Engine knock & oil pump failure

[ragtop2000]

I have a 79 spider with about 118K miles on it. I have owned it for 5 years and it has has been running great for the last three years. Recently it had a bad oil leak and I tightened everything up and it seemed ok. However, my last time out the oil pressure light came on and the next day the engine had a very loud knock. From searching the forum I am figuring that my oil pump failed and may have been failing for some time. I'm guessing this means that I need a new oil pump, new bearings, a crankshaft and a rod.
I have done most of the work on the car myself so far. I believe this job is more than I can handle. I don't have the experience of pulling an engine or a lift to do it.
Before I take it to a shop for an estimate, could someone give me an idea what I am in for as a total cost for the repair?
The car has good bones without any rust. I have replaced just about everything else on the car and don't want to just park it or part it out at this point. Any advice would be appreciated.

[fiatfactory]

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[Tobi]

Or a used motor and have some body help you installing it.

[131]

Depending how bad the knock is and how long you ran it without oil pressure, you may simply get away with replacing a bearing. Chasing parts or an engine when you haven't even assessed what you've got is attacking it from the wrong end. The oil pump is driven by a splined gear that runs off the auxiliary shaft. The internal spline on the gear can strip and your oil pump stops, the pump may be fine. Earlier drive gears were short, later replacements were longer, so more of the spline was engaged on the oil pump shaft. A few months ago I turned the corner into my street, the oil light came on, I was cornering fast enough to cause oil surge, and the light didn't immediately go out. I turned the engine off, coasted into my driveway, removed the gear and replaced it with one from a spare motor and the car is still running. Do a bit more homework before you commit to a new motor.

[vandor]

Having a shop pull and rebuild the engine will cost you $4000-6000. So I would just up the engine and drop the oil pan to check how much damage there is. If you are lucky you can just replace the rod bearings, find why you lost oil pressure and be on your way without pulling the engine.

[So Cal Mark]

I've never seen an engine with an obvious knock just need bearings. The rod end will be out of round and more than likely the crank will need attention. If the motor had a bad leak, I'd expect it ran out of oil at some point and may have more damage than 1 rod

[fiatfactory]

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[ragtop2000]

Thanks to everyone for your input, here are a few more details that may help.
The oil leak was only a small puddle. I only added 1/2 of oil after the leak. The oil pressure light only came on briefly for a few seconds on my last drive. I was less than a mile away so I just drove it home. The knock didn't occur until I started it up the next day.
I started it up again this morning to check the oil pressure light. The knock is still there, but the oil light is not on. The engine is not leaking any more oil.
I am still assuming the worst and that a new engine is the best way to go. Any additional thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[ragtop2000]

Correction to the previous post. I only added 1/2 quart of oil after the leak.
Jon

[narfire]

How's the oil pan? By chance is the front of the pan caved in or have a decent sized ding in it? The pump pick up sits very close to the bottom of the pan and will break off if the pan is whacked. The pump will still suck up oil but will grab air when say going around corners and the oil sloshed to one side. Light will come on momentarily then as well.
Not sure about the knock though....

[canadan]

Sorry to be a bitch(btw thanks for helping out last time, little out of control)Notice i did not quote you.
Fiat engines are not like most modern engines, a rod knock or low oil pressure does not denote imminent engine replacement.
Your right Mark,most modern engines if you see the oil light come on or hear a noise, your going to be doing some walking.
But this is a fiat tractor engine designed by lampredi in the 1960s.Planned obsolescence? These guys planned on them and everything they built would last forever.Just like they and I do.LOL
Oil pumps on a fiat engine do not fail EVER. This poster busted the oil pump pickup off.It is only 1/4 inch from the bottom of the pan.
Any oil pan damage and the pick up breaks off at the end of the oil pump.
When your 500 miles from home, add a few liters of oil.
This solves the problem, dont ask how i know this!
Very easy to change the rod and main bearings in a fiat engine, remove the 2 motor mount bolts. Lift the engine at the transmission,PLEASE USE JACK STANDS. Pull the pan and set to work.
Only one rod will be the problem,If i remember right it will be number 2.Please dont quote me on that, been many years since i seen a failure, just when i started fixing fiats 30 years ago.
Why number 2 i do not know, only seen maybe 2 or3 engine failures in all those years.Run out of oil or most common in the 2 litre broken oil pump.
Still would go 50 miles at highway speed, dont believe me ask the president of the montreal fiat club.And then his 1979 fiat 124 spider blew up.Got towed because of supposed carb problems and the tow truck broke the oil pump pick up off.(before the days of flat beds it was a wheel lift, ever met a normal tow truck driver.)
Yes i fixed that engine.20 plus years ago now.Probably still being enjoyed, the rest of the car was perfect.
No i got no parts, not interested in fixing your fiat.just trying to impart a little bit of knowledge.

[ragtop2000]

I have decided that changing the engine is the best way to go. I am looking for advice as to where the best place is to find one. Car Monkey's has a rebuilt carb engine for $789.00 with a five year warranty and free shipping. Has anyone dealt with them before or have any other ideas? Any advice will be appreciated.

[BEEK]

send me a link for that engine, i would like to see what they offer for that price

edit. i found the link, that is a used engine not rebuilt

[ragtop2000]

Thanks for noticing that it is OEM not rebuilt. It seems like a good price tho

[So Cal Mark]

a 5 yr warranty on a used engine? That's unheard of