1980 Spider build

[sodell]

I have been working on this project for a while now, about to get the engine back together.

This was when I started

[sodell]

Crank when I finally got it back from the engine shop, 6 weeks later.



And then the short block completed.

[sodell]

Short block together, cleaned and painted.

[sodell]

Trying to get the valve covers polished, still need some work.

[sodell]

Next have to finish the valve job and then its back together.

[sodell]

It will be going back into this soon to be changed ugly brown color Spider..lol

[sodell]

Nice motivation here.

[wizard124]

One lesson learned the hard way, years ago.

Be sure the crank thrust washers are inserted and facing the correct way.

[sodell]

I bought some new ones but they did not look the same as the old, so I used the old ones. I know where they go but which way do they go in?

[wizard124]

I bought some new ones but they did not look the same as the old, so I used the old ones. I know where they go but which way do they go in?

Honestly, I don't remember! That was about 35 years ago when I re-built my '71 1608 That outcome (installing the thrust washer backwards) resulted in severe wear to the crankshaft. It was so bad, the crank moved fore/aft in its bearings and had a bad knocking. I pulled the engine and the machinist welded up the crank end and machined it to spec.

Hopefully, someone else will steer you on the right path

[sodell]

I have not worked much on a Fiat before. I had a 131 back in the 80's that had the same engine when we were living in Germany, but I didn't do much to it other than tune up and brakes.
I put the shims in the right place but they each have two grooves with numbers on one side. It looked like that was the side that had been worn so I put them back that way.