Finished my engine rebuild

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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

Post by spidernut »

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.

Image
Image
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)
garion
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

Post by garion »

Purdy...
--John
1978 Fiat 124 Spider (for sale soon)
1979 Fiat 124 Spider
2007 Audi A4
Blog: http://www.technobabelfish.com
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focodave
Patron 2018
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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

Post by focodave »

She looks great!
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
vandor
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

Post by vandor »

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
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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

Post by spidernut »

focodave wrote:She looks great!
What did you do to her? Internally, that is....
All gaskets
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)
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focodave
Patron 2018
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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

Post by focodave »

Nice !!
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
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bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Finished my engine rebuild

Post by bradartigue »

Beautiful work.
paintdudeluke

Re: Finished my engine rebuild

Post by paintdudeluke »

what was the price tag on the rebuild project?
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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

Post by DocGraphics »

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!
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/
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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

Post by spidernut »

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.
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)
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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

Post by DocGraphics »

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
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/
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Finished my engine rebuild

Post by fiat218 »

That's looks so good, good job
:mrgreen: 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
wizard124
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

Post by wizard124 »

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 :cry:
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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

Post by giuliot60 »

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
PininF

Re: Finished my engine rebuild

Post by PininF »

Very clean and tidy… just the way I like it :D

Cheers
John
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