Hello,

I took the engine out of my 1981 Fiat spider and have been slowly taking it apart and cleaning all the pieces. I have finally reached the block but ran into several problems. First off, the bolts don't want to budge off the flywheel and secondly the pistons looked problematic to me. I didn't have any issues with the engine prior to the rebuild. It all started out this past winter with just "I'll take some parts out and clean them for the spring.", but it quickly ended up with the engine completely out and all these problems. I wanted to post some pictures of the engine block and ask you guys what you think. Do I have to worry about taking off the flywheel and what do you think of my cylinders? Or can I just repaint the sides and put it all back together with new gaskets and clean parts?

thanks so much in advance.
Dexter

dbr,

Hard to say by just looking at the pictures. Did you happen to do a compression test before you pulled the head off? If not, search the forum for leak down tests. I saw one just recently here, where you fill the cylinder up with something, and see how long it takes to leak down through the piston rings. Are the bores scored or otherwise damaged? Again, can't tell from the pictures.

You might consider investing in an electric impact wrench, removes even stubborn nuts/bolts with ease.

Kirk

+1 on the impact wrench. After using it you wont know how you ever got along without it.

Thanks for the recommendation of the leak down test. Since the dodo that I am forgot about doing a compression test, I am going to have to do that. Is the brown rim at the top of the cylinders normal. I don't recall seeing that anywhere else. Not sure how that would occur by the engine alone. The pistons pass that level at their highest. Does anyone have a clue?

Besides that rim the pistons appear fine. No real scratches or damage. Also the engine didn't sound funny or give me any problems before tear down. Yes, please don't ask why I took it apart!

Thanks!

I couldn't get my flywheel off even with a Harbor Freight electric impact wrench. Was going to go for the lightened flywheel but at that point, after rebuilding the transmission etc., I just put it back together. Those flywheels nuts can be wicked tight.

Great pics, thanks. Looking at rebuilding my '79.

All on forum, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the ring you see in your cylinders is just some carbonization, like on you pistons. It is probably lines up with the rings on the pistons. If the cylinders below look good, then prob OK. Something I have heard on one of the many car shows I have seen.
I have alos taken more apart than probably needed. But have also learned a lot. Actually will be fixing a mistake next weekend for thinking too much.

good luck

geo