Crankshaft 1978 Fiat Spider

[taif]

Hi: Recently pulled the engine on my 1978 spider because of leaking heat gasket. Thought it was a good chance to clean the engine and paint etc. While it is out I decided to remove the oil pan and see what kind of strange things might be in the bottom, and strange it is. On the bottom is half of a "thrust ?" washer that appears to be from the end of the crank. What do I do from here and how do I get a replacement? Should know by now that any time you work on a Fiat seven other problems magically appear.

[So Cal Mark]

you mean the thrust bearing was laying in the oil pan? If so, time to remove the crankshaft and check for wear on the thrust surfaces. Any of the Fiat vendors that sell engine parts will have new bearings in stock. You can probably order them through any parts store that sells hard parts too

[racydave]

Ive never had a Fiat block apart. What surface does the thrusters ride against on the block? Could there be more damage than just the crank surface?

[So Cal Mark]

the thrust bearings don't turn, they sit in the block. The crankshaft surface could be worn as well as the block surface if the crankshaft contacted it

[taif]

Problem solved. Thanks

[racydave]

Thats great! What didya hafta do?

[pope]

I'd like to know also, the thrust bearing limits the amount of play the crankshaft has in the block. With out it, I am not sure where the crank would touch first. Maybe one of the individual lobe arms? In anyways, not a good thing.

The thrust bearing sits against the block.