RE: Twin spark and dream Alfas

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@domain.elided>]

> I find it interesting to read about the Twin Spark engine listed on ebay
> and then read everyone's wish list for their dream Alfa.  Like many people
> I'll never realize my dream Alfa but I can realize a Twin Spark engine.  I
> have a very nice handling '74 GTV that I like to occassionly take to
> driving school events but find it a bit lacking in horsepower.  Now, it's
> time to do something about it.  Earlier this month I bought a used but
> complete 75 Twin Spark engine from a source in the UK for a few hundred
> less than the engine listed on ebay.  I found engine prices can vary
> between $400 and $800 depending on milage and how complete it is.
>  Shipping
> can cost as much or more than the engine.   My engine includes the CPU,
> exhaust manifold, belts, altenator and so forth which should help ease the
> swap.  Why bother to try to retrofit a head when you can get the entire
> engine.  V-6 swaps sound too complicated with a potential weight penalty
to
> boot.  The engine arrived today and I hope to clear customs early next
week
> and have it delivered to the shop ASAP.  My mechanic is very confident
that
> he can install it with the FI system in place.  Once it's up and running
> hot cams and a chip can't be far away.  The UK Alfa specialist claim 155hp
> in UK trim so it should be a nice bump up with potential for more.

Is your mechanic familiar with some of the differences between 75's
(Milano's) and GTV's?  Afaik, the cranks in the Milano's are not drilled to
accept the input shaft from the front mounted transmissions, and you cannot
bolt in directly a Milano (or Alfetta) motor into an early Spider/GTV.

The crank needs to come out of the motor and either be replaced or drilled.

You might want to try to mate the motor up to a transmission before you
remove the motor that's currently in the car, as I think you might be in for
some lengthy crank work before that motor is ready to be bolted in.

The results should be worth the effort.

Fwiw,

bs

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