TS engine rebuild manual

onethumb · #1 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 11:46 AM

Anyone have such a beast or know where I can get one?

My new (well, 90,000 miles new) TS is on it's way....my Sport Sedan will soon have a bit more kick to it!

Planning on rebuilding the TS before I drop it in---might as well while I can work on it without banging my head on the hood every 20 minutes.

Since I've got your attention--anyone have recomendations on cams for the TS? I'll be using programmable EFI, and Steck's intake and headers--a nice set of cams could really make this engine scream.

Stacy Faught
'87 Spider Quad (sad, because of all the rain in southern cal this winter)
'78 Alfetta Sport Sedan (happy, because soon to be a TS Sport Sedan!!)

BigSwede · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2005, 01:21 AM

What kind of emission laws do you have to pass?

onethumb · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2005, 09:53 AM

CA, but for a '78. Should be no problem with the much more modern engine. The cams can't be too crazy, but a mildly hot cam should be within reason. If nothing else, I can back off a few of degrees on the overlap before smog time.

Alfajay · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2005, 05:56 PM

Onethumb:

My understanding is that STRICTLY SPEAKING you need to meet the emissions standards of either the chassis or the engine, whichever is LATER. Admittedly, a twinspark with EFI is going to be a LOT cleaner than whatever was delivered under your hood in 1978. No arguement - your proposed swap is helping the environment. That's logical.

But, I wouldn't guarantee that the smog nazis think logically.

My recommendation is to make your conversion look as "factory" as possible, and just take it to an ordinary inspection station (with something as weird as a '78 Alpha Romero, the DMV probably sends you to a "test only" station), and don't say nuttin about what's under the hood. With luck, they will just assume it's the original engine, and you will pass with flying colors.

Hey, I live in San Juan Capistrano too!

Jay Mackro

onethumb · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 09:04 AM

Yep, that's the plan. I'm keeping the airbox setup, and will try and use factory-looking harness with programmable efi, but if that becomes too difficult, then I'll go with either the original motronic or mabye even use a Spica unit. Just wheel it into the smog check about 30 minutes before closing time and relax--they won't have a clue what's supposed to be under the hood, except that it says Alfa Romeo on the engine and has 4 cylinders.
Both Stewart Jr and Uwe (the two most local Alfa mechanics) seem to agree that it should slide through smog as long as you take it to the right place. At any rate, it's due for smog in two months, so I'll get it done now with the old engine and worry about the new one in two years' time.
This is assuming I can find an ENGINE MANUAL

Rocketjosh · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 12:56 PM

Just out of curiosity, where did you get the engine from?

**coda tronca** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2005, 04:43 PM

You can get a TS engine manual from Books4cars .com.This would be a factory manual reprint. Another source is Motorbooks in the UK where they have a complete 75 manual sort of like Haynes. Cheers

BigSwede · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2005, 01:54 AM

What part of the manual do you need?

If you tell me specifics I can do some scans but not the whole thing, that would take two weeks or something.

onethumb · #9 (**permalink**) 03-28-2005, 08:53 AM

I think I'll just buy the whole thing off the books4cars site--easier to have it all in front of me rather than trying to guess what I might need beforehand. Thanks though!!

I bought the engine off ebay from a seller in England. I haven't recieved the engine yet, but the communication has been excellent, so if that's any indication, then I'll be happy. I'll be sure to let you know when the engine arrives if it is in good shape or not. I'm sure it will need a rebuild, but otherwise I expect it to not have any major defects.