I managed to snag a free 2L engine recently, it came free with the purchase of a 1994 Buick Roadmaster wagon with a bad transmission. Negotiation was not always my strong suit...
Since I now have this engine holding down the floor of my garage I thought it would be a great time to do my first basic engine rebuild.
So I'm looking to tap into the wisdom of the experts here to figure out what the bare minimum I should plan on replacing once I open up the engine, and also figure out what extras I'd like to upgrade, budget willing. By starting early I'm hoping I can find some parts at a discount, this strategy saved us thousands on a kitchen remodel. It's amazing how much more you will pay for something you need NOW.
Why am I attempting a rebuild? Well, it's on my bucket list mostly. But I also feel that the engine in my Berlina is feeling a bit flat, and it's not as much fun as other Alfas I have had. Plus it leaves a slight trail of blue smoke when I watch my wife drive off in it. So I figure it either needs rings, valve guides, or both.
So my intial thoughts include:
New rings (Hastings) and hone the cylinders assuming they are ok
Clean up pistons
New crank bearings
New rod bearings
New gasket set
New head gasket
New water pump
Check oil pump
Confirm TDC pointer
As for the head:
Check for flatness, clean up if needed
New valve seals
New valve guides?
Clean valves of carbon
Adjust clearances
Time cams carefully
If budget allows I would love hotter cams and possibly higher comp pistons. But for a first time rebuild I would be happy just getting back to a nice, solid, revvy 1974 SPICA engine.
For now I am assuming the SPICA pump is good. It's a 74 unit and seems to work well enough.
I'm also open to ignition suggestions. Right now I have a 74 Marellis disty firing an MSD 5 box with Mallory coil. It works ok, a slightly faster curve would be nice. A 123 Ignition would be great, but again probably not in the budget.
I hope I'm not rehashing a tired thread, if so point me to other threads. I read through Ed's "1979 Spider on the Dyno" thread, Lots of Richard Jemison's threads, Andrews comments, gigem75, tried to absorb as much as I could from Tom Sahines, Eric Storhok, and lots others.
After spending the last few months on Roadmster/Impala forums getting our Roadmaster road-worthy it's nice to be back in the land of the intelligent, polite, and literate. Love this place!
Thanks!
Ian
PS - did I mention the engine is an Alfetta engine? I know the crank needs modification, and it might need a gear for the tach. Should I sell it and find a spider engine or just dive in?
Since I now have this engine holding down the floor of my garage I thought it would be a great time to do my first basic engine rebuild.
So I'm looking to tap into the wisdom of the experts here to figure out what the bare minimum I should plan on replacing once I open up the engine, and also figure out what extras I'd like to upgrade, budget willing. By starting early I'm hoping I can find some parts at a discount, this strategy saved us thousands on a kitchen remodel. It's amazing how much more you will pay for something you need NOW.
Why am I attempting a rebuild? Well, it's on my bucket list mostly. But I also feel that the engine in my Berlina is feeling a bit flat, and it's not as much fun as other Alfas I have had. Plus it leaves a slight trail of blue smoke when I watch my wife drive off in it. So I figure it either needs rings, valve guides, or both.
So my intial thoughts include:
New rings (Hastings) and hone the cylinders assuming they are ok
Clean up pistons
New crank bearings
New rod bearings
New gasket set
New head gasket
New water pump
Check oil pump
Confirm TDC pointer
As for the head:
Check for flatness, clean up if needed
New valve seals
New valve guides?
Clean valves of carbon
Adjust clearances
Time cams carefully
If budget allows I would love hotter cams and possibly higher comp pistons. But for a first time rebuild I would be happy just getting back to a nice, solid, revvy 1974 SPICA engine.
For now I am assuming the SPICA pump is good. It's a 74 unit and seems to work well enough.
I'm also open to ignition suggestions. Right now I have a 74 Marellis disty firing an MSD 5 box with Mallory coil. It works ok, a slightly faster curve would be nice. A 123 Ignition would be great, but again probably not in the budget.
I hope I'm not rehashing a tired thread, if so point me to other threads. I read through Ed's "1979 Spider on the Dyno" thread, Lots of Richard Jemison's threads, Andrews comments, gigem75, tried to absorb as much as I could from Tom Sahines, Eric Storhok, and lots others.
After spending the last few months on Roadmster/Impala forums getting our Roadmaster road-worthy it's nice to be back in the land of the intelligent, polite, and literate. Love this place!
Thanks!
Ian
PS - did I mention the engine is an Alfetta engine? I know the crank needs modification, and it might need a gear for the tach. Should I sell it and find a spider engine or just dive in?