Oil Pump Cover PLate

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joelittel
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by joelittel »

I am tearing down one 2L engine and building up another with performance parts and mild compression. In doing so I've come across some inconsistencies between my engine and the donor and am looking for guidance on which option will be better for my "new" engine.

The first photo below shows the engine block that came from my fuel injected '80. Other than the usual issues we all deal with my car had very few problems to speak of. Specifically, I had no known issues with oil and or lubrication.

The pump seen in this picture has a restriction plate (for lack of a better term) covering the base of the bump, allowing oil to enter through a half dollar sized hole.

The second photo shows the pump that came with my '79 donor engine. This pump does not have the "restriction plate" but instead has a screen covering the entire footprint of the pump.

Which setup is better for my car?

With cover plate
Image

Without cover plate
Image
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bradartigue
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Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by bradartigue »

It solved a problem with starvation, supposedly. I never starved a Spider of oil with either pump that I know of. Over the years they added baffles to the sump and then this last mod to the oil pump.
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joelittel
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
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Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by joelittel »

Cool.

I'm going to use it on my fresh engine then. It can't hurt, right.
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bradartigue
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Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by bradartigue »

joelittel wrote:Cool.

I'm going to use it on my fresh engine then. It can't hurt, right.
It should not hurt at all.
BEEK
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Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by BEEK »

the second pump is from a 1800. the pump will not be long enough to get to the bottom of the sump. You must use a 2.0 oil pump in a 2.0 engine
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
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joelittel
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by joelittel »

That seems like important information to have. Thanks!
85redpini
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Your car is a: 1985 pininfarina spider

Re: Oil Pump Cover PLate

Post by 85redpini »

that's an 1800cc oil pump
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