Help identifying engine

[Tom124]

Hello, I recently bought a 1978 Fiat Spider, the number on the block doesn't match the numbers in the Spider resources I have been able to find. I am interested to know what engine I have. The numbers are in a round stamp above the oil filter.

132CBA1A
419 206
1G

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Tom

[vandor]

What is a round stamp?
The engine type and number are stamped in a straight line in small characters.
I think you are looking at the characters cast in the block.

[RRoller123]

I think the round numbers (in a small circle?) in the block casting are likely time/lot/date markings from the casting. Typically this is how many manufacturers identify a particular casting lot.

[Nanonevol]

So you expect the engine may be different from what is stamped on the plate on the firewall near the distributer?

[djape1977]

find the casting on the engine block below intake manifold and read it
then google it

[Tom124]

Thank you, in your photo I can see the number. Also in your photo off to the left is the round stamp I was talking about. Are the numbers on your stamp different than the large numbers on the side of the block?

[djape1977]

only relevant numbers are big ones on the side of the block
never mind the rest.
this pic is off the web.
yours can be different
132 ab1
132 cb2a
125a...

[vandor]

> only relevant numbers are big ones on the side of the block

What?? Absolutely not. The list of engine types in the Fiat factory maual does NOT refer to the big numbers cast into the block, it refers to the small ones stamped above the oil filter mount (1400-1600-1800), or on the machined surface between the oil filter and the engine mount(2000). The manual even shows pics where these numbers are located.
The cast numbers are not mentioned.

[djape1977]

cast numbers identify the engine.
stamped numbers identify the variation.

what do your manuals say about 132CBA1A?

lets first find out what's cast on the side of the block and then work from there

[vandor]

> what do your manuals say about 132CBA1A?

Nothing, as it is not a US engine variation. But I am still not sure that he refers to the stamped numbers or the cast numbers.
Still do not have an answer on that, so I cannot tell what he really has.

It's a '78 Spider, so it's a US model, and chances are that it's in the US, so it is more likely he is reading the cast numbers than that it has a non-US spec engine.

There are list on Mirafiori.com and in Fiat manuals that tell you what engine is what based on the stamped characters. I have not seen any such lists on the characters cast into the block. If there are any, please let me know.

[djape1977]

99% it's a 1756cc engine

[131]

There are list on Mirafiori.com and in Fiat manuals that tell you what engine is what based on the stamped characters. I have not seen any such lists on the characters cast into the block. If there are any, please let me know.

I've also seen a few lists that reference stamped numbers to engine size/model/country, but nothing as far as the cast characters are concerned. Vieri has a good list, but he hasn't added to it since 2005.

http://www.villevieri.com/tc/tclist.htm

[vandor]

99% it's a 1756cc engine

Yes, since that is what 1978 Spiders came with that is extremely likely.
The stamped numbers should be 132A1.040.6 if it is the original 1978 engine.

[Tom124]

The numbers were from round disc above the oil filter. In the picture above, in the bottom left corner of the phot there is a little round disk with the number. My engine is in the car I can't see the big numbers cast into the side as shown in the photo above.

[vandor]

That's just the distributor hole plug. You need to look below that, on a machined horizontal surface, just about the oil filter block (the bottom ofthe alternaotr bolts to it).
If it's an original 1978 then the alternator will be in the way of reading the numbers. A mechanic's camera could be handy.