2000 - not sure, but you'd think there was a reason Fiat went to a larger clutch in the 1600/1800/2000.

The other alternative is to buy a 2000cc flywheel and bellhousing - I'm sure you could get the pair for under $100 and the car would be 'proper'.

[juvius]

thanks.. and yah, i'm sure. the numbers on the engine are 124ac040 0148930.

[juvius]

after thinking hard, considering the lack of availability of the right transmission and the other parts that i would need to complete it, I decided to just have the original head checked out. Took it to the head shop today and the guy said reconditioning it would not be a problem. He is going to take care of the head and clean up the valve covers for me. I though that $250 was a little steep, but i guess it could be right on the money since i've never had work like this done before. It's definitely cheaper than driving 4 hours away (with gas and food) for the closest one I could find for $300.

Thanks again for all of your inputs, I really wish it could've worked out that way.

[rodman]

after thinking hard, considering the lack of availability of the right transmission and the other parts that i would need to complete it, I decided to just have the original head checked out. Took it to the head shop today and the guy said reconditioning it would not be a problem. He is going to take care of the head and clean up the valve covers for me. I though that $250 was a little steep, but i guess it could be right on the money since i've never had work like this done before. It's definitely cheaper than driving 4 hours away (with gas and food) for the closest one I could find for $300.

Thanks again for all of your inputs, I really wish it could've worked out that way.

Smart decision on having yours rebuilt.ow you will know what you have.... Not buying someone else problems

[131]

Why would you spend extra money on reconditioning a head when you've said you already have a reco head? The 1800 head on the 2 litre block would be the best combination.

[dom]

I have a1438 flywheel, pressure plate and Bellhousing and head if you need them.

[juvius]

thanks dom... i'll let you know once i get the engine and transmission out to check the condition.

[juvius]

Why would you spend extra money on reconditioning a head when you've said you already have a reco head? The 1800 head on the 2 litre block would be the best combination.

because it was a lot cheaper to recon the 1438 head than to get a newer transmission. I didn't want to find, buy and swap bell housings or try to use the smaller flywheel with the 2ltr just in case it wasn't strong enough. like vandor said, they probably made the flywheels bigger for a reason... and as a bonus.. i'm keeping it original.