How to free up Crank shaft?

[spider2081]

I just took apart a 2L FI engine that froze after the car was parked a few years. I was amazed how tightly the rings stuck to the cylinder walls. I tried lots of things to free the crank before taking the whole thing apart. Soaked the pistons in automatic transmission fluid tapped on them with mallet and block of wood. Filled the cylinders with PB blaster and heated them with a torch. After a few weeks of this, I took it apart. With the crankshaft out I used a block of wood and a 5lb hammer to knock out the pistons. The cylinder walls don't appear to be pitted but every piston was stuck solidly in its cylinder. The rings are stuck in every piston. The rod and main bearings look great. So I guess sometimes one just has to take these engines apart to free them. Even if I got it to turn I'm now pretty sure it would have had lots of blow by. Now I just need to decide, wether rebuild or get a short block. Engine has 62K on it.

[pope]

Have an engine shop do the cylinder measurements, but probably a honing and new rings is all its needs. These engines are really pretty reliable. 62K means its just getting broken in.

[NickSpider]

Can someone explain a engine rebuild? I found a shop locally that works on fiats and other older italian cars, they told me worst case scenario to rebuild my engine would run around 2600.

If everything else is working is it possible to just do the honing and replacing the rings as stated above, or do I have to replace the pistons and everything?

What should it cost to do a honing and rings job?

[TulsaSpider]

I am sure it's possible to damage a piston, breaking the rings loose if the rings are rusted to the block. You'd just have to try. Do you have the facilities to pull the motor? That's the only way to really tell what you are looking at. You need to break them free and determine if the cylinder walls are damaged or pitted. If so you will need new pistons and re-bored block. Or you can look around for a used block or complete donor car to rob from. If you get lucky and the cylinders are ok you will just have to price the parts. New rings, bearings, renting a cherry picker, a quality gasket set, timing belt, a cylinder hone, torque wrench, misc supplies, change all hoses, thermostat, rtv, antifreeze, oil etc.. maybe putting in a new clutch/throwout bearing while you are at it. I'd say less than $500 if everything is ok. Of course if you can swing the price to have it done, I take it that price is installed? or if you really want to get to know your car and gain confidence and knowledge in it then tear it down and see what can be done, you never know till you try! It depends on your situation and goals I guess~!

[So Cal Mark]

it's very unrealistic to think a rusted cylinder can be honed and not bored. $2600 worst case is very low, I'd ask just what that includes and get it in writing.

[pope]

Before we all get carried away with this rebuild, YOU, have to ask yourself what you are looking for out of this car.
Daily driver, something to beat around the city with on weekends, or classic to have for a long time...restored to perfection.
That will tell what to spend on this engine. If we knew your plans, that would greatly help us in steering you in the right direction. Good Luck

Remember, that import shop is just gonna send that engine out to get rebored at some engine rebuild shop. That is something you can do yourself.

[NickSpider]

Well assuming I can get the car running reliably, it will be basically put back like it was originally minus the smog equipment. I might even consider changing the paint color so not a complete restoration just mechanically. It is the powder yellow and is quite faded with a little rust around the head lights where the paint cracked over time. My wife isnt too big on yellow so we will see. Once it becomes reliable, it will probably be a weekend driver when the weather is nice. We always talked about how it would be fun to drive it through the hill country touring wineries, but that will have to wait till I know it is reliable (dont want to get stranded).

Once the engine is taken care of, there really isnt that much more to do other than a few things here and there, already had radiator redone, had fuel tank relined, replaced fuel lines, replaced thermostat, replaced water pump, replaced alternator, replaced points in distributor and spark plug wiring, replaced heater lines, replaced fuel pump, (still looking for the white plastic valve that sits next to the fuel pump, the connection was fragile and broke when i removed the old hose), will be replacing rotors, calipers and pads, brake lines, planning on get her repainted and new convertible top put on (most likely a canvas one), need to replace the donut, replace the front end bushings eventually and probably new shocks around, clean up the inside a little, still looks pretty new. Of course my wife and I would love to drive it on the weekends assuming the weather is nice.

[So Cal Mark]

sounds like a stock rebuild is what you need/want.

[TulsaSpider]

Don't replace the little UFO near the fuel pump. It was recalled as a fire hazard anyway. It was a one way valve. Yellow is hard to paint a different color, especially the engine compartment. When you have the engine out of course is the only time to repaint the engine compartment. Sounds like you will have an awesome Spider when you get done!

[NickSpider]

can i get a second on not replacing the white ufo looking thing??

[TulsaSpider]

Here's the thread I remember reading about it..
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... uel#p18845

[baltobernie]

Sorry, the photo was moved. I got a salvage part from Bayless, wanting to keep the evaporative emission system intact, so as not to be evicted from the garage. Since obtaining the car last year, I've seen a number of different evap configurations on various model years. I can't offer any advice, other than my system now works. If there was a service bulletin with a procedure for replacing or omitting, I'm sure the forum would like to hear the particulars.



But Nick, please get your car running before tackling these incedental items. The Fiat universe is full of abandoned projects containing new seats and sound systems, but the owner ran out of money (or his wife ran out of patience) before the car was road-worthy.

[NickSpider]

that wont happen, my wife is fully on board and as long as I keep everything from here on out under 5K or so I dont think she will mind. I think she is looking forward to the day it is driving as much as I am. by the way how do you post pictures, I have some that I just found from when I picked up the fiat to show you guys.

[rlux4]

To post pics, first you need to upload them to a photo sharing site (photobucket works great), and then select the "img" code for the picture. You just paste it into your message (paste or "ctrl+v) here at FS.com. You don't need to use the command buttons you see above the message composition area because the "IMG" command is already built in from photobucket.
Ron

[NickSpider]

few pictures the day i picked it up. I rinsed it off before I hauled it home, to see what kind of condition it was in. It still had the original tires on her, pretty tough pushing up on the trailer, fortunately i had help. The wheels are getting swapped out with some of the alloys from the mid 70's fiat that i picked up from someone on here for a 100 bucks, in great condition