[aguirola]

"The engine block was probably re-stamped at the time, but in person it doesn't look as bad as it does in the photo.... "

So, nothing is certain or guaranteed at this time, as in, it may be, or may be not. OK.
To me, that is the twilight zone.

It does no look as bad? Huh?

 

[Gordon Raymond]

Going vintage racing? It will be fine. I've an AUSCA GTA engine made at AUSCA in early '66 from parts. I've another, currently set up as a single plug race engine with a un-numbered block. This was a dyno cam test engine.

When Ausca raced and built these cars, no-one cared if the engine was original to the chassis, engine made up of early or later GTA components and more. These were race cars! Autodelta and Alfa supplied AUSCA parts, we built engines and went racing.

 

[aguirola]

Gordon, you are absolutely right, yet this engine is sold on the premise of it being a 'proper' GTA block, which is more or less the 'issue'. If not an issue, then it ought not carry a 'premium price.

It may as well be any ole 1600 with the GTA add-ons.

On the rest, I fully agree with you.

Regards,
Alberto

 

[Gordon Raymond]

Do you know how to tell? Years ago at AUSCA, Ron Neil told me to get a late GTA block out of our parts collection for him. There were at least 20 blocks under the benches. I asked him how to tell which was which, how to tell a "late" one. Ron told me that the later GTA blocks (Not my own earlier unnumbered GTA block from Autodelta) were heavier than all others having more alloy up around the upper main webs. The weight difference isn't much, but indeed, late GTA blocks weighed on a bathroom scale were heavier than others. I was amazed at the time. This was about late 1966 or early 1967 I believe.

 

[MynameisJoe]

Going vintage racing? It will be fine. I've an AUSCA GTA engine made at AUSCA in early '66 from parts. I've another, currently set up as a single plug race engine with a un-numbered block. This was a dyno cam test engine.
View attachment 1897922
View attachment 1897923
When Ausca raced and built these cars, no-one cared if the engine was original to the chassis, engine made up of early or later GTA components and more. These were race cars! Autodelta and Alfa supplied AUSCA parts, we built engines and went racing.

Pretty cool when you have an engine in the living room!

 

[vsharp]

There are basically 3 series of early 105 1600 (cartridge oil filter) engine block.
The first: With unreinforced mains below bores, scalloped bore holes and flat #5 rear cap. 18.4kg.
First sedans and GTs.

Second type: reinforced webs main area in block at #2 & #4, thicker in #3. Scalloped bores holes and flat rear #5 cap. 19kg

Third type: reinforced web mains #2 & #4 and thick #3, No scalloped bore holes and new arched #5 rear cap. 19.5kg.

GTA blocks are typically the third type which became the standard production block across all models by about '66 maybe.
Vince.

 

[roadsterswap]

Great information! Thanks for sharing.