I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

General chat about the car goes in here.
Post Reply
zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by zachmac »

So I thought it might be a good idea to fill up that shiny rebuilt engine on the stand with oil and spin the aux shaft with a drill to "pre-lube" the engine. Sorta like we used to do with Chevys. Don't worry, I've cut the fuel pump lobe off the end of the aux shaft so no worries about it striking the #2 rod cap bolt.

BUT, what I didn't realize (I should have) is that if you haven't put the center studs back in the head for the intake and exhaust manifold oil will pour right our those holes all over the sides of the engine and onto your floor! Crap. Now why on earth did they drill those holes all the way back into the oil galleys?
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12
User avatar
focodave
Patron 2018
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: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by focodave »

Ha!
Remember "No good deed shall go unpunished!"
I used to do that old trick on small-block Mopars, too.
Remove the distributor, get a drill and an old shaft -- good way to get things all oiled up right before firing her up for the first time.
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
zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by zachmac »

Yeah, but again, why on earth did Fiat build a head where the tapped holes for the intake and exhaust to bolt up to are an oil leak? Were they worried it wouldn't leak out all the other places it does? maybe it's to lube the intake and exhaust frazzle fixit bearings?
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12
User avatar
focodave
Patron 2018
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: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by focodave »

Haha.
Yes, you do have to wonder.
There are a lot of things about these cars you have to wonder about.
It's all part of the fun, charm, romance, etc. --- of owning them.
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
mscafide
Posts: 330
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:59 pm
Your car is a: 1974 124 Spider
Location: Pompano Beach, Florida

Re: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by mscafide »

At least you only have to clean up some oil.

It was better to already know about the aux shaft and the number 2 connecting rod.

M
1974 124 Spider
1964 500 D
2012 500 Sport
1948 Ford 8N tractor (restored (don't drink and ebay))
User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by RRoller123 »

Does taking the lobe off the Aux shaft screw up the balance?
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
User avatar
focodave
Patron 2018
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: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by focodave »

RRoller123 wrote:Does taking the lobe off the Aux shaft screw up the balance?
I don't see how it would, considering there is such little rotating mass in that lobe --- and the aux shaft is rotating at a speed much slower than the crankshaft. I believe the moment of inertia is negligible.
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
zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by zachmac »

RRoller123 wrote:Does taking the lobe off the Aux shaft screw up the balance?
If anything I would think it would improve it since I'm pretty sure the lobe is the only eccentric piece on the shaft. I don't think they bothered balancing them with it on as the two support journals are before that and it was not much eccentric mass.
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12
User avatar
bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: I hate learning the hard way / "Crap, I didn't know that"

Post by bradartigue »

Other open holes (on some blocks) include the engine mount studs and the A/C bracket mount location. Especially on the late 2000 blocks, these all go straight into the block. Crank it up with these missing and oil blows all over the engine bay.
Post Reply