72 spider engine replacement ideas

[nickc]

Hi all,
I have just come across a 1972 spider project that I am thinking about taking on.
The car has the original 1602 engine; however, it has 2 cracks (crank and block) that would need to be welded. This engine is currently out of the car; so, either way, I haveto install an engine. I have been quoted $500 to perform the needed welds. I can work on the entire egine, but I do not weld (maybe I can learn quickly).

I found a 1981 2.0 engine locally for $450 which is supposedly tested as good. I am trying to decide which way to go (if a 2.0 wont fit, then I can find a 1..

I wanted some opinions from you guys:
1. is it even possible? If so, any mods needed (battery relocation is a given)
2. 1608 is considered one ofthe best engines; should I swap it with a 1800 or a 2000?

I would like to hear your pros and cons.

Thanks in advance to all of you that respond

Nick

[So Cal Mark]

go with the 2.0, the best choice for a street motor. Gobs of torque

[narfire]

I think if you can find a 1600 or 1800 engine,that might be the way to go.The New Jersey bunch are taking a 76 apart soon and they might have an engine available, check the events section here. The 2L is taller and I believe has a bigger radiator that perhaps should go with it. I found a 2L rad won't fit under the flat hood of my 72 unless the cap/inlet is moved...more modifications or lowered. I believe Alvon has a 1800 in his car. The 2L engine is a great engine and if you can make it fit try that but check clearances,cross member and oilpan clearances ect.
I'm sure others have done the swap and would enlighten any changes required.
Just an opinion
Chris

[mikeg]

I'm going to agree with Mark, however an '81 2L is going to be fuel injected and thay may create some issues that a carb would not. Obviously, the 2L can be carburated, but then again that's going to create some additional cost, although most of what you would need would be on the 1.6L you have now. I have not made that swap, and I've read where people drop it right in and other times changed the cross member to a spider 2000 version to get it to fit. The '72 should have a flat hood and that could be an issue with the taller 2L engine. I know it will fit with the small bump late '73 to '78 hood and you can retrofit the 2000 hood easily enough as well. A properly tuned 2L can be loads of fun and a great highway cruser as well.

[azruss]

I dropped a 79 carb 2L in a 70 flat hood spider. no other changes except bell housing (your tranny will be ok). the timing belt cover rubbed ever so slightly on the hood center reinforcement. I was concerned the 1438 radiator was too small, so adapted a radiator out of a plymouth duster. I currently have a 80 FI spider that i put a flat hood on. made a small mod in the hood frame to clear the belt cover. I have pix if you need it. The upper dizzy has to be oriented just right, but that is no biggy. I also had to shorten the filler neck on my 80 radiator to fit under the flat hood. The newer crossmembers allow the motor to sit lower by about an 1/8". tight fit between the pan and cross-member, but no mods needed there. may have to relocated the radiator fan to make room for the new motor. A relatively painless process and the 2L motor with a modified 71 carb made the 70 a joy to drive. also got better gas mileage than the 1438.

[nickc]

Thanks for the responses so far. I forgot about the hood differences, but it sounds like that can be gotten around; or, I can just get a bumped hood. I was considering repairing existing engine only because it is the original engine, I dont know how much that adds to the value of a 72 fiat spider, though.
I currently own an '81, modified with high compression pistons and I love it. Besides that mod, it is a totally orignal car (a turbo car) with 49,000 original miles, so, I dont wat to basterdize it.The reason I was interested in a '72 is because I had heard that the 1602 engine in the '72 was the best engine made for the 124 spider line. I like the overall shpe of the early spiders better, especially the metal bumper.
Mark, you metioned more torque out of he 2.0L. I was focused on the HP, but, you are rght, it's the torque that kicks you back.
Last question:
Is the '72 any more fun to drive than an 81' FI model (with high compression pistons)?
Thanks again.

[spiderrey]

Its a 1608 engine. Ive done it twice. Put a 2 liter in a 70 1438 car and a 71 1608 car. Radiator works fine from the 1438 setup, And my 2 liter is highly modified. No need to mess with the radiator. The fan is also a non issue. i didnt change the original x member on either car, and had no issues. Install new engine mounts though. My flat hood fit with no issues either. But i am not running a timing cover. The 2 liter runs like a bat out of hell. The 1438 made it feel like a geo metro, didnt work 4 me. Good luck.

[nickc]

Thanks spiderey! That's what I wanted to hear.
Nick