Finished my engine rebuild
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Finished my engine rebuild
My simple project of replacing all the gaskets and seals turned into a complete motor rebuild thanks to a PO who apparently ran the motor out of oil at one time and scored everything up. After a lot of hard work, painting, buffing and cleaning on top of the work I put into the motor...it is finally done. I only wish I didn't have to reinstall all of the emissions junk.
Special thanks to Autoricambi and Vicks Auto Sports for the parts needed to complete the project. She fired right up, sounds great and I can't wait to take her for a drive.
Special thanks to Autoricambi and Vicks Auto Sports for the parts needed to complete the project. She fired right up, sounds great and I can't wait to take her for a drive.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
-
- Posts: 508
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:20 pm
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Purdy...
--John
1978 Fiat 124 Spider (for sale soon)
1979 Fiat 124 Spider
2007 Audi A4
Blog: http://www.technobabelfish.com
1978 Fiat 124 Spider (for sale soon)
1979 Fiat 124 Spider
2007 Audi A4
Blog: http://www.technobabelfish.com
- focodave
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
- Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
She looks great!
What did you do to her? Internally, that is....
What did you do to her? Internally, that is....
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
-
- Posts: 3996
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
- Location: Texas, USA
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Very nice!
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
All gasketsfocodave wrote:She looks great!
What did you do to her? Internally, that is....
All seals
Rings
Connecting rod bearings
Main bearings
Thrust washers
Valve grind
Valve seals
Resurfaced head
Shims
Honed cylinders
Replaced crankshaft
Auxiliary shaft pulley
Everything that wasn't replaced was checked to ensure the build was within specs (torque, gaps, end gaps, balance, end play, etc.)
Timing belt (it had minimal mileage on the tensioner, thermostat, and water pump so I didn't have to replace them)
Many hoses
I was tempted to bore it out and go with new pistons and such, but living in California and having to pass emissions put that on permanent hold. For me, I actually consider it more of an overhaul than a rebuild. Though I say it was a rebuild I consider a true rebuild to include at least new pistons and pins, and cams. Since it had only 65,000 original miles it made no sense to replace them.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
- focodave
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
- Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Nice !!
Where did you ever find a crankshaft?
Was it re-ground -- or stock?
Where did you ever find a crankshaft?
Was it re-ground -- or stock?
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
- bradartigue
- Posts: 2183
- Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
- Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- DocGraphics
- Posts: 639
- Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:43 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 124 spider
- Location: Coeur d'Alene Idaho
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Wow John, that is a very pretty site to behold, nice job!
I have mine cleaned up good but that is incredible, someday I hope to go all the way thru mine (when she gets tired) & I hope it comes out like that!
Are you planning on coming up north again this year? If so let me know when & we can meet up again, maybe take a drive this time.
Kudos brother!
I have mine cleaned up good but that is incredible, someday I hope to go all the way thru mine (when she gets tired) & I hope it comes out like that!
Are you planning on coming up north again this year? If so let me know when & we can meet up again, maybe take a drive this time.
Kudos brother!
Don Raugust
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
- spidernut
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:20 am
- Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
A friend had a crankshaft that I bought from him. It was in perfect condition and mic'd out perfectly for my motor.
The total cost was about $850 for the rebuild and I did everything except the valve grind and resurfacing. That includes several new tools I needed and/or wanted, paint, hoses, and the engine stand I bought. That does not include fluids for the car or for me.
Compare that to $2,250 for a new short block and $495 for a rebuilt head plus shipping costs, $1,600 for installation and I saved $3,495.
The total cost was about $850 for the rebuild and I did everything except the valve grind and resurfacing. That includes several new tools I needed and/or wanted, paint, hoses, and the engine stand I bought. That does not include fluids for the car or for me.
Compare that to $2,250 for a new short block and $495 for a rebuilt head plus shipping costs, $1,600 for installation and I saved $3,495.
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
- DocGraphics
- Posts: 639
- Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:43 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 124 spider
- Location: Coeur d'Alene Idaho
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Thats not a bad tally for the job, gives me a little more inspiration to take it on when the time comes.
(I used to do a rering job on 1st & 2nd Hondas for under $200 or under $400 with machining & pistons, kits available then & cheap)
Good to know if you can do the work yourself it is still cost effective
(I used to do a rering job on 1st & 2nd Hondas for under $200 or under $400 with machining & pistons, kits available then & cheap)
Good to know if you can do the work yourself it is still cost effective
Don Raugust
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
1978 Fiat 124 Spider "Fiona" - Burgundy/Tan
2011 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 0Pictures/
2012 pics: http://s918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... cs%202012/
-
- Posts: 5745
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
- Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
That's looks so good, good job
but does it RUN
I would love to try rebuild a engine, maybe my 1608. After I'm done with this 69 project, but what would I do with the engine after it done
but does it RUN
I would love to try rebuild a engine, maybe my 1608. After I'm done with this 69 project, but what would I do with the engine after it done
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
-
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
- Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Congrats John! Looks great. You knocked that out pretty fast!
I've decided to pull my engine and tranny. It may be a few more weeks before I can. The current project is installing some new Christmas appliances for my lovely wife. Found some dry rot under the reefer....project creep
I've decided to pull my engine and tranny. It may be a few more weeks before I can. The current project is installing some new Christmas appliances for my lovely wife. Found some dry rot under the reefer....project creep
'80 spider FI, SnugTop hardtop
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
- giuliot60
- Posts: 715
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
- Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
- Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)
Re: Finished my engine rebuild
Looking Good!
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider