Split Belt Guard

[RRoller123]

While doing my top end I decided to split the belt guard as has been discussed a few times here.

The top part can come off on go on with no restrictions, so you can get at the cam wheels. The bottom part just needs the Alternator/WP belt removed and the top radiator hose, which is not too bad, doesn't make a huge mess.

Also posted a couple of pics of the re-assy. All that is left is to put an Adel clamp on the dipstick tube at the FI rail, charge and burp the cooling system, reset the Computronix, the roll it outside once the weather is dry (probably tomorrow) and see if it fires up. No surprises, please. Then break in the cams.

[klweimer]

Great looking engine bay!

[aevansgatech]

Wow, exceptionally clean!

[RRoller123]

Oh thanks! I have been at the top end all Winter, it seems. But the lower end needs work, I am just hoping I can get through another season and then do it next Winter, and raise the CR to something reasonable!

The split Guard makes a lot of sense and is so simple. I used my Bosch jig saw with a mild SHEET METAL blade, balanced on the edge of a large cardboard box (my bench ). It cut cleanly and quickly and I hardly needed to touch up the paint.

Also a side note:

One of the advantages to putting the Computronix in the block position, is that when you do the top end, if you leave it mounted in the block, even with the head off and the battery disconnected, crank rotated multiple times, it "remembers where it is" and you don't have to re-calibrate it, per both Mark and the folks at Computronix. This is a nice advantage, on top of the lower heat exposure. In the Cam Box position, it of course has to be pulled to do a top end job, and would have to be recalibrated all over again. Since you want to get the car started and immediately up to ~2250 rpm to break in the cams, not having to time it is really nice.

Pete

[Schaubb]

Very nice looking engine compartment! I did the exact same thing and I agree it makes too much sense not too. If I can ever figure out how to post pics I will!

[RRoller123]

Well you asked the right person!

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 13&t=32169

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084

This short instruction covers how to resize pictures so that they don’t get cut off at the right side:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30441

[divace73]

great engine bay, how did you clean up the throttle body, AFM and exhaust cover?

[RRoller123]

Thanks! I degreased and blasted (or had blasted, to be more precise) most of the larger pieces, (Intake manifold, Exhaust heat shield, etc.) then thoroughly cleaned in hot water and detergent to remove residual dust particles, force hot air dried, primed and painted with 400F ceramic rattle can spray paint. Crinkle paint on the Air Box and Cam Boxes/Valve Covers. Hopefully it will withstand the temps. Replaced every single piece of hardware I could with SS. It may show some chipping in a while, but I just need a year, as I hope to pull the whole thing out next Winter anyway and do up the lower end.

Can't yet afford (or have the room) to set up a simple powder coat process here in the condo garage, but maybe some day.... A friend of mine bought an old electric stove/oven, put it out in the garage, and does his own powder coating with fantastic results, and quite inexpensively.

Pete

[RRoller123]

Finally got it back together and started, and the Cams broken in. Next change the oil and filter, check/adjust the valves and give it a good Spring wash and wax tomorrow and see if it still drives as I remember it before Winter set it! Just in tome for the good weather around the corner here.

Thanks to Mark Allison and Csaba for answering the endless emails from me, to help me get this all done properly.

(Sounds a lot better in reality than in this video)

Pete

http://vid1205.photobucket.com/albums/b ... wpmpup.mp4

[124JOE]

you can lower the idle by playing with the timming

[RRoller123]

Oh it idles fine. Timing statically with the Computronix is really easy (once you get #4 ~0deg TDC CS) and gets it close enough that you can run the engine with no problem. This was the first time it started after the new Head, Cams, Cam Wheels, Cooling system and Cosmetics. You break the Cams in by running it at 2000 to 3000, with smooth transitions, for about 20 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool. I did it in 250 rpm steps and let it sit for a minute or so at each step. It looks pretty funny watching myself fumble trying to adjust the throttle while looking through the viewfinder of the camera!

Pete

[joelittel]

Congratulations on getting it up and running. Just in time for the driving season too

[RRoller123]

Thanks, Joe.

One correction in my earlier post (as always ) : Time the Computronix at ~12 deg BTDC #4, CS.

[124JOE]

no no i was just stabbing in the dark