Engine Removal

When removing the engine from an 850 Coupe there's three things you need to know- Despite what the manuals tell you, there are 6, not 4, bolts that secure the rear panel, you should also REMOVE the OUTER tail light assemblies to avoid damaging them. Finally, you don't need an engine hoist if all you're doing is pulling the motor.

I stripped down as much of the motor as possible BEFORE pulling it out. I figured less weight, smaller size, easier to handle. The exhaust, water pump, alternator all came off first. Once removed from the car I lifted the motor up to the workbench.

The previous owner told me the car had sat since 1991, possibly due to a blown head gasket. He bought a used 850 Spider motor and tried to make one good motor by combining parts from both motors. From what I had discovered so far I knew it wasn't going to be good. This is what I found when I removed the head.

Not good. The P.O. had told me he used the "better" head. The original head, which was part of the purchase, looks perfect compared to this. He also incorrectly installed several of the rod bearing caps.

This is how it should look, both stamped with the same cylinder number.

This one has the bearing cap installed "backwards". Notice you can't see the cylinder number stamping.

Finally, in this pic we can see where the P.O. left off the oil return tube.

I still have more tearing down to do, not sure what else is left for me to find wrong, but we will see. I also need to find a machine shop that is familiar with Fiats. I emailed R&D in Costa Mesa but have yet to hear back from them. There are a couple of Italian Repair places here in San Francisco, so if I don't hear from R&D I'll check in with them to see if they can do it or recommend someone. Judging by the box of leftover parts in the trunk it looks like the engine I removed has the original Coupe pistons & rod bearings in the used 850 Spider motor. Hopefully I can use the old head and block to keep it original.