Engine rebuild resources

[Wodza]

Ive bought a 1973 fiat spider with 1608cc engine that needs some work. I've never worked on a car doing anything more complicated than brakes, oil and filter, and some minor bodywork. I bought this car to learn and am looking at doing an engine rebuild over the winter or finding a used engine to put in. I am lucky enough to have a knowledgable resource about a 10 min drive from my house. However, I would like to try to do this rebuild, should I go choose to do it, without constantly asking him basic questions at each and every step. So I put it to the board to ask what resources would you recommend a completely green aspiring hobby mechanic purchase, watch, read, do etc. before even starting to turn a wrench.
Cheers

[MrToon]

You really need a service manual as your guideline, which contains very detailed information. Brad Artigue has uploaded a bunch of them on the mirafiori.com forum in the library section.

[Surf65]

You can also use Frank from Auto Ricambi in TX for engine parts and is a great knowledge resource and also John Erskine from DC area, Fiat Rescue. Both have been incredibly helpful in helping me with two spiders on the road.

[baltobernie]

An engine build is a big project for a first-timer. One first thinks of the specialty tools and documentation he needs for the job, but the limiting factor is knowledge, and knowledge comes from experience, and experience comes from making mistakes.

What about entrusting the internal build to a local machine shop? You will gain valuable skills in the removal of the engine and all its external parts. Photographing, bagging and tagging are essential Fiat skills that you will need in the future. Believe me, you will have plenty of questions for your neighbor in performing this "simple" task. You'll also gain familiarity with the systems that usually require repair or replacement down the road.

[AndyVAS]

The guys at Motor Trend have been doing some videos of basic engine building. You might take a look and see if it looks like a job you can do.

[RRoller123]

+1. Tremendous resource. YouTube is a gem.

[Odoyle]

Book: Guy Croft - Modifying and Tuning Fiat/Lancia Engines
https://www.guy-croft.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3156

A very comprehensive manual put together by one of the best in the business. If you want to take this fiat thing a step further, you can register on his forum https://www.guy-croft.com/index.php for £35 membership fee. A small price for access to wealth of knowledge and exposure to real engineering discussed and demonstrated.